SC Gov Haley criticizes reporter as ‘little girl’

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s first woman governor is being criticized for calling a woman reporter a “little girl” because the governor didn’t like coverage on taxpayer spending on a European trip.

In a radio interview Thursday, Gov. Nikki Haley said “God bless that little girl at the Post and Courier,” referring to a reporter at the Charleston newspaper.

Bill Rogers with the South Carolina Press Association said Friday the remark is a sexist, personal attack rather than a response to the story’s facts.

The story described $127,000 in spending that included a chalet and pricey hotel rooms. Haley defended the spending in interviews and an article she wrote that the newspaper published Wednesday.

The newspaper’s content editor declined to comment. A columnist said the governor stooped to a condescending, catty low.