Haley says she is willing to discuss possible VP run

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said Wednesday she is open to the idea of being the running mate to the Republican nominee for president.

Speaking on NBC's Today, Haley said she's willing to have a conversation about running as vice president once a nominee is selected.

"If a candidate wanted to sit down and talk, I would sit down and talk," she said. "It's a big decision, it's a family decision. But absolutely, I would sit down and talk."

Delivering the GOP response to President Barack Obama's last State of the Union Tuesday, Haley declared that "the president's record has often fallen far short of his soaring words."

However, her message also struck similar notes to that of the Democratic president, warning against strident voices in the GOP who rail against immigrants and others.

"During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation," said Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants.

In her recorded message, she did not mention any individuals by name. However, in the interview Wednesday, she said that the message was directed at GOP front-runner Donald Trump, as well as other members of the party and in the media.

Trump has called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States — temporarily and with exceptions — and to build a wall along the country's southern border. His proposed ban on Muslims sparked an outcry from many within the Republican party.

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough praised Haley's speech Wednesday as remarkable and admirable. He said he's been impressed by her leadership and her work, including after the Charleston, S.C., shooting.

"I wasn't surprised to see some of the themes in the speech," McDonough told a Christian Science Monitor breakfast.

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