Memo to Media: Why Tim Scott’s Race Doesn’t Matter
Tim Scott is about to become the first African-American Republican in the U.S. Senate in 30 years. So what?
It’s a natural story line for the media, given the groundbreaking nature of Scott’s race. But it would be a mistake to let that become the dominant narrative.
The appointment of Scott, a South Carolina congressman, to replace Jim DeMint has been held out as a milestone for the GOP in its efforts to reach out to black voters. After all, an African-American will be now be holding the seat of segregationist Strom Thurmond. For a GOP that has achieved an historic nadir in its efforts to court African Americans, this is supposed to be the beginning of a new era for the party. This image of diversity was only aided by the fact that Scott was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley, a female Indian-American. But will it make a difference for Republican outreach efforts?
Probably not.
Scott is a ultra-conservative member of the Tea Party who has pushed some relatively extreme measures in his one term in Congress, including forbidding any family member (including children) of someone on strike from receiving food stamps. He’s also suggested that President Obama might need to be impeached. Just as nominating Herman Cain for president would not have swung black voters back towards the GOP, Tim Scott as a senator won’t have a tidal-wave impact among African Americans, even in South Carolina. After all, race isn’t the only issue that concerns voters.
This does give the Republicans a new opportunity to woo black voters by having a politician as talented as Scott as a national leader. But he has to give African-Americans a tangible reason to back him as well. After all, if skin color was enough for a black Republican, Scott would be joined in the Senate by Senator Michael Steele, Senator Ken Blackwell and Senator Alan Keyes.
Tim Scott’s appointment is special. It is neat to see South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union during the Civil War and a stronghold of segregation during the civil rights era, have an African-American senator. But the media celebration of Scott’s appointment will be for naught if his only notable appeal for non-conservatives is the color of his skin.
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