by Sen. Tim Scott, R-C., spoke on “Hannity” Wednesday about the importance of listening to voters amid his trip to Iowa for his “Faith in America” tour.
Scott has not announced a presidential run so far, but during a speech in Des Moines, he criticized politicians for making the public addicted to “the drug of the victims and the narcotic of despair” and hammering the tenure of President Biden.
On “Hannity,” Scott was asked about the likelihood of a presidential run — and he responded that he has thought hard about why he loves the United States so much.
“This morning I had the opportunity to visit St. Anthony’s Catholic School with Gov. (Kim) Reynolds. She received the memorial school option – one of the most important issues I have been fighting for. we meet with faith leaders, speak at Drake University, do a radio show. I ended up with the Polk County GOP. It was a good day. I’m learning a lot.”
FIRST ON FOX: TIM SCOTT ON 2024 LISTENING TOUR
Scott said the most important thing any lawmaker can do is “listen to our bosses” — the Americans who elect them.
Scott, who is the first black senator elected in the South since Reconstruction, has come up against his name as he considers the 2024 presidential election, where he could become the first black Republican president.
Host Sean Hannity laughed so hard when he pointed out that Scott’s fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley had announced a bid, along with former President Donald Trump.
Hannity also cited former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among other potential contenders, but asked Scott if he sees any policy differences with Trump in particular.
TIM SCOTT SAYS ‘THERE’S ROOM FOR TWO’ GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
Tim Scott (Rod Lamkey/REUTERS)
“Probably not much,” Scott replied. “I’m so grateful that we had President Trump in office. In fact, the policies that we were able to pass from 2017 to 2020 were significant, and thank God we went into COVID with a strong economy.”
He highlighted Opportunity Zones as his most important achievement passed under Trump.
“My signature legislation returned more than $29 billion to the poorest communities just in 2019, resulting in the lowest poverty level ever recorded as a country,” he said.
“I think the policies that we are fighting for as conservatives are the policies that are necessary to stop the Democrats from destroying America.”
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Citing how Scott and other potential candidates have been and Republican candidates in general on many such issues, Hannity asked what differences he could identify.
In response, Scott cited his own personal life and philosophy, recounting how North Charleston, SC Chick-fil-A franchisee John Moniz became a mentor in his youth who he credits fostering in him a sense of perseverance and self-determination. .
“What I’m learning on my ‘Faith in America’ tour is that I tell my story as an African-American born into poverty and then into a single-parent family,” he said.
“My Chick-fil-A mentor, who happened to be a White man, a Citadel graduate… taught me that you can rise above your circumstances if you are willing to perspire because you are inspired. at the American story.”
