Nikki Randhawa Haley, the Indian-American Governor of South Carolina who fought off racial taunts and personal allegations to emerge victorious four years ago, has sought to brush aside yet another sexist slur “accidentally” hurled by her Democratic rival Vincent Sheheen.
In what is being described as a gaffe, Sheheen was caught on video, remarking at a campaign event in Florence last Thursday: “We’re going to escort whore out the door”. He appeared to quickly correct himself, saying: “We’re going to escort her out the door.” But his supporters burst into laughter over the comment, with Sheheen himself joining them.
The apparent gaffe went virtually unnoticed in the national media for the next couple of days until the story was picked up by major outlets such as CNN and Fox News.
While there was no immediate reaction from Haley herself or an explanation from Sheheen, it was Ann Romney, wife of the 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, who took up cudgels on behalf of the Indian-American Governor.
“When I first heard about it, it hit me right in my gut. My nerve endings went haywire,” Romney told CNN.
“It’s so upsetting when you know someone can say something like that about a woman, and not have any kind of reaction. It’s so unacceptable. Nikki is a great girl and has been a great governor.”
As criticism started spreading, Sheheen came up with a flat denial of having used the offensive word, but he offered an apology nonetheless.