Gov. Haley talks policy issues at pre-debate tea party rally

<p>GREENVILLE – Gov. Nikki Haley, speaking at an afternoon tea party rally, outlined a list of policy issues she expects Republican presidential candidates to address tonight in the country's first debate of the 2012 contest.</p><p>“We need to ask every single one of them what they think about state rights, and how that's going to impact South Carolina,” Haley said. “Make sure they hear you. Make sure they hear you loud.”</p><p>Haley said the candidates need to address repealing health care reform, spending limits and returning to the core functions of government. She wants to hear about combating high gas prices and protecting South Carolina's status as a right-to-work state.</p><p>“We want real answers. We want specifics. We're smart in South Carolina. We like to talk about policy,” Haley said later.</p><p>Tonight's debate lineup features former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and ex-Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain. None of the top tier GOP hopefuls chose to participate, many saying they were in the early stages of putting together a campaign or deciding whether to run.</p><p>“It may be too early for them,” Haley said. “It's not too early for the state of South Carolina.”</p><p>Haley was introduced by outgoing state Republican Party Chairwoman Karen Floyd.</p><p>She followed John Birch Society president John McManus, who equated neo-conservatives with socialists, and Greenville Republican activist Dan Herren, who urged the tea party to try to work within the GOP to make it more conservative.</p><p>“As long as they're moving in the right direction, give them a push,” Herren said. “When they stop, throw the bums out.”</p>