Nikki Haley to respond to Obama's State of the Union address

In what could propel her to the US national political scene, Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will deliver the opposition Republican response to President Barack Obama's last State of the Union address next week.
The 43-year-old, who is the first woman and first minority governor in her state's history, will address the country on January 12 after Obama's speech, congressional leaders said.
Obama is scheduled to deliver his last annual State of the Union address to a joint session of the US Congress on the night of January 12. Incidentally, the opposition Republican response to Obama's first State of the Union address was also by an Indian-American, Bobby Jindal - the Louisiana Governor whose second term ends on January 11.

House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday announced that Haley will deliver the Republican address to the nation following the State of the Union, in a move that has the potential of propelling her to the national scene and make her a formidable vice- presidential candidate.
"Nikki Haley has led an economic turnaround and set a bold agenda for her state, getting things done and becoming one of the most popular governors in America. In a year when the country is crying out for a positive vision and alternative to the status quo, Governor Haley is the exact right choice to deliver the Republican Address to the Nation," Ryan said.

"Nikki Haley is a proven leader and committed reformer who believes deeply in the promise of the country we all share. Not only has Governor Haley fought to bring opportunity and prosperity to the people of her state, but she's also demonstrated how bringing people together can bring real results," Senator McConnell said.

"Governor Haley knows the American Dream and wants to see every American share in it, and we're pleased that she will be delivering this year's Republican Address," McConnell said.
Haley said she is honoured to be asked by party leadership to deliver the Republican address to the nation.

"This is a time of great challenges for our country, but also of great opportunities. I intend to speak about both," Haley said.
Haley was re-elected to a second term in November last year. She is also only the second Indian-American Governor after Jindal.
In a statement, the Republican Party said Haley has delivered results to the people of South Carolina.