America
Governor Nikki Haley to reply to the State of the Union address
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
will be delivering the rebuttal to President Obama’s last State of the Union
address Jan. 12, the Republican Party announced Jan. 5.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell, R-Kentucky made the announcement, making Haley the 2nd
Indian-American governor and possibly the first ever minority woman to have the
privilege of representing the GOP in history, in taking on the job of giving
the rebuttal.
Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, once considered a “Rising Star†of the GOP,
like Haley is now, was also given the opportunity to present the rebuttal in
2009, the first State of the Union that President Obama delivered after the
historic election of a black president. Jindal botched the presentation and
that marked the beginning of the downward trajectory of his political career.
“Nikki Haley has led an economic turnaround and set a bold agenda for her state,
getting things done and becoming one of the most popular governors in America,â€
Speaker Ryan is quoted saying in a press release. Haley’s action in removing
the Confederate flag from South Carolina State House grounds following the
massacre of 9 black parishioners in a Charleston church, established her
national credentials and her visibility. It also gave further fillip to
speculation she may be selected as a vice presidential candidate by a
Republican presidential candidate.
“In a year when the country is crying out for a positive vision and alternative
to the status quo, Governor Haley is the exact right choice to deliver the
Republican Address to the Nation,†Ryan said. The GOP has been struggling to
reach out to minorities and in the current political scenario where the
evangelical base of the party is gaining ground, showcases the traditional
moderate conservatives.
“Nikki Haley is a proven leader and committed reformer who believes
deeply in the promise of the country we all share,†Sen. McConnell is auoted
saying in the press release. “Not only has Governor Haley fought to bring
opportunity and prosperity to the people of her state, but she’s also
demonstrated how bringing people together can bring real results. Governor
Haley knows the American Dream and wants to see every American share in it, and
we’re pleased that she will be delivering this year’s Republican Address‎.â€
Haley said she was honored to be asked to deliver the Republican address to the
nation. “This is a time of great challenges for our country, but also of great
opportunities. I intend to speak about both,†she said in a press release
from her office.
Gov. Haley, the 116th Governor of South Carolina, is the first female and the
first minority governor in South Carolina history and currently the youngest
governor in the country. She was re-elected to a second term in November
2014.