MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) – South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint on Friday became one of the first high-profile Republicans to publicly criticize John McCain following his electoral defeat, blaming the Arizona senator for betraying conservative principles in his quest for the White House.
The conservative senator, speaking to a group of GOP officials gathered in Myrtle Beach at a conference on the future of the Republican Party, described how the party had strayed from its own "brand," which, according to DeMint, should represent freedom, religious-based values and limited government.
"We have to be honest, and there's a lot of blame to go around, but I have to mention George Bush, and I have to mention Ted Stevens, and I'm afraid I even have to mention John McCain," he said.
DeMint offered a long list of complaints about McCain's record in the Senate and on the campaign trail.
"McCain, who is proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations and basically put George Soros in the driver's seat," DeMint said. "His proposal for amnesty for illegals. His support of global warming, cap-and-trade programs that will put another burden on our economy. And of course, his embrace of the bailout right before the election was probably the nail in our coffin this last election. And he has been an opponent of drilling in ANWR, at a time when energy is so important. It really didn't fit the label, but he was our package."
Bush and Stevens, he said, had corrupted the party brand by expanding the size of government and engaging in wasteful government spending. Had Republicans not strayed from their core beliefs in recent years, DeMint argued, the election results might have been different.
"Americans do prefer a traditional conservative government," he said. "They just did not believe Republicans were going to give it to them."
DeMint said he would introduce a Senate resolution next week to boot Stevens out of the Republican caucus, and "force votes" on Senate seniority rules that have allowed certain members to hold onto power. However, DeMint twice confused Ted Stevens with Ted Kennedy, drawing chuckles from the audience of Republicans, who hold neither senator in particularly high regard.
"One of our principles is that power corrupts, and you need to disperse it," DeMint said. "And if our own party allows ourselves to be destroyed by this idea, and are not willing to stand up, then we have to change everyone at the top."
From CNN Politics
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Save your breath. It's over. Get a grip and do what you are being paid to do, which is not to take up all this time with spilled milk.
Nothing new here; Itel held its bankruptcy meetings at either the Mark Hopkins or Stanford Court Hotel in the early 80's.
When Sen. Jim DeMint said "Americans do prefer a traditional conservative government" he was saying McCain betrayed America's principles, not just the republican's.
you just dont get it! we do not want your religious values
Get over it. McCain was a good candidate until the Republican base dragged him down to their level.
Another Republican idiot that just doesn't get it. American's have had enough of "core" republican values as they no longer represent the mainstream. Don't blame McCain. He is the only reason it was close. A neocon as the nominee would have been wiped out by 20 plus points. A senator from South Carolina..well, thats all that needs to be said.
Bloody Hilarious...
These dopes don't get it do they. The reason John McCain was close as he was to Obama was his rejection of traditional GOP nonsense.
1) Yes Global Warming is real and the worst offenders must pay the price.
2) Yes the border must be secured first but you're not going to deport 12 million illegal aliens.
3) No one likes the bailout but all are at fault for not adding stipulations first.
4) Drilling is a stop-gap measure only not a long term solution.So drill all you want the MOST we can produce is 6% when we consume nearly 26% of the worlds oil.
You guys don't understand John McCain far and away represents the BEST of the GOP.
He still lost.
Senator Demint is wrong! The republican party lost because it is unable or unwilling to adapt to the times. Senator McCain lost because he drove in reverse rather than drive. If McCain had moved the party to the beliefs of most americans rather than the extreme right he would have won.
McDint still doesn't understand that the reason the Republicans lost isn't just because of Bush, or Stevens, and certainly not McCain. Its because the GOP is out of touch with the majority of Americans. The GOP's commitment to fear mongering, illegal wars, corporate welfare, pandering to Christian intolerance, and appealing to the lowest and meanest in people has been exposed, and Americans are on to them. Its about time.
The Republican "brand" emphasizes freedom and limited government? Are you kidding? Freedom of speech got reduced to "Free speech zones", America got a concentration camp and used torture, spying on citizens increased dramatically, and the cost and size of government expanded dramatically . . . with conservatives whooping up a storm in support. The Republican brand must refer to the ideals that Republicans pretend to champion but ignore in reality.
Another thing the republicans need to change-next time–no evangelical nutjobs on the ticket. They are neither moral nor the majority A perfectly intelligent female republican senator from Maine named Olympia Snowe would have been a perfect choice for VP–but she's ....*gasp*.....pro choice! Do'oh! that's a deal breaker in some circles.
One fool talking about other fools: it's a whole ship of fools, my friends, my friends... let me say that again... it's a whole ship of 'em, you betcha.
McCain betrayed Republican/American principles? That's ridiculously funny.
Replace "McCain" with "every politician on the face of the earth". No one in either party sticks to what the party originally stood for, and half the time niether party knows what they stand for. Way to point fingers just to place the blame.
Politicians are so far removed from thier ideological roots it's ridiculous.
i love how they are for limited gov except when it comes to gay marriage.
I was a consistent Republican voter for many years, but have become an independent during the last election cycle. Until the Republican party stops trying to shove its religious values down my throat as part of the party ticket, I will remain that way.
Appeasement of the religious right is the reason Sarah Palin was added to the ticket, and it didn't help the intellectual credibility of their position at all.
Keep your mystical nonsense to yourselves and simply provide practical direction on how we can improve the governance of this country. I would like to help you reduce the size of government with my vote, but not as long as your positions are dictated by a 2000 year old book of fairy tales.
Keep your religion out of my government.
More senseless ramblings. If McCain lost because he wasn't conservative enough, then that means more people voted for Obama because he was more conservative?
NOT!!!
What kind of Medeval B.S. is that?
McDint needs a good bloodletting.
Once again, another Republican who blames their downward spiral on Republicans not being far enough to the Right. I fail to see the logic here. They claim America is Conservative at heart, and that moderate Republicans weren't Conservative enough for them, so Conservative America voted Liberal? How does that even make sense? They are completely wrecking themselves. They're going to dig in deep, pat themselves on the back for not giving into changing, and sticking to their guns, as the country moves on without them.
I think it's disappointing the way some Republicans feel the need to complain after the election. If they think they could have done better, why didn't they run for President?
