Surprising Staffers
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina suspended his presidential campaign Sunday night on national television during an interview on Fox News Channel with his longtime friend, former Congressman Trey Gowdy. The move came as a surprise even to staff members, apparently.
Scott participated in last week’s third debate, then cancelled a weekend of appearances in Iowa, supposedly due to the flu.
Oh, and for those wondering why his ads are still running on KXEL and on television…yes, we’re aware that he suspended the campaign, but campaign officials insisted that the ads they had placed still run. So yes, you’ll still hear “Tim Scott for President” ads for a while. No, I’ve never heard of such a thing either, but that’s what they said to do and they’re the ones writing the checks.
Obviously, when a candidate drops out, the person can’t tell everyone in advance. But twice now during this campaign, high profile candidates have dropped out in very public ways—and surprised not just supporters but people on their payrolls.
First it was former Vice President Mike Pence, who traveled to Las Vegas to deliver an address along with the other candidates before a Jewish Republican group, and closed his remarks by dropping out. Now, it’s Sen. Scott who it seems surprised even his friend Congressman Gowdy with the news.
Imagine being not just a supporter, but a paid staff member. You all gathered around the television to watch your boss’ big moment. And that’s how you learned you lost your job…but not just your job, but that the cause you believed in—the person you believed in—was done. And that’s how you learned of it.
Again, there’s no way to do this easily. But there must be a better way. As I’ve said before, this is no way to treat staffers, volunteers, and supporters.
