Still, critics have raised questions about the depth of her dedication to transparency and her skills on matters of politics, if not policy.
Despite facing criticism that she is inexperienced, America's youngest governor Nikki Haley has a high national profile and the Indian American leader's name is already in the list of future Republican party leaders, a media report said today.
Nikki Haley, 39, South Carolina governor, has built her governorship on aggressive budget cutting, a relentless pursuit of job growth and a cheerleader's enthusiasm for a state that often finishes toward the back of the pack in education, economics and health.
Still, critics have raised questions about the depth of her dedication to transparency and her skills on matters of politics, if not policy.
"Her understanding of the role of state government appears rather limited," said the political historian Jack Bass.
But, of the nation's 29 freshman governors, her national profile is among the highest, an advantage she hopes to enhance with a memoir — 'Can't Is Not an Option' — scheduled for release by the Penguin Group in January, the New York Times said.
Telegenic and direct, Haley is popular with producers of national news shows. Her digital-savvy young staff issues YouTube-ready videos that show everything from her cabinet meetings to the crowning of collard greens as the official state vegetable.
A parade of Republican presidential candidates has passed through her office in the Capitol here, seeking her advice and, more important, her endorsement.
She has repeatedly said she is not interested in being a vice-presidential running mate on the 2012 Republican ticket, but her name is already etched into the list of future party leaders, the Times said.
The governor's focus on the policies of President Obama has offered the most substantive contribution to her national profile. She regularly criticises his policies on health care and spending.
Legislators say her administration is a refreshing change from the tumultuous days of her predecessor.
Still, the governor's strict approach to limiting spending hit a wall with lawmakers.
Her overall popularity appears to be evenly split. In June, a poll from Public Policy Polling in North Carolina put her approval rating at 42 per cent and her disapproval rating at 41 per cent.
Haley's parents immigrants from Punjab to the US.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}