The next thing that the Republicans will tell us" It was God's Will" that they lost. That He wanted to punish them for starting a war based on lies, and for leading the country into so much debt. That He wanted to teach His not so tolerant followers that they need to learn and practice what they preach.
"One of our principles is that power corrupts, and you need to disperse it," DeMint said. What a sick platform. Was Jesus not powerful? And Ghandi? And Mother Teresa? And a host of powerful and sublime thinkers of our time. Absolutes corrupt and it's that kind if thinking that narrows the mind and leads to intolerance and hatred.
stop trying to force your values on the rest of the world......start including people in your party besides old white people......stop screaming family values when half of your families are disfuntional....stop screaming dems are tax an spend when you guys have the economy cratering......stop trying to fear when people want to hope......stop being idealogs and start thinking like normal everyday people........ENOUGH SAID
What can you expect from a maverick ?
I bet this DeMint guy was all over McCain at the convention in St. Paul being a sycophant.
Look, for the GOP to make a comeback they simply need to include all the faces of America, not just the rich, white ones. Enough said.
NEXT!
Republicans want to run government on "religious based values?' How about government based on the Constitution? Aren't Republicans familiar with the value of separation of Church and State? In case you hadn't noticed, trying to subvert government into enforcing your religious views is a good way to get run out of government.
Especially when you forget to govern wisely in other areas while doing so – Guantanamo, Katrina, global warming, financial meltdown, incompetent intelligence leading to war – well, I could go on, but you get the picture
If the Republicans move to their 'base' – they will be a minority party for 'all time'. Gone are the moderate Republicans ... the ones that do not force their 'moral vision' on the rest of us.
good luck with that evangelical christian, anti-science, global warming, petro-centric platform you're working on.
there'll be another election – write the platform up and run on it – that's how our country works.
Well said Dexter.
And funny how this guy blames McCain and Stevens for wasteful spending, but not the handout queen of Alaska. Still hoping she'll catch on huh? After the governors gave her NO position of authority or even a committee memebership in their meeting, I'd say her stock is lower than GMs is right now.
It's the Reptilian Party, cold-blooded and slimy. There is no reason for it to exist, simply a source of poison and discord and corruption under claims of divine selection. They rifled the US Treasury of billions of dollars for their contributors – the last in the shell game of the bailout; destroyed most of the beneficent functions of the government – as revealed during Katrina. The only voters they have now are those who got the payoffs and idiots who fall for their 'social' issues garbage. From Nixon to Reagan through Bush they have been a disgrace to democracy, gutting the Bill of Rights and the sanctity of elections, turning the Supreme Court into a body that thwarts the public and the law. Until they are replaced either within or from outside of their banner, the US is a one-party country – and should be.
Wow, this guy is clueless, and I hope the rest of the GOP powers-that-be remain so clueless!
If he thinks that the reason McCain lost is because he betrayed the party values of "freedom, religious-based values and limited government", he is completely out to lunch.
The American people are sick of the radical right's push to mix politics and religion to an absurd degree, and limited government at a time of economic collapse is about as virtuous as Marie Antoinette saying "let them eat cake"!
Let the GOP keep up the auto-eroticism about radical right positions! Pretty soon the GOP will be a tiny sliver of what it once was. The American people are not stupid.
John @11:21:
It's worse than that. Some ultra right wingers are saying the Republicans lost because they are not doing enough to stop abortion and that the whole country must now pay through an Obama administration.
The right wing doesn't get it. Extreme views are not supported by most people. They can continue to run on that platform but the Republicans will more and more become a regional party. If Obama is able to be successful, in 2012 he will hold all of the states he won this year and add Missouri, West Virginia, Arizona, and maybe Georgia and Texas. Then what? Republicans will look worse than the Democrats did in 1984.
And the GOP lemmings keep swarming toward the cliff of irrelevance.
Principles? WHAT PRINCIPLES?
The republicans LOST this election because the 'collective conscience' of the United States of America has awaken to the LIES AND FEAR-MONGERING.
I believe WE voted to NO LONG put up with the 'threat of terrorism', the war to 'keep our freedom', you know, ALL that stuff they say to KEEP US IN STEP WITH THEIR AGENDA.
NO MORE!!!
McCain LOST because of the HATE, RACISM, and FEAR he AND Palin incited at their ralleys.
You have got to be kidding me?
John McCain is one of the few shining beacons your party has left.
DeMint is delusional, living in the bubble created by Ronald Reagan's alliance with the religious right. If this election was about anything, it was a REJECTION of the theocratic influence on the Republican party. The main reason for intellectual conservatives, moderates and independents to bolt from the GOP last week was the hypocritical, negative, arrogant, and self-righteous wing-nuts personified by Sarah Palin. Get used to it, DeMint. Your days (and mainstream influence) are OVER.
Religion has no place in government, especially in a diverse country like the USA..
We should all follow the laws of our country, which should not be based on any religious beliefs. People who belong to churches can follow their rules if they fall within what is legal, if they so desire, but they should respect the choices and beliefs of others.
I get tired of people who think god is talking to them, as if they're something special. Hate someone? God says they are evil! Want to marry a fourteen-year-old? Hey, religious freedom! It's wearing a little thin.
What exactly are Republican principles these days? I think maybe that needs to be defined before first. Some get the impression you have to be a right wing conservative Christian (i.e. a nutjob) to be a true republican.
Senator Demint, what do you know? you have no clue what you are talking about. I voted for my candidate of choice and that was Senator Obama. However, I have to say that there is a reason why Mccain got the nomination, there is a reason why the American people voted for him in the primaries and that is because the American people, even republicans, want change in our country and you conservatives were not willing to offer that. Mccain did not ruin the republican party, George Bush did! Now, though Mccain has the same Bush economic policies in mind, he is not the problem of the republican party. The problem is you guys need "CHANGE" and Palin isn't it. She is as divicive as they come, we got a glimpse of her in action fo ra couple of months. She did not have what it takes to be a VP and that is a problem MCcain created for himself. I think Mccain protected and pulled towards the conservative base of the repubs by bringing in Palin and unfortunately committed suicide in doing so. Well, fortunately for me and many others, our candidate won!
"Power corrupts so you have to disperse it." Is this anything like spread the wealth?
