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."
Without a solid Republican western state it sucks big time.
And I don’t mean Utah!!!
Daniels when he speaks comes across as a funeral director.
Outside of his state, especially in large cities where the votes are, would never draw the crowds as Sarah Palin.
Mitch is too much into bean counting, we need a person who is into world affairs, the war, has an understanding of our Military.
Sarah has a grasp and appreciation of this, especially the war and Military.
She also knows who are allies are and has special support
for Israel.
I am not supporting Romney. His endorsement of McCain ruled him out completely for me. It shows a lack of principle and judgment. Jim DeMint or Paul Ryan would be better choices and they are real conservatives.
That was 2008. However, DeMint supported Mitt starting in late 2006, fund raising for Mitt.
That was my impression at the time. After Hunter and Thompson left the race, all that was left was Romney, Huck, and McCain. I supported Romney as the last chance to stop McCain. When he did his cost-benefit analysis and withdrew it told me two things; he wasn't principled and he didn't have the gut of a fighter.
That was then. Since then, since all the rather despicable attacks on Palin that always seem to come from either McCainiacs and Romniacs, I'm pretty clear that no one associated with either one of them will get my vote.
And I don't intend to support anyone who wasn't in the fight in 2009 and 2010 when it mattered. Someone like Romney who sits on the sidelines polishing his position statements while the rest are in the mosh pit trying to stop the Obamists isn't going to get my support. The list of fighters is pretty short, from my observation. Palin is on that list, and so is DeMint. I haven't heard either one of them out attacking fellow conservatives, and I naturally distrust anyone who does. I figure they are shilling for someone, Romney more than likely.
Nobody and by that I mean, absolutely NO OTHER, comes close to Sarah America, but “if” she doesn’t run, we’re going to have to support someone, and I’m sure not interested in anyone from ‘08.
Agree completely with your analysis. I believe someone will emerge after the midterms. We definitely need some new blood. We will have to fight the GOP establishment in order to take back the party. We need an articulate, bright conservative who understands the economy and budget issues. This will be the battleground for 2012 assuming that we don’t have a national security issue that will dominate the debate.
Assuming she runs, if she talks about her record as Governor, she can.
Remember that she worked with Dems and was hated by her own party. That will play well in Peoria.
Kabar doesn't support Romney.
Romney brings love, doesnt he? [/s]
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I’m not a Palin hater and I am a huge fan of Jim DeMint. He moved up in my mind when he wanted to go to Honduras to check that situation out for himself and Congress, especially John Kerry fought him tooth and nail and refused to allow funding or anything else. So DeMint paid his own way and found the reports of chaos to be completely overblown. Jim DeMint is a stand up man. I like that.
Well then you run for President. DeMint recognizes what serious problems the next President is going to be facing and to his credit, is not pretending he is the answer.
Man...even on here someone who is forthright gets slammed.
You were not displaying forthrightness....only anger..
DeMint is closer to the fire and probably does see that it is worse than we even think it is.
Besides, the Legislature is the very last place a candidate should come from. They should come from the pool of governors/former governors if at all possible.
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