Tim Scott Could Be the Real Deal

 

One night in 2010, Mrs. Pessimist was on the road traveling for work. It was very unusual for her to travel over a weekend but that Saturday night she was out of town and I settled down in front of the TV to watch a debate on the local PBS channel for the congressional race in Charleston.

The debate was staged on the deck of the USS Yorktown and included an obscure state councilman, Tim Scott; Paul Thurmond, the grandson of Strom; as well as Carroll Campbell III, the son of the most popular governor in SC history. There was also a woman on the debate stage I think and a libertarian named Mark that I had heard favorable things about.

When the debate was over I found the website for the Tim Scott campaign and sent him $1,000 which was way more money than I had ever contributed to a political campaign. Tim Scott called me Monday morning to ask why and what he could do for me. I told him I didn’t want anything other than for him to go to Washington and tell Congress to put the shovel down and quit digging. He laughed and gave me his cellphone number if he could ever help me. I still have that number but have never called it. I have spoken with him briefly a few times at events but have no reason to mention my long-time support.

I don’t know if Tim Scott can become president or if he would be a great president, but if you listen carefully, you will hear the cheerful enthusiasm and patriotism of Ronald Reagan. That has not diminished in the years since I first became aware of him.

Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 45 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Ekosj Member
    Ekosj
    @Ekosj

    Re: “don’t know if Tim Scott can become president or if he would be a great president but if you listen carefully, you will hear the cheerful enthusiasm and patriotism of Ronald Reagan”

    Agreed!

    • #1
  2. Ekosj Member
    Ekosj
    @Ekosj

    Tim & Vivek!!!

    • #2
  3. Bob Armstrong Thatcher
    Bob Armstrong
    @BobArmstrong

    I attended his running announcement this morning at his alma mater, Charleston Southern University. He has some very impactful campaign lines and was not hesitant to clearly distinguish himself from the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania and his message from that of the incumbent administration.

    His life experience is a complete repudiation of the dominant narrative of the left, and he will be alternately ignored and pilloried by the media.

    Proudly left with a Tim Scott yard sign and bumper sticker for my truck.

    • #3
  4. Southern Pessimist Member
    Southern Pessimist
    @SouthernPessimist

    Just watched Tim Scott’s interview with Trey Gowdy on Fox. Best take away: “My Grandfather who couldn’t read and picked cotton for a living, told me you could be better or you could be bitter but you can’t be both.”

    • #4
  5. Nathanael Ferguson Contributor
    Nathanael Ferguson
    @NathanaelFerguson

    I don’t know that he has much of a shot but he has always made a good impression and I think he is one of the few in Congress who is there for the right reasons trying to do the right things. I know that the left hates minority Republicans and will do everything they can to destroy him just as they have tried to do to Clarence Thomas for decades, just like they did to Miguel Estrada and so many others. I imagine that Scott knows all of this and has decided to move forward anyway. That takes courage. If his run for president doesn’t pan out, I hope he will take a cabinet position in the next administration. 

    • #5
  6. JoelB Member
    JoelB
    @JoelB

    I just watched Scott’s  announcement. He speaks truth and patriotism with a style combining Ronald Reagan and Black/Southern evangelicalism. He calls himself the left’s biggest nightmare. Perhaps he is. 

    • #6
  7. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Where does he stand on grooming children? Does he agree with Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, and Donald Trump that Disney should be allowed to support the sexualization of children with no pushback from Republican governors?

     

    • #7
  8. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    I like Scott, and in particular like his happy warrior demeanor. I’d be very happy with him as the nominee, though I doubt that will happen. The question is, is the GOP primary electorate even open to an upbeat message? Rage and despair seem to be widespread.

    • #8
  9. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Word on the street is that Larry Ellison likes Tim Scott 60 million times over.  Ellison likes winning.

    • #9
  10. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Really like him as well.  I generally would prefer a governor over a congressman as a candidate but I’m listening to what he has to say.

