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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Tim Scott Shows His True Colors

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is expected to endorse Donald J. Trump at a rally in New Hampshire’s capital, Concord, on Friday night, a blow to Nikki Haley, who as South Carolina’s governor appointed Mr. Scott to the Senate.

I started this blog amid the Bush43 Administration. I was strongly against him. I supported filibustering judicial nominations (partially since a fairly apportioned Senate would have been Democrat and I considered Bush a minority president without the usual mandate). I question that now, especially since at the end of the day, what good did it do? 

I thought the Administration went too far, not wanting to compromise, even when the result would have been a win for a specific policy goal. I was quite negative about Republicans supporting him. And so on. 

My level of disdain, however, has increased significantly. Trump is the waterboarding form of presidential options (some line in the sand of principle). I think you have to oppose him. If you do not, you simply are not credible. You should not be taken as credible. You are promoting political evil.*

This endorsement -- after the guy won 51% (true his debate surrogate, VR, would push that close to 60%) of the small fraction of the Iowa caucusgoers showing up. This is not exactly a "the people have spoken, let's end this" level of acceptance. I know Ted Cruz thinks so, but you know, he's a troll.

It was Haley who appointed Scott to the Senate in 2012 while serving as governor of the Palmetto state.

Bit of additional "f-u" there, huh? Tim Scott promotes himself as a Christian, if not quite as much as Mike Pence. He wants to endorse someone who is continuing to go after someone a jury found sexually abused and defamed a woman? It's disgusting. 

What is this big threat to the United States that requires him -- NOW -- to support Donald Trump? President Joe Biden, who might have to deal with his hands tied by a Republican Senate (nominees are a big concern)? Oh no! It's a question of doing it now that underlines the point. 

Tim Scott is underlining he is ALL IN for Trump. It is not like Nikki Haley is likely to win New Hampshire. Let the primary system play out. The predictions are that she might do somewhat okay (low bar) there but horrible in her home state. But, he can't just play the "he's the nominee" card ("Well, Ted Bundy's the nominee, what can I do?") here. 

We should shun people who support insurrection promoting racist sex offenders for office. It is even more clearly appropriate when they go out of their way to do so. 

An op-ed challenged Democrats for not sticking up to a smeared judicial nominee. Without doing a deep dive, he has a point. Smear jobs should be firmly opposed in most cases unless there is a compelling case that the situation can be touchy. 

I do not like the idea that "no Republican is respectable" or the like. I very well understand it at this point. But, some do now and then provide some reason to not want to spit when their names are mentioned. Tim Scott is not one of these people. 

He's a fucking asshole. He true colors are already apparent. He decided to really show them. 

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* I am somewhat wary of the term "evil" because it has a religious otherworldly feel. I do not believe in actual angels or demons. The term can lead to dehumanization. Nonetheless, it has a reasonable meaning as something that violates basic decency. 

I wish to use it sparingly.

Trump at this point is a political evil. The leadership of Israel now crossed that line. The leadership of Hamas who sacrificed the people whose name they supposedly act in also did. A blatant racist or someone who promotes harm to LBTQ people also at some point crosses that line. 

If "evil" is not appropriate, blatantly violating the boundary of acceptable politics or some other expression can be used. 

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