Michele Bachmann visits S.C. Gov Nikki Haley at state mansion

Although she has yet to endorse a candidate in the rapidly heating up GOP presidential primary, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley had an intimate evening with Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota on Sunday, inviting the tea party favorite to the mansion for dinner and an overnight stay.

Haley's backing would give any of the Republicans vying for the nomination a boost in the South Carolina primary, which comes early in the election season and has provided critical momentum for presidential hopefuls in the past.

Haley also has had positive things to say about Gov. Rick Perry, and she certainly has reason to feel the love for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose endorsement helped vault Haley from the back of the pack in the GOP gubernatorial primary last year to become the nominee. Palin has flirted with a candidacy but is not officially in the race.