Senator DeMint bucks Republican party, backs conservative in California race

The Hill ^ | 11/4/2009 | Reid Wilson

[markomalley]

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) endorsed conservative California State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R) Tuesday, once again going against the wishes of his party.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has made no endorsement in the California Senate race, but party leaders favor former Hewlett-Packard executive Carly Fiorina (R), a wealthy centrist whom many believe could give Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) a strong challenge.

Later this month, Fiorina will be the guest of honor at a Washington fundraiser featuring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and three others, along with veterans of McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, for which Fiorina served as a key spokeswoman.

But DeMint is rarely persuaded by appeals to party loyalty. Earlier this year, he became one of several very conservative Republican senators to back former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) over Gov. Charlie Crist (R). Now he is backing DeVore.

“Chuck DeVore is a proven, tested conservative who is gaining momentum. He’s the kind of leader who we can count on to stand up for common-sense conservative principles in the United States Senate,” DeMint said on a conference call Tuesday evening. “If grassroots conservatives get behind him, he can win the primary in June and go on to defeat Barbara Boxer in November.”

[markomalley]

That's what I'm talking about!!!!!

[Grunthor]

I prefer the more conservative candidate but I would support anyone with a chance to unseat Boxer.

[the long march]

All righty then we are getting the horses ready. Mount up and ride hard folks. The time has come to stand tall and be counted

The war wagon is coming ...women and children better stay behind

[the long march]

In the general election NOT in the primary

[GeronL]

WHo gives a care what partyleaders want?? Let the primary do its job.

[Venturer]

but party leaders favor former Hewlett-Packard executive Carly Fiorina (R), a wealthy centrist whom many believe could give Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) a strong challenge.

---

Wealthy Centrist.

That says it all for the party leaders.A guest of honor at a fundraiser featuring Olympia Snowe and John Mccain.??

Give me a friggin break.

[kevao]

Sen. Jim DeMint, maverick!

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

To: Grunthor In the general election NOT in the primary

Exactamundo!

There are a world of difference and if we gave it our best shot and end up with a RINO, then that's up to the voters, but in the primaries, it should be wide open and let the best CONSERVATIVE win!!!

[workerbee]

And all GOP primaries should be CLOSED to non-Republicans!

[Grunthor]

I prefer the more conservative candidate (in the primary) but I would support anyone (in the general election) with a chance to unseat Boxer.

I hope that is more clear.

[cripplecreek]

Doesn’t make any difference, the democrats just run as republicans.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’m waiting for Newt Gingrich to start complain about the National Party subverting the Tenth Amendment and getting involved in local races.

[personalaccts]

same here. I don’t live in CA (thank GOD). I’d go with Devore but if it got down to it oust the ma’am

[goldstategop]

The GOP party leaders are out of touch with the base. They still haven't learned from the Dede Scozzafava fiasco.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[PhiKapMom]

Sen Inhofe endorsed Rubio in Florida against Crist. That’s nothing knew for Inhofe as he endorsed Pres Bush in the 2000 primary over McCain and went out campaigning for Bush.

[darkangel82]

wealthy centrist liberal Fixed

[Bokababe]

"The GOP party leaders are out of touch with the base."

At the Tea Party here in Sacramento in April, the main organizer publicly and at length, ripped Ron Nehring (the CA Republican Party chair) a new one -- and Nehring was in the audience when he got booed.

[Spktyr]

Fiorina is a RINO of the first caliber - and everything she’s ever touched has turned to fecal matter. She ruined Lucent and almost killed HP.

[kabar]

DeMint is my man for 2012.

[Mike Darancette]

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has made no endorsement in the California Senate race.

That's true and anyway that is why we have primary elections. Support your candidate in the primary; if DeMint like Chuck DeVore (who is a real goof guy) then DeMint can chip in some coin and go on the stump.