Sen. Tim Scott test drives a potential 2024 campaign message

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Sen. Tim Scott didn’t announce he’s working for president right here on the Charleston County GOP’s Black Historical past Banquet on Thursday evening. However at instances, it gave the impression of he was already a candidate.

Scott is considered one of a handful of Republicans broadly believed to be contemplating a 2024 campaign, and the speech he delivered Thursday appeared to supply a preview of the themes he would possibly middle in his bid.

Scott, the primary Black senator from South Carolina, spoke at size about his private story of overcoming childhood poverty, his household’s perseverance by way of generations of racism and his entrance into politics, arguing that his expertise is proof that the nation’s progress on racial points outweighs modern-day racism.

Scott additionally promoted the tenets of his agenda — selling alternative zones, conservative police reform, curbing federal spending and enacting faculty selection insurance policies.

“There’s a method for us to unify this nation round fundamental ideas that lead us ahead, however now we have to place behind us a lie that that is the worst time in American historical past — provided that American historical past began right now,” Scott mentioned.

“I’m sick and bored with individuals telling me how dangerous it’s,” he continued, including: “I’m not right here to counsel issues can’t get higher. I’m going to work each single day to ensure all Individuals play on a degree taking part in discipline. However right now will not be 1865. At this time will not be 1923. … We have now made super progress, and it’s time that we as a individuals have a good time the progress we’re making.”

Scott’s speech got here a day after considered one of Scott’s fellow South Carolinians — Nikki Haley, the Republican former governor — kicked off her presidential campaign within the state.

Like Haley, Scott used his expertise as a individual of colour to push again towards what conservatives have derided as “woke” requires social change. And, additionally like Haley, the insurance policies he promoted would have vital buy-in throughout a potential GOP presidential major discipline.

At one level, Scott recommended conservatives are beneath siege and more and more subjected to discrimination. His feedback drew loud applause.

“Pay attention, I perceive the way it feels to be handled as a second-class citizen due to the colour of my pores and skin,” Scott mentioned. “I refuse to be thought-about a second-class citizen due to the colour of my get together.”

A Scott presidential campaign would mark the doorway of one other rising GOP star into the race to face off with former President Donald Trump after Haley’s announcement this week. And extra nonetheless, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, may announce within the coming months.

Talking on native radio Thursday morning, Scott wished Haley properly in her bid however mentioned he feels there “definitely” is room within the race for a couple of distinguished elected official from the Palmetto State. He’s embarking on a listening tour after his Charleston speech that may take him by way of Iowa, the primary state within the GOP’s 2024 major calendar, subsequent week.

Scott, whose voting document ranks him among the many get together’s extra conservative senators, seems to be increase the infrastructure for a presidential campaign, as The Wall Avenue Journal and Axios have reported. First elected to the Charleston County Council within the mid-Nineties earlier than he served within the state Home and the U.S. Home, Scott was tapped by Haley to fill Sen. Jim DeMint’s seat in 2012. He later gained the election to fill the remainder of his time period in 2014 and gained full phrases in 2016 and final 12 months.

Talking Thursday night about his method to coverage, Scott known as for “turning the federal [spending] spigot off,” bettering coaching and sources for police departments and aligning the GOP to be “the get together of oldsters.”

Attendees on the dinner expressed curiosity in a Scott presidential bid however mentioned it was far too quickly to opine on how properly he would possibly carry out.

Rhonda Coleman, who was on the dinner, mentioned she crossed paths with Scott in highschool and believes he would make a formidable presidential candidate.

“I’m not shocked he’s the place he’s right now,” she mentioned.

Marvin Arnsdorf, the board chairman of Oceanside Collegiate Academy, and his spouse, Wendy Arnsdorf, a native actual property agent, mentioned they’d be intrigued by a Scott presidential campaign however are ready to see how the sphere additional develops earlier than they decide to anyone contender.

“It’d be nice to have a selection that you just’re comfy with,” Wendy mentioned. “And never only one.”

Marvin mentioned he expects Haley and Scott to run on a message of generational change. However, he added, Trump “may be very sturdy” within the state.

“I like his insurance policies. I’m not a fan of the conduct,” Marvin mentioned of Trump. “I feel that’s hurting.”

“Take away his Twitter account without end!” Wendy added. Twitter reinstated his account this 12 months after it had banned him following the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.

Ought to Trump win the GOP nomination, nevertheless, the choice about whom to again on the poll field gained’t be a tough one.