    • #10
  11. Bunsen Coolidge
    Bunsen
    @Bunsen

    I hope Jordan Peterson has him on his show.  Kinda sad that a Canadian has some of the most in depth conversations with American politicians.  This is NOT a knock on Jordan but rather our commentators.  

     

    • #11
  12. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    If DeSantis doesn’t get in, I’m seriously thinking about Tim.  The real advantage is that he’s single, so there would be no First Lady to bankroll . . .

    • #12
  13. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Painter Jean (View Comment):

    I like Scott, and in particular like his happy warrior demeanor. I’d be very happy with him as the nominee, though I doubt that will happen. The question is, is the GOP primary electorate even open to an upbeat message? Rage and despair seem to be widespread.

    I think most want to exchange rage and despair for a coherent plan and a competent and courageous leader.  

    • #13
  14. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Stad (View Comment):

    If DeSantis doesn’t get in, I’m seriously thinking about Tim. The real advantage is that he’s single, so there would be no First Lady to bankroll . . .

    What’s up with the confirmed bachelors in the Senate from S.C.?   Americans don’t usually like single men in politics.

    • #14
  15. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    DonG (CAGW is a Scam) (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    If DeSantis doesn’t get in, I’m seriously thinking about Tim. The real advantage is that he’s single, so there would be no First Lady to bankroll . . .

    What’s up with the confirmed bachelors in the Senate from S.C.? Americans don’t usually like single men in politics.

    Americans also didn’t use to like divorced men in politics, but that changed too.

    As for Tim being single, the “gay man” rumors are about to start.  Heck, the left has speculated about Lindsey for quite a while now . . .

    • #15
  16. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    I’d love someone not a Boomer or older 

    • #16
  17. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Stad (View Comment):

    DonG (CAGW is a Scam) (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    If DeSantis doesn’t get in, I’m seriously thinking about Tim. The real advantage is that he’s single, so there would be no First Lady to bankroll . . .

    What’s up with the confirmed bachelors in the Senate from S.C.? Americans don’t usually like single men in politics.

    Americans also didn’t use to like divorced men in politics, but that changed too.

    As for Tim being single, the “gay man” rumors are about to start. Heck, the left has speculated about Lindsey for quite a while now . . .

    The GOPe/NT folks will spread the “gay man” rumors.  They have their own interests to protect.  Scott is not their guy.  

    • #17
  18. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    I´ve thought well of Scott for years, but my concern is whether or not he has the charisma to make a good presidential candidate. Perhaps he does. I´d love to see a Ramaswamy/Scott ticket, on purely philosophical grounds, but can they trounce whoever the Dems finally get on the ballot?

    • #18
  19. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I like Scott very much, but I hesitate, and it’s hard for me to put my finger on the reasons. I don’t know if he has the “fire in the belly” that I think a presidential candidate must have. But I’ll certainly watch him.

    • #19
  20. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    I’ll listen to Tim, which gives him a head start on Chris Christie.

    Southern Pessimist (View Comment):

    Just watched Tim Scott’s interview with Trey Gowdy on Fox. Best take away: “My Grandfather who couldn’t read and picked cotton for a living, told me you could be better or you could be bitter but you can’t be both.”

    That settles it. Tim Scott’s grandfather for President!

    • #20
  21. Terry Mott Member
    Terry Mott
    @TerryMott

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Painter Jean (View Comment):

    I like Scott, and in particular like his happy warrior demeanor. I’d be very happy with him as the nominee, though I doubt that will happen. The question is, is the GOP primary electorate even open to an upbeat message? Rage and despair seem to be widespread.

    I think most want to exchange rage and despair for a coherent plan and a competent and courageous leader.

    Or maybe the lack of competent and courageous leaders with coherent plans created the rage and despair.  Decades of failure theater can do that.

