OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has a brutal message for the woman who first appointed him to the Senate, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
On the eve of the South Carolina Republican primary, in which former President Donald Trump, whom Scott has endorsed, is predicted to defeat Haley by a significant margin, the senator told her it is time to stop her campaign.
“Senator, do you believe that after the primary on Saturday, she should step aside for the good of the party?” a reporter asked Scott on Friday.
“I think for the good of the country. The bottom line is this, I made the determination myself back in November that America wanted someone who was more forceful, more provocative, and a little more rambunctious to clean out some of the challenges that are stubborn and persistent in our nation,” the senator said.
“So many things we see in the policies of the Biden administration, from open, insecure, unsafe southern border, to the challenges we see economically. The only person that stands in the way of having a conversation between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is Nikki Haley, so getting out of the way is incredibly important not only for the party but for America’s future,” he said.
“How much does Donald Trump have to win by on Saturday to prove Nikki Haley is not a contender?” the reporter asked in a follow-up question.
“That’s a good question, honestly. Let me think about that. If you won in Iowa, you won in New Hampshire, and you win in South Carolina, every poll going forward says she can’t win,” the senator said.
“I think a win would be sufficient; I would expect a 20-point plus win in her home state where she was a governor and state representative. If that doesn’t send a clear message, I’m not sure what does,” he said.
But days before his comments Haley, a former United Nations ambassador, vowed to stay in the campaign until everyone votes.
“Early voting is underway. I have a quick reminder to all South Carolinians: In a general election, you are given a choice. In a primary, you make your choice. Make sure you make the rice choice. Make your voices heard today, tomorrow, and on Saturday,” she said.
“Some of you, a few of you in the media, came here today to see if I’m dropping out of the race. Well, I’m not. Far from it. And I’m here to tell you why,” the former ambassador said.
“I’m running for president because we have a country to save. Since the start of my campaign, I’ve been focused on the real issues our country faces, the ones that determine if America will thrive or spiral out. I’m talking about millions of students who don’t know how to read or do basic math, the families who can’t afford groceries, much less a first home, the total lawlessness on the southern borders, the murders in our cities, the fentanyl on our streets, lawlessness on the streets — and the American weakness that led to wars in Europe and the Middle East, and the urgent need to restore our strength before war spreads and draws America further in. These are the challenges I’m here to tackle,” she said.
“But instead of focusing on how to make America stronger tomorrow, some people want to know if I’m going to cave today.
“We’ve all heard the calls for me to drop out. We know where they are coming from, the political elite, the party bosses, the cheerleaders in the commentator world. The argument is familiar. They say I have not won a state, my path to victory is slim, and they point to polls saying I’m delaying the inevitable. Why keep fighting when the battle was over after Iowa?” she said.
