Tim Scott Is Trump’s New Black Best Friend
The senator can accelerate the former president’s appeal to African American men and assuage White voters concerned about his racism — at least in theory.
He won't help Trump win Black voters.
Photographer: Win McNamee/Getty Images
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is all the rage among the GOP chattering class. The former Republican presidential candidate has emerged as a favorite as Donald Trump barrels toward the nomination and talks up his shortlist of possible running mates.
The Senate’s lone Black Republican is viewed as a kind of “magical African-American friend” able to solve Trump’s electoral math and demographic problem. In one fell swoop, Scott, with his Black face and “cotton to Congress” story, can accelerate Trump’s appeal to Black men. But more importantly, Scott can assuage White voters who might be concerned that a vote for Trump is a vote for racism. It’s what political scientists call an “indirect appeal.”