Dems Say Haley Shirking Duties While Charleston Floods

Gov. Nikki Haley is in Tampa tonight cementing her role in national Republican politics while the state's second-largest city is recovering from widespread flooding.

That's the charge from the South Carolina Democratic Party, which says the first-term governor should be back in the Palmetto State like other Southern governors facing impacts from Hurricane Isaac.

"South Carolina is suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Isaac as the streets of Charleston fill with water," said party spokeswoman Amanda Loveday in a media statement.

"The Governor of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are all in their states making sure their citizens property and lives are safe and secure," she wrote. "Nikki Haley once again proved that politics, not the people of her state, are most important."

A message seeking comment from Haley's spokesman was not returned Tuesday evening. Haley was set to speak at the convention at 9:45 p.m.

Charleston came to a halt around noon Tuesday when as much as four inches of rain pelted the city. It's not uncommon for low-lying parts of the historic downtown to flood, but Tuesday's event was more severe than usual.

As much a four feet of water flooded cars and caused businesses and two colleges to close their doors. By evening, most of the water had receded and things were getting back to normal.

The heavy rain was caused by a spin-off of Hurricane Isaac, which was set to make landfall this evening in New Orleans.