The truth is, the GOP has evolved into this christian coalition and has alienated a lot of it's base because of this. His suggestion of forcing votes is just about as insane as Bachmann's idea of seeking out unamerican senators.
First of all, those brand values are mutually exclusive. Unless the limited government is granting people the freedom to live within the government-enforced, religious-based values.
I'm sure the tens of thousands of recently married couples in California would love for the government to take a more limited role in their personal lives, rather than foisting their religious-based values on them to take away their freedom.
If the GOP wants to return to true conservatism, their jettison the religious radicals who have hijacked the party and get back to limited government and fiscal conservatism. Their hypocritical holy wars are only going to run the party out of office and into the ground.
I knew these guys were not going to change from the butt-whooping the got on Nov. 4. They still think that the America subscribes to their hate/fear-mongering, gimmick-peddling, anti-intellectual, smoke-screen religious nonsense.
My guess is their game plan for the next 2 years is to obstuct Obama w/o looking like obstructionists so they can say "we told you so." They don't want to help. Their only goal is power at all costs.
DeMint IS the reason republicans are doing so poorly. John McCain lost not because he is John McCain but because he is a Republican. The fundamentalism that took over the party in the 1980's is on its death bed. Americans fell for that and have learned their lessons (hopefully long term). America needs highly qualified, intelligent, and capable leaders and managers. DeMint wants a freakish theocracy, backward and uninformed ideas of the free market, as well as incoherent energy policy. He is a dinosaur, John McCain suffered because of DeMint;'s ilk, not vis a versa.
When are the Republicans going to get it that their political and ideological views do not work in this country and they are as ancient as the dinosaurs. Look at the young voter turnout in the election and the fact that the right wingers are still talking about getting back to governing like they have the past 8 years. Yet time and time again they preach over and over again less government, anti abortion, the democrats are going to tax the hell out of you, take your guns away etc..... I am so sick and tired of the old way of thinking. Please put Sarah Palin out there in 2012 so that they can lose once again. The right wingers are all about FEAR, HATE, me before them yada yada... This country is way to full of caring people who understand that the old boy network doesn't work. Spoken from a 43 year old married mother of 2 children.
Is he for real? Do these guys even think before talking, next he's probably going to say that he was misquoted. McCain fought a legendary battle, but lost, and that clown is bashing him for his ideas on immigration and global warming, he must be kidding. The Rep party has really become a party of idiots, how in hell can this guy be talking bad about immigrants when they should be embracing and reconciling with the Hispanic community. So Global warming is a good thing, it's beyond stupid, no wonder we lost. How in hell can that guy be in office? Oh he's from SC.
The thing is what he said is on record, and that's going to follow the party for the next four years.
Try this GOP: become more inclusive of others. Stop using God at your convenience. None of you are doing 'what thus sayeth the Lord'. If you were you would remember 'to judge not lest you be judged'. Jesus was a servant to the people. He did not treat others like he was better than they.
Barack Obama ran a campaign of unity and inclusion. He welcomed everyone to the table. This is what the GOP needs to do. In order to show what you have to offer, you have to invite everyone to the table. Those that like what you have to offer will stay, those that don't won't.
This guy Demint clearly demonstrates the Gop being the party of sheer ignorance and slow wit, even in high public office. They don't believe in global warming...They believe that the earth is approximately 6000 years old...They believe the Adam and Eve tale in the literal sense (The Origin of Species version sounds a bit more convincing to me)...They oppose critical stem cell research that could potentially save numerous lives in the near future arguing that scientist shouldn't play God. I understand how important status quo and minimal change is to this party but my goodness! This isn't the 1600's! America in the 21st century needs leadership that isn't anti-science. The bible also says that the sun revolves around the earth but obviously that notion has been effectively dispelled early on by rigorous scientist like Copernicus and Gallileo. Members of the United States government, please do us all a favor and stop trying to legislate public policy from your bibles! What ever happened to seperation of church and state?
DeMint may be correct in saying that McCain betrayed his principles, but he's got it all backwards. McCain betrayed the moderate leanings he displayed in the 2000 primaries, and instead buckled to the extreme borderline-fascist right wing in order to "energize the base," or whatever they call it when you get lots of people angry using pointless ideological diatribes.
It's too bad, really. Back in the early Bush administration, when McCain espoused a moderate, reasoned, genuinely bipartisan form of Republicanism (while Bush was inarticulately sputtering his neo-conservative claptrap), I referred to him as "the only republican I would ever vote for." Not so this year, when he sold out everything he ever stood for in order to sidle up to the psychotic ultra-right.
I only hope that now that his presidential bid is over, McCain can go back to being the person that I presume and hope he still is: a genuine moderate.
LEAVE MCCAIN ALONE.
Remember Sarah Palin?
HASN'T HE SUFFERED ENOUGH????????
Why not?Republicans constantly betray american principles.
BOO HOO HOO!
O.K. This is exactly why the GOP will be increasingly marginalized and be relegated to a minority party.
1. before McCain sold his soul to win the nomination he actually did stand for principals that extend beyond mere republicanism.
2. The main reason the GOP and McCain lost is that they have lost any credibility whatsoever.
3. This would have been an entirely different election dynamically IF McCain retained his independence and therefore, his credibility.
These ridiculous wingnuts are exactly why republicans are the minority. And they should stay there until they decide they actually can address and care about the needs of the American people. Otherwise, they should continue electing ignorant wingnuts like Palin, since that is what they actually represent.
Yep, DeMint's conservative ideals should solidly lock in 25-30% of the electorate, and alienate the rest.
No, he didn't. Republicans got off course when they began to embrace bigots.
Poor John McCain. Just a few months ago he was "the war hero", the "only candidate to vote for in this election". Now, (I swore NEVER to use the bus phrase), the GOP has boarded the Greyhound, kicked McCain to the ground, and collectively started singing, the wheels on the bus go round and round. I didn't like the way the McCain campaign was handled, I didn't vote for McCain. But, there were times during the election that the real McCain poked through, and I would think, where isTHAT McCain? I liked that one.
Apparently, the GOP didn't get the memo that American's actually DON'T want their brand of conservatism. And, I bet within the next 4 years, the religious right is going to remind us why we didn't vote for them in 2008, and why we won't vote them in 2012.
