Protesting health reform in 2010.
Tea Party Republican Senator Jim DeMint announced today that he is resigning next month to run the conservative Heritage Foundation. Slate picks up this part of the Wall Street Journal report about the South Carolina Republican:
"This is an urgent time," the senator said, "because we saw in the last election we were not able to communicate conservative ideas that win elections." Mr. DeMint, who was a market researcher before he entered politics, said he plans to take the Heritage Foundation's traditional research plus that of think tanks at the state level and "translate those policy papers into real-life demonstrations of things that work." He said, "We want to figure out what works at the local and state level" and give those models national attention.
For Republicans now, it does seem that the states are where they're going to try to figure out what works and how to get their policies in effect. The movement began after the 2010 elections, when Republicans swept to power in state legislatures -- giving us two years of Republican governance marked by anti-abortion, anti-union, make-voting-harder legislation. It made for tough sledding at the national level in 2012, as Republicans picked up only two more states in the presidential election.
But at the level of governorships and state legislatures, Republicans picked up more seats. Both parties consolidated super-majorities in new places, but it is Republicans who emerged with complete control of 24 states. If they want to experiment in the states in the way Senator DeMint describes, they have a wide, wide field.
We got the same kind of news this week from billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who tells the Wall Street Journal (paywall) he intends to double his $100 million spending. As the Journal reports, Adelson intends to funnel that money "especially to state-level, antiunion initiatives." Look out below.
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The Hermitage embraces another whack-job patriot poser.
Be wary ladies and gentlemen. When someone like DeMint voluntarily relinquishes power... there is more power for him where ever he is going. Instead o having to follow the rules and regulations, voting procedures, and MEDIA EXPOSURE in the Senate... He will now go to THE right Wing Research Center (the one that goit everything wrong last election, the one that WRITES the republican party talking points, the one that brought you trans vaginal, anti gay, anti hispanic, anti democratic state laws) where he will be able to subvert your rights through memos and prewritten laws handed out to mouth breathing gerry mandered state legislatures. Be very afraid for the future of this Union... it is only as strong as the pieces that comprise it.
Ned, you are right.
The Heritage Foundation works hand-in-hand with ALEC to write legislation for GOP state-level assemblies to pass.
Do not celebrate DeMint leaving the Senate. He will be just as dangerous at the HF as he was in DC.
The Object of Power is Power.
I found part of this 1984 quote in "Days of Destruction Days of Revolt" by Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco. Very interesting book about the damage that has been done to our country.
I find the quote becoming more and more true and I think Ned is right about DeMint getting more power. This worries me.
But...isn't the Heritage Foundation part of the right's inability to deal with reality?
You gather a bunch of conservatives together who don't believe in global warming and the conclusion of their meeting is that global warming isn't a threat...no, it doesn't help the climate change issue, but it doesn't help the Republicans step up to reality either.
It's that disconnect with authentic voter realities that lost them so much in 2012.
Essentially, DeMint is a Beauty School Dropout. Major fail. He has to slink away in shame and find a safe haven with other dropouts.
What you say is true, and something to be wary of. On the other hand, quitting direct politics and becoming a behind-the-scenes manipulator is what Rove did, and it didn't work out too well for him. And this way I think we at least have a chance of taking his seat back.
I have a different take on this -- Mr. DeMint has looked at the prospects for GOP control of the Senate in 2014 and decided it does not look good.
Mr. DeMint wants power, and there is only so much he can do as a minority Senator. If he thought he would chair a committee in 2015 he would not be quitting now.
Hasn't Sheldon been indited yet? Some one get on it!
It's a horrible thing to say, but hopefully he won't live until the next election. He's looking a little shaky lately. There's no need to spend all that money on indictments. Even he can't live forever. Of course with his money he can just buy a new body when this one quits.
It is not enough for the affluent to make money through predatory markets they
need to have control of their victims as well. This is not politics it is a
fight for control of the world by controlling the masses. The poor need to be
defended, feed, and educated if you want a peaceful world.
I live in SC, so I've had to put up with this goober for years. I literally cheered out loud when I read this.
You actually think a dem is going to get this seat? Good luck with that....
You know Rachel, cable news has 24 hours to talk about the news. But they tend to hammer one story over, and over, and over, and over. It is a disservice to viewers. What is this move by DeMint really saying? It is saying the Heritage Foundation understands that too many people are paying attention to national politics. Which is better for the people than the apathy that was going on prior to 2008. So that is a victory. What is happening now is that those who would take all freedoms and give them to the corporate plutocracy are retreating to the states. Where people generally are not paying attention. The fire-hose of hundreds of state level bills are difficult to keep up with because there are no institutions set up to call attention to all of them. In Arizona, being an activist is more than a full-time job for many of the folks who are trying to battle against machines like the American Legislative Exchange Council which is related to the Heritage Foundation. People need to understand this.
People need to understand that the Census happened and Republican/Heritage Foundation/ALEC representatives are those who are currently populating these statehouses and are in turn drawing out the legislative district lines to suit their tastes. We should be very concerned. There should be a national push for independent councils, not state legislators to draw these lines. I know this comment is too long but I think it's important that we keep this in the discussion. Especially with this DeMint move, it's time to switch focus and pay attention to bills that seem to be going through many states at the same time. Business friendly bills that were not introduced with citizen support. These are the markings of Heritage Foundation bills. Keep this information in front of people. Because if we do lose our Democracy, this is how it is going to happen. By an infection, a misuse of the system. So instead of talking about the Fiscal Cliff when it has already been talked about, is to branch out and look for these bills going through the states and bring them to the people's attention so that we can defend ourselves.
