Why does Iowa not like Tim Scott? Scott’s policies would seem like they would appeal to Republican voters. Scott has voiced strong support for a federal abortion ban and supports pulling funding from schools that have transgender-friendly policies.[1] One would think this would appeal to the large Evangelical base in Iowa, but that is not the case. The issue hanging over Tim Scott is that he’s too nice. Recent elections have shown that voicing strong opinions and attacking opponents gathers the attention of Republican voters.
On the Debate stage, Scott left those in Dallas County, Iowa, saying, “He’s so nice… But we wanted to give him a triple espresso”.[2] Scott’s rep for being too nice has even led to Iowa voters asking him if he is not intimidating enough to run for office.[3] Republicans are looking for a candidate with a strong voice who is unafraid to challenge others, and right now, it looks like Scott is failing to gain that traction.
Additionally, Scott is losing support from Super PACs in Iowa while opponents are rising in the polls. Trust in the Mission PAC has pulled fall ads for Scott due to how dominant Trump’s lead is.[4] Scott still has around $13 million in funds at the start of October, but that will dwindle with opponent Nikki Haley rising in the polls. Haley may be one of the reasons Scott does not have a big following in Iowa. Haley is from the same state and even appointed Scott to the Senate. The consensus is that she has been outshining him in the polls, debate stage, and foreign policy. If Haley keeps rising in the polls and Scott plays too nice to gather support, he won’t win Iowa. He is just playing for a participation trophy.
[1] Migdon, Brooke. “Tim Scott Introduces Legislation to Pull Funding from Schools with Transgender Support Policies.” The Hill, September 21, 2022. https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/3653864-tim-scott-introduces-legislation-to-pull-funding-from-schools-with-transgender-support-policies/.
[2] Pfannenstiel, Brianne, William Morris, Annie Todd, and Phillip Sitter. “Tim Scott Faded during the Debate. Some Worry He’s Doing the Same on the Iowa Caucus Trail.” The Des Moines Register, September 2, 2023. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/09/02/tim-scott-faded-during-the-debate-some-worry-hes-doing-the-same-on-the-iowa-caucus-trail/70702599007/.
[3] Vitali , Ali, and Nnamdi Egwuonwu. “Tim Scott Disappeared at the Last GOP Debate. His Nice-Guy Routine Is up for Another Test.” NBCNews.com, September 27, 2023. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/tim-scott-disappeared-last-gop-debate-nice-guy-routine-another-test-rcna117178/.
[4] LeVine, Marianne, and Maeve Reston. “Super PAC Backing Tim Scott Pulls Fall Ads as He Struggles to Gain Traction.” The Washington Post, October 17, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/16/tim-scott-super-pac-cancels-fall-ad-buys/.
Comments