I differ in this opinion. I believe that the behavior he is citing is actually the behavior of the Republican party as a whole. In the past they have just been better at hiding it. The Bush legacy is that it is OK to blatantly defraud the constitution. All that has happened is that the party's ego got ahead of itself and they stopped hiding their true nature. Americans saw for the first time, where the direction of the Republican party is heading and soundly answered, this is not the type of country I want my children raised in.
You republicans are so old and out of touch it is shameful. How can you tell us, "The American People", what we want? Didn't "The American People" show you on November 4, 2008? Your bigotry and divisiveness will keep you in the wilderness for many, many, years. You have no ideas. This is 2008 and the future has moved on without you stale republicans with your stale out-dated "southern strategy" ideas. All the republican party stands for is pro-life, low taxes, cut government spending. What message of hope and progress is that? We are all adults and can decide for ourselves; we are not a country of "one issue" voters; that would be your religous right wing fanatics. The republicans have destroyed this country financially with that failed philisophy of "trickle down". Wall Street got rich off of us, the taxpayers. And now, you republicans want to give our 700B to continue their "party" while we suffer financially. I hope the backlash is great as you watch the workers that still have jobs loose them as George W. Bush sits by, as usual, and does NOTHING. You bailed out wall street, why not main street? Answer that...............
Republicans are true to only one principle: government should do whatever will enrich the richest Americans, who will then pay for the ads about abortion and gays that will get the rest of us to vote for them. This is the hidden thread behind shifting Republican positions. Is state interference in the economy bad or good? It is bad when it keeps the rich from getting richer, good when it protects the rich. So regulation, bad, bail outs, good. It all makes sense when you realize that only the rich matter to the Republicans.
It is the Republican brand of religious right wing extremism that scared many of my Republican friends to vote for Obama. They were simply tired of a party that forgot its economic conservative roots in favor of evangelical religious intolerance. The Republicans are adept at claiming to oppose abortion and gun control legislation. However, if you take a closer look at them you really must ask the questions, "What have they really done?". Dump the social/religious issues and the Republicans may yet gain the majority again. Fail to do that and you will become even more insignificant as your party base begins to die of old age. -A Former Republican!
This is suposed to be the party of fiscal conservatives who believe in minimal government intervention. Instead they are spending like drunken sailors and interfering in people's personal and religious choices.If you idiots want to remedy that by becoming more fanatical and clampdown on people's constitutional rights...be my guest and keep on losing.
Quit making McCain the scapegoat. YOU PICKED HIM. If the Republicans didn't like him why did you nominate him?
The Republicans betrayed themselves. 8 years of the worst President is enough of clue.
TOO BAD, THE REPUBLICANS CUT OFF THEIR NOSE TO SPITE THEIR FACE. NOW THEY ARE IN THE WILDERNESS OF POLTICAL HATRED. AND THEY WILL BE THERE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
I agree with Obama/Biden 08 Mccain was a good and challenging candidate until the GOP got a hold of him.
Wow, I'm one of those independents that DeMint's party will have to win over if they ever hope to be elected again and I can tell you that I've had a belly full of people who think abusing the environment is the only path to success, and who think that most of us want a government based on Evangelical religious cultural values or that we want to hear any more from people who are afraid of skin that doesn't come in white. No wonder that only about 30% of the voting population is Republican! At this point, I wouldn't trust them if they said they were for all the things they're against because I'd think they were lying–again. What planet do they live on that they think most people what that religion shoved down our throats? Compared to DeMint, McCain was a possible and I couldn't bring myself to vote for McCain because he was still to mad and negative. Geesh!!!!
As a recovering Republican that voted for Obama, I can say that if the Republicans continue down this road and refuse to change with the times, the party will not exist in 2012. Someone needs to step up and tell these idiots that we are leaving the party because of the evangelical right wing nut jobs that are taking over the party. McCain lost because he sold his soul to them and brought in Palin. If McCain of 2000 had been running, he would have won. He went against everything he stood for then, and picking Palin was the last straw for many of us that are old enough to remember the party before the neocons and evangelical nut jobs took over the party.
Thanks mate DeMint has just proven why yet another person who falls in the center of the political scale has sided with the Democratic side. Hopefully by the next election the republicans will make it more difficult for me to choose.
McCain meesed up because he fought for campaign finance reform, basic rights for immigrants, tried to fight global warming, understood that there are other means of energy security besides drilling in Anwar, and tried to save our financial system. The republican party will be in good hands wih Jim Demint.
So DeMint thinks McCain lost because he didn't display enough religious-based hatred?
Can't wait to see that fail when DeMint attempts to run in 2012
Well that was a lip lashing that's meant to alienate the lingering Republicans into a us against them stance for their seats in two years.
I have to admit I like Senator Demint's vote (nay) on the bailout but his colleague Senator Graham from south Carolina vote yea, lets hope he gave him the same kind of treatment. The Republicans lost because "Government that serves the self -interest of the rulers is tyrannical. Only government that promotes the good life of the ruled is good"- (source Aristotle for everybody)...Joe the plumber has nothing on me. Heidi the homemaker, LMAO
Iraq did the republicans in. 70% of americans think it was not worth it. Why they can't seem to figure that one out is beyond me.
Needless war... and the SUV mind set. Big and dumb. That is what they have been selling. Big cars, Big homes, Big wars, Big talk, The bigger and dumber the better. When the republicans stop acting like big dumb cowboys.. they might get a clue.
What the hell do these people want from McCain? What are they thinking? You have got to be kidding me that he wasn't "conservative" enough. He chose the scariest, most ignorant and unprepared running mate to satisfy those nimwits. That was dangerous and could have cost our nation more than anyone could imagine. But that wasn't good enough for these right-wing fringe lunatics was it? Nope. What do they want? What they are going to get is the Anti-Christ if they aren't careful. Hypocrisy and the perversion of religion that these people support will lead to the rise of something we cannot survive.
Get "Deminted" a cane, rocking chair and "Farmer's Almanac." It is time for him to disappear and all those like him.
