Nominate Nikki Haley

Rep. Nikki Haley received nearly half her party's vote in the recent primary election, and with good reason. She's smart, she's focused and she has a comprehensive program to improve South Carolina. Republicans should give her the nomination in Tuesday's runoff.

The Lexington Republican also is tenacious. She demonstrated her mettle in her struggle for greater accountability through more recorded voting in the Legislature. Mrs. Haley would reflect her party's core values as its gubernatorial candidate.

For example, greater public accountability and eliminating waste in government would be two of her main goals as governor. And she would bring the experience of a certified public accountant to the job.

Two additional priorities are economic development and job creation. Mrs. Haley says each can be achieved by comprehensive tax reform, improved infrastructure, strengthening the state's technical colleges, workers compensation reform and tort reform.

She says the state should do more to recognize the importance of small businesses to the economic health of South Carolina. She believes they can be encouraged to thrive, for example, with less onerous tax policies.

Mrs. Haley, a mother of two school-age children, says education funding should be focused on the classroom, and that educators should be held accountable for the success or failure of their instructional programs. She points out that half the state's high school students do not graduate in four years.

Meanwhile, she believes that school funding inequities should be addressed to help ensure equal opportunity for students. Vocational education should be strengthened. And school choice should be available to parents to meet their children's individual needs, she says.

Many points on her agenda resemble the current governor's. But Mrs. Haley says she will work with her legislative colleagues to achieve greater success.

"I will be heavy on communication," she tells us. "It will be a team effort."

You can rest assured, however, that she won't be anyone's rubber stamp.

Mrs. Haley grew up working in her family's business in Bamberg, and watched it flourish as a result of hard work, sacrifice and constant attention. Those are values that helped form her character.

"I don't get distracted," she says. When faced with opposition, "I get more motivated." She would be a formidable candidate in November.