USA: January 13, 2016. (Christian Headlines) In her GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley looked toward the future of the nation. “Soon, the Obama presidency will end, and America will have the chance to turn in a new direction. That direction is what I want to talk about tonight,” Haley said, speaking from the state’s capital of Columbia. Haley enumerated the problems the country faces, including immigration reform, healthcare, and the soaring national debt, but reminded Republicans that although much of the blame for these problems lies with Democrats, “There is more than enough blame to go around. We as Republicans need to own that truth.” Haley addressed many of the major issues facing Americans today, noting that she herself is a daughter of immigrants, and America must not forget its heritage. However, she also made clear that America could not simply open its borders. ABC News notes that Haley is the first woman governor of South Carolina and the only non-white governor in the history of the state. Haley earned national praise for her handling of the Charleston Church shooting which she mentioned in her speech, saying that Americans could take a lesson from how South Carolinians dealt with the tragedy--by supporting one another rather than criticizing one another’s race and religion. “As we usher in this new era,” Haley concluded, “Republicans will stand up for our beliefs.”