"religious-based values"? Seems like they're already falling back into their same old rut. Good luck ole party. Us people with basic human decency will still be voting libertarian values until you get it figured out.
ps: This CNN which might be expected to attract a cross section of American thought. I just read every comment on this post and every single one of us is appalled that this guy has no clue at all that we're all sick to death of hearing about their religion and their foul the earth programs. As Pawlenty said at the Republican Governor's Meeting yesterday, "Drill baby drill is not an energy policy." And forcing people to follow your religious values is not freedom. The Republican Party is so dead.
Religious based values????? Do family values have to be religious based? And, what about separation of church and state?
Our forefathers came to this country seeking freedom of religion and all the Republicans want to do is to inject "Their definition of religion" into our government.
No Thank you.
The Republican party isn't really a definitive party any more, and hasn't been for a very long time. This is because they have been defined by lobbyists and special interest groups. They need to try to remember what they actually stand for and also that elected officials are public servants who actually try to what is best for the whole nation. Quit cow-towing to the special interests and man-up (or woman-up). and do your job. Then, just maybe, your party will gain some respect, cohesion and votes again.
Wow, it sounds like DeMint has no clue why the Republicans are out of power. Let me get this straight...Americans wanted a conservative government, and when the Republicans didn't provide one...they turned to the Democrats for it? Yeah right.
Americans want the country's problems solved: the economy, health care, mortgage crisis, an end to the war in Iraq, etc. The Republicans didn't have the best plan for those things. That is why they lost.
The GOP just doesn't get it. If McCain had followed the Republican principles he would have lost be a bigger margin.
The so called 'blame game' is outdated and worthless.
The Republican party talks about keeping taxes low and less government. I never hear them talk about the people who support the party. The is no inclusion, only exclusion. What does the party stand for? Who does the party stand for? Do they realize the state this counrty is in after 8 years of Bush rule? I never hear them talk about what they will do for the counrty, not just republicans, but all Americans.They need to revamp, try in include everyone one in the party, not just rich people. They gave me absolutely no reason to vote for Mccain. I listened, I read the papers, I read the blogs and found no reason I, as 61 yr. old black women should support them. They have a lot of work to do to reverse the divide they present to average Americans. I'm humbly proud of our new president-elect Obama, because I felt welcomed into the democratic fold. Hope Lives!!!
Sen. DeMint of S.C.
Dont you Besmirch Sen.McCain!
You punks had nothing NOTHING!
Sen . McCain had the integrity to give an exemplary showing!
Put in an admirable energy and effort for your broken party joke!
If anything you shoud thank John McCain publicly for not letting you sink at the dock!
Dont you forget it
In Fact This citizen demands that you retract your statements about Sen. McCain immediatley. Show the respect of a soldier to a soldier, if you cant do that.....then the gratitude of citizen, if you are still unable.... then be silent ....be silent.....shut your ignorant piehole...Sen. DeMint of South Carolina.
Oh let us hope and pray the GOP listens to this No-Name DeMint and lurches to the far-right. Now, that's what you call a permanent Democratic majority Karl Rove!!
Libertarian in GOPher clothing Deminted is in SOUTH CAROLINA? Gee whiz, what a day!
Our state is in disarray, unemployment is at an all time high and children and the elderly are suffering in terms of health care, and Deminted is advising the GOP about what is WRONG?
What is wrong is that Deminted and the other GOPher millionaires and billionaires have almost destroyed our country and we want it back!
Please oh please as a Democrat let the neocons like DeMint win the soul of the Republican Party such as it is.
"Freedom" and "Religious-Based Values" are mutually exclusive concepts.
Ironicly, McCain said the very same thing about government spending over the last eight years. I heard him say that at Republican GA. Senator Saxby Chambliss's Run-Off Rally yesturday here in Georgia. If any special prosecutor is proposed by Hateful Harry Reid or Nancy turn off the lights and microphones Pelosi to investigate the Bush administration, then lets investigate the Billion dollar Obama campagn that George Soros obviously had something to do with. I agree with DeMint about that, but I also want to know how many right wing Republicans like DeMint came out and supported McCain during the campagn.
Well, I hope Jim DeMint doesn't really believe this blather. Most Americans aren't like the Republican base. Some of these Republicans will need to stay in the wilderness for awhile until they can read the stars again. DeMint is just showing the audacity of hope for a Reagan era reincarnation. In the meantime, the world has moved on and we are in the 21st century. A new trend of demographics and demanding global changes. A stronger demand for higher education. And on and on.
Republicans eat their own.
John McCain is not to blame for losing sight of the Republican dream of "bigger government" is better! We the people in order to form a more perfect union created the political monster we are saddled with today. The answer to the question of how this happened is to look in the mirror and realize you did it to your self and you just got beat at your own game!
Why the glory grabber Demint is focused on shifting responsibility could instead find a solution for the economy, lower taxes, homeless, jobless, and uneducated? Thats why Americans choose what they were sold as the better brand image! Now, go look in the mirror and fix the problem DeMint!
What amazes me is that Mccain got as many votes as he did. 8 years of accumulating mess, departure from due process, loss of respect and standing internationally, debt and defiict battered economy, intolerably stretched military engaged in 2 wars neither of which really have an end in sight, a galore of corruption scandals at home attributed for the most part to republican politicians, the entire train wreck climaxing with a financial fiasco requiring semi-nationalization of institutions, and a 700 B+ bailout package which I suspect is only the beginning, and if that wasn't enough ..... the brilliant vp pick. I really am amazed Mccain did as well as he did. I must say I have underestimated the ability of a whole lot of people to live in denial. And all our good senator from SC can think of is this? I am baffled. I think he overlooked Cheney's endorsement of Mccain. If Jim must find an explanation without having to consider the abundance of other more viable reasons for this failure, Cheney's endorsement makes a better argument than Mccain not being conservative enough. I recall a remarkable comment made by another republican Senator Phil Graham years ago as he was about to withdraw from a race after being slapped in the face by cold hard facts over an extended period of time. The comment was "I may be slow, but I am not stupid". SC Senator Jim can perhaps learn a thing or two from the former Senator fromTexas who as recently as 3 months ago gave us such pearls of wisdom as "recession is mental", and proved that he is not just slow.
