July 6th, 2011
09:52 AM ET
12 years ago
(CNN) - Republican Sen. Jim DeMint said he's "disappointed" Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has not signed the "cut, cap, balance" pledge to slash spending and balance the budget.
DeMint 'disappointed' in Bachmann
(CNN) - Republican Sen. Jim DeMint said he's "disappointed" Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has not signed the "cut, cap, balance" pledge to slash spending and balance the budget.
"I am disappointed," DeMint said Wednesday on CNN's "American Morning." "We have to stop spending more than we're bringing in."
Six GOP presidential candidates have signed the pledge so far. The Minnesota congresswoman argues it doesn't go far enough to bring down the deficit.
DeMint, a South Carolina kingmaker and early supporter of the tea party movement, has said a commitment to the pledge is necessary in order to win his support, which could prove valuable in the early voting state of South Carolina and within his larger conservative following.
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Tea Party leaders claim that their membership is made of people of all ideologies. So why did they make such a fuss about a "phony" tea party candidate in the special election in upstate NY held earlier this year. Was it because he was a former Democrat, or because he had changed his mind? Or both?
That she would stand up to DeMint, or any more of those pledge creators trying to boost their shallow egos and, perhaps their influence, is an admirable quality in Bachmann
You have to give her credit for those, their hard to find.
How many of those signing their pledge will keep their marriage vows, or will take government funds while screaming nanny state?
DeMint represent a state that has a huge military presence, and depends on military personel and retirees ( with their pensions) to keep its miserable, subsidized economy afloat.
@ Obama/Biden 2012 – Four more years of record unemployment, $1.7 TRILLION yearly deficits, crushing debt, Obamacare, golf, vacations, speeches and class warfare
Every position the GOP has taken since 1/2009 has been one they could weasel out of. The Ryan Plan fiasco reminded them of the limits of their power. BTW, the crushing debt, class warfare, golf and vacations were perfected under W. You are the only people who sought to make a buck off of war by cutting taxes and then trying to pay for it off the books.
I can't take Deminted seriously when he has publicly said that he wishes the ACA will be the President's Waterloo. I wish Deminted willl run for President so he and his fringe can see how out of touch with reality they are.
Well, America, your opinions speak loudly in most every poll. The vast majority of American voters want to raise taxes despite the constant sound bites from Republicans to the contrary. "The American people want ..." You know the type; where they are actually trying to tell you what to think.
Sen. DeMints pledge runs contrary to the will of the American people. It does not represent the interests of the majority. It represents the interests of a very small, but very vocal and well funded, segement of our society.
The only pledge any representative or senator should take is the one they take when being sworn in. anything else is divided loyalty which is unacceptable and unAmerican.
Stop all special benefits to politicians. Let them participate in Medicare and Social Security. Why do they get tax payer funded special perks?
What, I don't see is Jim DeMint running for "President" it good for someone from the "Peanut Gallery" to make comments about Michelle Bachman who is running for President. If Jim DeMint thinks Michelle Bachman is doing a bad job trying to run for President then if Jim Demint has better ideas to fix the countries problems then he should be a "Man" and step up. If Jim DeMint supports Michelle Bachman then he shouldn't criticizes what she says. Hey Jim it you can do better that throw your hat into the ring to be President if not, shut up.
The only pledge any public official should make is the one prescribed by their oath of office. Anything else is an unacceptable bow to special interests. Tea Party = American Taliban.
The balanced budget amendment is another example of "feel good" legislation that will lead to serious economic problems.
The bulk of federal income is based on the economy - during booms tax income goes up, during recessions tax income does down.
The bulk of federal expenses go in the opposite direction - during booms expenses decrease, during recessions expenses increase (unemployment, welfare, social security, ....)
So, if balanced budget were law, the govt would be forced to cut spending just when the needs are rising - a guarantee for economic instability.
The budget should be balanced over the LONG TERM (not the short term), with the govt making a profit during booms and a deficit during recessions, but I've no idea how to phrase this into law.
If I were running for President, the first thing I'd do is make a pledge not to sign any pledges.
Why would a political candidate cede his/her policy-making authority to a third party – especially before they've had an opportunity to clearly identify all of the possible "extenuating circumstances" that might make them break a seemingly simple promise like "no new taxes"? Leadership requires thought, not just platitudes. If a candidate really wants to be taken seriously as a leader, they need to demonstrate a firm grasp of the facts and details and communicate a clear vision of how they see the solution working for America.
If it weren't for constant and substantial infusions of federal tax dollars, South Carolina would be bankrupt. DeMint is simply one more in a long line of political hypocrits like Strom Thurmond and Mark Sanford.
Expectations can kill you Jim , the pot calling the kettle black !
Jim DeMint is the single most dangerous person currently in elected office in the United States. He understand nothing about the functioning of the economy or the role government plays in it. He threatens the very existance of our Nation by his policy approach. Unfortunately, his simple minded ideas sound great to a group of people in the Country who also don't have the understanding necessary to know that if they where ever successful, the Country and our economy would no longer function. DeMint's policy solution is a ticket to an economic meltdown.