Nikki Haley Keeps Mitt Romney's Support
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has issued a full-throated statement of support for Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate with whom a prominent Republican blogger alleged he had an "inappropriate physical relationship."
"I stand four square by Nikki Haley," the former Massachusetts governor said in a statement to CBS News, issued through a spokesperson. "I don't put much stock in unsubstantiated blog posts that appear at the 11th hour, and neither should the voters of South Carolina. It's time to return to the issues that matter. Nikki has the conservative record of fighting wasteful spending and advocating for smaller, more efficient government."
Romney endorsed Haley in the contested gubernatorial primary back in March.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who also endorsed Haley, posted her own note reiterating her support on her Facebook page on Monday, shortly after the allegation first surfaced when blogger Will Folks wrote about it on the website he founded.
The timing and tenor of the statements issued by Romney and Palin highlight the sharply different styles of the two potential 2012 Republican primary rivals, which we'll likely see a lot more of in the coming months as they each explore whether to make a run for the White House.
Palin's Facebook note clocked in at six paragraphs and was at turns free-flowing, highly personal, and sarcastic, complete with what has become a nearly requisite jab at the "lamestream media." The former Alaska governor wasted little time in issuing her public comments, putting out her statement just hours after the Haley allegations broke on Monday.
By contrast, Romney waited more than a full day to issue his statement, which was succinct and characteristically disciplined, lacking in the kinds of fireworks that Palin often seems inclined to set off.
Still, when Haley released a new television advertisement this morning, it was Palin who was pictured standing beside the candidate in South Carolina, reaffirming the former Alaska governor's unique allure to Republican candidates who are running in contested primaries in conservative states.
Nikki Haley's New Ad Focuses on Conservative, Pro-Family Image
Nikki Haley Denies Affair With Blogger
Scott Conroy is a CBS News digital journalist.
