Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

applegrove

(118,008 posts)
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 12:12 AM Dec 2014

Return of the Kingmaker: Jim DeMint Is Getting Back in the Game

Return of the Kingmaker: Jim DeMint Is Getting Back in the Game

By Tim Alberta at the National Journal

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/return-of-the-kingmaker-jim-demint-is-getting-back-in-the-game-20141217

SNIP.....................



Since abruptly retiring from Congress nearly two years ago, DeMint has adhered to Senate Ethics Committee rules that forbid virtually all communication and interaction with current members of Congress and their staffers—no chats in private, or forums in public, or even televised discussions on Sunday shows. DeMint has followed these guidelines religiously, recognizing that his scholarly think tank is already under the microscope because of its spinoff lobbying arm, Heritage Action for America.

That's all about to change. On Jan. 1—precisely two years after he officially resigned from Congress—DeMint's ban will be lifted. The former South Carolina senator, who became a conservative kingmaker responsible for the recruitment of tea-party darlings in 2010 and 2012, will be back in action. And the timing couldn't be more appropriate. With Republicans taking over the Senate—and three of DeMint's star pupils pondering runs for the presidency—he's ready to get back into the game.
¨

............

More intriguing, perhaps, is the expectation that DeMint will rekindle important relationships with three high-profile presidential aspirants.

Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Ted Cruz of Texas each won major tea-party upsets in their respective elections thanks in large part to support from the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee founded by DeMint in 2008. When all three were hurting for cash and struggling in the polls, DeMint picked them up—and provoked the GOP establishment—by offering his personal endorsement and his group's support.




.....................SNIP
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Return of the Kingmaker: Jim DeMint Is Getting Back in the Game (Original Post) applegrove Dec 2014 OP
Just when you thought Cruz could not get any crazier applegrove Dec 2014 #1
so, he's going to tie his future to three pathetic wannabes....proceed demint spanone Dec 2014 #2
But, is Jim minty? Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #3
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Return of the Kingmaker: ...