Politics & Government

Tim Scott Rallies Tea Party Crowd

Congressman says eventual candidate must take the White House.

U.S. Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) rallied Tea Party supporters in Myrtle Beach on Monday, telling the crowd they're going to lead the victory march in November.

The freshman congressman pulled the most enthusiastic applause during the S.C. Tea Party Coalition Conference. Scott reiterated again that he has yet to settle on a candidate in the S.C. Primary on Jan. 21. 

"The only thing we really have on our minds is beating Barack Obama in 2012," Scott said. "I don't care if it's Santorum or Gingirch or Romney, as long as we put someone in the White House who is currently not in the White House."

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As did a host of other speakers during the two-day event, Scott focused his ire on President Obama, but also referenced an appearance on Meet the Press with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Scott said Reid ruled the Tea Party dead.

"You guys are healthy," Scott said. "I want to offer a challenge to the movement. Lets make Sen. Reid a fibber. Let's make the President a one-term president."

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Scott touted the GOP's work leading the House and noted the obstacles in the Senate and the White House.

"This year we passed 28 job creating bills, and yet they sit day in and day out going nowhere," Scott said. "Reid closed with, 'I just want us to work together this year.' You know it's an election year when Democrats are interested in governing." 

The congressman also previewed some fights this year, telling the Tea Party members that he wasn't sure he would attend the president's State of the Union address.

Scott also challenged the logic of a short-term payroll tax cut extension, calling the two-month extension "hogwash." He called on Congress to address reforming the broader tax code, nothing we're "getting our butts kicked across the world."

Rejecting the suggestions that the Tea Party and conservatives would split the vote in the primary, Scott said, "We'll succeed in November because we're right."

"The only way to get it done is for us to run through this primary process and be ready for the war of the centuries beginning in September," Scott said. "Make no mistake, what we're doing right now is called pre-season. Get ready for the rumble."


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