Updated: Nikki Haley to Introduce Mitt Romney at CPAC

UPDATED:

The South Carolina Democratic Party and its chair Dick Harpootlian responded to Haley's appearance at CPACon the SCDP's Facebook page: 

“South Carolina needs a governor to put people before politics, tackle our high unemployment, failing schools, crumbling roads, and fight to protect the 3.7 million taxpayers that the Haley administration exposed to identity theft. Instead what we’ve got is a fame-seeking, ideology-loving, Tea Party loyalist who’s more interested in rubbing elbows with rich celebrities who are so extreme that they render themselves irrelevant. It’s time for Governor Haley to start putting politics aside and paying attention to cleaning up the mess that she has perpetuated here in her home state.” – SCDP Chairman Dick Harpootlian

"Take a look at the company Governor Haley will keep at CPAC:

· Donald Trump – A donor to Haley’s campaign, Mr. Trump is the ultimate birther – despite having his raving claims debunked time and time again.

· Sarah Palin – A celebrity-seeking, half-term governor who, much like Haley, consistently put politics ahead of sane policy and the best interests of those she was elected to represent.

Remember: This is the convention that was so conservative that it left out some of its party’s most popular governors, NJ Governor Chris Christie and VA Governor Bob McDonnell, both of whom chose to support policies that would benefit the residents of their state instead of toe the Tea Party line. So it’s no surprise that Haley is welcome – she continues to stand against creating 44,000 jobs and bringing tax payer dollars back to South Carolina because of the Tea Party vendetta against the President."

--------------------

Gov. Nikki Haley will be briefly reunited with Mitt Romney Friday at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC.

The former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential nominee is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. and Haley will introduce him. The governor was not planning on attending CPAC, but changed her plans at the request of Romney.

According to Rob Godfrey, Haley's spokesman: "Gov. Romney asked Gov. Haley if she would introduce him tomorrow, and she was honored and happy to do so."

Haley endorsed Romney for president last year prior to the primary in South Carolina, but it was not enough to lift him to victory, as he lost to Newt Gingrich. During the primary and general election seasons, Haley campaigned on Romney's behalf in several states.

Earlier this week, Haley cancelled public events to be with her mother, who was taken ill and admitted to the hospital with an undisclosed illness.

Haley's appearance at CPAC is sure to fuel speculation about her 2016 prospects, though she has not yet officially confirmed she'll seek re-election for governor in 2014.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.