Late on Wednesday, the Tim Scott presidential campaign reported that the South Carolina senator added $6.1 million in second quarter fundraising. Plus, he ended the second quarter with a total of $21 million in his campaign war chest.

These numbers include donations from over 53,000 unique donors, and represents more than 75,000 total donations. His campaign, of course, is elated. Scott’s campaign manager, Jennifer DeCasper, wrote in a memo:

As he prepares to take the debate stage, it is clear he not only is the best messenger and most consistent conservative in the race, but also has the resources to win.

Moreover, Tim Scott has more than enough money to take that debate stage. Republican candidates need to have at least 40,000 donors, with at least 200 of them coming from 20 different states, to qualify for the first debate in August. DeCasper added in her memo:

We can also proudly confirm Tim will be on the debate stage for months to come thanks to over 75,000 donations from over 53,000 unique donors across all 50 states. 

Compare those numbers, however, to those of Donald Trump’s joint fundraising committee, which includes both his campaign and political action committee. During the second quarter, Trump hauled in over $35 million. Meanwhile, FL Gov. Ron DeSantis’s campaign brought in $20 million, while his super PAC includes over $130 million.

So in light of those numbers: can Tim Scott pull off a big win?

How Tim Scott Can Pull an Upset

Wall Street Journal writer William Galston opined on Tuesday that Tim Scott just may pull off one primary win after placing well in another:

Can anyone pull off a New Hampshire surprise in 2024? My money is on South Carolina’s junior senator, Tim Scott …

If he can beat Mr. DeSantis for second place in Iowa, he would have a chance to do even better in New Hampshire.

And following New Hampshire? South Carolina, Scott’s home state. Writes Galston:

After New Hampshire comes South Carolina, where a home-state win could propel Mr. Scott to front-runner status, especially if most other defeated Republicans leave the race and endorse him, as most Democrats did in 2020 after Mr. Biden’s South Carolina victory.

As for Trump — some cracks may be starting to show in Iowa, after the thin-skinned candidate attacked its popular governor, Kim Reynolds, who failed to provide him adequate fealty. Now it appears that Reynolds is embracing DeSantis.

Kim Reynolds. Iowa Public Radio Images/flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0.

Plus, Trump is skipping a gathering of presidential candidates in Iowa this weekend. Nor has he committed to the GOP debate in August, either. So could Trump’s petulance benefit Tim Scott in the long run?

A Sunny Candidate With Much to Offer

Sen. Tim Scott has a lot to offer Republican voters unhappy with the peevishness and legal troubles of the current frontrunner. As William Galston wrote of Scott in the WSJ:

His affable presence makes him likable on the stump, he has avoided serious mistakes and has a compelling life story as an African-American who rose from humble beginnings (“from cotton to Congress,” he often says). He uses his story to show that America is a country that offers opportunity for all, a message to which most Republicans respond.

He also articulates conservative concepts and is able to discuss a variety of topics, as he did with Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax TV on Wednesday. They discussed Israel, building America’s defense industry, opening the Keystone pipeline, and confronting Vladimir Putin. Scott also shared his vision of an “industrial revolution” in America with high tech manufacturing jobs providing six figure incomes.

But Joe Biden didn’t escape Scott’s criticism, either. He disparaged Biden for his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, his favoring Iran over ally Israel, and his overall weakness on the world stage.

Yeah, But Can Tim Scott Win the Nomination?

Bottom line, however: can Scott beat out the behemoth of the GOP, Donald Trump? It’s not likely. Recent polling data from Real Clear Politics gives Trump an average of 53% as compared to Scott’s paltry 3.2%. Plus, when Scott entered the race in May, a Harvard/Harris poll showed Trump with a 79-21 advantage over Scott in a two-person contest.

But should Trump and Tim Scott ever meet in a debate, how will Trump handle the presence of this black man who rose from poverty in the South to become a US Senator and presidential candidate? As Galston wrote:

Mr. Scott can distinguish himself from Mr. Trump without having to challenge the former president on his character or record.

Moreover, what sort of juvenile name would Trump assign to Scott that wouldn’t smack of racism? Would Trump be forced to actually be respectful to an opponent, for a change?

The odds are slim against Tim Scott, despite the big cash hauls into his campaign and super PAC, TIM PAC. But Scott’s sunny nature and optimism for America reminds me of another Republican leader from another time: the man who spoke of the nation as “a shining city on a hill.”

When compared to a petulant front runner whose stock-in-trade is brawling and bullying, Tim Scott is a much-needed breath of fresh air. If I could wave a magic wand, Scott would take his place at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office of the White House, dispelling the notion that Republicans are racists. Meanwhile, let’s celebrate the fact that this good man will be able to strut his stuff on the debate stage.

Featured image: Gage Skidmore/flickr/cropped/CC BY-SA 2.0.