Nikki Haley Warns Presidential Candidates: 'No Dirty Tricks' (VIDEO)

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) weighed in on the race shaping up for the Republican presidential nomination during an appearance on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday morning.

"The second a political consultant tries to play dirty tricks, it will backfire and it will hurt that candidate," explained Haley. "And so my warning to every candidate coming into South Carolina is come in, talk about the issues, that's what we want to hear about, but the distractions are not welcome in South Carolina."

The remarks come one day after former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee announced that he will not run for president in the next election cycle. Haley spoke about the presidential ambitions of some of the other Republican names still eyeing the White House in what appears to be a wide-open primary race.

The South Carolina governor signaled her belief that Mitt Romney's implementation of health care reform in Massachusetts when he was governor could prove problematic for his chances. She said, "I think that Newt Gingrich has dealt with a lot of issues in the past, and I think now he's going to have to show that he's got those ideas to deal with the future."

As for Donald Trump, Haley offered a critical take of a curse-filled speech the billionaire and potential presidential contender recently delivered in Las Vegas.

"That is not appropriate in South Carolina," she said, echoing similar remarks she recently made when asked about Trump's use of the "f-word." "We will give all of our candidates respect, and we certainly expect our candidates to come in and give the people of South Carolina respect."

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Comments

[SouthOfProgress]

12:35 PM on 05/17/2011

Yeah, cause South Carolina is known for being a class act. Visitors please respect traditional SC politics..you know- extramarital affairs, knocking up black house servants, race bating, the positives of segregation. But no dirty tricks.

[Wilson201]

10:23 PM on 05/16/2011

Haley is a dirty trick. If only we were lucky enough for her to resign before she screws us more than Will Folks.

[bonanzajellybean]

01:54 PM on 05/17/2011

Amen.

[Andythelawyer]

04:20 PM on 05/16/2011

Why would anyone care what she says?

[Hardyman1966]

03:46 PM on 05/16/2011

This is like telling someone who's right-handed to suddenly switch the next day to left.

It's not going to happen unless amputation is involved.

But it was a cute idea nonetheless.

[midwestblues]

03:40 PM on 05/16/2011

Pretty please you guys, be nice and I'll bake some cookies with nice cold milk. What a leader!

[libwithaclue]

03:19 PM on 05/16/2011

Gov Nimrata Randhawa Haley telling GOPers "No dirty tricks" is like telling pigeons "No flying".

[Patriot Games]

03:06 PM on 05/16/2011

South Carolina where in-breeding lives.

[Abbie-X]

03:02 PM on 05/16/2011

Great call Nikki...you've almost been in office longer than your mentor Sister Sarah! You are showing the skills of a seasoned political pundit. OK, so we can expect no more Florida 2000??? or Ohio 2004??? Or Swift Boat type groups defaming decorated candidates?? or hidden corporate campaign funds??? If this is what you mean (I doubt it) than I'm all for it. Speaking of tricks...how is your predecessor doing these days...any word from South America??

[Andrew Wojtkowski]

02:41 PM on 05/16/2011

Yes, because South Carolina has been known for its pure and classy candidates.

[TitaniumAvatar]

02:31 PM on 05/16/2011

No dirty tricks...just the normal GOP tricks.

[ScottV]

02:12 PM on 05/16/2011

Oh nevermind.

[ScottV]

02:11 PM on 05/16/2011

Ok mom, I'll finish my homework...she is really getting annoying.

[craftycrow]

02:00 PM on 05/16/2011

She sounds like a nagging mom.

[DCSuburb]

01:59 PM on 05/16/2011

She's got the gravitas of a box of hair.

[firefro]

01:20 PM on 05/16/2011

I believe she is hinting at this....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain_presidential_campaign,_2000#South_Carolina