TIM IS IN:  Senator Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.  his presentation was powerful and optimistic.  It's reported that some major Republicans believe Scott, an African-American conservative, has at least a fighting chance of becoming a major candidate, perhaps the only one other than Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis who can break out of the expected pack of contenders.  He has a superb life story, he's inspiring rather than depressing, and his race is a positive.  From Fox: 

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - As he formally declared his candidacy for president at his alma matter in the town where he grew up, Republican Sen. Tim Scott emphasized that "our party and our nation are standing at a time for choosing."

Scott, a rising star in the GOP and the only Black Republican in the Senate, on Monday became the latest contender to officially jump into the burgeoning race for his party's presidential nomination.

"Joe Biden and the radical left are attacking every rung of the ladder that helped me climb," Scott charged. "And that is why I am announcing today that I am running for President of the United States of America."

But the senator is mostly preaching what he described in an interview with Fox News on the eve of his campaign kickoff as an "optimistic, positive message anchored in conservatism."

However, the battle to be the 2024 Republican standard-bearer is currently dominated by former President Trump, who is the clear front-runner as he makes his third straight White House run.

Trump has continued to relitigate his 2020 election loss to President Biden as he repeats his unproven claims that his defeat was due to an election "stolen" through "massive voter fraud." Additionally, the former president’s listing of his many legal grievances have also become a campaign staple this year.

The question Scott faces is whether there's an appetite among Republican presidential primary voters for his optimistic vision.

The senator, however, standing in front of over 2,000 family, friends and supporters, asked "victimhood or victory? Grievance or greatness?"

COMMENT:  Great questions.  And Scott presented himself so well.  I don't make predictions here, but I feel this is a man to watch.

May 22, 2023