Greenville, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley had some words Thursday afternoon for the potential presidential candidates who decided not to participate in the first presidential primary debate, saying, “It might be too early for them; it’s not too early for the people of South Carolina.”
“The candidates who are here have said they understand that South Carolina is important,” Haley told reporters outside a Tea Party rally in downtown Greenville. “The candidates who haven’t made it here have some time to make it up.”
“They’ve got some extra work that they’ve got to do, but I will tell you we’ve heard from all the candidates,” the governor added. “They’re coming. It’s go-time. It starts tonight.”
Haley — who assumed office in January — has made waves recently for her public criticism of the current Republican field.
In a recent radio interview she said, “A lot of what bothers me with where the presidential politics right now is that I don’t want to hear about how awful President Obama is right now…I want to hear about what they are going to do different.”
“There is a group,” added Haley, “that has come through South Carolina. They are trying to tell me how they are going to win. I don’t care how they are going to win, I want to know how they are going to fix our country.”
When asked again Thursday afternoon, however, if she is satisfied with the current field, Haley said, “I think you’re asking if me if I want to see a different personality in there. This is all at policy. This is about substance, this is all about results.”
Haley went on to stress that she hopes to hear the candidates talk about specifics during the debate. “I want to hear about the gas prices that we’re dealing with. I want to hear about the debt ceiling. I want to know about the value of the dollar and what they’re going to do to change it,” she said.
Thursday night’s debate is hosted by Fox News and moderated by Bret Baier. The participants include former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, businessman Herman Cain, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.