If there are no major undercurrents working against them, all are expected to win on Tuesday night, when votes are polled.

In her speech, Haley reiterated the familiar theme of change she wanted to bring about in the government's functioning. The promises to fight President Obama's health care program and the Federal stimulus program, attracted loud cheers.

She acknowledged the support and inspiration she received from her husband Michael Haley, and her children Rena and Nalin. She said Michael would be the "coolest first man you've ever seen." She also introduced her parents and siblings to the crowd.

According to Lovett, racism was a thing of the past in most parts of South Carolina, which had once seceded from the Union when Abraham Lincoln had abolished slavery.

Haley's Indian origin too was not a problem for the mainstream to accept her as a candidate for governor, he noted. The event was not part of the Tea Party movement but only a program of the Republican party.

Haley faces Democratic candidate and state Senator Vincent Sheheen, who was endorsed by influential newspapers and was able to dent into her double-digit lead, reducing it to 9 per cent.