At yesturday's Rally for GOP Saxby Chambliss's Run-Off with DNC Jim Martin, I heard McCain say the very same thing about the GOP's wasteful spending over the last eight years. DeMint's colligue in S.C. GOP Senator Linsey Graham, and Saxby Chambliss are in the group of ten bipartisan Senators, and along with John McCain who will hopefully make sure that all the other Senators will play nice, and share with each other. Perhaps, Maybe then Obama can be the President of the USA instead of the DNC and get a few things done by working with Republicans instead of against them. All of George Soros's money or the media will be able to help Obama if he fails the American people's trust.
what republican principles?
Sorry, CNN, I just have a few comments to add:
This guy says that McCain was a proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations, but campaign finance reform is essential so that only individuals are represented, not lobbyists and corporate fat cats. McCain's campaign finance reform was one of his greatest accomplishments and to take that away from him is cruel. President-Elect Obama managed to run and win with the support of the American people and the reforms did not hurt his party organization one bit.
In addition, to say that the Republican Party represents freedom, religious-based values and limited government is oxymoronic. Freedom does not come from religious-based values and legislating morality of one kind only is not limited government. Why don't the powers that be in this organization understand that we do not want the government to tell us what to do in our own homes and families. I want to raise my children with good Christian values, but my values are not necessarily the values of other people and are certainly no where similar to the ones the GOP professes to follow.
The gop – they just can't seem to stop themselves- They are the minority party because they can't even get along with themselves-
They have lost touch with America, and they deserve all that they are getting.
Why would anyone with a brain choose to belong to that hate group?
Religious-based values? Whose religion? I suppose it won't be the Unitarian-Universalist variety...oh no, it's the bible-waving, money-grabbing televangelist kind. Go ahead repubs...stick our noses in that nonsense and see where you'll be in 2010. We can always throw more of you out, you know.
GOP Principles
1. Spend like drunken sailors whenever _your_ priorities, wars, and corporate contributors stand to be implemented, waged, and rewarded. (Don't worry about tax revenue–this can all be done on credit.)
When the jig is up and the Democrats take over, conveniently remember you are 'fiscal conservatives' just in time to prevent the majority from funding projects people actually want (health care, education, infrastructure, domestic security, etc etc etc). Let them clean up your mess and dig the country out of the debt hole, then blame them for raising taxes.
2. Don't just TELL people government sucks. Instead, fill critical agencies like FEMA and DoJ with ideological hacks and frat-house cronies, and SHOW everyone just how incompetent the public sector can be when it's run by people who don't believe in it.
For bonus points, run for re-election on the outrage you've generated.
3. Appeal to the lowest common denominator in everything. The exact approach will vary with the topic, but will almost always include xenophobic fear, anti-intellectualism, short-term avarice, and racial innuendo. Obfuscate inconvenient facts in the most cynical way possible. Take pride in ignorance. Pick your weakest point and loudly accuse your opponent of the same failing.
4. When all else fails: BLAME THE LIBERAL MEDIA
Whatever "Republicans eat their own" means, one thing for sure, a Democrat never saw a crook they didn't like as long as they were Democrats.
I used to be a Republican. When they started making a special effort to impose their religious-based values on us all, I became a Democrat. They want to turn this country into a Christian version of Iran, but don't see anything wrong with that.
I get my 'religious values' at church and they don't include discriminating against people because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Separation of church and state!
And 'drill baby drill' is NOT an energy policy!
One word: DENIAL! Somehow, this guy has convinced himself that the 53% of this country that voted for President-elect Obama are just closeted conservatives. Does the Republican leadership actually propose to move even further right in order to attract voters? Really? Because if they are, they can look forward to losing A LOT more elections. The more educated Americans become the more evident it is that the very idea of "religious values" is a slap in the faces of our founding fathers who established the separation of church and state in the FIRST AMENDMENT. Good luck with trashing the Constitution.
Mr. DeMint....wrong! In my opinion, the American people (the majority anyway) are sick and tired of the Republican/NeoCon BS that we have had to swallow for almost eight years...get a clue!
I have just read most of this blog and I would suggest that Jim DeMint and the other Republicans do the same thing. They just might get it. Of course they wont because they have never listened to the American people anyway. To bad. If they read some of these comments they might learn something
It is rather funny to see people so piously posting tripe against the values of the Republican Party supporters when many supporters of their own party are acting like wild-eyed maniacs ranting and raving all over the country and getting worse by the day because they can't get their way. I think they need to have a country all by themselves, then, possibly, these "adults" would grow up and act like responsible citizens because they wouldn't have a whole nation of millions to witness their tantrums. If they are so positive that their way of life is right, why do they need the validation of anyone else? Why does it even matter?
Sen. DeMint offers obfuscating reasons for McCain's defeat. McCain lost because with near daily regularity he failed to project presidential demeanor.
Today's oxymoron...
...Republican principles!!!
The Republican Party will always lose the black vote because of one simple reason. Those 6 words "Barack Obama Pals Around With Terrorists". They have completely written off the black and most of minority vote forever if they never have the guts to repudiate that kind of politics. Most blacks didn't know who the heck Ayers was.. but all they had to hear was "Obama" and "Terrorists" and that let African Americans know that we have a burdon of being accused of being with terrorists because of our name.. if it isn't traditional like the last 43 presidents.
The Republican Party will continue to shrink especially if Sarah Palin is the leader.... and I don't even feel sorry for them.
They yelled "Terrorist" into a crowd of angry ant-obama supporters... their party will never grow again until they get rid of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin, and Bill O'Rielly.
OMG! What freakin' idiots! McCain was nominated because people thought they were getting the McCain of 2000. Then, McCain sold is soul to the Evangelicals, picked Palin, and launched the most negative campaign I've ever seen.
Get a clue! The country doesn't want your right-wing, wacko religious "values" in our government. McCain probably would have won or come closer to it if he had stayed closer to the center.
Hey, Demint, since you think you're soooo right, nominate Palin in 2012 and see where that gets ya.
this guy is "DeMint-ed". ( cmon Repukelicants, laugh with me, humor is about all you have left! )
When Sen. Jim DeMint said "Americans do prefer a traditional conservative government" he was REALLY saying
"Anybody who doesn't want a South Carolina style regressive exploitative theocracy isn't a Real American".
To which actual Real Americans said: Go Cheney Yourself.
