S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is getting some free campaign advice in a forthcoming newspaper column from a University of South Carolina student. Jordan Cooper – a senior history major at USC – says Haley “must become more sensible and less detached.”
“Many tea party elements are based on unfounded claims and faulty evidence,” Cooper observes in a column to be published later this week in The (Columbia, S.C.) Star. “She must base her message on empirical data, and common sense solutions. Not sensationalism through media and emotions fit for soap opera.”
Cooper – who has worked in the past for Andre Bauer and Rick Perry – thinks the key to Haley’s victory will be making “stronger connections to citizens.” In fact he’s got several ideas for Haley on that front …
1. Using social media like oovoo to meet with constituents weekly, student leaders during the semester, and even tech savvy legislators during the year. Showing voters her cost efficiency and concern about the issues. And eventually being able to allow the executive branch to work from home one day a week using this software saving taxpayer money.
2. Conduct a weekly radio program for about ten to fifteen minutes that allows voters to call in around the state. Voters would then be able to receive free gas cards, grocery donations, and landscaping services for calling in to her program from her campaign. Additionally, it would show reception for insights from citizens and form a strong rapport with the public.
3. Implement a Governor’s Reading Program for K-8 students, environmentally friendly business plan competition for high school seniors, and wellness initiatives for senior citizens. Incentivizing 12th graders with a small scholarship, k-8 students with coupons from local businesses, and senior citizens with cruises sponsored by travel agencies for participation.
Hmmmmm …
We hate to rain on Cooper’s parade, but the S.C. State Ethics Commission is likely to frown on Haley’s campaign dispensing “free gas cards, grocery donations and landscaping services” to voters. Or maybe not … after all, Haley has committed numerous, much more severe ethics violations in the past (and gotten off scot-free).
Oh … and last time we checked her ethics committee was vacant. So who is going to hold her accountable?
As for step three, spending more tax dollars on government-run education initiatives is a demonstrably terrible idea – although based on Haley’s prior support for taxpayer-subsidized early childhood education (a.k.a. U.S. President Barack Obama’s signature education agenda item), who knows? She might go for that …
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