Breaking: Sen.DEMINT Will RESIGN FROM SENATE To Lead The Heritage Foundation

[Segami]

South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint will replace Ed Feulner as president of the Heritage Foundation. Mr. DeMint will leave his post as South Carolina's junior senator in early January to take control of the Washington think tank, which has an annual budget of about $80 million.

Sen. DeMint's departure means that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a Republican, will name a successor, who will have to run in a special election in 2014. In that year, both Mr. DeMint's replacement and Sen. Lindsey Graham will be running for reelection in South Carolina.

Mr. DeMint was reelected to a second term in 2010. The 61-year-old senator had announced earlier that he would not seek a third term.

Mr. Feulner, who is 71 and planned to step down, is to be named chancellor of Heritage, a new position, and will continue in a part-time capacity as chairman of the foundation's Asian Studies Center.



http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323501404578161613763222762.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. There goes the biggest crazy of 'em all

I have a few questions...

[OldDem2012]

22. You do realize South Carolina's Tea-Nazi governor will appoint someone just as crazy, don't you? nt.

[BeyondGeography]

23. With zero seniority in the Senate and no chops for the movement

It's a big hit for the loons.

[OldDem2012]

35. Not when it comes to voting...he or she will be just as far to the right, if not more so. nt.

[corkhead]

51. there is no degree of craziness when it comes to repubs, they all vote in lockstep anyway

[CreekDog]

27. He's a mainstream conservative now

his positions are commonplace across conservatism and common in congress and the senate.

is it rare to be against ADA if you are a Republican? no, that's mainstream among Senate Republicans.

is it rare to be against pro choice exceptions for incest and rape? no, that's mainstream among Senate Republicans.

is it rare to be against the minimum wage? no, that's mainstream among Senate Republicans.

is it rare to be in favor of increasing taxes on the poor? no, that's mainstream among Republicans who think that the 47% have it too easy.

the idea that he was fringe among Republicans is laughable, he was in the leadership because that's what they believe too!

[BeyondGeography]

28. Nah, he was the real deal

There are plenty of Cons who go along with the science-denying, Norquist-groveling crap just to avoid being primaried. They hold their nose and do it; DeMint was a true believer whose departure is actually meaningful.

[haikugal]

2. Good...

Why didn't this guy go to jail?

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Glad to see him go.

[srican69]

4. Obama's relection happens to be his waterloo moment?

Schadenfraude reigns supreme....

[backscatter712]

60. It broke him! n/t

[RomneyLies]

5. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Freepers are going insane over the news.

[freshwest]

46. No kidding? They don't trust the Guv to find a wingnut to their liking? Okay, then:

[AnnaLee]

6. The Senate equivalent of Ryan is going

to take his talent in lieing with statistics and arthimatic to the biggest source of stat and math lies in the world. Seems appropriate. Now here is something interesting. As Heritage does those misleading calculations on pensions, will DeMint give up his to demonstrate support? So what are they paying him?

[freshwest]

47. People in those circles don't need pensions. They have real wealth, don't wait for a monthly check.

It's the rest of us that must fight for a stipend to get us through the years when we're no longer able to work. The crowd DeMint is in now, the congress, would not be punished by losing their pension, neither would anyone who shills for the 1% at the Heritage Foundation. That's about as far as trickle down goes, no lower than that.

[dreamnightwind]

63. the biggest source of stat and math lies in the world

You certainly got that right. I've seen these guys promoting their lies backed by BS stats and charts on C-SPAN forever. They're very good at it, and a great deal of what's wrong with this country, and even more broadly this planet, started out as a Heritage Foundation project.

[Arkana]

7. Good.

One less nutbag in the Senate.

Of course, I'm sure South Carolina will find someone else who's even crazier.

[lastlib]

13. It'd be hard to top Senator Dement(ed).

He's an elite world-class bat-shit crazy.

[jmowreader]

59. And rich enough to afford to be that way

This is Haley's watershed moment. She is facing a tough battle as she's not quite as insane as the baggers thought.

If Nikki Haley does not choose an interim senator that makes Jim DeMint look like a liberal, she will be back to doing the books for her mom's grocery store in 2015.

[sufrommich]

8. Off to do some grifting.There's serious money

to be made fleecing the rubes.

[Panasonic]

9. Two Senators in SC up in 14.

Can we nail both of them, hardcore?

[iandhr]

25. If things go VERY well...

... we have a very small outside chance at one of the seats. Likely the person who replaces Demint.


Its not like we have a strong bench in South Carolina.

[HooptieWagon]

49. Lets cross our fingers...

That Haley appoints a far right extremist, who a conservative Dem might be competitive against in 2014. Yeah, a liberal would be nice in that Senate seat, but ain't gonna happen in SC.

[dawg]

10. The stupidest man ever to serve in the U.S. Senate will head a "think" tank.

Yep.

[Berlum]

12. Stupid -- intentional stupid -- is a core Republican Family Value

Being intentionally stupid the way they can ignore facts, truth, and reality -- all hallmarks of the modern-day Know Nothing Party, the so-called Republicans.

[dawg]

15. Most of them are intentionally stupid.

No so this guy. He may have me fooled, but I think he's the real deal.

In fact, I feel terrible and mean for even saying so. I think the guy sincerely wants to do the right things for the country. He just doesn't have a clue.

[Berlum]

17. .

[Segami]

11. Good Riddance 'Moran'!

[Kingofalldems]

14. You mean the Bring Back Feudalism Foundation?

Isn't that special.

