“Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right” ― Theodore Roosevelt
On Sunday, NBC’s Kristen Welker interviewed Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the newly-minted Trump apologist. During the conversation, Scott proved that he would say anything — except answer a straightforward question — to cover for the bully whose approval he desperately craves. Any hope that Scott was a stand-up guy ran aground on the pusillanimous shores of this beta male’s craven prostration to another man.
We should expect this from a weak man. He is one of a legion of former Trump opponents who have knelt and kissed the ring. He did not have far to go. As a candidate during the GOP primaries, Scott never had the spine to take on Trump. From the get-go, the only point of his vacuous exercise seemed to be scoring enough name recognition for Trump to consider him a VP candidate.
Welker started the affair by pointing out that Scott had been pro-democracy before his self-emasculation. She laid the groundwork by pointing out that Trump still denies the result of the 2020 election. And she asked Scott about the possibility of him becoming Trump’s running mate despite his previous position on the election.
“You, of course, did vote to certify the 2020 election results and you’ve said ‘It was not stolen.’ Why would you join a ticket with someone who believes the exact opposite on this critical point."
Scott did not answer the question. Instead, he slimed the media for accurately reporting what Trump said.
“I think we have to listen to what Trump said and not what the reporters said he actually said (He chuckles). Here is one of the things that he has been very clear — and even talking about the situation in Wisconsin. What he said was, he expects an honest election. He expects the results to be clear, and for him to be successful. I expect him to be successful as well.
He then adopted the Trumpian position that only a Trump win would show the election was on the up-and-up.
“There is no doubt as we look at the polls across our country, the one thing that is crystal clear, that American people are now having a contrast between four years of Joe Biden and four years of Donald Trump, they are really excited to get back to the Trump years. And so I expect the election to be fair. I expect Donald Trump to be our next president.”
Welker tried again. She reminded Scott that Trump was claiming he was the victim of an election fraud that Scott denied existed. And again asked Tim how he could agree to run with a man he knew to be a liar.
“In terms of what he said, he specifically said, ‘If it’s not’ (if it’s not fair, as you are saying) you have to fight for the right of the country’. And just this week he said he won Wisconsin falsely, Senator. So again, to the point, you voted to certify the election results of 2020. It's the exact opposite of what you said and did after 2020. Why would you want to be on a ticket with someone where there's such a fundamental difference?”
Scott again ignored the question. Instead, he wrapped himself in the go-to conservative security blankey by claiming to speak for the “American people” — which is a right-wing synonym for “white bigots.”
“There is clear facts here. President Trump himself said, he expects this election to be fair. He expects it to be honest. And he expects to win. That is what a 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 am not gonna make it an issue.
Welker gave up on Scott’s non-answers and hypocritical embrace of an immoral man by turning to the upcoming election.
“Senator, will you commit to accepting the election results of 2024, bottom line?”
Scott again ignored the question, stuttered, struggled for an answer to a question not asked, and started a stump speech.
“At the end of the day, the 47th president of the United States will be President Donald Trump. And I am excited to get back to low inflation, low unemployment.”
Welker cuts off the politicking. For the second time, she tried to get Scott to answer a question about the election.
“Senator, yes or no, Will you accept the election results of 2024, no matter who wins who wins?”
Scott offers a non-sequitur.
“That is my statement.”
Welker tries a third time.
“But, just yes or no, will you accept the election results of 2024?”
Scott stutters and again ignores the question despite acknowledging that she has asked it several times.
“I look forward to President Trump being the 47th president. Kristen, you can ask multiple times.”
Welker tries a fourth time.
“Senator, just a yes or no answer."
Scott again sticks his thumb in his mouth while clutching his blankey.
“The American people, the American people will make the decision … ”
Welker interjects to illuminate Scott’s failure to answer.
“But I don't hear you committing … "
Scott sails on in his misdirection.
“ … and the decision will be for President Trump.”
Welker keeps at it. And asks a fifth time if Scott believes in American democracy.
“I don't hear you committing to the election results.” (Scott sputters). “Will you commit to accepting the election results?”
Scott again ignores the question with some unoriginal and false media bashing. This smug Christian obviously believes the commandment about not bearing false witness is more of a suggestion.
“This is why so many Americans believe that NBC is an extension of the Democrat party. At the end of the day, I have said what I have said. And I know, the American people, their voices will be heard. And I believe that President Trump will be on next president. It's that simple.”
Welker tries a sixth time to pin the slippery bastard down.
“But Senator, as you know, the hallmark of our democracy is that both candidates agree to a peaceful transfer of power. So I am asking you, as a potential VP nominee, will you commit to the election results in this election cycle, no matter who wins?”
“Just a simple yes or no.”
The shameless Scott stuck to his dissembling.
“I expect, I expect President Trump to win the next election. Listen, I'm not gonna answer your hypothetical question when in fact, I believe the American people are speaking today on the results of the election. If it continues for the next six months, we will find ourselves in a great position where we will get back to another century of American prosperity. I'm looking forward to that.”
At this point, Welker realizes she is trying to nail jello to the wall. And moves on.
If the American people, all of them, are in favor of preserving democracy in America, they should ask why Scott cannot give a straightforward answer to a simple question.
He could have said, “Yes, I believe in America and its people.” By not doing so, he has declared he is willing for America to be an autocracy. And if we lose our democracy, it will not be because of the bullies — we have always had those — it will be because weak and cowardly men have thrown away their honor for thirty pieces of silver.
Note: There are some women equally weak. But the female of the species has shown, on average, to have more iron in their spine than the sad male specimens who wear another man’s name on their shirt.