DeMint Not Sold On Romney As 2012 Approaches (Also, DeMint Rules Himself OUT As 2012 Candidate)

WIBW Interview/ CNN ^ | 3-15-10 | WIBW Staff

[TitansAFC]

DeMint Not Sold On Romney As 2012 Approaches

Sen. Jim DeMint told CNN Monday that he isn’t sure if he would endorse Mitt Romney for president if he decided to run.

Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) - Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, was one of Mitt Romney's top backers during the 2008 presidential campaign – a key endorsement that helped the former Massachusetts governor boost his profile among conservatives.

But if Romney decides to run for president again in 2012, a prospect that seems likely, he might have to do so without DeMint's support.

DeMint told CNN Monday he isn't sure he'll endorse Romney this time around - even though Romney was recently in South Carolina raising money for the senator's re-election bid.

"Mitt is still near the top of my list of candidates, but I want to look and see who steps up to the plate," DeMint said after a fundraiser with Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio. "Frankly I think we need to wait until after the 2010 election to see what happens in Congress."

Asked to name some candidates he might support instead, DeMint pointed to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, marking the second time he has floated the fiscally conservative governor as a potential White House candidate.

"When I look at what he's doing in Indiana, it suggests that he can make hard decisions and he understands how to run things," DeMint said.

"By the next election, Americans are going to be looking for an accomplished leader who has a proven record, who can really get things done," he said. "I'm not sure that person has emerged yet. But there are a few on the horizon."

DeMint, who is up for a second term in November, also addressed speculation that he might want to lead the Republican ticket in 2012.

"I don't want to be president," DeMint told reporters. "The fact is, anyone who really wants to be president right now doesn't understand how much trouble we are in as a country.

"I think it's time we have a candidate for president who tells people the federal government has to do less not more," he explained. "I am not sure America is ready for that type of candidate but we need that kind of candidate right now."

[Al B.]

Go pick a fight with someone else. I ain’t interested.

[Diogenesis]

Still attacking Gov. Palin for Romney?

ROMNEY MUST EXPLAIN HIS ATTACKS ON GOV.PALIN AND HER CHILDREN.

Jealous Mitt Romneycare: “If I am not coronated, I shall destroy
the GOP candidates like that B&tch and her children in the last election.
Now buy my book, ignore what I’ve done,
and go back to play with your little banana.”

"Frum ... (Romney supporter called Gov. Palin’s) nomination a "huge mistake" October 13 (2008)"

---

Frum: "I will support (Romney) without qualm."

---

"Romney presidential campaign staffers…have been involved in spreading anti-Palin spin to reporters."

---

" 80 percent of Romney's former staff was absorbed by McCain
and these individuals were responsible for what amounts
to a premeditated, last-minute sabotage of Palin."

---

"These staffers are now out trying to finish her off
….hoping it would ingratiate themselves with Mitt Romney."

---

"the Palin Leaker from the McCain Campaign?
... was Nicolle Wallace's husband."

---

"Peeking Out From the McCain Wreckage: Mitt Romney"

"Someone's got to say it: IS MITT ROMNEY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBAMA'S VICTORY?"

"Vanity: Team Romney Sabotaged Palin and Continuing to Do So?"

"Romney Supporters Trashing Palin"

"Romney advisors sniping at Palin?"

[Clyde5445]

Thank you!!!

[Gene Eric]

DeMint ping

“The fact is, anyone who really wants to be president right now doesn’t understand how much trouble we are in as a country.”

[dforest]

No even your own delcared you a Romneybot. You know that and so do I.

You go on ahead and find a thread with me posting pro Romney. Good luck.

I hope you have lots of free time. By the way, I think this thread was about Mitch Daniels and Jim DeMint. Right?

Daniels happens to be from my state. So if it is okay with you, I will comment. m, thanks.

[dforest]

okay, you bots are so shallow.

[big'ol_freeper]

RE: Palin will have to answer a number of questions if she wants to be a viable candidate for President, FR polls aside.

As opposed to Flip Romney? Who won't have to answer any questions. Heck it wouldn't even be worthwhile asking Romney questions. The lying son of a bitch will just tell the questioner what he thinks they want to hear. Romney is the complete profile of what a stinking politician is.

[Diogenesis]

"Mitt Romney...alienating America one group at a time." - AlaskaErik

[TitansAFC]

-—”Three years is an eternity in politics.”-—

True. But Demint isn't running, and I'll bet he's the first behind Mitch Daniels and an early favorite for Veep under him or anyone else.

-—”Can Palin attract enough independents and moderates to win?”-—

That will depend. The next election will be 90% a referendum on Obama (as all incumbent Presidential elections are), and Palin has the rare ability to max out right-of-center votes. McCain and Obama both got less votes than Bush, showing a vacuum that could be tapped. If the economy is doing well, Obama will be unbeatable, period. If there's an opening, I think Palin has the best shot of the mentioned names because of her ability to max the vote on the right side of the spectrum, especially in key states like IN, NC, OH, VA, etc. If we're to believe polling, she's 3 points down against Obama at her lowest point (within MOE), and that's with the media defining her on a daily basis, a luxury they will not be so much afforded in a daily Presidential campaign.

