Nikki Haley to endorse Rubio: report

Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley would endorse Marco Rubio, in what would give a major boost to the Florida Senator's presidential ambition ahead of the state's pivotal Republican primary, a media report said today.
"Haley, the state's most popular GOP politician in polls, has decided to back the establishment candidate considered to be in best position to challenge Republican front-runners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz," the local State newspaper said.
In 2012 elections, she had endorsed Mitt Romney, the party's eventual nominee.
Quoting an advisor of Haley in this regard, CNN said the 44-year-old South Carolina Governor's endorsement gives Rubio a huge boost just days before the crucial Saturday primary.

Haley is considered to be a favourite vice presidential pick.
In 2012 elections, she had endorsed Mitt Romney, the

party's eventual nominee.
As per the average of all major polls compiled by RealClearPolitics.Com, on average Rubio is currently ranked third with 17.7 per cent, a GOP race which is led by Donald Trump (33.3 per cent) and Ted Cruz (22 per cent).
Even in South Carolina, where the Republican presidential primary is scheduled for Saturday Rubio (16.8 per cent) is placed third after Trump (34.5 per cent) and Cruz (17.3 per cent).
"We were excited when we got the word that this was a real possibility," Rubio said after bagging Haley's endorsement.

"For us and for me, I have said this before, and I would say, despite the endorsement I would say this, she represents everything I want the Republican Party to be about: fiscal responsibility, a limited federal government, all the things that our government should be about and all the things our party should be about, she embodies," Rubio said.
The Democratic National Committee National press secretary Mark Paustenbach said given Haley's weak record in South Carolina, her decision to endorse a candidate with little record of his own makes perfect sense.
"It's no surprise Haley feels comfortable lending her name to Rubio, a candidate whose campaign has been desperately trying to hide his own lack of actual accomplishments," he said.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who was hoping to get Haley's endorsement expressed his disappointment over the decision of Haley.