Nikki Haley: South Carolina Runoff Challenger Gresham Barrett Vows Not To Be Pushed Out Of Race

(AP) - The second-place finisher in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary says he is staying in the runoff.

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett said Wednesday morning he is "absolutely" staying in the race against state Rep. Nikki Haley on June 22.

Haley led Tuesday with 49% of the vote, Barrett got 22% in the four-way contest.

He said he has heard from no one about pulling out to give Haley a clear shot to the November election against Democrat Vincent Sheheen.

The Republican Governor's Association issued a statement Tuesday night calling Haley the clear choice. Barrett says he can't control what the association says.

Barrett says he's not worried the runoff would drain candidate resources before the election.

Comments

[ywcachieve]

10:15 PM on 06/09/2010

She's no better than any of the men who are unfaithful to their spouses.

It's funny how people have a double standard when women cheat.

[itschuck2c]

05:52 AM on 06/10/2010

I have yet to see an actual "Smoking Gun" in evidence..everything I have seen you can do with a word processor.

[sleeperd]

09:35 PM on 06/09/2010

I hope the Halley win undescores what a rotten, repulsive bunch of women-hating girlymen these leftist lib weasels really are...

[ywcachieve]

10:04 PM on 06/09/2010

You are so out of touch with reality. It is the REPUB MEN who outed her as an adulterer.

[loria]

06:07 PM on 06/09/2010

I just came across something interesting in regards to run-offs in SC. First of all, no one from SC declares a party affiliation. We just participate in the primary of our choice. During the presidential election the GOP and Dem primaries were held on different days, and we voted on the day of our choice. Yesterday we were asked which party we wanted to vote for and that party was pulled up on the machine. I voted in the Dem primary so I can't vote in the run-off. Only those who voted in GOP primary AND THOSE ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHO DIDN'T VOTE AT ALL can vote in the run-off. I was surprised to find out that those who didn't vote can vote in the run-off. So, there are more votes to be had than it would appear on the surface. I am sure more people didn't vote than did.

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/politics/south_carolina/article/s.c._state_election_commission_offers_qa_on_primary_voting/178360/

BTW, here's a SC primary story is just as embarrassing. It seems the Dems are running an unemployed, unknown who lives with his parents and has a felony arrest, against DeMint. It looks like both Dem candidates were pretty much unknown so SC went for the one listed first - oops! BTW, I voted for the other guy.

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/politics/south_carolina/article/s.c._state_election_commission_offers_qa_on_primary_voting/178360/

[jerryatthebeach]

05:52 PM on 06/09/2010

I had predicted you to be the winner in that race. I'm not always right, so, when I get it wrong, I have to reflect and see what the real answer is... AKA, there is a reason for everything..

[crapshooter]

05:07 PM on 06/09/2010

Wait until next week the other shoe will drop.

[stonelaw]

05:45 PM on 06/09/2010

. . . and then another, and another, and another . . .

Couldn't agree more.

[1Woman4Obama]

05:46 PM on 06/09/2010

I think if they had the shoes, they would have dropped them before the primary.

[loria]

05:49 PM on 06/09/2010

700 phone calls is part of the drip. Can you possibly explain why Haley claimed she barely knew Folks when the two shared 700 phone calls, some late at night that lasted for hours. So, did she barely know Folks?

[mortgagechief]

04:52 PM on 06/09/2010

Strap a lie detector to each of the candidates before the run-off, sounds fair to me.

[sleeperd]

09:32 PM on 06/09/2010

Good thing they didn't do that when Slick Willie was around...

[ywcachieve]

10:06 PM on 06/09/2010

But they should do it now, since slick Nikkie is out to play, now. Dropping those panties.

[xansam]

04:30 PM on 06/09/2010

where do i donate to him?

[Ro2dawn]

04:29 PM on 06/09/2010

Wonder which job Cornyn will be offer him

[MemphisBuffalo]

04:05 PM on 06/09/2010

He is waiting for the photos and or tape of the sex romp to go public.

