Posted on 09/15/2010 4:22:46 PM PDT by Qbert
GOP Sen. Jim DeMint said his party is on track to become stronger ideologically with O'Donnell's win over Castle.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who endorsed Tea Party favorite Christine O'Donnell in Delaware's Republican Senate primary, said he's content with the GOP staying in the minority if the party doesn't stand for any principles.
DeMint's party argued before O'Donnell's victory that she could not win a general election in Delwarare, and polls suggest Democrat candidate Chris Coons will defeat O'Donnell in November.
But DeMint, the leader of the Senate Conservatives Fund, said the GOP was on track to being a stronger party ideologically with her victory.
“I don’t want the majority back if we don’t believe anything," DeMint said on Fox News. "So I think if we want the numbers, if we want the majority, then we’re going to have to stand on some principles that the American people believe in.”
DeMint has drawn the ire of Republicans in Washington for his support of O'Donnell, who upset centrist Senate candidate Mike Castle, a nine-term congressman, in the Delaware GOP primary on Tuesday night. Castle was a popular political figure statewide who was seen as a shoo-in for the general election. Projection services have reevaluated the race now to favor Coons, and O'Donnell's win was seen as a blow to the GOP's chances of retaking the majority in the Senate.
DeMint, along with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), gave O'Donnell momentum with his endorsement.
Because of his success in backing O'Donnell, Marco Rubio in Florida, and other conservative candidates, DeMint has been seen as a potential leadership candidate, possibly even as a challenger to Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
McConnell's said he's already locked up the votes to remain leader, and DeMint denied interest on Wednesday in any position.
“I don’t want a leadership role," he said. "I already had one, in fact.”
The more DeMint talks, the more I like him. That’s the exact opposite of my usual reaction to any politician.
Beautiful. I’ve been waiting over twenty years to hear such talk again!
DeMint has to run for President
BOOM!!
I’m beginning to fall in love again...sigh...
“I don’t want the majority back if we don’t believe anything,” DeMint said
Now, THAT’S what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!!! ;)
Amen! See tagline.
I've been hearing this middle ground pragmatism argument for many years. I'm mad as hell, I don't want to hear it any more, and I'm fed up with these wimpy rinos. We don't need 2 democrat parties. I will stand with the Tea Party movement.
The cream is rising to the top :-)
Why do we always have to talk President? President is an 8 yr, gig max. He is more valuable in the Senate. If the Congress and Senate are strong it does not matter who the President is.
man..him over Mitch anyday...please
You’re right. Look what all Teddy Kennedy did in Senate. Or Byrd
Amen! What good is a majority of it’s just a 2nd Democrat Party that’s in power?!
“This is key. McConnell has the position, but doesn’t lead anybody. DeMint doesn’t have the position, doesn’t need the position, because he is leading. Leaders don’t have to be annointed, they don’t have to be appointed, leaders lead.”
Yep, you got it!
“...then we’re going to have to stand on some principles that the American people believe in.”
A politician doing the work he’s paid for. What an innovative concept.
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