The rise of Jim DeMint

Politico ^ | 3/10/11 | Ben Smith

[pissant]

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is already building an aggressive campaign machine for the 2012 Senate elections, promising to push his party further to the right, despite angering many in the GOP establishment with his political activities last year.

DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund wants to rake in a staggering $15 million, which is nearly $6 million more than in 2010 when his political action committee raised more money than any other politician’s PAC.

DeMint is now renting a Capitol Hill townhouse for his political operation — just a few blocks from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign arm for Senate Republicans. And unlike the NRSC, which plans to stay out of contested primaries, DeMint is prepared to be an active force, jumping into intraparty battles by pushing conservative candidates against moderate Republicans.

The buildup is the latest sign that DeMint has become the pre-eminent conservative political activist in the Senate, and he plans to push candidates whose ideological views align with his and the tea party movement’s — even if it sets up a major clash with the NRSC, which always looks for the most electable prospect.

[pissant]

With any luck, he'll be handing of the Senate Conservatives Fund to a buddy and jump in for POTUS.

[pissant]

JD Ping

[gov_bean_ counter]

Great legislator. Fine person. He’d make a great debate team captain, but hasn’t shown the stomach for the close political contact. Keep trying Falcon Boy.

[upchuck]

Jim DeMint Ping!

Want on or off this ping list? GET WITH THE PROGRAM! Just FReepmail me.

Follow Sen. DeMint on Twitter.

[BobL]

“Great legislator. Fine person. He’d make a great debate team captain, but hasn’t shown the stomach for the close political contact. Keep trying Falcon Boy.”

I think we’ll soon find out...

[Tex-Con-Man]

...despite angering many in the GOP establishment...

Name names, Jim...these are the Republicans that need to be forced out!!!!

[gov_bean_ counter]

You are correct, but so far Michelle Bachmann has shown more testosterone then DeMint. Add that to the fact he thinks Grahamnesty is OK.

[goseminoles]

He is the best potential candidate we have. He needs $ and publicity. Let’s not bash him to early..

[goseminoles]

He is the best potential candidate we have. He needs $ and publicity. Let’s not bash him to early..

[DTogo]

We're $1.6T in the hole this year alone, Jim. Sort that out with Boehner and maybe you'd be POTUS material.

If not, you're about 25d latitude, 70d longitude, and 2 ovaries short.

[BobL]

“You are correct, but so far Michelle Bachmann has shown more testosterone then DeMint. Add that to the fact he thinks Grahamnesty is OK. “

I love Michelle also...and bummer regarding Graham. But I will give him a pass on Graham, being from the same state...but barely. Not much different than having to suck it in when Sarah was helping McCain.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Point taken. That MB fought for a leadership position and DeMint didn't sorta indicated to me who was up for the fight and who wasn't.

[OrangeHoof]

Aim higher, Senator.

[Svartalfiar]

DeMint likes where he is, as a simple Senator with his conservative PAC. From what he’s said before, my take is that he really doesn’t want to run for President, but he’ll do it if he has to. Similar to the leadership positions you mentioned, he doesn’t really want them.

That’s the biggest problem I see with DeMint: he prefers to be more of a behind-the-curtains guy. He’ll raise money and support a conservative candidate, but he’d prefer it to be someone else in those positions.

[gov_bean_ counter]

No argument with anything you said. And if he is going to be successful behind the scenes he will invariably have to cut deals that the 100%ers will find distasteful. Enough of those and they will turn on him in a heart beat. I wish we could clone 24 more of him and 24 more Jeff Sessions.