-—”Notice that McDonnell, Christie, and Brown did not seek nor did they receive Palin’s endorsement. Palin will have to answer a number of questions if she wants to be a viable candidate for President, FR polls aside.”-—

She gave her support before it was popular to do so in every case but Christie (for obvious reasons), a since forgotten fact. Don't forget Rubio, Kirk, McCain, Graham, Rand Paul, Blunt, and Burr, all of whom have openly sought the support of Sarah Palin, and will benefit from it.

-—”Palin will have to answer a number of questions if she wants to be a viable candidate for President, FR polls aside.”-—

The only question she has to answer to Conservatives is: can she win. There are no other relevant questions for her or any bona fide Conservative. Can they win?

The relevant question I have is: can anyone beat Romney and the GOP establishment? In my lifetime, only Reagan has beaten the GOP system. For Palin, or anyone else, it is a tall order to beat Romney right now. That's a painful truth.

[dforest]

Buddy, you are a bully, I have watched your tactics and I ain’t playing. Go find a Pro Romney post and get back to me.

[Diogenesis]

Alex Beam: “In truth, Ronald Reagan
and Mitt Romney have as much in common
as Cardinal O’Malley and Conan O’Brien.
Deservedly or not, Reagan earned a reputation for constancy.
Once he turned against communism, he opposed it big-time.
…. And our former governor? Inconstancy, thy name is Mitt!
A woman’s right to choose? Yes! No! Yes!
Are we in Massachusetts? Yes! Are we in Iowa? No!
Are we on TV? Whatever!”

Mitt “He walked with me” RomneyCARE:
“Just buy my book and lie for me. Promise anything.
Tell everyone to ignore what we have done. Change the subject.
Now let’s all go home and play with our bananas.”

[big'ol_freeper]

[onyx]

Daniels happens to be from my state. So if it is okay with you, I will comment. m, thanks

I saw Governor Daniels interviewed by Paul Gigot. He held his own and seemed very nice and he knew his stuff. I wonder how well he would hold up in debates? Maybe you had the chance to see some gubernatorial debates?

[dforest]

He would be an excellent debator. He is isn’t stylish. He is a geek and somewhat a heath nut nanny stater. But, he is great fiscally and that is why he has done so well. This state was a mess financially.

He was with Bush a very short time. No doubt about it he is smart and has a great grasp of issues.

[kabar]

Palin never campaigned on behalf of McDonnell, Christie, or Brown. Her statement of support was certainly muted here in VA. He and Chris Christie did not take up Palin’s offer to campaign for them.

NJ gubernatorial Chris Christie reassured NJ voters that he's not interested in having soon-to-be former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stump for him this fall. The Republican challenger did offer one familiar name—the Star-Ledger reports that Christie told 101.5 FM, "This is about New Jersey issues and New Jersey, and I don't think having Governor Palin here would do me, or frankly the state, a whole lot of good in the sense that we need to talk and focus on what the New Jersey issues are. I hope Mayor Giuliani will continue to be supportive and be here and work with me, but other than that, I think the people of New Jersey have to hear from me and that's the person they'll be electing. I'll be sitting in the chair, and I want them to spend most of their time getting to know me." Giuliani endorsed Christie back in February.

But by late August, Palin learned that the McDonnell campaign no longer wanted her assistance, Palin adviser Meg Stapleton said in an interview tonight. Earlier this week, McDonnell reacted with a bit of sarcasm when asked whether Palin would be campaigning with him. "There was a time earlier on when she was governor when I thought she would come here,'' he said. "But I think she seems to be busy with books and other things like that. We've still got about 20 different events scheduled down the road and she's not one of them."

McDonnell decision to back away from Palin is typical of his attempt to moderate himself. In his comments this week, he tried to communicate that he did not want to be seen with Palin without saying that it was his decision. In recent months, he has welcomed a succession of other national GOP figures to Virginia including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

[onyx]

Thanks for your reply.

I look at him and I’m reminded of a young Dwight David Eisenhower...lol.

[Al B.]

Good post.

The only question she has to answer to Conservatives is: can she win. There are no other relevant questions for her or any bona fide Conservative. Can they win?

Exactly. And Palin will answer that one for herself. She will not run if she determines she can't win IMO.

The relevant question I have is: can anyone beat Romney and the GOP establishment? In my lifetime, only Reagan has beaten the GOP system. For Palin, or anyone else, it is a tall order to beat Romney right now. That's a painful truth.

Painful it is, but it's the truth, although I'm not sold the GOP will wrap their banner around Romney ultimately. It could be Daniels or someone else. They know what they're up against -- an angry, motivated conservative base. They'll hedge their bets until they know they've got the right person.

[kabar]

The only question she has to answer to Conservatives is: can she win. There are no other relevant questions for her or any bona fide Conservative. Can they win?

For me, she must recant her stance on amnesty, which will destroy this country with the stroke of a pen. She has yet to change her stance per the Univision interview. I have followed her subsequent statements up till now, and she has yet to distance herself from them. Instead she is using the language of the pro-amnesty types to disguise where she really stands. If she does that, I will support her.

[onyx]

Changes have to be made soon, so that Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are not choosing our candidate.

[Al B.]

I dunno what will happen re: any changes in the primary schedule. I know the RNC is looking at it but I’m confident there won’t be any changes favorable to anyone but the DC establishment. You can count on that. :)