The next senator from South Carolina: Tim Scott?
It seems to be a logical fit: DeMint and Scott are close, personally and ideologically, and Scott has the conservative bona fides that are undoubtedly DeMint-approved. He’s risen in the House quickly since his election in 2010, serving on the powerful Rules Committee and working closely with GOP leadership as a liaison for the freshman class, while maintaining good relationships with the tea party wing of House Republicans…
It’s Scott’s ability to articulate the case for conservatism among the poor that may put him ahead of the pack.
“He can say all the things Jim DeMint says, which when Jim says it can sound sometimes to the outside world as pretty harsh,” said Brent Nelsen, a political science professor at Furman University. “Tim says exactly the same things as Jim does, but he talks about his upbringing and the mentor who taught him the principles of making it in the world. He’s really credible as a conservative who has a heart for disadvantaged people.”
At least one of Scott’s in-state colleagues said he believes Scott is a leading contender.
Blowback
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DeMint was on Becks show today and was asked who he wanted to replace him, he said he wasn’t going to say, Haley would make a good wise choice! I think Scott would be a good wise choice!
L
letget on December 7, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Hasn’t she already picked an established pol?
Mimzey on December 7, 2012 at 2:01 PM
If Scott has the same conservative credentials – then he is the man for the job!
Hopefully he can fundraise well like Demint used to do.
22044 on December 7, 2012 at 2:02 PM
I heard Scott interviewed. Good guy.
SC could do a hell of a lot worse.
Don’t they have another R senator named Lindsey??
Why yes, yes they do.
ToddPA on December 7, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Can A. West move to S. Carolina?
Oil Can on December 7, 2012 at 2:05 PM
He seems like a great choice. A solid conservative with Tea Party credentials who can articulate his beliefs in a way that the working class guy can relate to. And there’s no denying the identity politics advantage of the lone black Senator in Congress being a Republican.(On that note, the GOP is also about to have twice as many Latino Senators as the Dems.)
Doughboy on December 7, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Works for me.
changer1701 on December 7, 2012 at 2:11 PM
I don’t give a damn who they pick. That Party sucks. DeMenthe was right to leave. Who cares who swoops in on those senatorial “sloppy seconds”.
Please- Tea Party now! All it takes is one elected representative to make the declaration , tear off his GOPe lapel-pin and raise up the Gadsden and just watch how the wave builds. It would change the political discourse and the entire mood of the electorate overnight. Finally, people would feel as if somebody somewhere was doing something.
The Left and the White House crapped their pants over the completely spontaneous and informal Tea Party gatherings- imagine how they’ll quake when they see a new official Party rise up. A vocal, strong, principled opposition.
Somebody do it now! Just go for it!
sartana on December 7, 2012 at 2:25 PM
When he’s not planting bloody gloves at crime scenes, Brent Nelson is putting out some of the most boneheaded political analysis on record.
sartana on December 7, 2012 at 2:33 PM
100% on board with Scott.
Ca97 on December 7, 2012 at 3:02 PM
RWM w/b very happy and would have been very prescient.
Schadenfreude on December 7, 2012 at 3:12 PM
You folks are missing the biggest benefit to Tim Scott in the US Senate, namely if the one and only African-American in the body is a Republican from the South, liberal heads will explode.
radjah shelduck on December 7, 2012 at 3:16 PM