Well-respected political forecaster Richard Hanania has an unexpected prediction for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential run. His audacious theory? South Carolina Senator Tim Scott will join Trump as his Vice Presidential running mate.
Hanania contended that the decision to pick Scott, an African-American Republican popular among conservatives, may be a strategic masterstroke.
Hanania tweeted, “Trump is going to be the nominee, and I predict he picks Tim Scott as his running mate. Everyone loves an inoffensive black conservative, especially swing voters. Democrats will have to walk on eggshells in critiquing him. Trump-Scott ticket will be very tough to beat.”
Trump is going to be the nominee, and I predict he picks Tim Scott as his running mate. Everyone loves an inoffensive black conservative, especially swing voters. Democrats will have to walk on eggshells in critiquing him.
Trump-Scott ticket will be very tough to beat.
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) May 22, 2023
It would undoubtedly compel Democrats to tread lightly with their criticisms. The Trump-Scott ticket could effectively court swing voters who might appreciate the perceived balance offered by Scott’s more conventional conservative approach compared to Trump’s typical flamboyance.
Hanania went on to dissect the Democrats’ ability to confront conservative figures of color, contrasting Scott with other black conservatives such as Herman Cain, Ben Carson, Diamond and Silk, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
He noted, “Dems are able to attack the clown black conservative, Herman Cain or Diamond and Silk. Or Ben Carson, a talented surgeon who clearly knew nothing about policy. Clarence Thomas is angry and surly. But ‘nice black next door neighbor’ is a different genre. Very tough for them.”
Many conservatives have a belief that "Democrats are omnipotent and can do whatever they want, they create their own reality and there's nothing anyone can do about it."
No, they sometimes get put in tough situations. Stop treating them like god. https://t.co/aeLScD941o
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) May 22, 2023
In this, Hanania suggests that Scott’s image as an approachable, likable conservative, unlike some of his more divisive peers, will pose a significant challenge to the Democrats’ ability to wage an effective opposition campaign. This potentia perception of Scott could be key in attracting undecided voters or even those who have traditionally leaned left.
Hanania closed his thread by challenging a common conservative belief that Democrats exert an overwhelming control over the political narrative. “Many conservatives have a belief that ‘Democrats are omnipotent and can do whatever they want, they create their own reality and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.’ No, they sometimes get put in tough situations. Stop treating them like god.”
The caveat however: on Monday Scott (R-SC) declared his intent to run for President in the 2024 election.
WATCH:
“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race,” former President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!”
As we head towards the 2024 presidential race, this potential Trump-Scott ticket is a fascinating prospect to consider.