Posted on 03/15/2010 3:55:23 PM PDT by TitansAFC
DeMint Not Sold On Romney As 2012 Approaches
Sen. Jim DeMint told CNN Monday that he isnt 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."
Oh yeah? You're forgetting Duncan Hunter, for whom FR was aflame at the time.
DeMint is obviously not a reliable conservative, because he cannot answer "No" to the "Are you now, or have you ever been, a Romney supporter"? query.
DeMint is on my short list, right alongside Palin and a couple of others.
I do like this guy.
"The fact is, anyone who really wants to be president right now doesn't understand how much trouble we are in as a country.
So anyone who says now that he/she really wants to be President doesn't understand how much trouble we are in as a nation. By implication, DeMint does understand how much trouble we are in, which is why he does not really want to be President now. DeMint has not ruled out being drafted or that he might change his mind after the mid terms.
At this point, it is foolish to believe that a politician has his mind made up about running for President or not. At a similar time before the 2008 election, Obama said that he was not experienced enough to run for President.
Not good for Daniels, not good at all!!!
The last time I was sold on Romney was when he was running for the Senate back in the 90’s
Daniels is just another RINO...and someone America does not need now or ever!
There is a BIIIIIIG difference between “I'm not running for President, I'm running to be Senator from South Carolina,” and “I don't want to be President (remember how we pounded Lautenberg for a similar statement in NJ?), being President right now is a death trap; you know who I would really like to see running, though? Mitch Daniels.”
The latter statement is as definitive as you get. He ain't running, at least not in 2012. It isn't happening.
DeMint's group has backed former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) over Gov. Charlie Crist (R) in Florida, and backed Chuck DeVore over Carly Fiorina in California.
DeMint is one of the few Reps who has actively and strongly supported the Tea Party movement. I have attended tea party rallies and heard him speak, including at the 9/12 rally. He will be speaking tomorrow at the Code Red demonstration tomorrow.
I consider being a McCain supporter today more damning than being a Romney supporter in 2008.
We will see what happens in the next few years, especially after DeMint is overwhelmingly reelected.
The GOP insiders will do anything to get their kind of candidate over the top in the 2012 primaries.
Mr. DeMint is a party man all the way who’s been sticking up for Lindsey Graham lately.
The Republican establishment keeps floating names until one sticks.
Daniels is the latest.
They’ve got vote splitter schemes afoot with Rick Santorum being sent to Iowa and New Hampshire to grab conservative votes away from any real conservative candidate.
Fred Thompson was the tool used in 2008 to enable McCain to get over the top.
I see you are from Texas, What the heck do you know about Indiana.? Daniels has been very successful here, even though Palin wasn’t vying for the Indiana governorship. She had one of her own.
He has served a whole term and was reelected by an overwhelming majority. He could probably be reelected for a 3rd term here if that was possible.
I have some problems with him. He is somewhat a nanny stater, but on fical issues he has done very well. The man has lots of experience bringing a state back from rotten democrat control.
The establishment (read: Team Bush) selection process to find a backup to Romney is well underway. Daniels is the latest being floated. He was GWB's budget number cruncher.
Don’t be so touchy. I did an internet search. I never said Daniels wasn’t an effective governor. I said he couldn’t beat Palin in a county GOP straw poll in his own state. That’s all I said.
Three years is an eternity in politics. Can Palin attract enough independents and moderates to win? 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.
You’re a RomneyBOT aren’t you.
As to your Question? No, I am A Sarah supporter.
So is Palin going to sit in every governorship? Is she going to fill every seat in the House, is she going to fill every Senate seat? Is she going to serve in every district in every state?
You guys trash everyone who isn’t Palin. What good can come from that? She is going to have opponents, some good and some bad. Get used to it. I like Sarah. Sometimes I think people here that say they like her are hurting her.
Does that mean that everyone who has not yet declared themselves as a candidate in the GOP gets trashed?
I plan on having a primary, you should too.
“....nor did they receive Palins endorsement....”
Actually, McDonnell and Christie did receive Palin’s endorsement. Palin even gave money to McDonnell. On Brown I’m not sure but I do know Sarah called him after the fact and congratulated him on his win.
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