06-23-2010, 06:37 AM
Mrs. Haley, 38 years old, is an Indian-American, born into the Sikh faith, who converted to Christianity as an adult. Her background has prompted some voters to seek assurances that she is committed to her Christian faith and understands the feelings among some about the state's Civil War history.
Like her three GOP rivals for the governor's office, Mrs. Haley sat this spring for a videotaped interview with the Palmetto Patriots, a local activist group that aims to "fight attacks against Southern Culture" and talks with candidates "to ensure compliance with conservative values."
But Mrs. Haley was the only one to be asked the freighted question of what she thought had caused the Civil War.
Members of the group were curious about Mrs. Haley's views because of her heritage, said Robert Slimp, a Columbia, S.C., pastor who participated in the questioning. The group did not ask her rivals about the war, he said, because "all of them are Southerners whose families go back to beyond the war between the states, back to antebellum times, and they would have a deeper appreciation of Southern thinking and mentality."
Nikki Haley Goes Extra Mile in Proving Commitment
2:15
As WSJ's Peter Wallsten reports, Nikki Haley is having to prove that she understands the traditions and culture of the state she is seeking to lead. Ms. Haley, an Indian-American, is the surging GOP candidate for governor in South Carolina.
Mrs. Haley has also found herself questioned, in media appearances and personal conversations, about her Christian faith. As recently as Friday, Phillip Bowers, the GOP chairman in Pickens County and a co-chairman of the campaign of Mrs. Haley's rival in today's run-off, circulated an email to party activists suggesting that Mrs. Haley had been dishonest about her religious conversion.
The note charged that Mrs. Haley "can't seem to make up her mind about her faith." The campaign of Mrs. Haley's opponent in the Tuesday GOP run-off, Gresham Barrett, said it was "absolutely not" connected to the email.
Conservative radio show host Bob McLain said callers to his program have asked about Mrs. Haley's faith, and that questions about her religion had recently reached a "ludicrous point."
Mr. McLain said he had asked Mrs. Haley personally about her religion and came away convinced of the firmness of her Christian faith.
Like her three GOP rivals for the governor's office, Mrs. Haley sat this spring for a videotaped interview with the Palmetto Patriots, a local activist group that aims to "fight attacks against Southern Culture" and talks with candidates "to ensure compliance with conservative values."
But Mrs. Haley was the only one to be asked the freighted question of what she thought had caused the Civil War.
Members of the group were curious about Mrs. Haley's views because of her heritage, said Robert Slimp, a Columbia, S.C., pastor who participated in the questioning. The group did not ask her rivals about the war, he said, because "all of them are Southerners whose families go back to beyond the war between the states, back to antebellum times, and they would have a deeper appreciation of Southern thinking and mentality."
Nikki Haley Goes Extra Mile in Proving Commitment
2:15
As WSJ's Peter Wallsten reports, Nikki Haley is having to prove that she understands the traditions and culture of the state she is seeking to lead. Ms. Haley, an Indian-American, is the surging GOP candidate for governor in South Carolina.
Mrs. Haley has also found herself questioned, in media appearances and personal conversations, about her Christian faith. As recently as Friday, Phillip Bowers, the GOP chairman in Pickens County and a co-chairman of the campaign of Mrs. Haley's rival in today's run-off, circulated an email to party activists suggesting that Mrs. Haley had been dishonest about her religious conversion.
The note charged that Mrs. Haley "can't seem to make up her mind about her faith." The campaign of Mrs. Haley's opponent in the Tuesday GOP run-off, Gresham Barrett, said it was "absolutely not" connected to the email.
Conservative radio show host Bob McLain said callers to his program have asked about Mrs. Haley's faith, and that questions about her religion had recently reached a "ludicrous point."
Mr. McLain said he had asked Mrs. Haley personally about her religion and came away convinced of the firmness of her Christian faith.