Jim DeMint, through a Senate Conservatives Fund proxy, definitely stated that he was not running for President in 2012. Senate Conservatives Fund spokesman Matt Hoskins said, “[DeMint]’s said all along that he isn’t running for President and his role in the primary is to encourage the candidates to embrace conservative principles.”
It’s not entirely unexpected, but it is a definitive response. This begs the question – who will the conservative, South Carolinan endorse in 2012? In 2008, DeMint endorsed Romney.
March 25th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
This is breaking news?
I told you guys this many weeks ago.
Never doubt me.
March 25th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
#1 Hence why I said…”ISH” and “It’s not entirely unexpected…”
March 25th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Well, he was the only one who could neuter South Carolina as an important primary state.
There are 3 South Carolina endorsements that matter: Nikki Haley (for obvious reasons), Lindsay Graham (key to the moderate wing of the Party), and DeMint (Mr. Tea Party).
Although… Newt Gingrich appears to have snagged a pretty decent, Establishment endorsement, former SC Chair Katon Dawson: http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/03/dawson-will-be.php
March 25th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I’m glad SC is back to it’s “DECIDER” status which it’s held since 1980.
March 25th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
“I’m glad SC is back to it’s “DECIDER” status which it’s held since 1980.”
Wait, it’s held it’s decider status since 1980, but yet you’re glad it’s “back”? Where were you since 1980? Or has it not been a decider recently? Or is 1980 considered recent for you?
I must be missing something here…
March 25th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
5.
DeMint hinted on running last year.
But no more!
!
March 25th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
The winner of South Carolina since 1980 has gone on to win our nomination.
Now who does that help? Hmmm….
March 25th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
He endorsed Romney last time – and he will again.
From what I can see…DeMint probably still has a good shot at the Veep under Romney – but his age is a concern. If Romney serves for eight years, DeMint would probably be too old to be a standard bearer in 2020.
A four year VP?
March 25th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Craig –
Ah okay. For a second there, I actually thought that you let slip out the fact that SC wasn’t the decider in the 2008 Primary. Silly me!
March 25th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
…because Wikipedia and Gallup seem to contradict your theory.
“The early primaries and caucuses are considered the most critical of nomination process. Most candidates lacking support drop out after doing poorly in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, and these states’ results often shift national preferences, according to historical polling data.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008
“the results of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary have the potential to shift national preferences, sometimes dramatically… it has not been uncommon for national nomination preferences to quickly change following the Iowa and New Hampshire contests.”
http://www.gallup.com/poll/103537/Iowa-New-Hampshire-Results-Often-Shift-National-Preferences.aspx#1
But let’s not let facts get in the way of Craig’s crazy theories.
March 25th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
…and just for emphasis, I posted it three times. Hah!
March 25th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I question what endorsements are worth. DeMint endorsed Romney and Romney was eventually forced to abandon SC. I would also question what Haley’s endorsement is worth. The big game-changer was Palin’s endorsement of Haley. She was dead last until that.
March 25th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
CF,
Are you questioning whether or not SC has picked our eventual nominee since 80?
Because they HAVE. Period.
March 25th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
DeMint and Haley will endorse Romney, noting that Palin is highly unlikely to run and, if she does, she will likely not go beyond the first 2 due to losses and she can become the deciding factor with her endorsement in SC.
March 25th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_primary
March 25th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I believe that South Carolina does indeed decide our nominee. However, the decision comes based off of what happens in Iowa and New Hampshire. A close runner-up in Iowa and a big winner in NH, or vice versa, is what determines the winner in SC.
South Carolina doesn’t actually DECIDE until it has seen who this individual is in the Iowa and New Hampshire races. That’s why, like I have shown above, Iowa and New Hampshire are the key states to win so that SC can choose the candidate.
South Carolina isn’t so much the decider as it is the reactor to the events that happen earlier. The decision has already been made in Iowa and New Hampshire, SC is just reacting to it.
March 25th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
SC chooses either the IA winner or the NH one.
All smart money is on the IA to SC PARLAY this time
March 25th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Haley and Demint will endorse Romney. Both of them did last time, and Romney has supported them financially and by campaigning for them in 2010. I bet Graham supports Romney too. I’m not sure that endorsements help that much, but it can’t hurt to have the entire state establishment behind you.
March 25th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I should say that it can’t hurt that much to have the entire state establishment behind you, and won’t hurt in South Carolina where Demint and Haley are popular with the right.
March 25th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
So many top McCain people are doing preparatory work for Huntsman that it puts Lyndsey’s endorsement in doubt. The last words he said about Mitt (that I remember) sort of sounded like an endorsement, though.
The odds of Nikki endorsing Mitt are close to 100%….DeMint, more like 65%….Graham is pretty much of a toss-up.
March 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
DeMint will endorse Romney again. Romney still has all the qualities of strength, ability, and innovation that attracted DeMint originally. Don’t see him going to anyone else.