(CNN) - After a South Carolina political blogger claimed Monday to have had an "inappropriate physical relationship" with Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley, Haley's campaign went on the warpath, issuing an emphatic denial and enlisting support from political allies to torpedo the accuser's credibility.
"There is nothing there," Haley told reporters after a debate in Greenville Monday night. "I am not going to let this distraction get to me. I know it's been a great story for you guys to have today, but there is no truth to it."
With even rival operatives privately acknowledging that Haley appears to be winning the he-said, she-said public relations battle, her campaign sought to continue that momentum Tuesday with a new ad touting support from Haley's most famous backer - Sarah Palin.
Related: 'Hang in there,' Palin tells Haley
The ad, Haley's second of the campaign, emphasizes Haley's gender in an appeal to the female voters she is targeting in her GOP primary race against three men. The June 8 primary pits Haley against Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Attorney General Henry McMaster and Rep. Gresham Barrett.
"I am a woman who understands that through the grace of God all things are possible," Haley says in the ad, which uses footage of her and Palin at a campaign rally in Columbia earlier this month.
The ad also conveys Haley's core message: That she is an outsider who will reform South Carolina's political system, which she and her allies claim is dominated by entrenched special interests.
"We need fresh faces, fresh voices, and fresh ideas working for the people of this state, not the power of the legislature," Haley says.
The 30-second spot concludes with Palin calling Haley "a strong pro-family, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-development, conservative reformer."
The ad is running statewide, according to Haley's campaign.
From CNN Politics
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"I am a woman who understands that through the grace of God all things are possible," Haley says... What is that cryptic quote supposed to mean? That it is possible that someone in South Carolina politics might be sane and virtuous?
Something smells fishy....if it has to do with Falinpalin involved!
Looks like a re-hash of "Dumb and Dumber."
"Birds of a fether flock together!" "Ignorance loves company!" What more is there to say about these two morons!
Seeing as how the guy who diddled Haley is a Republican, worked for Mark "Appalaichan Trail" Sanford, and says he did 'it' in no uncertain terms, Palin is just showing how big a idiotic fool she is.
The RepubliKlan Party's self-inflicted destruction is truly a fascinating thing to behold, as they drive toward the cliff they are stepping harder on the accelerator pedal.
One question..Why in the world would anyone take any kind of advice from a quitter like Palin.. !!!!
Not a good sign when you have to call in the "Wicked Witch of the North" as a character witness.
There is no other political party more experienced at using inuendo, distortion and lies to bring a candidate down better than the GOP. And no better spokesperson of irrelevance than Sarah-I'm only in it for the money- Palin!
Oh yeah, after your little sex scandal comes to life see how fast Palin bugs out of your campaign.
Who cares what Sarah thinks. It is past the time the media should have gotten over her. When will the media learn that you cannot prove a negative?
Sooo, I was taught long long ago is to "practice what you preach". " Hang in there" sounds like a misguided practice to me.
"I am a woman who understands that through the grace of God all things are possible,"
What about... through the compassion that GOD gave us to help the less fortunate?? Oh yeah you just skipped that part! God only helps when we are running for office!!??
Haley really needs to listen to "Half Gov. Palin", the woman who quit on her people for money. She is a good example of what a good Republican Gov. can do once in office. I am not a Haley supporter but I will advise her to run when she gets close to Sarah Palin. That woman is an IDIOT.
Seems like any woman that is popular gets the same treatment. It's the good ole boy club at work.
If dem women can't give some respect to Sarah Palin for standing up for another woman being attacked by lying men than there is no hope for us.
They say truth is always bitter. Whatever it here,someone is lying about something.
Her name is Nikki Randhawa Haley, a name which she used until she decided to run for governor and Sanford's advisors told her it would turn people off.
When she was first elected to office, she was proud to be an Indian American. "Does it matter for the Indian community whether the candidate is Republican or Democrat? What we need is people in political office. Party affiliation is irrelevant for us at this time," she told her fellow Indian Americans.
After she took office, her political advisors told her she'd have a problem going for higher office because she was Sikh. So she became a Methodist.
This lady is all show and no substance. No wonder Sarah Palin likes her.
Palin is as Palin does...
I love everything to do with Sarah Palin. When she talks, "stoopid" just comes spilling out.
...and she gives Tina Fey great material. Keep'em coming!
Think she did it? You betcha! Only in celebrity obsessed America could someone as dumb as Sarah Palin favorably influence public opinion.
Through the grace of God all things are possible, she says.
Does it bother anyone else that these GOPers are trying to create a theorcracy in America instead of a working government?
It's tempting to just put the female hypocrits in the same bucket with the womanizing republican males currently staying BLATANTLY in their positions while condemning democrats for the same or lesser evils.
Careful SC.
In SC, the Republicans eat their own.
If Haley wants the backing of Palin, than she too stands for setting the advancement of women back for years.
Anyone who resorts to the radicals to try and win is someone I would never consider voting for.
Palin, and those who accept her misguided, irresponsible, fear mongering, dishonest tactics may receive support in some of the southern states, but will fail miserably in the rest of the country.
A.K.A Dumb and Dumber!!