DeMint Not Sold On Romney As 2012 Approaches (Also, DeMint Rules Himself OUT As 2012 Candidate)

WIBW Interview/ CNN ^ | 3-15-10 | WIBW Staff

[TitansAFC]

DeMint Not Sold On Romney As 2012 Approaches

Sen. Jim DeMint told CNN Monday that he isn’t 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."

[onyx]

Without a solid Republican western state it sucks big time.

[onyx]

And I don’t mean Utah!!!

[SoCalPol]

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.

[kabar]

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.

[FreeReign]

It was Romney, Huckabee, or McCain. Romeny was better than the other two. Here was the analysis at the time.

That was 2008. However, DeMint supported Mitt starting in late 2006, fund raising for Mitt.

[marron]

His endorsement of McCain ruled him out completely for me. It shows a lack of principle and judgment

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.

[onyx]

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.

[kabar]

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.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Can Palin attract enough independents and moderates to win?

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.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Still attacking Gov. Palin for Romney?

Kabar doesn't support Romney.

[Diogenesis]

Romney brings love, doesnt he? [/s]

[upchuck]

Thanks for the ping Gene Eric.

Jim DeMint Ping!

Want on or off this ping list? Just FReepmail me.

Follow Sen. DeMint on Twitter.

[Outlaw Woman]

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.

[GonzoGOP]

NOR A PATRIOT!

Well in his defense if you don't think you have the abilities or skills to do the job it is your patriotic duty to refuse the office. If a soldier was offered a job as the pilot of a B2 Bomber would he be patriotic to accept, the job even though he was not a pilot and blind as a bat. Or would i be more patriotic to say, no I'll stay in the infantry. Is it patriotic to accept a promotion to a job you know are unable and unqualified to do?

[Outlaw Woman]

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.

[presently no screen name]

Is it patriotic to accept a promotion to a job you know are unable and unqualified to do?

He may feel unqualified but to say anyone who runs for office has no idea how bad off we are says alot. If he can't do it - NO ONE can! Or if they run, they are clueless.

That is NOT the spirit of a Patriot but a defeatist!

[presently no screen name]

DeMint recognizes what serious problems the next President is going to be facing ..

And MILLIONS of Americans know that, also!

to his credit, is not pretending he is the answer.

But to his discredit, he thinks anyone that runs for president is totally unaware of how bad things are! Only "HE" seems to know.

even on here someone who is forthright gets slammed.

You got that right, you slammed me for my forthrightness - unpleasant as it is to you. Or is being 'forthright' only reserved for politicians, in your opinion.

[GonzoGOP]

That is NOT the spirit of a Patriot but a defeatist!

Your right he crossed the line when he said nobody could do the job. "I'm not the man for the job" can be a patriotic statement. "Nobody can do the Job" is a very different statement.

[Outlaw Woman]

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.

[presently no screen name]

You were not displaying forthrightness....only anger.

YOU have NO idea how I felt - it's your spin because you just can't be wrong - like your leader! I was forthright - and you slammed me for it.

Like I said - only politicians can be forthright in YOUR EYES - anyone else YOU consider as angry.