GOP Presidential hopeful, SC Sen. Tim Scott talks energy and senior care in Bluffton

Before GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott even took the stage above Bluffton’s Corner Perk Brunch Café in the former musical venue The Roasting Room, he spent more than 30 minutes meeting with more than 100 people outside.

The campaign stop comes four months and 19 days before the South Carolina primaries, where, on February 24 all Palmetto State registered voters will have a chance to vote for Scott or another candidate.

Scott’s national polling since mid-September project him coming in with 3 percent of the primary votes, according to RealClearPolitics.com. Scott’s totals in his home state show him trailing former Gov. Nikki Haley but in a dead heat with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump continues to outpace all others.

Locals turn out

Waiting inside for Scott’s arrival were Sun City Hilton Head residents Scott and Terrie Winkastes, excited to see the candidate face-to-face and not on television. The couple moved to Beaufort County from the Chicago area four years ago.

When asked about the polls and Former President Trump’s massive lead, Mr. Winkastes shook his head. “He’s a narcissist.” Mrs. Winkastes added that both of them are hopeful either former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley or Senator Scott will make it on the ticket. “The economy was great when he was president but he’s always picking a fight. He’s unelectable.” Mr. Winkastes said.

As Sen. Scott entered the room he said what everyone already knew, “It’s hot” as he shook hands and stopped for a selfie.

With the windows open so those on the porch could hear Scott, Mrs. Winkastes, using a political hand fan with Scott’s photograph on it, fanned those near her, including her husband and journalists in the cabin-sized room.

The contrast between Governor Ron DeSantis’ June campaign stop in Okatie where his speech dominated the conversation with Scott’s open style, allowing attendees to call out issues that mattered to them.

Border control, age limits for politicians, home health care help for seniors, were among some of things he’d tackle upon getting elected as president. He also talked of opening the nation’s energy rich fuels - natural gas, coal and oil - to become a major force in exporting fossil fuels across the world, citing it would help our economy as well as add millions of jobs.

Medicare was another of the topics the crowd was eager to get Scott’s take. He noted reforming Medicare was not part of his agenda, but redirected to an area of health care he was passionate in fixing. “I think we should have dignity in our senior years and one of the things I have prioritized is understanding how to make that a reality.”

There are not enough resources to help our aging population.

Sen. Scott recounted how, for the past five years, his mother and aunt spent caring for his ailing grandmother diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease - his mother, Frances Scott was sitting in the front to hear her son speak.

Sen. Scott calls it “home infusion” - allowing those with debilitating, painful diseases to spend their last years in the places they feel most comfortable without seniors having to bankrupt themselves before Medicaid kicks in.

The stop ended with Sen. Scott spending another 20 minutes talking to those who wanted to meet him or came up to have their photo taken with the candidate.

He was all smiles.