Mr. History
TIM SCOTT TRIUMPHS ON IDEAS
FITSNews – June 11, 2008 – A strange thing happened in the middle of rural, predominantly white South Carolina last night. For the first time since Reconstruction (i.e. right after the Civil War, people), they elected a black Republican.
Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott never made a big deal about that fact – he ran on a conservative, reform-minded platform encapsulated by one of the best campaign slogans we’ve heard in a long time, “Taxpayers First.”
We first met Tim last Christmas, when he invited us down to North Charleston to attend a benefit he organized for Brittany Riffe, a Lowcountry teenager who was paralyzed in a car crash last summer.
Right away, we knew this guy was something special, and the more we learned about his stellar fiscal conservative record on County Council, the more we hoped he’d be able to bring that common sense approach to government in Columbia.
But given that Tim was running against not one, but two White Republicans (one of whom received the endorsement of outgoing Rep. Thomas “Doc” Dantzler) in a predominantly white district, we feared that voters in this largely rural part of the state would select “one of their own” to represent them.
Well, they proved us wrong … electing Tim with 53% of the vote, one of two races last night that went a long way toward restoring our faith in the political process.
Just as Tom Davis’ stunning victory over status quo incumbent Catherine Ceips proved that voters could see beyond a barrage of dirty tricks and negative attacks, Tim’s historic victory proved they could see beyond the color of a man’s skin as well.
And make no mistake, “Mr. History” (who is unopposed in the general election) isn’t going to Columbia to sit back and play the “token” black Republican.
He’s a born leader, a conservative visionary and one of those incredibly rare examples of a guy in politics who truly is as pure as the driven snow. And if you think we’re exaggerating, just wait …
Congrats to Tim, and congrats to the voters of Berkeley County for making history by electing him …
Comments
By watch this on June 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
let’s sese if the legislative ‘black’ caucus lets him join. that is the legislative ‘democrat, liberal, black’ caucus.
By watching this... on June 11th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
The word on the street is that the Caucus will be changing their name to the “Deomcratic Black Caucus” (or the “Black Democrat Caucus” or some variation on that theme.)
So, no, the plan is to not permit him to join. Although I am not sure why he would have wanted to join anyway…I can’t imagine what they would have in common.
By rvspme on June 11th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Tim is a great leader and an even better person. He’ll be an incredible lawmaker in Columbia.
By Pickle on June 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
he won’t last long with that bunch, bet on it.
By watch this on June 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
it’s democrat caucus. no “ic” on democrat. if not, why isn’t it republican’ic.’ we live in a republic with a democratic form of government. ther is no such thing as a democratic party. no ‘ic’.
By yonnick on June 11th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
congratulations to Tim on this landmark win. not only is he a great example for other black republicans like myself, but he will prove to be a strong conservative voice in columbia.
By Ron on June 11th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Good evening Will,
I really like Tim Scott and his opponent Wheeler Tillman. I think that Tim had better name recognition and more money to throw at the race. However, he’s a proven tax and spender based on his Charelston County Council record. We’ll see if Mark Sanford can reform him. Granted he’s no worse than his predecessor, rino “Doc” Dantzler.
By fitsnews on June 11th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Ron-
We reviewed Tim’s fiscal conservative credentials while on County Council and found them to be impeccable. In fact, if state government showed the same restraint in growing government, we’d all be in a lot better shape right now economically.
We’re not sure precisely what “record” you’re alluding to, but certainly feel free to enlighten us.
-FITSNews
By Note Maker on June 21st, 2008 at 2:09 am
RE: {The word on the street is that the Caucus will be changing their name to the “Deomcratic Black Caucusâ€}
From the State (http://www.thestate.com/154/story/431595.html)
“I congratulate him on his success of breaking down both racial and political barriers and will invite him to join the Black Caucus,†said Rep. Leon Howard, chairman of the Black Caucus.
RE: {it’s democrat caucus. no “ic†on democrat. if not, why isn’t it republican’ic.’ we live in a republic with a democratic form of government. ther is no such thing as a democratic party. no ‘ic’.}
The term “Democratic Party” is a commonly used idiom that has been employed for decades. It is used by the party, the press, academics, etc. There is simply no reason why this term should not be used.
republican’ic’ is not a word, nor a commonly used idiom.
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