Sen. Tim Scott’s announcement that he is running in the Republican presidential primary has left many puzzled. With two heavyweights — Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis — and several other contenders vying for the nomination, Scott seems a long shot at best. On the other hand, as Jim Newell of Slate pointed out, “Hope, opportunity, aspiration … is not a message being offered by either of the top two Republican contenders.” Republican strategist Karl Rove exuded even more confidence, writing for the Wall Street Journal: “Tim Scott can move a crowd. I’ve seen it more than once.”

In announcing his presidential exploratory committee, Scott touched on race, patriotism, and economic decline as themes of his engaging personal story — and countered with an unapologetic defense of the American Dream. After describing how he was raised in poverty by a single mother, he said the key to success is to move forward: “Joe Biden and the radical Left have chosen a culture of grievance over greatness.”

But the South Carolina senator’s path to victory will be difficult, perhaps insurmountable. Scott’s current lack of national support stands in stark contrast to his personal charisma and unique optimism — leading many to speculate that the influential black conservative is really running not for president but for vice president. He may not be able to contend with Trump and others electorally, but in the minds of the top presidential candidates, he is already being positioned as an effective counterpart.

Scott’s Potential Running Mate

Trump wished him well on Truth Social, reminding his followers: “I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!” Nikki Haley, another presidential hopeful who was formerly governor of South Carolina, has been a strong supporter of Scott’s political career since 2012 and remains on cordial terms with him despite competing for the nomination. Keith Naughton recently wrote in the Hill that “Ron DeSantis and Tim Scott are the ticket to beat Trump.”

The question is this: For which of these candidates would Scott make the best running mate? He has been critical of Trump in the past, despite partnering on key pieces of legislation. He has little-to-no official relationship with DeSantis and hails from the same state as Haley. Some have speculated that the outsider candidate Vivek Ramaswamy could partner with Scott to provide more Washington experience and credibility — but both candidates currently have low poll numbers.

Regardless of which candidate (if any) ultimately joins forces with Scott, his presence in the political arena injects fresh energy and a unique perspective into the conversation. In a time marked by uncertainty and division, Scott’s emphasis on hope, opportunity, and unity may prove to be a compelling message capable of resonating with an ever-more-diverse electorate.

Scott’s Message of Hope and Unity

Scott’s story, which he recounted in his announcement, is a living refutation of the lies of the progressive left: “I know America is a land of opportunity, not a land of oppression. I know it because I lived it.” His America is far from the otherworldly narrative converging from the far Left and far Right that our nation is somehow a failed experiment.

Notwithstanding the regulatory onslaught of the Biden administration, the United States today still provides the best opportunity to start and grow a business that we have ever known. One needs no more than brain power and an internet connection to become an historic success.

But uplifting rhetoric like Scott’s promise to “restore opportunities for hard-working Americans to thrive and prosper” will not alone suffice. It is incumbent upon us to embrace opportunity, to take risks, and to build new ventures. Our primary obstacles are mainly of our own making, whether public policy, tax and regulatory burdens, barriers to entry, or personal choices. We can overcome these obstacles both through smarter political choices and by building our own businesses, charities, and other institutions.

That is why it will be big news if or when one of the top-slated candidates adds Scott to his or her ticket. While nobody should expect the next election to solve problems that are decades in the making, we need representatives who have not lost faith in the very engine of our prosperity — who are not actively undermining the institutions that make us the greatest nation on earth.

Scott distinguishes himself from Trump and DeSantis in that both candidates seemingly owe their success to the tinge of doom and crisis underlying their rhetoric. He provides a crucial alternative perspective, talking about how great our country was, is, and will be again. Choosing him as a vice-presidential running mate would be a way of arguing that America has better days ahead.

This early in the campaign, nobody should count Scott out for the big job. Lesser-known presidential candidates with messages of hope have caught fire before. As the primary wears on, Republicans may find that Scott’s command of policy issues and experience in Washington make him the best candidate. Regardless, he will have an important part to play in coming months.

Matthew Mohlman is President of Monument Ventures, a unique finance platform for principled investors.