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Indian-American Haley is racially attacked
New York, June 6, 2010
Indian-American Nikki Haley, who is contesting governorship in South Carolina, was attacked racially by a state lawmaker who called her a "raghead", media reports said Sunday.
Republican state Senator Jake Knotts also made critical statement about President Barack Obama on an internet political show called Pub Politics.
Haley, who was born a Sikh, said she was "attacked" because she's leading in the polls, nbcagusta.com reported.
A "raghead" is usually used against Arabs or other ethnic groups who wear turbans.
"We already got one raghead in the White House and don't need another in the governor's mansion," a South Carolina newspaper quoted Knotts as saying.
He also commented about Haley's parents' religion and her family.
Haley spent Saturday afternoon campaigning at the City Hall in Aiken, just two days before the primary.
"This is no longer about picking someone because they look good in a picture or because they hold a baby well," Haley said.
Haley told the crowd she wants to make South Carolina an independent state.
"I went from 'Nikki-who?' to suddenly going double digits in the polls, and all of a sudden there were all these attacks. But when you go after corruption, power and money, you're going to get attacked," Haley said.
Aiken Republican Club President Tony Coffero Jr. says Tuesday's vote will be a close one.
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