Senator Tim Scott Suspends Presidential Campaign

About a week ago Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced us to his girlfriend, thereby sparking renewed interest in his quixotic presidential campaign. Apparently, the girlfriend introduction didn’t answer the question donors were asking, because now Sen. Scott is “suspending” his campaign.

Scott made the announcement to Fox News' Trey Gowdy, his fellow South Carolinian who also served in Congress, reported USA Today.

“I love America more today than I did on May 22. But when I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign,” Scott said. The lawmaker did not immediately endorse another Republican in the 2024 presidential race, and he denied that his campaign was an effort to become vice president.

"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.'" Scott added. "I don't think they're saying, Trey, no, 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."

Sen. Scott’s sudden exit is all the more perplexing because, although he has not been able to displace the longtime top three “not Trump” candidates, he has made a number of smart moves recently.

In the wake of the October 7 Sabbath Massacre Scott invited Jewish students spanning from high school to college age, representing the University of South Carolina, University of Miami, and a local South Florida high school to attend the Miami debate and witness candidates on stage.

"As hate and antisemitism proliferate on college campuses across our country, it is more important than ever to educate the minds of our next generation with thoughtful debate and discussion," Scott said in a statement on Wednesday. "I look forward to sharing my optimistic vision for our country with these students and all Americans. Together, we will stand against hate and lead our nation into the next American century."

Senator Scott, the first African American to be elected senator from the southern United States since the Reconstruction era, threw his hat into the ring at a time when he was considered a rising star in the GOP.

He was also buoyed with a $22 million war chest after he was able to transfer money from his Senate account into his presidential campaign, reported Newsweek. By the end of the third quarter, Scott had $11.6 million cash on hand—more than all other rivals in the GOP primary apart from former President Donald Trump.

However, Newsweek further reported Scott's campaign took a major blow in mid-October after the main super PAC supporting his campaign announced that it would be pulling millions of dollars worth of television ads that were due to be broadcast because Republican voters are clearly backing Trump instead.

Scott, who tried to paint himself as a true conservative alternative to Trump, struggled to turn his donations into support and regularly failed to get close to double figures in the polls.

Our analysis, based on our 300+ political campaigns, including a number of campaigns for President, is that Senator Scott suffered from the same plague that dogs many “resumé candidates.”

He has a great resumé – meaning he looks good on paper – but the reality on the campaign trail didn’t live up to the hype. Scott had some good crowds and good moments, but there was never the time when you were compelled to say, “Yeh, this guy can beat Trump and Biden.”

What we liked best about Tim Scott, and his message, was its Bible-based optimism.

"I see myself first as a biblical leader and not as a Republican or conservative leader," Scott said during a 2020 video conference with students at Bob Jones University, reported by USA Today.

"I am first a Christian," he added. "And it is the thing I have chosen to be above all other things."

“I’m so thankful to know a risen savior that has helped guide my way, and I’m so thankful that he’s allowed my life to intersect at the right time with the right person. And I just say, praise the living God,” he said during the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual fall banquet, while discussing his girlfriend.

We will miss Tim Scott on the presidential campaign trail because, even though we never saw him as likely to defeat Trump in the Primaries, his presence and message were a constant reminder that ours is a Judeo-Christian nation that was built on Biblical principles and that living according to those principles can raise the most unlikely among us to positions of leadership.

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