[Grim Truth]

04:00 PM on 06/09/2010

If it was close, I could see him staying in, but to lose so badly... what is he thinking?

[loria]

04:25 PM on 06/09/2010

Who knows, but perhaps he's counting on the Bauer and McMasters vote coming his way. Or, he's waiting for the pictures and the video. Who knows. I just hope that SC sees the light and recognizes that neither Haley or Barrett are the answer. My vote will be for Shaheen. SC doesn't need the GOP to take us down any further.

[Grim Truth]

04:44 PM on 06/09/2010

Bauer and McMasters did take 30% of the vote. But it's highly unlikely most of them would go to Barrett... time will tell.

But you definitely do make a good point (ignoring your cheep shot :P).

[doctorwang]

04:26 PM on 06/09/2010

Less than 50% voted for Haley....so he still has a chance. And, considering the allegations that are being made, anything can happen in two weeks time.

[loria]

06:11 PM on 06/09/2010

Plus, any eligible voter who didn't vote yesterday can vote in the run-off.

[stonelaw]

03:55 PM on 06/09/2010

"Twenty-four hours in politics is a lifetime."

Let's just see how this plays out.

[rich3324]

03:40 PM on 06/09/2010

"absolutely staying in the race"

Until he finds his dogs head in his bed.

[lostonbridgetofuture]

03:19 PM on 06/09/2010

I live in SC and I think that the run off is a stupid waste of time and money. It wasn't even close!

My democratic choice did not win the primary, I don't like the guy that did win. But I can't see myself voting for Haley as I am no fan of hers, either.

[Ro2dawn]

04:37 PM on 06/09/2010

Your candidate lost because of open voting. The dumbos here in California just voted for open primary. The republicans can vote for the weaker candidate. Some years ago, they crossed over and voted for George Wallace in Michigan as the Democratic candidate for President.

[loria]

05:27 PM on 06/09/2010

I guess there is no choice if Barrett goes forward. Personally, I don't care who they decide they want to be their candidate, I will be voting for Sheheen. Sorry he wasn't the candidate you wanted.

I do agree with you. This is a waste of money unless something does come out over the next two weeks to turn the tides against Haley. Maybe Barrett knows something about some real proof that the rest of us don't. More likely he doesn't care about spending taxpayer money for a run-off that he won't win (unless there is some bombshell) as we lay off and furlough teachers in a state that already ranks close to 50th in education.

[mimigrammy]

03:16 PM on 06/09/2010

We'll see if Barrett gives in to GOP pressure and bows out or not. The GOP play real dirty in South Carolina. They have been known to eat their own if doing so will keep them in the power seat.

[Grim Truth]

04:01 PM on 06/09/2010

Him staying in is practically eating your own. He strikes me as not too bright.

And let me save you hardcore lefties some time and respond for you:

"He's a republican - he can't be too bright."

Ok, there, now you don't have to respond.

[doctorwang]

04:24 PM on 06/09/2010

The whole SC GOP gubenatorial race has been a fiasco. The state GOP has developed quite a taste for 'eating their own'. Apparently Barrett is the norm, not the exception, when it comes to SC politics.

[mimigrammy]

05:35 PM on 06/09/2010

Now, now, sour grapes aren't good for you. Some of my best friends vote Republican from time to time. Some of my best friends who sometimes vote Republican are also very bright, and vote Democrat from time to time.

[1Woman4Obama]

05:45 PM on 06/09/2010

I don't see it this way -- the GOP pressure would keep him in race. I don't think Haley can beat Sheheen -- is there speculation that she will?

[Beau2]

03:14 PM on 06/09/2010

This man seems to be fond of "beat downs."

"May I have another, Please, Mam?" lol

[doctorwang]

03:18 PM on 06/09/2010

You talking about Folks or Barrett?