[Johonny]

16. They are all Grifters just waiting to turn their elected position into CASH

This in no way will change my opinion of the Heritage Foundation. If Jim DUHmint is your chief thinker you probably should stop sucking the fumes off your tank.

[WI_DEM]

18. I wonder what nut Haley will nominate?

[Initech]

19. Awesome!!! One less Koch Roach in the Senate!!

[Segami]

20. Koch-Roach?...LOL!

[Coyotl]

21. What a relief for his collegues, I'm sure, and this should speed the demise

of The Heritage Foundation too

[sadbear]

24. He certainly has a lot of teabagger chips to cash it.

$$$Cha-ching$$$

[ProSense]

26. I'm still celebrating so this makes it even sweeter.

[LynneSin]

29. James Clyburn is the only SC House member

I'd love to see him run but could he win statewide?

[mim89]

30. Tim Scott & Joe "You Lie" Wilsnon

DeMint might just get replaced by these loons

[Renew Deal]

31. I bet she names herself.

[ewagner]

38. Agree....

She has much higher ambitions and a Senate seat is a nice platform.

[CJCRANE]

53. Maybe that's the plan...

a way to fast-track her to Washington and get her set up for 2016...

[Coyotl]

32. knr

in case people don't read down ten lines before posting another one of these

[barbtries]

33. oh, these public servants

so caring. so giving.
so GREEDY.

[bluedigger]

34. Who wants to bet he walks off with a bag full of campaign cash, too?

They are learning fast.

[Turn CO Blue]

36. Committees he sits on...

Jim DeMint sits on the following committees:

Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development
Member, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
Member, Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Member, Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
Member, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine
Member, Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues
Member, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs
Member, Subcommittee on European Affairs
Joint Economic Committee
___________________________________________________
Any replacement from S.C. will be a newbie with no seniority on any committee! And regardless of who else moves up in the queue to ranking member spots, I have a hard time believing he/she will be as WILLFULLY ignorant as DeMint.

[whistler162]

57. Dang.. Senate Banking.... wonder if the thought

of Elizabeth Warren on the same committee scared him?

[Vogon_Glory]

37. DeMint Wants To Go Upscale

DeMint wants to go upscale. He probably still thinks that Tea Party stuff will be popular with the voters and that he can move into a big, gated white house with columns on Pennsylvania Ave. on January 20th, 2017.

[JohnnyRingo]

39. How can SC have both senators run in 2014?

We stagger our senate elections so no state will have two rookies in at the same time. That's why each state has a "senior" and a "junior" senator.

I would think the'd have to elect his replacement either sooner or later than 2014 so the six year terms don't continue in sync. As far as I know, SC is the only state that would have that.

[onenote]

41. The two terms wouldn't continue "in sync"

The person elected to fill the unexpired part of DeMint's term would have to run again in 2016 when that term ends. The person elected to the seat held by Graham would serve for six years before having to stand for reelection. In other words, there still will be staggered terms

[JohnnyRingo]

48. You're right of course

I wasn't thinking about the appointed senator only finishing out DeMint's term.

Thanx for clarifying without making me feel stupid(er).

[whistler162]

58. The most recent example is

the Senate seat in New York held by Hillary Clinton. When she resigned and Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed she was appointed she had to stand for election in 2010, off year for that seat, and then again in 2012 the n ormal election cycle.

[radiclib]

40. Well, I guess this makes it official

The Heritage Foundation is a lunatic asylum.

[arthritisR_US]

42. Stupid goes to work at a think tank, love the

oxymoronic irony!

[Pryderi]

43. Remove the word "lunatic" from Federal Law and see what happens? nt

[SidDithers]

44. Good stuff...

So Haley appoints a Republican to fill the seat for 2 years. Any chance for a pick-up in 2014? Demographics are changing in SC aren't they? Hasn't the state been getting bluer over the past few election cycles?

Sid

[Efilroft Sul]

45. Guess he read the Tea leaves — "Americans will blame us!" — and bailed.

[lark]

50. Good news,

Getting that crazy Repug out of the Senate is a very good thing! One less idiot to uphold a filibuster against good Democratic policy.
Too bad Nikki gets to pick the replacement to run, but good thing she can't just appoint someone.

[jmowreader]

64. Nikki gets to appoint anyone she wants

House members are replaced in special elections. Governors appoint senatorial replacements, who serve until the next scheduled general election then stand for a term of two, four or six years depending...DeMint would have served four years in Nov2014 so the replacement senator elected then will stand for reelection in 2016.

Since Nimrata Haley's star doesn't shine brightly in her current job, continuing her political career will best be accomplished by taking DeMint's seat, obstructing Obama for two years then running on that record.

[harun]

52. What a loon

[MineralMan]

54. Maybe DiMwit could offer Heritage Foundation jobs

to some of the other Bagger Senators.

[DemoTex]

55. Makes room for a 2014 Senate bid by Stephen Colbert

New Twitter account opened today: @ColbertforSC ('course Stephen might be jokin' us).

[babylonsister]

56. omg, can you imagine??? nt

[DemoTex]

61. Imagine it? I'll fight for it!

Comedians make great senators. Funny-man Al Franken comes to mind. Colbert might be kidding (at this point), but he is a South Carolina treasure.

[babylonsister]

62. I wonder if he'd give up his current gig for this; I doubt it, but

he could certainly draw a lot of attention to the race.