Before Nikki Haley appeared on stage tonight in Columbia, the disc jockey set the tone, spinning “Right Now,” the upbeat Van Halen classic. Two summers ago, the same tune welcomed another little-known conservative woman, Sarah Palin, as a new GOP star during her debut rally with Sen. John McCain in Ohio. As Haley made her way to the podium, “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas blared. Where did we hear that last? Oh, that’s right — as the closing jam at Scott Brown’s victory party.

Another music note, via Larry Sabato on Twitter:

@LarrySabato – No comment at all on this tidbit: @jmartpolitico reports Bill Clinton ‘92 theme “Don’t Stop Thinking” played in rm w/Haley & Mark Sanford.