Washington (CNN) - Take Nikki Haley off the vice presidential short list.
The South Carolina governor has long issued the perfunctory denials when asked about her interest in a spot on the Republican ticket this year, but new comments from Haley and a top adviser make clear that she will not be anyone's running mate this fall.
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Haley was asked in an interview with ABC News that aired Monday whether she would agree to be Mitt Romney's number two if he wins the Republican nomination in an effort to help his standing with women voters.
"No, not at all," she said. "I love being the governor of South Carolina. The more he puts Ann Romney out there, the more people will understand that he has a very strong woman at his side."
Asked if she would even consider the possibility, Haley again said no.
"I would not accept," she said. "I made a promise to the people of my state. I intend to keep it."
Tim Pearson, Haley's chief of staff in Columbia, re-emphasized that Haley would not accept a vice presidential offer from Romney or anyone else.
Pearson said it would be pointless for the Romney campaign to put Haley through the traditional vetting process as they search for a potential running mate.
"It would be a waste of their time," Pearson told CNN of a possible vet. "She'll help him get elected any way she can, but she's going to remain the Governor of South Carolina."
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From CNN Politics
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I think it's cute that we're all still pretending that there is any mystery about who Romney will pick. Of course, he's going to choose that bloated gas bag in New Jersey to be his attack dog, so he can look polite and presidential. Haley and Rubio and all of the other "potential" running mates may have some part in his plans, but his running mate is going to be Christie and everyone knows it.
Why would a person want to end their career running for VP with a loser?
Considering she is about to be indicted by the Dept. of Justice, I would say this is a prudent move.
Did Nikki just self deport herself from the Mittens' list of moronic VPs?
Either she's delusional or the people making that list are (could be both). She's facing ethics charges, so only in the GOBP cult would she still be considered with that storm cloud hanging over her head.
CNN, isn't she being investigated for fraud, and could possibly face indictment soon? There's a disconnect with this article and reality. She's not on anyone's short list for VP at this point in time, and her taking herself off of it is just the usual disconnect of Republicans with reality. What a silly post coming from a reliable news source.
"It would be a waste of their time," - and just as with all of the GOP „outstanding candidates" ours too! What a waste of effort and money!
Give Haley credit for not being dylusional like Palin.
I am still hopeful Gov. Romney will select Donald Trump as his VP pick. An outsourcer and a game show host; truly an unbeatable combination!
In all seriousness, @George is correct. Romney will choose Gov. Christie to bring in the all important Tea Party bigot vote.
Obama 2012
Willard is having the same problem McLame had in 2008. There's a gender gap. With the far right positions he's taken regarding womens health issues, he's done himself in.
Gov. Christie cannot run for VP. He may run for PB&J, but not VP
Nobody wants to be Romney VP pick; "It would be a waste of their time," considering that he would lose in the general election!!!
Marco Rubio wasn't too enthusiastic about endorsing Etch-a-Sketch Mitt Romney. They know he is a lightweight on all issues!!!!
Warning! Do not visualize a Romney and Paul Ryan ticket while eating! The phoney, smiling, preppie, elistist combination of the two will cause you to heave your lunch.
She is better off quitting politics altogether and take a hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Are there any photos of Mitt-etch where he does not have that perennial obesquious look on his face?
The running mate of the loser is simply never elected to president, and rarely elected to national office beyond what he/she currently holds.
Romney is going to have to find someone who is not really interested in further political ambition, or he's going to have to find someone stupid enough to believe that Romney has a shot at winning in November.
The walking and huffing buffet maven will not help Mittens in any way. He'd lose even more women to the Obama side with his arrogance and undisciplined demeanor
Any Republican with aspirations to higher political office in the future will bypass being VP with Romney- he's going to lose, and by polling data, lose big. Perhaps Mr. Romney can pick up Arizona's jr. Quayle to revive old times.
She is a grey hair away from being indicted is why she wont run.
She should just move to Europe., she loves spending tax dollars in France.
Haley has a long standing scandal in her closet with a Republican blogger. She also has another scandal brewing with handling of funds in her Sikh. Nikki Haley has reached the highest level of her political life.
Even Romney's biggest supporters look at the VP as a hot potato right now. If Romney doesn't win the election, not only will he never be considered a nominee again, the losing VP will go down with him. Too many of the veepstakes speculations have brighter futures and too much to lose by being politically shackled to this election cycle.
No one wants to second-chair a loser.
Interesting how all of the Republican "stars" (at least in the eyes of many, not this former one) are bailing on the 2012 election. They know that Romney does not have much of a chance and he is being offered up as the sacrificial lamb just like Dole and Kerry.
Why do I have this feeling Ms. Haley might be having birth certificate issues? I am shocked her so-called Tea Party base hasn't gone after her on that.
Let's see, now that Nikki has removed herself from the GOP kamikaze ticket, who does that leave? Governor Transvaginal of VA, Governor One-French-Fry-From-a Coronary of NJ, and Rep. Conservative-Social-Engineering of WI. Let's just throw in Senator "I Lied About My Family History to Garner Sympathy from the Cuban exiles", and you have a wonderful set. This is the extent of the GOP Bench: 2 first-term governors, a Rep who wants to hand you a coupon for your medicare, and an ex-Mormon who never did his geneology, all willing to run with a man who refused to stand for re-election because he raised fees on everything that moved in MA and provided the president with the blueprint for the healthcare reform his party won't take ownership of. Pathetic.