South Carolina's Tea Party sex scandal
A conservative blogger is claiming he had an extramarital affair with Nikki Haley, Sarah Palin's pick for South Carolina governor. Should we believe him?
A conservative South Carolina politics blogger is claiming he had an "inappropriate physical relationship" with Nikki Haley, the "Tea Party favorite" in that state's competitive GOP gubernatorial primary. Haley is denying the allegation. (Watch Nikki Haley deny the claims.) Here's a concise look at the still-murky situation:
What's the allegation?
Will Folks, a politics blogger and former spokesman for confessed adulterer Gov. Mark Sanford, says that "several years ago, prior to my marriage, I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Nikki [Haley]" — a state legislator who was, and remains, married. He says he is going public now because a "network of operatives" bent on "taking down" Haley has begun leaking details of the affair to members of the media. "[But] I will not be discussing the details of that relationship, nor will I be granting any additional interviews about it," writes Folks. A subsequent, unsigned post on his blog suggests there are "several years' worth of phone records, text messages, e-mails and voice mails" backing up his claim.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What's Haley's reaction?
That Folks' "disgraceful smear" is "categorically and totally false." She suggests it is no coincidence that the allegation is emerging now, just two weeks before the GOP primary and one week after a Rasmussen poll named her the frontrunner in the race. "I have been 100 percent faithful to my husband throughout our 13 years of marriage," she says.
Is there any known connection between Folks and Haley?
Yes. Folks did political consulting for Haley's state House campaign in 2007 — when he says the affair took place — and 2008. Financial records show that Haley paid Folks' firm $3,530 in 2007 and $1,310 in 2008. Folks has admired Haley on his blog, writing in 2008 that she is "hot as hell," and: "We're frequently accused of showing a little too much love to S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley, to which we can only say 'we wish' (ba doom ching)."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Are allies standing by her?
Yes, at least for now. Haley's most prominent backer, Sarah Palin, quickly defended her on Facebook, and Sanford's ex-wife, Jenny Sanford, is sticking by her, too. State GOP chairwoman Karen Floyd, officially neutral in the Republican primary race, called Folks' allegation "internet rumor mongering" and said she'd defend any of the candidates from "unsubstantiated personal attacks."
Why would Folks lie?
"Folks doesn't enjoy the best reputation in terms of that blog," says longtime South Carolina political analyst Neal Thigpen. "Most times there isn't a whole lot of truth to what he puts out there." Folks also "has plenty of bad blood with the Sanfords — Jenny never liked him," says Ben Domenech in The New Ledger, "and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is part of his motivation for making this claim, or if he were doing the bidding of one of Haley’s opponents."
So why would anyone believe him?
For one thing, Folks is backing Haley's candidacy, says Alex Pareene in Salon. Also, despite Palin's insinuations, "he didn't spread a rumor of an affair, he said he was the other party in the affair. This is more like Rielle Hunter blogging that she slept with John Edwards before the Enquirer could report it, only Folks seems slightly more credible than Hunter."
Sources: FITSNews, Charleston Post and Courier, AP/Huffington Post, New Ledger, Salon, AP
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published