Is it any coincidence that Sen. Tim Scott's (R-SC) odds for being named Trump's vice-presidential running-mate have skyrocketed as he refuses to say he'll accept the 2024 election results if Trump loses?
Interviewed by NBC's Kristen Welker, Scott predicted Trump would win the election but refused to give Welker a definitive response to her question about whether he'd accept the 2024 election results regardless of the outcome. Is this a ploy to help Sen. Tim Scott's VP Chances Improve?
“There (are) clear facts here,” Scott said. “President Trump himself said he expects this election to be fair, he expects it to be honest, and he expects to win. That’s what the presidential candidate should expect and I expect the exact same thing, and frankly, the American people agree with him. This is an issue that is not an issue, so I’m not going to make it an issue.”
But when Welker pointed out Scott was hedging his bets, Scott attacked.
“This is why so many Americans believe that NBC is an extension of the Democrat Party,” Scott said. “At the end of the day, I say what I say. I know what the American people, their voices will be heard and I believe that President Trump will be our next president. It’s that simple.”
That story rolled into my inbox just ahead of an announcement that Scott's odds on BetOnline.ag for being selected by Trump have zoomed from 14/1 to 4/1. Other potential running-mates have seen their odds improve as well:
Doug Burgum’s odds have gone from 500/1 to 4/1
J.D. Vance’s odds have gone from 250/1 to 5/1
Marco Rubio’s odds have gone from 300/1 to 8/1
Tulsi Gabbard’s odds have gone from 28/1 to 9/1
Clearly, Scott is doing everything he can to convince Trump to select him as his running-mate, even though he previously challenged Trump for the nomination, only to drop out six months or so later.
He's been talking up his Christian roots, an attribute that Trump can't come close to claiming, although he tries. Remember when he posed outside a Washington, DC church near the White House holding a Bible upside down?
So now, he's now selling "God Bless the USA" Trump Bibles" for $59.99 a pop (plus shipping and handling). Why are those Bibles so expensive? A site dedicated solely to selling the books explains that it’s “the only Bible endorsed by President Trump.” That makes those Bibles worth the money, right?
Still, Sen. Scott, who previously disagreed with Trump that Joe Biden stole the 2020 election, apparently is walking on eggs hoping not to piss Trump off so he'll be the chosen one. In fact, a confirmed bachelor, Scott is going a step further, planning a wedding to take place shortly after the Republican national convention. Some nasty cynics have suggested that the sudden wedding announcement may have been timed to appeal to Trump.
You'd have to be quite a cynic to believe that, right?
Why do Sen. Tim Scott's VP Chances Improve?
Scott offers some characteristics that no doubt appeal to Trump.
He's an African American, which could help Trump among some Black voters.
He's not known for being particularly brilliant, which should not threaten Trump's delicate psyche.
Scott talks authentically about his faith and is a popular speaker on the Republican circuit. Trumo apparently hopes to capitalize on lagging enthusiasm for President Biden among Black voters, so selecting a Black running-mate could be a defense against accusations of racism.
Will all of this result in his being annointed by Trump as his vice-presidential candidate? As BetOnline.ag's odds indicate, his chances are improving -- significantly.
BetOnline political oddsmaker and analyst Paul Krishnamurty was a recent guest on the Lean to the Left podcast, during which he discussed the odds for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's successor, as well as which party will end up controlling Congress, the potential of Trump being convicted in his criminal court cases, as well as the likelihood of him being returned to the White House. Check on that interview here.