DeMint Condition

The American Spectator ^ | 8.3.12 | W. James Antle, III

[Palmetto Patriot]

If Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and National Republican Senatorial Committee chief John Cornyn were keeping score at home, they probably weren't too worried about Tuesday's Senate runoff in Texas. Either way, the seat was likely to remain in Republican hands. But conservatives had a pickup opportunity, and with Ted Cruz's victory they seized it.

The incumbent, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and the Rick Perry-endorsed establishment favorite, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, weren't exactly liberals. But they weren't boat-rocking government-cutters either. The Tea Party-backed Cruz promised he would be.

To put it another way, McConnell's numbers in his quest to gain a GOP majority were unchanged while Jim DeMint received reinforcements. As the Washington Post noted, "Cruz's primary win virtually ensures that DeMint will have another constitutional conservative ally in the upper chamber during the next Congress."

DeMint, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee have all been pressuring Senate Republicans from the right to get government spending under control. Wisconsin Tea Party favorite Ron Johnson, former Club for Growth head Pat Toomey, and Tom Coburn are frequent allies. Adding Cruz to their ranks gives them another vote, as well as an articulate spokesman for free markets and fiscal restraint.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Something's happening here. What it is, is exactly clear (to anyone who is watching).

[Zakeet]

Unfortunately, we lost some ground with Booby Hatch and the Mitt Witt, but we are undeniably making progress!

[Palmetto Patriot]

Unfortunately, we lost some ground with Booby Hatch and the Mitt Witt...

The direction is the key. We need a strong Conservative/Tea Party Caucus in both Houses.

The "Go Along to Get Along" Caucus will see which way the wind blows (see Hatch, Romney, etc.) and trend our way.

We need to support Tea Party candidates in the upcoming primaries.

I'm taking my direction from Jim DeMint, and the Senate Conservatives Fund.

Senate Conservatives Fund

[Dr. Sivana]

And don’t forget the forced retirement of Richard Lugar. Mourdock is definitely an upgrade.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Mourdock is definitely an upgrade.

Absolutely.

The GOPe is vulnerable in the primary process. If we are going to move this country toward Conservatism, the primary process is our path.

[Political Junkie Too]

Yes, we need a leadership challenge in the Senate.

-PJ

[workerbee]

You are so right. The downline races are really the only ones worth voting on this year, and they must be as conservative as we can possibly get them. A Tea Party (even if just “leaning”) congress is pretty much our last hope.

[Dr. Sivana]

If we are going to move this country toward Conservatism, the primary process is our path.

Agreed, and the Senate is an easier path than the House. Lugar had PLENTY of warning about the Mourdock challenge, and acted like he owned the primary. Tommy Thompson (not an incumbent, but a household name) was doing the same thing in Wisconsin. These guys are O-L-D, and CAN'T put in the hours or change gears tat quickly. Only Hatch acted realistically, and that because of how soundly Bennett was defeated. He is also among the craftiest of all of the Senators. For instance, he knew enough to find a way to get Palin on his side.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Yes, we need a leadership challenge in the Senate.

With a strong Tea Party Caucus in the Senate, that is exactly what we will get.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Just a thought, but how does Senate Majority Leader Jim DeMint sound to you?