Washington (CNN) – Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, proposed a constitutional amendment last year that would limit senators to serving two terms in Washington.
On Tuesday, he pledged to live up to that standard if he wins re-election in November.
"I haven't made any public promises about what I'm going to do in the Senate, but my intent is to serve no more than two terms," DeMint told CN2 News in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
DeMint, 58, limited himself to three terms when he served in the House from 1999 to 2005. He was asked if he intends to make a similar commitment as a senator.
"If the people in South Carolina give me a second term, and I am on the ballot this year, right now my plans are to make that my last and to give somebody else a chance at it," he said.
Vic Rawl, a Charleston County Councilman, is DeMint's likely Democratic opponent.
Updated: 7:05 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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Good man. He would never think of stupaking the people of South Carolina.
Yeah, right. He knows term limits would be found unconstitutional.
I'd vote for him as president if he lives up to this promise.
Unfortunately, no democrat will ever do this.
With DeMint, two is two many.
If true, this is a great day for Americans.
Then on to two terms as President. Go, Jim, Go!
That said, we have a two term limit on the Presidency. We need term limits in both houses of Congress – Like, Yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the late 1980s, Republicans supported term limits because they thought Republicans could never retake Congress. Then in 1994 Republicans retook Congress...and interest in term limits ended. Now that Democrats are back in power, Republicans again want term limits. What hypocrites!
Hey, you don't owe us anything in S.C. please quit now!
I'm against term limits because they make bureaucrats and lobbyists more powerful than our elected representatives. We need long term law makers who understand how to get things done. And we already have a term limit mechanism, it’s called an election. Having said that, I hope South Carolina decides to limit Mr. DeMint to 1 term.
DeMint – Why not do better and limit yourself to one term? You have already done enough stupid for two terms.
I propose one term ( for him).
Let's point out a few basic points that this bonehead obviously doesn't understand. We already have term limits, they're called ELECTIONS. What would be better if the fine people of SC limited his term to only one term in November. By his own statements he should be voted out, like this one, "I haven't made any public promises about what I'm going to do in the Senate...." We already know what he's going to do, NOTHING, except vote NO on every and any bill that is brought forth by the Dems. Really, we could send any idiot to the Senate just to sit there and vote no. Elected officials are supposed to govern, not just sit on their ass and say NO. I'm sure the fine people of SC will be sending someone else back to Washington. Republican or Democrat, either one, just send someone who actually wants to govern.
Or intent is to see you kicked out fast as possible. this country can't stand people like you.
Presidential term limts are 2 terms (8 years); the Senate should be at 2 terms (12 years) and the House at 6 terms (12 years).
Let's make that retroactive (like they do when they raise taxes) and send them home now.
That's fine. But we DO have TERM LIMITS its called VOTING! If you do not like what your congressional representative or senator is doing, go vote them out of office!
So frustrating to hear people complain about Congress, when the same people have been there for dozens, upon dozens of years!
I pray daily that DeMint contracts a painful terminal illness that will ensure he doesn't even loot the American taxpayer for one term but thats not likely to happen either. If anyone thinks that DeMint will limit himself to two terms they are deluding themselves.
thats 2 terms to many
South Carolina knows how to pick em, that's for sure!!
Well it makes sense. He will be of retirement age after two terms as senator. Might as well retire and kick back and take life easy.
Yes and then he will "retire" to go work as a lobbyist for the big $ cronies that go through is revolving door of influence peddling.
buy this man a drink!!!!!!
if only owebama would take it one step further and only serve one term
... and he also has a bridge in Brooklyn for sale ... unless he's planning on running for president!
Glory hallejah!
Please take Lindsey Graham with you.