RedState editor to Haley accuser: 'Shut the hell up'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/27/art.nikkihaley8.nh.jpg caption ="Erick Erickson wrote Wednesday that until a South Carolina blogger can produce definitive evidence of an affair he claims he had with gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley (pictured), he should ‘shut the hell up.’"](CNN) - South Carolina blogger Will Folks defended himself Wednesday after Erick Erickson, the editor of the influential conservative website RedState.com, accused Folks of lying about having an affair with gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley.
Erickson, a CNN contributor, accused Folks of "pulling the noose" on a "high-tech lynching" of Haley to gin up traffic for his website and torpedo her campaign. Haley is Erickson's preferred candidate in the four-way South Carolina Republican primary race.
Unless he produces definitive evidence of an affair, Erickson wrote, Folks should "shut the hell up."
Folks produced text messages between himself and the Haley campaign Tuesday that he said backed up his assertion that he supported Haley's bid and was working with her to keep reporters and political rivals away from the rumor.
On Wednesday his website, FITSNews.com, hinted that several people had witnessed Haley visit Folks' Columbia-area home in 2007. Folks also claims to have e-mails and text messages from Haley.
Folks shot back at Erickson's criticism Wednesday, telling CNN in an e-mail that he has been "smeared viciously" by the Haley campaign in the wake of accusation, even though he previously worked with the Haley campaign to prevent the information from coming out.
He said he is "going to do everything I have to do to protect my family, my reputation and my website."
As he wrote in his initial post about the alleged affair, Folks said he was compelled to make the admission after political opponents threatened to release details about the relationship.
"As I said from the beginning, this fight was forced upon me," he told CNN. "I did not want it, do not want it and do not enjoy having to keep fighting it."
Erickson has launched an online "moneybomb" to raise money for Haley, who lags behind her three GOP rivals in campaign funds.
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Of course she is going to deny having an affair. I think the republicans are a frustrated because many of them cannot keep their pants or skirts on.
i bet folks is sorry he didn't save his blue dress.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. Plus, if Palin endorsed her, something must be wrong with her, although not sure how she earned Palin's endorsement.
IF Nikki Poo is so innocent: SUE the pants off of this dude!
Nice language family values folks. Please immediately issue an apology letter to that high school kid in South Carolina. I'm sure he's equally offended by your potty mouth.
South carolina what a joke! MAN I FEEL SORRY FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE THEY SURELY DESERVE MORE i THINK.
once i had a secret love. but now my secret love is secret no more. filthy republicans. have sex then lie lie lie.
thank you, Mr. Erickson, for characterizing this "attack" in Southern White Racist terminology that we can all understand: a lynching, he tightened the noose. saddle up with Slick Rick Perry, Newt Fortherich, Bailin' Pailin, and Haley Barber and ride right into Washingtown with your white sheets and hoods. Haley's campaign already is implicated in the coverup. Make sure you launch your moneybomb on FOX News, where they are Fair and Balanced. Another in a long line of Republicans who point the finger at others and just can't stand to look at themselves in the mirror and take the fall for their own actions.
I wonder if Erickson felt the same way when Republican scumbags were trying to dig up every woman from Clinton's past, questioning John Kerry's decorated military service (while supporting the re-election of AWOL Bush) and passing unfounded innuendos about Obama's citizenship? Probably not, but that's because conservatives are hypocrites.
tic toc, tic toc, tic toc,
how much longer until we get a confession and apology.
I wish they would hurry up.
Whoever it is that is lying.
You see I am not making assumptions, but someone is definitely lying.
Oh, yeah... It's just not possible to fake text messages...
Poor Mr. Erickson, just another right wing nut that has been disappointed that his favorite candidate is a hypocrite and can't bare to hear the truth. He'll continue to hang on to his fantasy until Haley comes out and admits the affair. Then he'll find an excuse to still stand behind her, to forgive her because god told him to or that god told him that he has forgiven her so he should as well. Typical of the right wing who believe they can do anything because god told them they could.
Vote NO in NOvember to the party of NO.
people will say anything when they find that they are about to lose all that they think they ought to have or are entitled to.
If anyone knows about nooses and lynchings, it would be those Southern gopers! Hope they keep at each other....
Why should he STHU if he's tellling the truth?
Where there's smoke there's fire.
The nerve of Erickson telling Folks to "shut the hell up" in benefit of only Haley, her campaign and family. Just because Folks is not campaigning doesn't mean he has no right to protect his family by waiting for the GOP to smear him first and do a coverup. This woman is obviously guilty of this affair and the GOP want to cover it up their way. KEEP TALKING FOLK.
Others who need to "shut the hell up" include:
Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Jeff Sessions, and your
very own Erick Erickson.
I love it when some republicans can't stand "smearing" of their candidate but sit back while others are libelled and the silence is deafening (ie Duh Duh Duh-bya and Karl Rove spreading mental health/fidelity rumors about John McCainin 1990). Unless he recants, she is tainted and will have to deal with it
Translation: "Don't confuse the voters with the facts!"
I am sorry to say this woman look like she slick and a cheater just like the rest of the GOP leaders who running around preaching FAMILY VALUES!
Unless he produces definitive evidence of an affair, Erickson wrote, Folks should "shut the hell up."
As much as I despise that porcine hate-monger, I must agree with him on this one.
Will Folks was paid a LOT of money to do what he did, details will be out soon.
Regardless of the truth of his statements, Folks's sudden regard- post-affair- for his family and reputation is touching.