Not a surprise. She supported him in 2008, too.

But will her endorsement help him clinch South Carolina? That’s uncertain. Via Twitter, her approval rating is actually abysmal in the state. Keeping in mind this is conservative South Carolina. This is a state that tolerated Mark Sanford until his term ended.

Worse yet, her approval isn’t suffering just because of Democrats. Just 34% of South Carolinians approve of the job she’s doing. Just 52% of Republicans and 36% of Independents approve. In a conservative state she’s struggling to maintain the approval of Republicans and Independents. 

Now, on the national stage her endorsement will help Romney. He can brag about Haley’s endorsement to a national conservative audience, which views her as rising star and effective conservative. Much like Europeans approving of Barack Obama, it’s a case of the away team approving more than the home team.