All week, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has said she would say no if Republican Mitt Romney asked her to be part of his team if he were elected president. She said she has work to do in her own state.

But does she mean it? Eyewitness News asked political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer. After all, Haley has been all over national news, talking about her book and what Romney needs to do to get the female vote.

Eyewitness News asked if statements like that were Haley trying to set herself up as the bridge between Romney and women. Bitzer said probably not and that it hasn't worked in the past.

“John McCain picked Sarah Palin, thinking he could not only energize women voters but also his base. That didn't turn out all so well," Bitzer said.

And if that were the plan, Bitzer said Haley wouldn’t be a wise choice.

"She is politically very weak in her own home state, particularly with the Tea Party folks. That's the base of the Republican Party," he said.

Bitzer pointed out that Haley endorsed Romney, but South Carolina still went to Newt Gingrich in the primary. Then there is the personal side of things, and allegations Haley has fought off about affairs and ethics violations.

"This is not something that you want to have as the headlines in association with -- Romney picks his candidate who has baggage," Bitzer said.

He said the person Romney would need has to appeal to many different voters.

"He needs someone who is going to shake up the base, reenergize them, maybe make some connections with other voters outside the party, because he has to win independents," Bitzer said.