A crowd full of old white dudes with grumpy looks on their faces....what a surprise. It's the
"get off my lawn!" crowd.
With their wives, the "Get out of my elevator!" crowd.
The model? Newer and better ideals for the The Heritage Foundation? That is an easy one to figure out. It is called a newer and better way of lying. The model is to figure out how to fool more people into thinking the Republican party has cleaned up its act and at the same how to get better access to Fox News while providing Fox with newer and better talking points so to get more people to believe the GOP has changed its evil ways. The only thing that will change for Conservatives is the package that the lies are giftwrapped in and how to make the poo inside the package to look and smell more palatable to those who should know better but don't. In short Tea Party Republican Senator Jim DeMint's new job will be to exterior decorate the Republican party and to give it a newer prettier bow and to give better smiling directions to the liars, while they deliver the better ideal (Trojan horse) to our door. DeMint's true job is in being a new minty air freshener for a very smelly situation Republicans have created for themselves.
"translate those policy papers into real-life demonstrations of things that work." HA! Talk about a Sisyphean chore...
Be sure to include DeMints role in the coupe de etat that overthrew democratically elected Honduran President Zeleyas. That whole story of how he was railroaded is quite elaborate. Obama had to write Zeleyas dissociating his administration from DeMints "mission".
I sincerely hope there is a special election and a Democrat takes his place. Democrats in other states have to continue fighting against people and organizations like the one DeMint an Adleson are involved in. They are already gearing up for 2016. Isn't it a shame that they have so much contempt for our election process?
How does that go again? "Don't let door hit you where the good lord split you".
Can this mean the T.P.ers are revamping themselves? Maybe Koch said no more of this, try something else?
Just wondering.
Good ridden!
What is bad is that these think thanks are no longer what they used to be and the Heritage is one of the worst of them all! A den of inequities!
Maybe I'm wrong (I frequently am) but DeMint has 18 years of Congressional service, twelve in the Senate and six in the House.
He would have been eligible for a retirement benefit at 20 years. Why is he leaving that behind?
Say what?
That is a very good question, bbecause DeMint is one of the least weathly Congress critters, cited as having a $65,000 net worth.
Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. They are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80 percent of his or her final salary.
They are eligible for a pension at age 50. (?)
As rich as all these ex government officials are, imagine how much money could be saved if they did not get a pension at 50? And then again republicans want to change our benefits for retirment from 62 to 67 years of age? Should they not have to wait until they are the same age we are for their personal perks? Seems very unfair does it not? An 80 percent retirement annuity is nothing to frown about. Plus they all get health care for life.
Us regular ret civil servants could take an early ret at 50 and 20 yrs. I imagine congress has a much much better plan tho.
Is there a chance that James Clyburn would run for the seat. Since it would be a special election, there wouldn't be a chance of him losing his house seat.
This is why federal appeals court judges and US Supreme Court judges are important! If states violate rights, the people can pursue redress in the courts. This applied to civil rights, women's rights, etc. in the 1960s and 1970s, and even the 1980s.
does anyone else see a resemblance between demint and president reagan, i mean, they look alike, kinda, sorta.
does anyone else here see it?
i'm glad he's leaving. now if we could just get rid of mitch mcconnell. some repubs here in my state wish he would get voted OUT!
The problem Demint has in trying to convince the 98% of the virtues of conservatism is that the publc has figured out that their version is nothing more than greed and religious craziness.
Sorry, but the thing I most wanted to know was not included in the article. Okay, the Governor appoints a successor to Sen. DeMint, but for HOW LONG? Will his self-chosen replacement serve out DeMint's term until 2016, or will there be a special election in 2014. Does anybody know South Carolina law on this point? Another chance at a Senate seat before the Presidential election would be almost as welcome as Sen. DeMint's departure.
PLEASE come to Michigan!! Right to Work is being pushed through, it appears they have closed the Capitol, mace has been used...please shed a light!!
Please sign my petition on the White House website requiring Senators/Representatives to vote in accordance to the wishes of the majority of their constituents.
So this way, if Mr. Boehner's and Mr. Cantor's districts want to see 2 out of 3 higher taxes on the rich, then they would by law be required to vote accordingly. No more of this "my agenda not yours" as they have forgotten this is a country representated by the people and he's our mouthpiece---not his own. And certainly not to reflect the wishes of rich people that wish to keep things unfair when they are in the minority of the electorate.
Bye Bye Jim thank u for a new democratic seat.
...south carolina won't miss him...
Pay head, this is what they did in Michigan. The Mackinaw Center, they plotted and conceived till they figured out a way to take our freedom away from us. Now they are working on taking our livelihood away. They want every dime they can get and they want us as their slaves. The whole country will turn out like Texas. A home for the thieves and immorals. We will have no were to go if this happens. Start by saving Michigan. They are on the verge of dismantling the Public Schools and leaving us with nothing. Help save us from a Republican think tank
Beware of the States Rights target of "bust the union" Republicans.
Coupled with the Stone'em til they don't vote, voter supression strategy.
The pawns are not moving by themselves.