(CNN) - In the Democrat's first television ad of the general election, South Carolina gubernatorial hopeful Vincent Sheehen is going full steam ahead with his message that a vote for Republican Nikki Haley is a vote for four more years of Gov. Mark Sanford.
"After eight years of Mark Sanford, we need a governor to lead us in a new direction," Sheheen says in the ad. "I stood up against Mark Sanford. Nikki Haley says she wants to follow in his footsteps. I say this time, we need a governor we can trust."
Haley was a top ally of Sanford's in the state House and entered the governor's race with the backing of his political allies, a troublesome association given Sanford's combative relationship with state legislators and his notorious admission of marital infidelity last summer.
Haley has said she will be more inclusive and less "reactionary" than Sanford in her approach to governing. Still, some establishment Republicans and business leaders have been reluctant to line up behind the Republican nominee – a fact Sheehen points out in his new ad by touting his endorsement from the state Chamber of Commerce.
Nevertheless, Sheehen, a state Senator, has an uphill battle in the conservative-leaning state and must win independents as well as peeling off a segment of GOP voters if he has any hopes of winning the governor's mansion.
Nowhere in the ad does Sheeheen mention his party affiliation, and the commercial pays tribute to values like "family, faith, life and hard work." He's also seen driving a pickup truck through his rural hometown of Camden.
Responding to the new ad, Haley's campaign sought to remind voters of that Sheheen is a Democrat.
"Sen. Sheheen is a nice man with a beautiful family, but his ad conveniently forgets to mention that he's a liberal trial lawyer who supports ObamaCare and thinks the president's massive Washington spending agenda is the way to create jobs in South Carolina," said Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey. "Nikki Haley disagrees."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
I really love this part:
"Nikki Haley says she wants to follow in his(Mark Sanford) footsteps"
Gee... The very same pathetic campaign tactics used by Obozo and the rest of the DemocRATS. They know people won't vote for them because of what they support or will do in office so they try to create some big bad boogey man of their opponent. Pretty pathetic and juvenile if you ask me.
frankly, I do not vote for this India's lady....okay...she is just like Bobby Jindal, a biggest idiot with John Bohner, Micth McConnol...etc, o.k...
The republicans can try to sugar coat their destruction of America, but in the end, their message is still manure.
The Democrats have a chance in this election if Sheheen plays his cards right... South Carolinians are tired of having politicians plagued by scandals.
No, no, no. Citizens of South Carolina should vote Republican for governor and all other political races.
If it weren't for South Carolina, my state of Texas would be the laughing-stock of the nation with our Governor "Rebel-Yell" Perry, Sen. "Who?" Cornyn, and Sen. "Who Cares?" Hutchison.
I couldn't stand the same of Texas being compared unfavorably to South Carolina. That has been my only defense of Texas. "Maybe we're stupid," I tell my friends, "but we're not as stupid as South Carolina." And they nod their heads in agreement.
Don't cry for me, Argentina.
Looks like someone skipped out on middle school today – hey there "President Obozo?" Or is this actually a grown-up who is name-calling?
We have just sent US$1,000.00 to Mr. Sheehen campaign, if you vote for any repugnant, PRAY because your tomorrow is not guaranteed
Well, they are both cheaters, one was going to Argentina and the other one to a dumb blogger, LOL
So Sheheen has decided to start campaigning negatively from the start. That is a typical democrat stradegy. Next he will say the the republican is attcking him with mudslinging and running a negative campaign.
what is her real name????????????
And what, my dear Mr. Sheheen, would make us believe that you are the different direction? The country tried that "hope and change/different direction" with the "ochosen one" – hasn't worked out very well. I say vote Haley. Surely the dumbocratic koolaid will run out some day.
Sarah Palin's endorsement of Nikki Haley should help Vincent Sheehen immensely in his bid.
When the silly juveniles refer to our PRESIDENT with so much disrespect as to call him childish names, I read no further.
Hoping everyone else recognizes this popular gradeschool bullying tactic and consider the sources.
Haley's kinda cute..Sheeheen isn't. Just kiddding, Still i think she has him outgunned.
Lies, hate, and fear cannot be the plan for the future – they are a plan for failure.
As a long time resident of South Carolina, I believe Nikki Haley will be elected. South Carolinians never seem to learn and vote against their own interests repeatedly. I've lived in 8 states and South Carolina is by far the most backward.
Please don't wish Haley as gov on S.C....She's against education..The repub motto:"keep 'em dumb..they'll keep voting repub"
God bless us...Which is worse..repub or the tea bags???
It's hilarious how far Dems will go these days to conceal their political identity. Of course, an honest introduction like, "Hi. I'm Vincent Sheehen and I want to tax you into poverty and make you buy the health insurance I think you should have." isn't likely to go over very well with most people–no wonder Dems bow their heads in shame.
Anyt association at all with the group that doing its best to bankrupt the country and that treats Americans as dull-witted children who need to be told what to do "for their own good" ought to carry with it an immense social stigma.
Sorry but as much as I wish I could be hopeful about Sheheen's chances, South Carolinians have proven over and over that they would rather shoot themselves in the feet by voting for ignorant crooks like Sanford than vote for someone who could actually help lift them out of ignorance and poverty. Something in the water? Who knows?
To poster called President Obozo: on Vacation... to label someone else’s behavior pathetic and juvenile while referring to the President of the United States as ‘Obozo’ is the very definition of pathetic and juvenile.
As far as the Republican Party goes all their polticians seem to be from such shallow gene pools there could only be as few as "6 degrees of seperation" between their tin-foil hats.
Or maybe it's the "6 degrees of seperation" from the temperature of their kool-aid??
hahahahah!!!
Gee... The very same pathetic campaign tactics used by Obozo and the rest of the DemocRATS. They know people won't vote for them because of what they support or will do in office so they try to create some big bad boogey man of their opponent. Pretty pathetic and juvenile if you ask me.
Guess what bonehead? NOBODY ASKED YOU !!!
Nikki Haley had her own scandal. Haley being a Sanford backer shows she herself has lack of judgement or will support anything to get ahead.
Haley wants to follow in Sanfords foot steps. SC is last in education. Do you need 4 more years of that? SC has the highest unemployment . Do you want 4 more years of that? If the answer is YES–than vote for Haley!