Republican Party USA: On the fast track for 1912!
much as i hate bush he wasnt the only one who abandoned conservative principles. scapegoating some GOP members wont solve republican problems. YOU HAVE TO WALK THE WALK, NOT JUST TALK THE TALK.
and a religious agenda is NOT a core republican principle, not a real one anyway, as it has nothing to do with government!!!
This guy DeMint sounds like a real loser. Every single one of his points is antithesis to what is good for this world and this country and what the majority of Americans want.
Down with DeMint.
i think an ad prior to the election, a la spartacus, with people of all colours standing up and saying i am a real american, then the next one and the next one, would have worked, but it might have implied race was an issue for obama, which of course it was in some states anyway. at the end had he said i am a real american and banged his chest, and said if you are a real american you can vote for any real american you want to, even me, i think it would have allowed some southern whites to vote for him as until then they accepted the fox and palin undefined diatribe that he was not as american as you or i.
I sincerely hope that the Republican Party listens closely to DeMint and follows his advice.
Becaue I'm a Democrat.
I love it when Republicans fight.
Yep, they're going to blame whomever they can especially this idiot DeMint for their loss. Republican Values!! LOL!! Their day is WAY over, it ain't 1980 anymore and will never be! I think more republicans should be the way this dumb southern senator is saying is wrong, it would help the world.
It did help Senator McCain at all because he seemed to stray from the "new way" and revert to the "traditional conservative" way and then on top of it ran a smear campaign with that running mate of his. I did like Senator McCain as a politician until this election, I'll always respect him as a person because he was a veteran of a war and served his country well but as far as politics, big thumbs down!!
Jeremy
NSF Diego Garcia, BIOT (Until Summer '09)
Then off to McGuire Air Force Base in South Jersey
Well, Semator DeMint, you voted for the Iraq war and the foolish invasion of Afghanistan. You want government by God, and a cop in every woman's clinic. Small wonder that the GOP is in bad odor.
Yeah, OK, let's see DeMint try to bring his repressive religious agenda to the 2012 race and see how many people are really interested in voting for more of that...
By the way, Sen. Dimwitt are whatever his name may be. I consider myself to be a very religious person. However, I want my president thumping the constitution, not the bible. I like myself a little something called separation of church and state, you know what I'm saying? Read up on it.
I hope that McCain works with Obama on issues where they agree – you know, the way Americans want both parties to work together – and makes doctrinaire dunces like DeMint gnash their teeth.
And I may be a liberal Democrat, but I'm rooting for the Republicans to save themselves by going to the center. Let theocrats like DeMint and Palin form their own marginal party. My parents were moderate Republicans who actually believed in stuff like science and religious diversity. I'd like to see those kind of Republicans rise again.
There isn't one single reason McCain lost, there are several. McCain lost because he only reached out to Republicans, he chose Sarah Palin, he ran a very negative campaign, he didn't raise a lot of money, he had a poor strategy (such as campaigning in PA), had a mismanaged campaign staff, did poor in the debates, and his party lost a lot of credibility.
Republicans still have a national party: they have the former Conderate South and a few western desert states.
Not much else, though.
Their conservative 'base' has run their party, as well as the country, into the ground.
Good
Riddance
to
your
"values".
I hope they keep worshipping Ronald Reagan and talking about conservatism because they will keep losing elections. If anything this country is moderate as an average. That far-right Sean Hannity/Rush Limbaugh stuff is old. Does a landslide say anything to them? It was a 7% popular vote rout, and Obama got 365 Electoral votes.
Republicans need to ditch Sarah Palin and think about a reasonable platform for 2012 or 2016 if they want to have a chance.
I am a Democrat, strongly supported Obama, but can't help but comment on how ridiculous their party's "leaders" sound sometimes.
Larry Craig would have been a better choice for the Republican candidate for President. He much more closely represents the 'REPUBLICAN BRAND'!!!
He never betrayed the Republican Core Values... Neither did Ted Stevens. Or Tom DeLay for that matter... or how about Mark Foley? Can't forget that strong supporter of Republican Core Values!!!!
"Americans do prefer a traditional conservative government," he said. "They just did not believe Republicans were going to give it to them."
Actually... Americans USED to prefer a traditional conservative government. Now they just want an HONEST one that isn't going to steer our nation into the ditch again like Dubya has.
It's over... Obama won... and the voting public is tired of the Republican Party's only strategy of fear and smear and VOTED THEM OUT!!
DING, DONG... THE WICKED WITCH IS DEAD!!!!
Whomever listens to this garbage is either straight line republican, from the bible belt, or the south...except Florida. Thanks for coming through this time.
Vote replubican and watch your country go down the crapper. Ask Bill Clinton before he took office and see how great the country was before he took office. Shave the Bush...for good.
Actually Jim the American people would rather have a socialist terrorist as president than another Republican, so there is your explanation.
As for "faith based" agendas, may I quote someone Republicans would definetly consider a "liberal". "Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's, and unto God that which is God's". Or my all-time favourite "as ye do unto others, so also you do unto me".
As for those who vote according to the Evangelical movements pathetic "How would Jesus vote?". Jesus never voted, never took part in politics. Jesus was, sorry to all of the Bible-thumpers out there, not a Republican, neither was he a Democrat.
The last I knew, he was a Jew. He was, in fact, called Rabbi (teacher). I also doubt that, being middle eastern, Jesus was blonde and blue-eyed. He probably had swarthy skin and dark eyes. In this day and age of religious intolerance and racial profiling, He probably would be detained at airports and certainly not allowed to play golf at WASP golf courses.
Nixon popularized the term "silent majority," as opposed to the vocal protesters of the late 60's and early 70's. But the far right religious conservatives have never been a majority – just better organized, and more motivated to vote. The real majority has always been too disenchanted and suspicious of the political process to get involved or vote.
Obama changed that by inspiring millions of young people and older people who had never before voted. He added them to the active core Democrats, then pulled in a significant number of independents and disaffected moderate Republicans. The Democrats will stay in power as long as Obama makes even a little progress on the issues important to these Americans.
DeMint and others like him who believe that they lost because McCain drifted to close to the center will only continue deluding themselves into thinking that the majority of Americans want to stay in the past.
There will continue to be people who agree with DeMint and vote for him, but I believe that as long as the Republicans are dominated by extremists, their true minority status will only be perpetuated.
