DeMint rattles GOP with Rubio endorsement

Politico ^ | 6/16/09 | Al Isenstadt

[pissant]

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) isn't just backing Florida Republican Marco Rubio to rally the conservative base, he's convinced the upstart can actually win.

“He can win, should win, and will help lead our party out of the void into the waiting arms of America," DeMint said at an outdoor Tuesday afternoon news conference near the Senate.

But DeMint's support of Rubio over establishment pick Charlie Crist, the governor of Florida, was a direct jab at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has chosen to back a moderate -- yet potentially more electable -- Republican in Crist.

The Florida primary is already being cast as test case of whether GOP voters in a critical swing state will go with someone with statewide name recognition and a moderate record, or tack to the party's conservative roots with a newcomer like Rubio.

DeMint said that Crist had reached out to him this morning after his decision to endorse Rubio became public. DeMint also said he had spoken with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and NRSC Chairman John Cornyn prior to making his endorsement today, and that they had given him the go-ahead.

The South Carolina conservative declined to criticize Cornyn for his decision to throw the NRSC’s backing to Crist so early in the contest.

“The party needs to do what it feels it needs to do,” DeMint said. “I think we’ll have a healthy primary in Florida.”

DeMint said that there had been no effort on behalf of the party’s leadership to suppress support for Rubio, and that his endorsement would open the door for more congressional support for Rubio.

[pissant]

Jim DeMint versus the GOP (Geldings Only Party)

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

[NormsRevenge]

Go DeMint!

Best of breed from a very small pack of Ballsy Republicans that still ‘Get it!’.

[cripplecreek]

Sounds like somebody wandered off the Grand Old Plantation.

[PjhCPA]

Does Florida have an open or closed primary?

[Man50D]

The OP has proven over the years it has no intention of supporting Conservatives. This is a dog and pony show.

[bill1952]

Closed.

[GOPsterinMA]

I’d LOVE to see JDM run for President!

And if he’s for Marco Rubio, that’s one of the if not the biggest endorsement Rubio can get!

[bestintxas]

I sue wish DeMint was my Senator rather than RINO-Cornyn

[WellyP]

I was a Crist supporter and expected to support him in a run for the Senate. I bailed on him when he bailed out on Sen. McCain. Marco is pretty far to the right of me but at the very least he stands up for what he believes. I will support him.

[Servant of the Cross]

DeMint rattles GOP with Rubio endorsement

You'd think they would have learned something from Toomey vs. Specter (2004), but NO. Sen. DeMint, keep on rattling Cornyn/NRSC endorsement of Crist.

[Terpfen]

Closed, but the Democrat Party of Florida nominates wacko libs every single election without fail, so Democrats can feel safe about changing party nomination and crossing over to sabotage Republican primaries.

McCain won Florida for two reasons: elderly GOP members who thought it was his turn, and stealth Democrats.

[VicVega]

“Grand Old Plantation.”

LOL

[Antoninus]

Vote for Rubio, not the orange guy.

[pissant]

Charlie Loafers must have the same tanning cream as Frenchie McLurch.

[Terpfen]

I was a Crist supporter...

WHY?

[numberonepal]

DeMint said that Crist had reached out to him this morning after his decision to endorse Rubio became public. DeMint also said he had spoken with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and NRSC Chairman John Cornyn prior to making his endorsement today, and that they had given him the go-ahead.

Who's whose bitch here? Weird.

[numberonepal]

Marco is pretty far to the right of me ...

Say-huh? Did you say that right?

[pissant]

DeMint was going to endorse Rubio no matter what the geldings said.

[gidget7]

Good, the GOP needs to be rattled, shook is more like it!