SC Gov Nikki Haley Slammed Donald Trump in Speech With Approval of GOP Leadership

Nikki Haley, the South Carolina governor hand-picked by House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to give the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address. 

Confirmed Wednesday morning that she did indeed target GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and “It can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation”: the speech was approved in advance by Republican leaders.

She also exposed the divide within the Republican Party and their voters.

Don Lemon was rousted out of bed early to interview Haley on CNN’s “New Day.” Haley not only confirmed she was targeting Trump, she seemed to compare him to the rioters in Ferguson and Baltimore.

LEMON: I think I want to start with that soundbite. You said the ‘loudest voices in the room.’ Was that comment directed at Donald Trump?

HALEY: Partially him, but a lot of people. You know, a lot of what I was talking about is that we’ve seen across our country — if you look at Ferguson and Baltimore we are seeing that people have to be loud, they have to be angry to have their voices heard.

Haley want on to say that, “I’m very thankful Speaker Ryan and Senator McConnell let me give the speech I wanted to give.” When asked if the GOP leaders approved of her text in advance, she confirmed, “They did.”

On NBC’s “Today Show,” Haley told Matt Lauer, “Mr. Trump has definitely contributed to what I think is just irresponsible talk.”

Haley enjoyed a nice round of love of love from both NBC and CNN.