Political Roundup - Palmetto State Front and Center

This was quite the weekend in Republican politics and it showed why South Carolina will once again play a key role in determining who the nominee will be for President. While —and effectively knocking fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty from the race—Texas Governor Rick Perry was in Charleston at the Red State Gathering .

Meanwhile here is what South Carolina’s politicians were up to this week:

Nikki Haley

Governor Haley received at the Red State Gathering, calling Perry’s timing “brilliant” and characterizing him as a “superstar.” If Perry ends up being the nominee, look for Haley’s name to be mentioned as a possible Vice Presidential choice.

On Wednesday, Haley had a sharp exchange with State Treasurer Curtis Loftis over Department of Transportation funding.

Also on Wednesday, Haley explained why premiums for the state health insurance plan will be rising by $143 per year.

Haley and state schools superintendent Mick Zais were criticized by several media outlets for rejecting $144 million worth of federal funds for schools.

Lindsey Graham

On Monday, Senator Graham paid a visit to the Upstate SC Alliance and discussed the as well as the .

Graham, between sessions in the Senate, appeared in several other media outlets last week. He will be in Spartanburg .

Jim DeMint

Sen. DeMint spent much of the week telling the media how much he disliked the debt bill that was passed earlier this month.

In a radio appearance DeMint called the Obama Administration “anti-business” and “anti-American.”

He also released a statement to the press regarding the United States’ credit rating being lowered. In it, he called for the ouster of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

On Saturday, DeMint appeared at a rally for the Alabama Republican Party.

Trey Gowdy

Congressman Gowdy announced on Tuesday there will be a hearing on local education and job-training initiatives at CU-ICAR starting at 1 p.m.