Charleston massacre, flag debate put Haley in 2016 spotlight

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley figures to play an even more prominent role in the key GOP primary her state hosts next year.

Haley has been widely praised for her role in removing the Confederate battle flag from outside her Statehouse office after a massacre at a black church in Charleston.

Now Republican White House hopefuls are resuming their visits to South Carolina. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's trip Wednesday is the first for an out-of-state candidate since the flag came down Friday.

There's talk about Haley as a potential running mate.

But Haley's track record in her state has bothered some of her fellow Republicans there. And experts say the pick of a running mate comes down to a nominee's personal preference.