South Carolina’s Nikki Haley and Tim Scott on collision course in 2024 presidential race

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two of South Carolina’s hottest Republicans —as soon as seen as the way forward for the GOP — are on a possible collision course within the 2024 presidential race.

Driving the information: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley formally kicked off her presidential marketing campaign Wednesday, calling for generational change at a packed rally in downtown Charleston.

• The following night time, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) delivered the keynote tackle on the Charleston County GOP dinner commemorating Black Historical past Month.

Why it issues: If Haley and Scott each run for president, they might stunt one another’s momentum at a time when the standard wing of the celebration cannot afford to divide its votes.

• Each Haley, in launching her presidential marketing campaign, and Scott, in launching a nationwide talking tour, hit on remarkably comparable themes of their speeches.
• Each conveyed an optimistic message about America as a land of alternative that rejected the notion of systemic racism.
• Each relied on their inspirational private tales, rising from hardship to attaining successes by means of grit and onerous work.

What they’re saying: “The story of America isn’t the unique sin, it’s about redemption. Now we have to cease shopping for the lie that that is the worst time in American historical past,” Scott mentioned on the Charleston County GOP banquet.

• “I perceive being handled as a second-class citizen due to the colour of my pores and skin. I refuse, I refuse to be handled as a sec0nd-class citizen due to the colour of my celebration,” Scott added, in a brand new line to his stump speech.
• Haley additionally leaned into her story as an outsider — an Indian American daughter of immigrants in a Black-and-white world — who overcame challenges due to the nation’s exceptionalism.
• “Some have a look at our previous as proof that America’s founding rules are dangerous. … Some assume our concepts will not be simply improper, however racist and evil,” Haley mentioned within the video saying her candidacy. “Nothing might be farther from the reality.”

Between the strains: Each Haley and Scott’s speeches have been designed to enchantment to conventional conservatives — what New York Instances reporter Nate Cohn dubbed “revitalized Reaganism” — with a give attention to small-government conservatism and conventional values. (Haley’s presidential kickoff additionally referred to as for an assertive American overseas coverage.)

Zoom in: Haley is the primary introduced challenger to former President Trump within the Republican major and may have an early shot to construct assist as others mull their very own campaigns. However Scott’s potential candidacy is maintaining some potential Haley supporters on the sidelines.

• At each occasions, there have been quite a few supporters of each South Carolina Republicans who mentioned they have been torn on who to assist — and would not be taking sides this early.
• Charleston County GOP chairman Maurice Washington, who launched Scott, mentioned he can be remaining impartial in a major. “To presumably have two South Carolinians in a presidential race is one thing all of us will be pleased with. We develop them proper in South Carolina,” he mentioned.

• “Nikki Haley and Tim Scott can be the dream ticket if it was constitutional,” mentioned Dee Ann Kaufman of Charleston, who voted for Trump in 2016 however mentioned she could not assist him once more after Jan. 6.

The intrigue: After his remarks on the banquet, Scott declined to endorse Haley’s presidential marketing campaign. He sidestepped questions from native reporters about whether or not he would get into the presidential race.

• Haley appointed Scott to the state’s vacant Senate seat in 2012. They campaigned collectively for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s presidential marketing campaign in 2016.
• Scott will head to Iowa subsequent week as a part of a “Religion in America” listening tour. He employed former GOP Sen. Cory Gardner and veteran Republican operative Rob Collins to co-chair his cash-flush tremendous PAC.

Actuality verify: Haley and Scott (if he runs) begin out as underdogs in a presidential major at present dominated by Trump and the probably candidacy of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

• Glenn Dill, a Republican precinct captain from Edisto Island, South Carolina, mentioned he was searching for a Trump different and favored each Haley and Scott, however his spouse was nonetheless a stalwart Trump supporter.
• He mentioned Republicans from his precinct not too long ago held a straw ballot that includes Trump, DeSantis and Scott. Trump and DeSantis have been working neck-and-neck for the lead, whereas Scott lagged in third. (The group did not take a look at Haley on the poll as a result of they weren’t certain if she would run.)