Free Republic

South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint dipped his toe into the debate taking place concerning the 2012 Republican presidential election, offering his thoughts on former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. “One of the reasons I endorsed Romney [in 2008] is his attempts to make private health insurance available at affordable prices,” said Sen. Jim DeMint. Mr. Romney, who has received criticism from Republican leaders in recent weeks, seemed to find a supportive voice from the Republican U.S. Senator. Blaming Massachusetts Democrats, Mr. DeMint seemed to present Mr. Romney with a political strategy to address concerns over his support of the Massachusetts...

Mitt Romney’s supporters on Capitol Hill are giving him political cover for the healthcare plan he signed into law as governor, even as his competitors for the GOP presidential nomination ramp up their attacks on “RomneyCare.” Romney’s healthcare reform initiative in Massachusetts is viewed as one of his biggest political liabilities going into the Republican primary, due to its similarities to President Obama’s healthcare overhaul. But leading conservatives, including supporters of Romney during his 2008 presidential run, argue that the Massachusetts plan isn’t a deal-breaker. “One of the reasons I endorsed Romney [in 2008] is his attempts to make private...

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) "would never consider" endorsing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president again in 2012 unless Romney repudiates the health reforms he sought as governor, a source close to DeMint said Thursday. A source close to the conservative icon emphasized that, despite comments to The Hill indicating that Romney shouldn't shoulder all the political blame for the Massachusetts healthcare plan, DeMint wouldn't endorse Romney again unless he admits the plan was mistaken. "It's obvious Jim was just trying to be nice to the guy he backed over McCain, as many conservatives did in 2008," the source said. "But...