And the Slime Shall Rise Again!

Nikkie Haley with her husband Michael and their kids.

The hate in South Carolina has turned from sexist to racist.

According to Palmetto State Politics;

Jake Knotts, state senator and Larry Richter buddy, called Nikki Haley a “raghead”

Michale Haley, the candidate’s husband, confirmed hearing the statement and responded on Twitter;

Politics in South Carolina keeps devolving lower and lower.

UPDATE: 6/3 8:50 – More from Ben Smith at Politico;

South Carolina Republicans were quick Thursday evening to condemn the remarks of a prominent Republican State Senator, Jake Knotts, who referred to a gubernatorial candidate as a “raghead” on an online political show today.

Knotts, a foe of Governor Mark Sanford and his protege, State Rep. Nikki Haley, made the remark of Haley on the local webcast PubPolitics.

Haley was born a Sikh, and the slur can refer to Arabs, Muslims, or those who — like Sikh men — wear turbans. She is a convert to Christianity.

UPDATE II: 6/4 7:00 – A little background from John O’Connor at the State.  Knotts called Haley a “raghead” on a podcast called Pub Politics (you might remember Pub Politics from a couple of pieces Stacy McCain did a few days back where Pub Politics had Will Folks on as a guest).  Pub Politics is exactly what it sounds like, bloggers and politicos sitting in a bar, drinking beer and talking politics.

It seems that after Knotts’ comments aired, the State Senator attempted the old “apologize” by reinforcing your comments trick;

“My ‘raghead’ comments about Obama and Haley were intended in jest… I apologize. I still believe Ms. Haley is pretending to be someone she is not, much as Obama did, but I apologize to both for an unintended slur.”

So, Knotts not only called Nikki Haley a “raghead”, he called President Obama a “raghead” as well.

I do not know what Haley should be more upset about, the racial slur, or the comparison to Barak Obama.  Either way, Knotts clearly believes that Haley is lying about her Christianity.  The problem for Knotts, career politicians only make hate filled, racist comments like that when their hearts are hate filled and racist.

Once again, South Carolina is national news and once again the politicians are making the Palmetto State look bad.

UPDATE III: 6/4/7:35 – Riehl World View’s Dan Riehl has the quote from Knotts;

“We already got one raghead in the White House, we don’t need a raghead in the governor’s mansion.”

Classy guy that Knotts.

UPDATE IV: 6/4 8:45 am – WOLO TV 25 in Columbia has video with Nikki Haley’s Reaction.

“This is dirty politics, this is what the people are tired of.”

At the Columbia Tea Party meeting, Nikki Haley was greeted with a standing ovation.

UPDATE V: 6/4 9:13 am – Will Folks issued the following statement regarding the “raghead” remark made by Jake Knotts on Wesley Donehue’s Pub Politics online program.

“I’m not part of that cabal. I have spent three years building Nikki Haley up and defending her against precisely these sorts of attacks. I didn’t ask to be targeted by Nikki’s enemies and when I was forced to tell the truth after two weeks of pure hell, I certainly didn’t ask to be smeared by Nikki’s supporters.

This whole thing is ugly and unfortunate for the people and families involved, but in my case the truth is what it is – and it’s coming out whether I like it or not. In the meantime, I refuse to be associated with Neanderthals like Jake Knotts or used car salesmen like Andre Bauer simply because it fits someone’s surface interpretation of events.

It is interesting that Folks disassociates himself from the “cabal”, but does not condemn the racist remark.

UPDATE VI: 6/4 8:25 pm – Stacy over at The Other McCain found more of the Pub Politics interview via the Columbia Free Press;

“She’s a raghead that’s ashamed of her religion trying to hide it behind being Methodist for political reasons. . . .
“This is Jakie Knotts trying to let the people know . . .
“This isn’t the first time I’ve said it . . . I’m not on a crusade to downgrade her, but if someone asks me I’ll tell ‘em. And look here, someone wants to vote for her knowing the truth, vote for her. . . .
“We need a good Christian to be our governor. . . She’s hiding her religion. She ought to be proud of it. I’m proud of my god.”

So if I am understanding this correctly, she’s bearing false witness and Knotts is the good Christian here?  Oh, come on, who are you peddling that garbage to you redneck, racist, s.o.b.?

The additional comments make Knotts’ “apology” ring extremely hollow.

Democrats in South Carolina are asking for Knotts’ resignation.

UPDATE VII: 6/7 1:00 – South Carolina Republicans are beginning to call for Knotts’ resignation, from the party as well as from office.

“South Carolina GOP Chairman Karen Floyd can take this step by immediately scheduling a press conference and formally asking Knotts to leave the Republican Party.  Kicking Knotts to the curb would be a bold move – signaling that the party means business when it comes the practice of accepting any type of behavior”