South Carolina’s junior Senator Jim DeMint, one of the leaders of the Tea Party movement, will resign his office in January, 2013 and take the helm of the Heritage Foundation. The Board of Trustees received resignation from Ed Feulner, who seeks new leadership for the think-tank. In an interview with Rush Limbaugh, Feulner and DeMint discussed the problems facing the conservative movement in the United States, and the new role of Senator Jim DeMint as the next President of the Heritage Foundation.
At the outset of the interview, the Senator shared that the Heritage Foundation inspired him to run for Congress. Now, he seeks to do more outside of Congress. Most likely responding the GOP’s tepid message and poor showing this year, DeMint wants to invest in a “positive, optimistic message”. Having sponsored a new crew of conservatives in the Senate, including Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Rand Paul (R-KY), the future of limited government looks bright. Despite his frustration with Congress’ inability (or unwillingness) to stop the spending, DeMint confides in the younger generation in Washington. Outside the Beltway, he will promote the message of conservatism as the better vision for all Americans, rich or poor.
The junior senator summed up his role in Congress thus: “to stop bad legislation”, or “playing defense”. Slip-ups in Missouri and Indiana have indicated that party bearers in the states must refine their message along with coalescing their campaigns with party leaders. In 2008, the GOP was lacking leadership. IN 2012, Romney failed to fulfill the role as the GOP Presidential candidate. With his background in research and marketing, DeMint wagers that he can bolster the persuasive element still lacking from the American conservative movement. He even acknowledged that “Republicans have to come to our (conservative) ideas."
“We have to branch out, not just preach to the choir,” DeMint added. Certainly, party leaders across the country have been waiting for one leader to state this obvious failure, one which has allowed the Rove-Preibus phalanx to strategize from the “Leave it to Beaver” playbook, instead of trending toward the “Friends-Big Bang Theory” constituencies: young voters who are fearful about the stagnant economy and dwindling employment options, yet who also avow a casual attitude about social issues, more tolerant than their parents toward issues like the decriminalization of controlled substances or homosexual relationships.
As the leader of the Heritage Foundation, DeMint can investigate and publish the successes of conservative ideas within the twenty-five states with one-party Republican rule. All of them are pursuing the right causes: successive policies on voter ID, school choice, and immigration reform. By demonstrating to the country what works (in contrast to the Democratic policies in blue states), conservatives can address the Mainstream Media to following up on their findings and press Congress to implement their suggestions. Senator Rand Paul has advertised a petition for a federal version of “Right to Work”, a program slated for passage in Indiana and Ohio. If President Obama was willing to author “Race to the Top” to encourage reform and competition among the fifty states, then a persuasive Senator with the help of the Heritage Foundation could induce the President to expand the voucher program across the country, as well.
Among his future plans, DeMint has outlined on reaching out to low-information voters. In support of this strategy, actresses Lindsay Lohan and Stacey Dash, among others, declared that they would vote for Romney, and Dash even went on the View to defend Republican values: a compelling presentation from a young Hollywood star of minority background. Young people are coming around to the conservative view point. DeMint also favors a “dependency” index so that lawmakers will know with accuracy how many people are dependent on the government and to what extent.
The Senator's sentiment for redefining conservatism rests on this principle: “They will not care what you know if they do not know that you care.” Romney’s “47%” comment and “self-deportation” suggestion cast a cold impression of the GOP Presidential nominee, who in private life is a warm and loving father, and a caring and philanthropic businessman and governor. Republican leaders must adopt new arguments that push school vouchers, a pressing issue which will benefit inner city youth. Conservatives must reach new audiences, including the rising Hispanic population, which supported Obama almost 4-1.
DeMint’s sudden departure from the Senate may seem discouraging. Still, ruby red South Carolina has a strong standard bearer who can lead the Palmetto State and the country toward fiscal solvency without compromising on core conservative principles. The most credible candidate, one who commands allegiance with South Carolina voters and a sincere plan to bring down the spending is Congressman Mick Mulvaney. He recently commented on DeMint's resignation, expecting that governor Nikki Haley will appoint the proper replacement. He has offered plans to cut spending, which would rub some of his colleagues the wrong way. He possesses the same congenial temperament of a compromiser, but refuses to compromise on his principles.
Governor Haley owes Senator DeMint a debt of gratitude for taking on the national debt. She should now consider Congressman Mulvaney to continue DeMint's efforts in the Senate.
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