GOP Response To SOTU To Highlight Nikki Haley’s Immigrant Background

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2012 file photo, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley waits for President Barack Obama to speak in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Not it! Republicans considered to be up-a... FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2012 file photo, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley waits for President Barack Obama to speak in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Not it! Republicans considered to be up-and-comers are scrambling to make it known they have no interest in becoming Mitt Romney’s running mate, taking themselves off the still-forming short list of would-be vice presidents. With Romney poised to win the GOP nomination in June _ if not earlier _ some of the focus has shifted to his pick for the number-two spot on his ticket but no one is rushing forward and many of the top prospects are trying to shut down the conversation before it begins. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) MORE LESS
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South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on Tuesday night plans to highlight her background as the “proud daughter of Indian immigrants” in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, according to excerpts of her speech.

“My story is really not much different from millions of other Americans,” Haley will say in the Republican response. “Immigrants have been coming to our shores for generations to live the dream that is America…Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation.”

Haley, whose parents are Sikh Indians, is the first female and first minority governor in South Carolina’s history. Her pro-immigrant remarks draw a striking contrast to the policies of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, who has proposed a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. and the deportation of the 11 million undocumented immigrants already living in the United States.

Read the full excerpts below:

“The President’s record has often fallen far short of his soaring words. As he enters his final year in office, many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We’re feeling a crushing national debt, a health care plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available, and chaotic unrest in many of our cities. Even worse, we are facing the most dangerous terrorist threat our nation has seen since September 11th, and this president appears either unwilling or unable to deal with it. Soon, the Obama presidency will end, and America will have the chance to turn in a new direction. That direction is what I want to talk about tonight.”

“I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants who reminded my brothers, my sister and me every day how blessed we were to live in this country…My story is really not much different from millions of other Americans. Immigrants have been coming to our shores for generations to live the dream that is America…Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.”

“If we held the White House, taxes would be lower for working families, and we’d put the brakes on runaway spending and debt…We would make international agreements that were celebrated in Israel and protested in Iran, not the other way around. And rather than just thanking our brave men and women in uniform, we would actually strengthen our military, so both our friends and our enemies would know that America seeks peace, but when we fight wars we win them.”

“We have big decisions to make. Our country is being tested. But we’ve been tested in the past, and our people have always risen to the challenge. We have all the guidance we need to be safe and successful. Our forefathers paved the way for us. Let’s take their values, and their strengths, and rededicate ourselves to doing whatever it takes to keep America the greatest country in the history of man.”

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