Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who launched a presidential exploratory committee Wednesday, said that voters are "starving for hope" and an "optimistic, positive message," while largely sidestepping questions about former President Donald Trump during an interview shortly after announcing his committee.
"It is such an exciting day for me, and it's hopefully an exciting day for all of America. What brought me to this moment is my Faith in America tour. I have found that people are starving for hope. They're starving for an optimistic, positive message that is anchored in conservative values," Scott told Fox News.
SEN. TIM SCOTT TAKES THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RUN
Scott did his interview in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for his Faith in America Tour, where he has been testing the presidential waters. When asked about his strategy to defeat Trump, his top potential foe, Scott largely avoided the question before being pressed again.
"What I'm saying in response to your question is that the field of play is focusing on President Biden's failures. What Americans want to see is a contrast between the radical Left and the blueprint to ruin America and why our policies actually work," he said.
After weeks of cultivating presidential buzz, Scott announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee early Wednesday morning. The move is widely regarded as a major step toward Scott announcing a presidential run.
Scott could use the exploratory committee to fund travel and polling to gauge his political prospects. Additionally, he could amass something of a financial war chest and later transfer those funds to a presidential campaign, should he throw his hat in the ring.
Democrats quickly criticized him following the announcement, with Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison calling Scott "a fierce advocate of the MAGA agenda" shortly after the Republican senator announced his presidential exploratory committee.
“There’s no question that special interests are celebrating as Tim Scott throws his hat into the 2024 race for the MAGA base," Harrison said.
Scott welcomed criticism from Democrats, saying he was "glad" they were afraid of him.
"This is a wonderful concept. I will say this: My life disproves their lies. And that's why they're so afraid when conservatives stand up," he said. "There's no question that the DNC should be afraid of me."
Scott also predicted that President Joe Biden would vie for reelection.
"I think he does run if you look at the bench on the Democratic Party," Scott said.
Should he enter the GOP primary battle, Scott will square off with fellow South Carolinian and former Gov. Nikki Haley, who launched her campaign in February. He would also be the only senator in the race, with most other speculated senators bowing out of a presidential campaign.
In 2013, Scott became a senator after he was appointed by Haley, jump-starting his rise to the national spotlight.
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Scott is polling in 10th place in the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate of a hypothetical 2024 GOP field. Trump holds the lead.
As part of Scott's "Faith in America" tour, he traveled to Iowa, and the senator is set to head to New Hampshire and South Carolina at the end of the week.