DeMint: A conservative kingmaker upends GOP order

realclearpolitics.com ^ | May 11, 2010 | Ben Evans

[neverdem]

Jim DeMint is becoming something of a tea party hero, even a potential conservative kingmaker, a status that is not making the freshman senator many friends among fellow Republicans in Congress.

A backbencher known for his eagerness to challenge the Republican establishment, DeMint is becoming one of the most influential voices of the conservative rebellion that's shaking up GOP primaries. Tapping an anti-incumbent fervor, the South Carolina lawmaker is a coveted • and feared • endorsement, funneling money and grass-roots energy to long-shot candidates who threaten Washington's GOP favorites.

His efforts, highly unusual for a freshman, have upset senators on Capitol Hill, where he's viewed by many as an ideologue willing to purge centrist veterans...

[neverdem]

Thunder on the Mountain

The only good thing about the last two election cycles is that the rats knocked off a lot of RINOs. While I prefer conservatives, there are some places in the country that either you have a RINO or a rat.

[DoughtyOne]

RINOs are Rats. They aren’t called RINOs because they vote with us.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Crist and now (possibly) the RINO from Utah wanting to run as independants has shown how evil the RINO establisment is.

They are worse, in many ways, that Democrats because they are hippocrits.

[kevkrom]

he's viewed by many as an ideologue willing to purge centrist veterans

I have no problem with that. At all. As long as he stays true to it and doesn't endorse Romney again this time around.

[manic4organic]

A backbencher? Only in the deluded minds of the media. Or maybe wishful thinking.

[darkangel82]

Centrist, nothing. Liberal is more like it.

[marron]

They are worse, in many ways, that Democrats because they are hippocrits.

And they allow the Dems to claim that "even a lot of Republicans agree with us". Or, when something turns out really bad, "even a lot of Republicans voted for it". "It was bipartisan". These are the people that undercut us at every turn and give the Democrats cover for their worst abuses.

[throwback]

Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the Senate committee to get Republicans elected, said DeMint may be hurting the party's ability to regain power in Washington. "My goal is simply to build our numbers so we can provide checks and balances to single-party power here in Washington," Cornyn said. "I think he has a different goal, which is to try to move the Republican conference in a more conservative direction. If that were possible and we were able to win elections all around the country I would be all for it, but I think as a pragmatic matter we've got to nominate Republicans who can get elected in their states."

What good will it do to regain control if they just reach across the aisle once they get there. Demint's got the right idea, and the more I hear about him, the more I like him.

[Stentor]

hippocrits

Priceless.

[broken_arrow1]

DeMint-Bachmann 2012

[pissant]

You got that right. He lost his marbles temporarily.

[avacado]

"Jim DeMint is becoming something of a tea party hero, even a potential conservative kingmaker, a status that is not making the freshman senator many friends among fellow Republicans the RINOs in Congress."

We Are Coming For You McCain!!!! We Are Coming Fast!!! I can see November from my House!!!

[day21221]

(All of the senior GOP Senators leaders must go).

they have stop the

(Conservative Movement) for years!!!!!

[avacado]

I’ll take that ticket!!!

[Obadiah]

Hippocrit? This is series!

[Servant of the Cross]

[Candor7]

Cornyn does NOT get it. We are losing our country. The Republic will be lost.

It is amazing how out of touch he is.

Get this:

"but I think as a pragmatic matter we've got to nominate Republicans who can get elected in their states."

Cornyn is an enemy of conservative Republicans and of all Americans who wish to maintain a Republican form of government. He dos no seem to understand that Obama and his Junta are fascists, because he is so used to seeing a bunch of crooks? They all look the same to Cornyn? No wonder we have been losing elections.

Cornyn has GOT tO go. Jim DeMint should take his place.

[Rick_Michael]

he ought to run for president.

[day21221]

they have been playing you for years

Alexander, Lamar - (R - TN) Class II
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Bennett, Robert F. - (R - UT) Class III
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Collins, Susan M. - (R - ME) Class II
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Graham, Lindsey - (R - SC) Class II
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Grassley, Chuck - (R - IA) Class III
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Hatch, Orrin G. - (R - UT) Class I
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Lugar, Richard G. - (R - IN) Class I
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McCain, John - (R - AZ) Class III
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McConnell, Mitch - (R - KY) Class II
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Murkowski, Lisa - (R - AK) Class III
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Shelby, Richard C. - (R - AL) Class III
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Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME) Class I
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Voinovich, George V. - (R - OH) Class III
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all of them must go

[TheThirdRuffian]

Rhino/Hippo whatever.

Hippocrit -— fat, useless, RINOs prone to hypocritical statements.