Can't Is Not an Option, by Gov. Nikki Haley: on Civil Rights

Nikki Haley: Accused of lack of diversity in gubernatorial cabinet

I had recently replaced the receptionist in the governor's office, who was a minority, with my longtime and trusted aide, Eileen Fogle, who is white. I listened as the Legislative Black Caucus members lectured me about how I was obligated to have a cabinet that "looked like South Carolina."

I didn't think about race or gender when I read resumes or made my appointments, I told them. I thought about their qualifications. Period. To me, appointing someone because of their race or gender was the same as appointing them as political payback. In both cases, you were putting politics ahead of performance.

Nikki Haley: Minority & women groups are just special interest groups

I realized these groups--the groups claiming to represent women and minorities--are just like any other establishment special-interest groups. They're looking for politicians who will work for them, not for the taxpayers. But I hadn't spent 7 years fighting the old establishment to be bought and paid for by a new establishment.