Donald Trump is their favourite topic, despite journalists claiming otherwise. On Tuesday, Tim Scott made this point again when he appeared on CBS MorningsThe hosts were unable to get him to discuss his book. The Republican senator was asked 11 questions about Trump before getting to the book.
The co-hosts demanded some fixed, categorical declaration, either unquestioning love for Trump or total repudiation. They seem to the only option journalists accept.
Senator Scott’s zing clearly showed he wasn’t willing to pay that game. Co-host Nate Burleson wanted the Republican to play judge and jury on the FBI raiding Trump’s home:
Finally, at the end of the interview, they turned to Scott’s new book, one about the greatness of America. Here’s the senator on the progress America has made:
The all-Trump-all-the-time was sponsored by Progressive insurance. You can click the link and let Progressive insurance know what your opinion is.
Below is a partial transcript. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS Mornings
8/9/2022
8:03:30 – 8:11 PM
TONY DOKOUPIL (South Carolina Republican Senator): His new book is his reason for being here. It’s called America: A Redemption Story. Senator, good morning.
SENATOR TIM SOTT: Good morning.
DOKOUPIL: It’s a good read. I think it’s going to connect with a lot of people. It’s got two chapters on the former president, President Trump. He was kind to you mom and clearly, you have a great relationship.
SCOTT: Yes.
DOKOUPIL: But we’re at this extraordinary moment in American history when that former president is the subject of multiple investigations and his home was searched by the FBI overnight. This begs the question: Is he still the most representative of the Republican Party to you?
SCOTT, He is without doubt the biggest voice in American politics. The Republican and Democrat will continue to vote for him, it seems. He will be more popular if supporters put more emphasis on him. Our country is divided.
GAYLE KING: Wait a second. You have to stop, senator. That wasn’t the question.
DOKOUPIL – You claimed that you were the largest. This is actually true. CPAC surveyed him and awarded him the straw vote.
KING: Which is your favorite idea?
SCOTT: I don’t know what you mean. The good news is that I can answer the question as I see it. Trump is unquestionably the most powerful voice of all politics. That’s why people from both left and right keep their eyes on him.
DOKOUPIL : This is a very dangerous time in history, and many people have highlighted this fact. It is because of our divisions. While there are some wings in our government that don’t support partisanship, now they’re split. One such wings is the FBI. Do you trust the FBI, even with former President Barack Obama, to complete its task? Or do you think the FBI is conducting a witch-hunt?
SCOTT: The Judiciary Committee and the FBI have met before to try and figure out what makes them do the things they do. There has been some question about whether or not the FBI is doing its job in an apolitical manner. And we don’t know the answer to that question yet.
DOKOUPIL – You are unsure about the FBI.
…
NATE BURLESON: So you don’t have any concern that they are going to find anything at the Mar-a-Lago —
SCOTT: Rather than hurrying to make a decision? It is important to let the story unfold.
DOKOUPIL
SCOTT: I am saying I love my new book and I’d like to have a conversation about why I believe in second chances.
KING: The FBI Director Chris Wray was appointed to his position by Donald Trump. We should also note that. Your book says that you prefer to use your resources when dealing with President Trump. You stated that it was an awful day and the result of people making poor choices on January 6. Donald Trump’s actions on January 6th are not something you hold him responsible for.
SCOTT: One of the reasons why your viewers would want to buy the book is to get that behind the scenes view of what actually happened at the Capitol as opposed to just hearing the media’s account for it. Many were outside the United States Capitol. It was me. It is possible to feel the pain of being hunted. You might find yourself pulling up your sleeves and asking, “What weapon can I use to protect myself?”
KING: You talked about calming everyone down and saying, “Look, everyone, let’s just take a second.” But I want to go back to Donald Trump’s role in it for just a second. The responsibility has not been taken by Trump. On January 6th, you heard from rioters who said, “Look we went because he asked us to. Because he asked us, we were there. Doesn’t the president have — don’t his words have power and shouldn’t he be more careful with his words.”
SCOTT: Yes.
KING
…
KING: Is the president responsible for senators?
SCOTT .
BURLESON : Some might say that it is the highest level of responsibility.
…
KING: That sounded scary. Let me talk about the chapter 5 in this book. The headline is “Tim Scott for president.” I thought, “Oh, he’s getting ready to tell us something.” Tim Scott the president, the beginning of chapter 5. Next, you say it’s the president of high school. Tim Scott for president. Tim Scott for president. You then talk about a campaign that you ran. The question is raised. People often think that when someone writes a book like this they are thinking about running in the presidential election.
BURLESON
DOKOUPIL – Your publisher may have felt this way. This message was placed at the top of the book.
…
KING: South Carolina is my favorite state. Blah, blah, blah. People love South Carolina, blah, blah, blah.
SCOTT: Gayle, you also love South Carolina.
KING: But, but, but. However, what is it that you would need in order to run for President?
…
BURLESON: The book is called America: A Redemption story. This is a great country, but we’ve had some dark times. Is this where we are in our nation’s redemption process?
SCOTT: We are on the right track, thank God. These 50 years were the most successful. You should consider the Civil War we went through. Jim Crow was south. My grandfather was born 1921. Also, we had the 1960s. These were difficult in the 1970s and Rodney King in 1990. We are in far greater position now than ever before, if you compare it. The journey is not over.
BURLESON: We have got a long way to go.
SCOTT (Without question). We’re also celebrating the fact that three of the four of us on this stage are African Americans. This means that we have had an African American president or vice president. We’ve had a chief of staff who is an African American. Our 50-year history of success has been more successful than our first 190. We should keep our eyes on the future while also celebrating the successes we have together.
About Post Author
