S.C. blogger reveals texts with top Haley aide
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/25/art.nikki.youtube.jpg caption =" The blogger claiming to have had an affair with Nikki Haley has posted a series of text messages between himself and Haley's campaign manager on his website."](CNN) - The blogger claiming to have had an affair with South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley has posted a series of text messages between himself and Haley's campaign manager that appear to show the two men colluding about how to handle the forthcoming scandal.
The messages, covering a nine-day period earlier this month before conservative blogger Will Folks went public with his accusation against the Republican hopeful, were posted Wednesday morning on his website, FITSNews.com.
"I'm telling you man, we keep this under wraps and nh is going to win," reads one text message from Haley campaign manager Tim Pearson to Folks on May 15.
Pearson and Folks swap worried messages about different reporters chasing the story, and one exchange suggests there may be a newsworthy photograph of Haley and Folks.
Pearson confirmed to CNN the authenticity of the text messages.
While Pearson and Folks make allusions to the "rumor," there is nothing in the correspondence proving Folks' claim that he had an "inappropriate physical relationship" with Haley in 2007.
But Folks has suggested that he has more text messages and e-mails from Haley proving the supposed affair. He has yet to make that evidence public.
FITSNews.com says the correspondence released Wednesday bolsters Folks' credibility in the ongoing war of words currently consuming South Carolina politics.
In the face of blistering criticism from Haley supporters, Folks has argued that he had been supporting Haley in the governor's race and keeping her campaign "in the loop" about reporters and political rivals looking into the alleged affair.
Folks said on Monday he decided to go public with the claim to "get ahead" of the story to protect his family.
Haley, one of four GOP candidates competing in the June 8 primary, has emphatically denied Folks' allegation and blamed political opponents for the "disgraceful" charge. Haley and her supporters - including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin - have worked overtime to undermine Folks' credibility.
Pearson said the text messages are authentic but said he was only working with Folks to prevent "false rumors" from coming to light.
"This blogger's overactive imagination has gone into overdrive," Pearson said in an e-mail to CNN. "South Carolina politics is full of rumors and innuendo, and of course our campaign did everything in our power to prevent false rumors about Nikki from airing out in the media as they now have.
"Every campaign would have done exactly the same thing," he added. "As always, Nikki is determined to keep this campaign focused on the people and issues that matter."
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Keep denying and later come out with saying sorry and it was long time ago...
That's how most of the politicians handle these situations and Haley is no different.
Sure, she had an affair. The GOP is notorious for lying, take a look at Sarah Palin. She mostly utters hatred, lies, and incompetencies. Haley, member of the party of NO, said yes, and opened her legs widely. She may have even performed community service. Many, many, frequent flyer miles...
GOPer's a first and foremeost liars and hyprocrites. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. We all sin and fall short but GOPers out on such arrogance and pride about being above the slimmy masses which makes their indescretions a stench in the body politic.
Here we go again! Another GOP "family values" tool has been caught with their pants down. Or in this case, maybe caught with her dress down. Keep the proof coming. Sarah Palin, do you feel stupid now? You betcha! *wink wink*
Sounds like someone knew what they were doing.... this reeks of set-up, to be honest.
Man, I had to put my popcorn aside...I'm laughing so hard I thought I might choke on it. Queue Benny Hill's theme song....
IFshe is found out to have had an affair and lied about it she should be shown the door BUT not until then! Now Blumethal was found out and he STILL won the dem nomination! The dems circled the wagons around him just like they did with Rangel, Frank , and Dodd! Enough with the pandering, lying politicians! ON BOTH SIDES!
I can hear the "What about Bush and the WMDs"? chant already. Well then, our intelligence lied, France lied, Britian lied and Germany lied as well, go take that up with them! None of that changes the fact that Blumental LIED and still won!
Why don't we let the allegations play out and see what happens.
It seems there must be something in the water in South Carolina to explain the craziness going on there.
The party of Family Values! What a bunch of hypocrites...
"Haley and her supporters – including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin – have worked overtime to undermine Folks' credibility." -- Maybe they should get a copy of the CIA fake video of Saddam having sex with a teenage male and say it is Folks instead of Saddam.
Since this is not the court of law but the court of media – I think she DID have the affair. What does this guy have to lose? And look whas SHE has to lose! Palin is going to look like a total chump for continuing her support of Haley (not that she doesn't act like a chump on any given day).
As a democrat, this stuff just keeps looking better and better for us. Thanks, republicans, for doing a great job at sabbotogeing your own party. This stuff is priceless.
Maybe now she'll decide to come out with the usual teary "lapse in judgement" sorry about that speech. I also wonder about the relevancy of this moron Palin. 0 for 2 this week. Her endorsed "plagiarist" candidate in Idaho lost, and now this. Loser Palin's endorsement= the kiss of death. No worries Ms. Palin, there are still a lot of suckers there who want to give you their money.
What a shock: Yet another lying Republican caught in a sex scandal. At least we've finally got one that doesn't involve closeted homosexual men and boys, like these conservative cretins usually lie about.
These hypocritical family values Republican types are an amusing bunch, aren't they?
Must be something in the water (Viagra, perhaps?)
And the candidate lied standing next to Sarah Palin and said there was nothing to the alleged affair. The voters have had enough of these candidates (Democrats, Republicans, etc.) lying (do anything) to get elected.
As this house of cards continues to fall, will Palin try to save face by claiming that Al GOre invented the internet, so these email must be some Liberal plot????
Seems to be some sort of pattern here with S. C. Governors. After reading the texts from Folks' website....you can't make that crap up..........she needs to humble herself and admit it. Continue to lie.....it just gets worse.
Trickle, trickle, trickle. The slow train wreck is coming. Another loss for Palin, like the Vaughn Ward loss in Idaho. How many teabaggers will even survive until election day, much less win?
OH BOY, so Nikki and Sarah knew about this all along!!!
Sarah's bad mouthing the press is not going to help Nikki, just like it didn't help her (sarah) in the general!!! LOL!!!
Old time family values that the Haley and Palin families are proud of...
Anything Simple Sarah touches, she destroys. Everyone she's endorsed so far has lost. This hopey changey stuff is awesome.
Sounds like a potential "soul mate" situation.
It is nice to see one "Luv Gov" potentially replaced by another.
Unless she sues for defamation of character, NH can not expect
anyone to believe her. If she has no stamina to fight this... she
is not determined enough to accomplish much for the people of SC.
Sounds to me like Mr. Pearson is doing a little of his own twisting. If the alleged affair was false, why hasn't Mrs. Haley filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Folk. Obviously, there was something that occurred between the two, and it is obvious that both sides aren't being truthful. Mrs. Palin should keep her opinions out of this situation, because if it turns out the allegations are true, then what does that say about Mrs. Palin's judgement of character, and those she decides to endorse. Personally, I don't care what an individual does between another consenting adult or adults, so long as they perform their duties they have sworn to execute without denying others their rights.
Everyone makes mistakes, it is how they handle those mistakes will make other people respect them or condone them. It is much better to stand up and admit to mistakes made, and try to overcome the issue, but if you conceal or misrepresent yourself, then you deserve the ridicule and fallout. Consequences for your actions, if you are unable to accept them then don't do it.
Oh, oh. I was hoping this wasn't true. I'm all for taking down the hypocrite strong family value conservatives, but there are other considerations and I hoped that it wasn't true. Looks like the put up or shut up part of the show is almost upon us.