Underneath all the political posturing during the election, I think McCain is basically just a moderate Republican. But since that doesn't seem to be in vogue with the GOP right now, maybe he should act like a real "maverick" and become an independent. At this point I don't think he has much to lose.
Palin was the only bright spot for McCain and according to exit polls he would have lost by double digits if not for her. Its funny Obama won based on the idea people would get tax cuts, sounds EXACTLY like Reagan. Its so funny, McCain wouldnt talk about Wright/Ayers but he STILL got called a racist biggot so good for Palin pointing out thay Obama DID start his political career in Ayers house because on GMA this morning Ayers admitted it was true.....too bad Barry cant be that candid.
Obama is a sham
I agree with Nevada Dude - I am so tired of people mixing relgion and politics - remember, separation of church and state! I was a Repulican until this election. In fact, my daughter was working for the Democratic party and was soo excited when I changed parties. I was so dismayed with the divisivenes and extremes and sway the religious right held over the Republicans. For Dewitt to disregard some very important issues as unimportant is very telling how he devalues what is seriously important. He obviously doesn't value our world because he disregards placing imprtance on global warming. We don't need to drill more, but we need to implement eco friendly green energy. Take advantage of the sun, wind, electricty, bio diesel, etc. However, don't screw up any more of our land - once it's destroyed we can't turn back. Stop the drill baby drill chant and instead chant something more inspiring - think green dream green! It's time for our nation to embrace positive change. Religion is a private matter, and not something that should be shoved down our throats. Especially, when it's a religion contrary to our own.
Yeah that's the problem. He wasn't conservative enough. Interesting take since conservatives made up his base. McCain lost the middle because he tilted too far right (with help from his running mate). He would be measuring the drapes right now if he had gone moderate. As an Obama supporter, I'm glad he didn't. I think it shows how out of touch the Republicans are for them to think McCain wasn't conservative and thats why he lost.
Republicans betrayed conservative values a long time ago by not standing up to Bush and his reckless spending/borrowing.
And McCain is on that list for remaining silent as well.
Of course Bush doesn't care about the Republican party just like he doesn't care about America.
I have read in their entirety every one of the comments posted before this one. The weight of opinion is simply overwhelmingly: This sample of opinion illustrates that the country has rendered their judgment on the intolerance, bigotry, and greed of the Republican party.
I really hope that DeMint and Palin and the religious wing-nuttery secure the GOP base with ideological purity tests and drive out all those apostate RINOs with 'Operation Leper' and similar purges. This self-isolating, echo-chamber delusion will marginalize the GOP into a regional rump–still capable of obstruction, of course, but without any hope whatsoever of competing nationally.
Right now, the GOP's internecine warfare fascinates me much more than the vacuous speculation about Obama's cabinet or first hundred days. This bloodbath is absolutely riveting.
Go for it, Jim! You too, Rush! Wade right on in, Billo!
I sincerely hope the Republican party continues with this line of reasoning. They lost the election because the American people finally wised up and realized that putting our heads in the sand about anything and everything including global warming, immigration and our economy hasn't worked. The old hate politics of the past may not work again and I wish Mr. Demint luck. We need people on both sides of the aisle who have ideas and admit that there are things that need to be fixed in this country and in the world. Not the same old us against them rhetoric that dominates Republican doctrine.
**
"McCain, who is proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations and basically put George Soros in the driver's seat,"
**
The Republicans always need a Boogie Man. If there isn't a real one they invent one. George Soros has been their targeted BoMa for awhile... Can anyone quote anything he's said or even know what he looks like ? Who is this mystery man the strikes fear and loathing in the heart of these people ?
Can we order a few more ?
ps.
Isn't accepting public funds for campaigning an option – not mandatory ?________________
Those would be the same GOP principles that caused the mess we're in, right Senator?!
Remember Bush and his cabal hijacked the GOP. So where were the "conservative" watchdogs?!
IS DeMint's altrer ego Dr Demento? "“McCain, who is proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations and basically put George Soros in the driver’s seat,” – does he honestly believe that? Someone needs to remind him of the 527s like Picken's & Co "Swiftboaters". Republicans such as DeMint truly are living in an alternate universe
Jim DeMint won't even correspond with his constituents if they offer a different opinion. This guy thinks preaching from the pulpit is a GOOD thing.
There isn't one opinion above that is different from any other. As a self proclaimed conservative, not republican (I believe in the minority of this very liberal post), there are obvious issues in both parties. I have no problem with a liberal as long as they know why they believe what they believe. Same goes for a conservative. That is what we call tolerance. The thing that frightens me is that most of the opinions above talk of all the democrats who wear these "white gloves and are tolerant of others." That is definitely not apparent in the comments above, some of which are extremely degrading to christians. Politics and general honesty in politics are dead. The bashing of christianity and its beliefs are mind boggling to me as well. Sure I can see hipocracy in preaching chrisitian values if they are not represented. Somehow people above seem to believe they should be afraid of a bible thumping christian who is looking to bring the message of jesus to other people; that is, bringing heaven to earth. That is what all christians strive to do. What is it they are afraid of us doing - helping a fellow american, making their day or life better! Somehow people seem to think this means forcing some kind of spiritual agenda of intolerance to every human being. If that is the case then people have an extremely misconstrued perception of what we as christians represent. While some do see the person holding up the sign protesting every sin known to man, that should not be everyday christian persona. Judgement goes both ways... Somehow christians can't be judgemental but other can be? Many say christians are too narrow minded, but aren't we the ones that believe that there is more to this life than just what there is on earth. How is that being narrow minded?
Stop being a puppet of the media.
I'd like to see these conservatives keep blasting Republicans they consider moderate. It's time that the 60-70% of the country that is not idealogical finally work together to right everything that's gone so wrong.
The republican core values are seemingly based on wedge issues (God, guns, gays) and not responsible lower taxes, govt our of are lives,fiscal responsibility, governmentat competance, etc were thrown out of the window with approval of the Republican lead congress of 6 yrs. They forgot what was most affecting most peoples loves which are jobs, thriving economy, and to lead honest, decent prosperous lives. What are republican core values anymore?
Obviously the million puppet liberal internet army is alive and well and trying to drown out the truth by overwhelming any dissent. Look for much more of this National Socialist, Nazi approach in the next eight years