Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) on Sunday dismissed the notion that he needs to have a breakout moment at Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate for his campaign to see a polling boost.
Scott, who has largely been trailing in primary polls, was asked during an appearance on Fox News Sunday if he needed to deliver a strong performance at the second debate in order to break through with voters as former President Donald Trump continues to dominate surveys.
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“I don’t think so,” the South Carolina senator replied, “What I need to do is continue to do what I have been doing — showing up. The more time I spend in Iowa, the better off I will be. The more time I spend in New Hampshire, the better off I will be.”
“The good news is polls don’t vote, but people do, and so I need to make sure that I find myself in front of the most people as possible on a consistent basis,” he added.
I’ll be the defender of the next generation who are losing hope in the American Dream.
I’ve been that kid. But, my obstacles became my opportunities.
America deserves someone they have confidence in because we’ve lived a similar journey.
We’re ready for the debate stage! pic.twitter.com/lU1SjgfENw
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) September 24, 2023
Scott went on to say, “The goal is for us to be able to have a conversation about the most important issues facing this nation and, frankly, defend the next generation of kids who are losing hope the American dream will work for a kid in rural Iowa or inner-city Chicago. I’m the defender for those who cannot find someone to stand up.”
Scott told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Thursday morning he plans to maintain his happy warrior stance as he runs for president and prepares to meet with his 2024 competitors onstage at the Presidential Foundation & Institute in Simi Valley, California.
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Several experts said fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy overshadowed Scott’s tame debate performance last month as they two battled over differences in foreign policy. Hewitt asked the South Carolina senator if he would be “the same Tim Scott as in debate one in debate two” during his show.
Mabinty Quarshie contributed to this report.
