Republican Tim Scott drops presidential bid after lacklustre campaign
By: Eric Garcia (The Independent)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The sole Black Republican Senator ends his campaign after his message about opportunity fell flat amid a field that includes Donald Trump and other hardcore culture warriors
Sen Tim Scott (R-SC) announced on Fox News on Sunday evening that he would suspend his presidential campaign after he failed to gain traction in the Republican primary.
Mr Scott made the announcement on the program of former congressman Trey Gowdy, who came to Congress the same year he did in 2011.
"I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they're telling me 'not now, Tim,'" he said. "I don't think they're saying 'no,' Trey, but I do think they're saying not now. And so I'm going to respect the voters and I'm going to hold on and keep working really hard and look forward to another opportunity."
The sole Black Republican in the Senate and the first Black Senator elected from the South since Reconstruction, Mr Scott attempted to point to his inspirational life story as the son of a single mother and how his family went "from Cotton to Congress" in his lifetime since his grandfather picked cotton.
The message struggled to find an audience save for some donors, such as Oracle executive Larry Ellison, whom he cited in his announcement address. Mr Scott frequently said his story refuted the ideas about race that Democrats typically promote.
"I would say without any question that the truth of my life destroys the lies of the radical left," he said during the third Republican presidential debate in Miami on Wednesday. He frequently refuted the idea that the United States is a racist country and talked about growing the party.
"The great opportunity party is now winning back African American voters and Hispanic voters because we are working on a foundation based on faith," he said on the debate stage.
But despite raising enough money and polling well enough to appear on the debate stage, Mr Scott failed to have break out moments either on the campaign trail or during the debates.
Like other candidates, he ran significantly behind former president Donald Trump in surveys. His focus on an optimistic message failed to resonate alongside Republican candidates who aggressively targeted marginalised groups such as Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis.
But he also failed to distinguish himself as a viable anti-Trump alternative as most non-Trump Republicans flocked to former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who in 2013 nominated Mr Scott to fill a vacant Senate seat.
Mr Scott's announcement comes after former vice president Mike Pence suspended his campaign last month. His announcement also came two months before the Iowa caucuses.
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If a twig falls in the forest does anybody notice ?
I wonder how many Tim Scott donors think they got their money's worth.
On the "bright" side, this may add 2 or 3 points to Nikki Haley's percentages.
I'm not surprised that he dropped out, he wasn't getting any traction at all.
This was of course quite predictable.
Trouble is, short of some extraordinary event, it is all quite predictable.
The dysfunctional GOP is infected with Trump with no signs of even taking corrective action much less healing anytime in the future.
I would say there is a good 80% chance that Scott endorses Trump before long.
Indeed. Losers will endorse the expected nominee in hopes of a position in the administration.
Good riddance—for now anyway. No more 'kid-gloves' with these people who want everybody in the country to be—"them." That fool thought he could take solace in the minorities entering the GOP but then reality hit that his success in the GOP so far does come conditions, that he knows his place which is as he put it, "Not now." That is, the GOP is not smitten with the idea of promoting its black senator to the executive branch as a novelty. In fact, the GOP might want the good old senator to get himself a WIFE with marriage certificate on the record before he gets any higher "promotion." Now,. . . what are the changes that within the next four years, if he wants to rise higher in the GOP, good old Senator Scott gets 'hitched'? If not for love at least for consideration!
Honestly, I have no grievance with Scott, per se. But, I can't stand people who try to tell other people their life experiences are not real and what they are! Scott did that, with his ignorant, sanctimonius narrative- "You can be like me too!"
BTW, that means he won't be on the debate stage next time?! Who will get the (fifth-place) slot? Hmmm.
Instead of being an ineffective presidential candidate he can revert to being an ineffective Senator. He won't be missed.
He is so ineffective in his own party that as the "point guy" to give a Black male perspective on policing in this country to the Senate. . . he delivered a 'duh' that never went anywhere from the Republican side of the aisle. And, he thinks he can lecture Black America on achievement outside of his self-interests? Scott has/had some nerve. As I stated he can love whom he will, but do realize that he can love the skin and associate himself with the skin he is in too. For the world sees his skin before it ever hears is conservative viewpoint! And the world wonders why this man won't stick up for his people when they are right on their policing issues.
He was running for president? Wow.