    • #21
  22. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Painter Jean (View Comment):

    I like Scott, and in particular like his happy warrior demeanor. I’d be very happy with him as the nominee, though I doubt that will happen. The question is, is the GOP primary electorate even open to an upbeat message? Rage and despair seem to be widespread.

    I think most want to exchange rage and despair for a coherent plan and a competent and courageous leader.

    As long as that plan isn’t surrender.  Again. Next hill. 

    • #22
  23. Franz Drumlin Member
    Franz Drumlin
    @FranzDrumlin

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):
    The GOPe/NT folks will spread the “gay man” rumors.

    Really? The “GOPe/NT” folks I read and listen to have mostly positive things to say about Tim Scott. I suspect that if anyone is going to ‘drop hints’ in a speech or a debate it’s going to be you-know-who.

    • #23
  24. GlenEisenhardt Coolidge
    GlenEisenhardt
    @GlenEisenhardt

    No thanks he shouldn’t even be a senator. He’s a waste of space

    • #24
  25. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Hartmann von Aue (View Comment):
    I´d love to see a Ramaswamy/Scott ticket, on purely philosophical grounds

    Maybe we should put Ramaswamy in charge of the GOP for 2 years.   There is lots of room for improvement there for a guy with strong policies and business sense.

    • #25
  26. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Stad (View Comment):

    What’s up with the confirmed bachelors in the Senate from S.C.? Americans don’t usually like single men in politics.

    Americans also didn’t use to like divorced men in politics, but that changed too.

    But that is divorced and remarried.   A single man in his 50’s is a red flag to me.   Is he unable to commit?  Do women hate him?   Is he anti-family?   Who is influencing him at night?  Trump listens to Ivanka (bad).   DeSantis listens to Casey (good).  What about Tim Scott?   I assume he spends his evenings on porn-Hub or Ricochet.com…and I don’t see him posting here. 

    • #26
  27. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Franz Drumlin (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):
    The GOPe/NT folks will spread the “gay man” rumors.

    Really? The “GOPe/NT” folks I read and listen to have mostly positive things to say about Tim Scott. I suspect that if anyone is going to ‘drop hints’ in a speech or a debate it’s going to be you-know-who.

    I think the GOPe/NT folks will show him some love to keep the Donald from the nomination.  Any scandalous hints won’t come in a speech or debate, but from the NYT or other MSM.  Maybe even the new Fox News. 

    • #27
  28. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Stad (View Comment):

    DonG (CAGW is a Scam) (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    If DeSantis doesn’t get in, I’m seriously thinking about Tim. The real advantage is that he’s single, so there would be no First Lady to bankroll . . .

    What’s up with the confirmed bachelors in the Senate from S.C.? Americans don’t usually like single men in politics.

    Americans also didn’t use to like divorced men in politics, but that changed too.

    As for Tim being single, the “gay man” rumors are about to start. Heck, the left has speculated about Lindsey for quite a while now . . .

    Turned on the radio this morning to learn that some PoS has already asked him if he is a virgin. 

    He can’t win with whatever he answers. “Yes”, and he’s an out-of-touch weirdo with no life experience and unqualified to comment on what the MSM calls “women’s issues”. “No”, and he’s another Christian hypocrite. 

    • #28
  29. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Terry Mott (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Painter Jean (View Comment):

    I like Scott, and in particular like his happy warrior demeanor. I’d be very happy with him as the nominee, though I doubt that will happen. The question is, is the GOP primary electorate even open to an upbeat message? Rage and despair seem to be widespread.

    I think most want to exchange rage and despair for a coherent plan and a competent and courageous leader.

    Or maybe the lack of competent and courageous leaders with coherent plans created the rage and despair. Decades of failure theater can do that.

    It’s not as though the rage and despair are unjustified. 

    • #29
  30. GlennAmurgis Coolidge
    GlennAmurgis
    @GlennAmurgis

    He will be treated like Larry Elder, Thomas Sowell, Justice Thomas or any other conservative black person.  Corporate media will demonize him. 

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.