WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Jim DeMint is breaking with many of his colleagues to endorse Marco Rubio over Charlie Crist in Florida's high-profile Senate Republican primary.
DeMint, who also endorsed Pat Toomey in the Pennsylvania Senate primary over Arlen Specter when Specter was still a Republican, will appear with Rubio at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday to express his support. The South Carolina senator is among the upper chamber's most conservative members, and has often broken with members of his own caucus.
"For months now, Republicans have been looking around, asking everyone they meet who our next leaders will be. And somehow, inexplicably, many of us have grown blind to the diamonds all around us," DeMint wrote in a column posted on Fox News' Web site. "There are already many young, conservative leaders ready to fight for freedom in Washington and in state capitals all around the country. But we'll never find them if we only look for well-known politicians or choose our party's direction based on the latest polls instead of timeless principles."
When Crist announced in May he would seek the Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez in May, establishment Republicans like Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn rushed to endorse him because of his proven fundraising abilities and his demonstrated support across party lines.
Rubio, meanwhile, has refused to drop out of the race, despite polling that shows him badly lagging. Rubio trailed Crist by more than 30 points in the most recent Quinnipiac survey of the race.
While Rubio doesn't have the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, he has attracted support from conservative activists who consider Crist too moderate. And former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, a favorite of social conservatives, is supporting Rubio.
With the primary still about a year away, recent polls out of Florida show Crist with more than a 30 point lead over Rubio.
From CNN Politics
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DeMint should pick a more appropriate analogy describing valuable GOP leaders since diamonds aren't precious stones. Their values are false, just like the GOP.
Jim DeMint would make a great president. Hopefully he will run in 2012. We need to get Der Fuhrer Obama out of there before he declares himself "president for life".
Geez, Republicans continue to "chase their own tails". Not surprising at all. Next story please...
Correction: does "not" mean
Governor Crist is a closet liberal and will not get my vote. He wanted obamas spending and that was against what the vast majority of Floridians wanted.
"....inexplicably, many of us have grown blind to the diamonds all around us." Now I knew that diamonds can be made from carbon under enough pressure. But I'm left wondering under what conditions diamonds can be made out of crap!
DeMint's comment is funny, if not downright ludicrous, coming from someone who epitomizes the problems with the [R] party. The GOP car is heading for the ditch, and far from correcting the situation, DeMint is purposefully steering the car in that same direction. This is all part and parcel to the rightwing delusion we've experienced for years.
What I really love is seeing all the bystanders to the accident-in-motion, including the neo-knotheads that post on here, actually cheering these awful decisions, blind to the inevitable crash. I'm sure, like everything else they've screwed up, it will be blamed on the [D]s, or the poor, or the homeless, or ACORN, or illegal aliens.........you gotta love the self-inflicted rightwing delusion.
Just what your party needs, more right wind nut jobs such as yourself.
Thank you, Thank you This is what we we have been wating for. Pat Toomey and Marco Rubio are only the beginning.
I hope Rubio wins the nomination. That will more than likely ensure a democratic victory. While I donot favor either major party, I can say for a certainty that my vote will not be cast for a Republican. I may, as I have done in the past, write in my own name if I can't stand the nominees seeking the office.
Jim DeMint wants to find some treacherous anti-democracy right-wing nut to run for Senator. So what's new?
Meanwhile, Cheney would be thrilled to cut a deal with terrorists to do something awful to America as a plot to scare the public into putting an "American Amajinidad" in office. The only difference is this guy would be white and Christian. That's treason!
Beware of the false patriotism behind Republican motives. These guys are looking to slide a "Christian Right Wing Autocracy" in under our noses if Americans don't wizen up.
I agree that its a wise chocie. Thanks Jim.
Good! Get rid of any moderates still left in the GOP. While the GOP revels in ideologically "pure" primaries the Dems will be happy to keep winning elections, and America will finally be able to prosper without constantly being dragged down by the harmful and ridiculous GOP policies.
Doen't suprise me.Someone from SC who is rich and white supporting right wing conservatives all over the country instead of candidates with a mind to take care of all people. Not just the wealthy. Typical Bush / Cheney republcan who hasn't woke up YET. Must be hanging out with the SC gov. and that idiot SC repub senator. (Gosh it's good to be able forget their names finally!)
Fight for Freedom? Yeah, freedom from the ultra right American Taliban DeMint is casting his lot with. Good riddance. There is no room in 21st Century America for goons like him. Welcome to the Democratic Millenium...good job guys.