DeMint Gets It
On January 20, 2001, Republicans waltzed into Washington D.C. with control of the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and the tie-breaking vote in an evenly-divided U.S. Senate
Six years later – after growing the national debt by more than $3 trillion and utterly failing to uphold the limited government principles on which their party was founded – they were run out of the House and Senate in a decisive Democratic romp.
That romp continued in the 2008 elections, as Democrats reclaimed the White House in decisive fashion and padded majorities in both the House and Senate.
Thankfully, at least one Republican has figured out what the hell went wrong – and what needs to be done to fix it.
As it happens, he’s one of only two legitimate Republicans representing what’s supposed to be the “most Republican state” in the Union.
Anyway, here’s the statement from U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint:
“Republicans suffered very serious setbacks in the last two years in both the Senate and the House. We have got to clean up, reform and rebuild the Republican Party before we can ask Americans to trust us again. This must begin with either a change of command at the highest levels or our current leaders must embrace a bold new direction.”
“Americans have again rejected the Democrat-lite strategy of higher spending and bigger government, and it’s time for Republicans to chart a new, more principled course. Federal spending must be reduced and that starts with ending wasteful earmarks. Republicans must admit the Wall Street bailouts were a trillion-dollar bust, and immediately fight for free-market solutions that create jobs and increase freedom. We must get serious about reforming our complicated tax code that is destroying jobs, and finally reform Social Security and Medicare before they take us over a fiscal cliff. We must fight to secure our borders and keep our military strong, and we must boldly defend our values for life and the family.”
“This election reflects a failure of Republicans to keep their conservative promises. Democrats didn’t run on their true liberal agenda to raise taxes, cut national defense, and undermine traditional values. They ran against President Bush and congressional Republicans whose image was tarnished by scandals and broken promises. Our party must start today to admit our mistakes, fight for our convictions, and encourage new conservatives to run for office.â€
Amen, dude.
Comments
By nope on November 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Jim DeMint is one of only two legitimate Libertarians representing South Carolina. His ideas may one day rule, but it will take a much more cataclysmic failure at the middle than we’ve ever seen. Including now.
By news junket on November 6th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
FYI…MSNBC is showing footage tonight of Senator DeMint palling around with Karl Rove in their “Top Losers of 2008″ piece. Karl Rove is #1 in their analysis.
Point: Beware of McMaster cronies @ the ‘paper’ in Columbia attempting to form public opinion. They are hot for McMaster in any 2010 races. And their criteria are…let’s say…a little shy of noble.
By local yokel on November 6th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Jim Demint is a member of SC’s own Fundamentalist Taliban. He would probably fire your ass if you tried to get a job as a teacher…or anywhere else…unless you drink *his* brand of Kool-Aid. I don’t see why “independent” conservatives have anything to do with medieval ass-backwards dimwits like Demint. You need to read Vic Gold’s great book, Invasion of the Party Snatchers. Gold gets it.
By Cal on November 6th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Jim DeMint is the only true Reagan conservative representing South Carolinians in Washington. He would be an excellent governor of our state, but his visibility in the Senate is more important for the conservative movement.
By news junket on November 6th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
RE: Who Does and Doesn’t Get It:
“The State”&Brad Warthen, don’t get it. ‘It’ requires free-market economies.
By lisa on November 7th, 2008 at 6:59 am
DeMint does not get it. Trust me. He is giving some lip service to some of the problems, but he doesn’t get it yet.
I plan to make and force Republicans to ” get it”.
By Demint voted against the bank bailout on November 7th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I was not a big Demint fan – but did notice he voted twice against the big buddy bank bailout. This bank bailout is the biggest most expensive fraud against taxpayers in our nation’s history.
You can not be a fiscal conservative and have voted for the bailout.
The RINO’s- like McCain- tripped over themselves to vote for it – and now we got Obama’s new chief of staff, a former Freedie mac board member- at the spigot turning our dollars over to the wealthy bankers.
By Ben on November 7th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Jim Demint may “feel” like he’s a crusading conservative but he doesn’t get it. I know him and I like him as a person but he’s not an academic powerhouse, merely tactfully retarded. He’s good at talking normatively and giving lip service but he stays away from the real fights. He finds safety in numbers and blends in, despite his one or two moments of trying to make everyone think otherwise. He likes appearing to stick his neck out because his ego likes the fame and press conferences but when its time to fight he’ll suck that neck back like a turtle on a freeway. Don’t get me wrong. I DO like Demint but if you think he’s going to be leading the charge “braveheart” style against our state’s RINO culture, you’re fooling yourself. He just doesn’t have the nuts for it. Who does? Jenny Sanford?
By Nicole on November 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Jim GETS IT, people! Ben, remember Jim led the fight against amnesty in D.C. THAT was a real fight!He is far from blending in. He stands out and alone, a brave, lone voice of truth and reason. He recently co -authored a book with Woodward, Why We Whisper. This book goes in depth and I recommend it to all. Jim isn’t afraid to stand up for what is RIGHT in this state and country! He is a man of courage and a rare find in the Republican party.
By hooahformerliberal on November 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
When Jim came up with the stroke of genius which was to divert earmarked monies from the American hero haters in Berkely, CA to the Marine fund, I KNEW he was a kindred spirit.
By Sand Hill on November 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Ben – You obviously do not know Jim DeMint. “Tactfully retarded”? You sound like a diarrheist at the Daily Kos.
You are right about one thing though. He has his hands full with the RINO herd in Washington and someone else is going to have to deal with that species in Columbia. If Jenny can do it, I’ll back her.
By Ben on November 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I know Jim very well. I worked on his first two campaigns and I’ve heard over thirty of his speeches in person both in South Carolina and in Washington. You people have a hard time distinguishing facts from opinion. Your arguments adhere to the concept that the ends justifies the means. I like Demint. I want him in office but I’m not going to say he’s the savior, cause he’s not.