Grover Norquist Had An Idea of Who Should 'Rush the Stage' During the GOP Debate Saturday: 'She Would Be a Great Candidate

While campaigning throughout South Carolina, multiple presidential hopefuls have been singing the Palmetto State's Gov. Nikki Haley's praises.

But halfway through the GOP debate Saturday night in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, her presence onstage was missed by political advocate Grover Norquist.

"SC Governor Nicky Haley should rush the stage. She would be a great candidate for 2016," Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform said in a tweet.

SC Governor Nicky Haley should rush the stage. She would be a great candidate for 2016.

— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) February 14, 2016

ATR has praised many of Haley's tax proposals, such as her plan for income tax relief and tax reform. She has also signed ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge against raising taxes.

Norquist has called Haley a "model for being pro-roads & anti-tax hike."

During the debate, GOP presidential contender Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) also lauded Haley when it came to anti-poverty issues.

"I think Nikki Haley will do a better job curing poverty than Barack Obama," Rubio said at the Peace Center.

At a campaign rally in Greenville earlier in the week, Rubio praised South Carolina's economy and promised to use the state as a model if elected president. Multiple South Carolinians in the audience took his comments to be an indirect compliment of Haley's governorship.

Haley, whose name has been tossed around as a possible vice presidential candidate, has not yet issued a much sought after endorsement.

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Follow Kaitlyn Schallhorn (@K_Schallhorn) on Twitter