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Updated 12:44 p.m. - South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, an influential Republican who has helped prod his party rightward, will step down from his seat in January to become the next director of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
NBC's Chuck Todd and Kelly O'Donnell discuss the departure of Tea Party favorite from the US Senate, and possible replacements South Carolina Gov. Haley could pick.
DeMint announced Thursday that he planned to succeed Ed Feulner, the longtime head of the Heritage Foundation, next month. The news of his departure was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
"I'm leaving the Senate now, but I'm not leaving the fight. I've decided to join The Heritage Foundation at a time when the conservative movement needs strong leadership in the battle of ideas," DeMint said in a statement. "No organization is better equipped to lead this fight and I believe my experience in public office as well as in the private sector as a business owner will help Heritage become even more effective in the years to come."
The Heritage Foundation said DeMint's "passion for rigorous research, his dedication to the principles of our nation’s founding, and his ability to translate policy ideas into action make him an ideal choice to lead Heritage to even greater success."
Since being elected to the Senate in 2004, DeMint has not-infrequently clashed with Republican leaders on specific pieces of legislation and the overall direction of the party.
His conservative obstinance made him a hero among the party's grassroots. DeMint wielded that influence through his Senate Conservatives Fund, supporting more ideologically pure candidates over candidates deemed more politically-able by Republican Party leaders.
DeMint had even been rumored in 2011 to be thinking of challenging Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell for the position of Republican leader, though he eventually declined.
Among DeMint's successes through his Senate Conservatives Fund was the championing of senators like Florida's Marco Rubio, Kentucky's Rand Paul, and Utah's Mike Lee. Among DeMint's failures were the two Senate candidates -- Richard Mourdock in Indiana and Todd Akin in Missouri -- who lost their 2012 bids in the wake of controversial remarks about rape.
"I think if you're interested in having Republicans control the Senate you have to back Republicans who fit their state and who can win in a general election not just in the primary," Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican, told NBC News about whether there were any lessons from DeMint's tenure on Capitol Hill.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.
DeMint had said he would leave the Senate in 2016, following the completion of his second term, meaning his departure in January will be ahead of schedule.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, another conservative Republican who enjoys grassroots support, will be allowed to name a replacement, who would have to face a special election in 2014 to serve out the remaining two years of DeMint's term. A variety of Republicans could jockey to replace DeMint, from Haley herself to a couple of her allies -- Tedd Pitts, her deputy chief of staff, or State Rep. Nathan Ballentine -- to U.S. Rep. Tim Scott or other members of the state's GOP establishment.
"Looking forward, Governor Haley will now appoint a new Senator, and I know she will make the right choice both for South Carolina and the nation," Scott Said in a statement.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a relatively more moderate Republican who's expected to face a primary challenge, is also up for re-election that fall.
There is also the broader question of who, among the 45 Senate Republicans, will seize the mantle of conservative leadership in the upper chamber. Several of the senators whom DeMint helped elect have modeled their actions after the Palmetto State senator, creating their own political action committees and breaking on occasion with the GOP leadership.
NBC's Tom Curry contributed.
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Bye bye.
Smart man who knows when to leave knowing changes in population is coming. Now, he will join one of the most dangerous lobbying group with message of hate and division. Good luck but the foundation and it's message will be forgotten soon, just like him.
Sen. DeMint will be hard pressed match the hate and division showcased by the commenters in this thread.
The vitriol being spewed at folks like me is astonishing. And incredibly sad.
How rich, whining and self pity from one has spewed plenty of vitriol of their own. What's the matter tea, can dish it out but can't take it?
Tea Party Common Sense
Tue Dec 4, 2012
Fri Nov 9, 2012
Please tell US how all these endless tax cuts creates jobs? Answer. They don't. As of this writing, one of those lovely "job creators", Citigroup is lying off 11,000 workers even though they had handsome quaterly profits. 30 plus years of LOWERING taxes has only seen the GOOD paying manufacturing jobs still flowing overseas by the boatload for cheap sweatshop labour which is what the greedy CEOS of THIS country want OUR workers to be making and be treated like as soon as the very last union is obliterated and the NLRB is destroyed too thus making the USA a totally "corporate controlled owned and operated, privatized and operated country" as the conspiracy theories and lies shriek from the rooftops about all this non-existant socialism.
As IF.
My, aren't we a little sensitive. My use of the words "sycophant" and "zombies" are nowhere near as inflammatory as what Sen. DeMint is being called by dozens of you leftists in this thread today. He's a good, decent man and all you people want to do is mercilessly assassinate his character.
Sad.
Thank Goodness.. rid the congress of tea partiers politicians..and truth be told.. they are the ones responsible for the GOP loss to regain the White House on 11-6-2012.
the GOP can thank also Glen Beck, Hannity, Oreilly, Palin, and that fat lying radio announcer drug user- the GOP mouth piece of influence. The list is endless of sheer rhetoric that's race based in nature..when the demographics of this nation in the last 20 years is no longer white or black, its multicultural and multi-ethnic and less european ethnicity .. so until the GOP address their policies to this inherent TRUTH, their party will decrease each election cycle.
Being black, left-handed or being gay is just as natural. It is a sometimes rare occurrence to fall in Love and to hold that person in your heart and be loved in return ... it is something that should be celebrated! If it’s between two guys or two girls -- all the better. It takes even more courage to defend that LOVE!
The evil writings in Leviticus 18:22 … against gays – depict: “P” … “priestly rules” & expanded by the pope; homophobes and religious frauds … to attack the gay community and never meant to apply to the public -- but to priests. Leviticus was written long after Moses -- 600BC.
There is no scientific evidence to prove any of the cross related bogus elements of christianity and other religions. Our early human ancestors; on this earth … go back more than 6 million years … 5,996,000 years before the Greeks, Romans and the Jews. Christianity is basically a 2012 year old fictional cult.
In the year 300 AD when Emperor Constantine, who to some was the first pope; went on to fabricate & market Christianity!
Christianity is a fantasy; which turned out to be one of the most hateful & evil concoctions ever perpetrated on the world.
Now, DeMint won't have to be bound by truth or decency or any of those vexing things.
The proud gay community played a pivotal role in the re-election of President Obama exposing the hate based cult of the religious extremists in the Republican Party who should face taxation and or/closure! Enough with the corruption from the lunatic fringe; who have gotten away with kids committing suicide -- driven by ignorant family members manipulated by the insane clergy. Religion has no place in today’s society of thinkers and intellectuals … who can see though the lies!
Grant....nice rant. Hope you feel better. Too bad for you that you choose to live in the Christian Capital of the world. If you are truly seeking peace in your life, you have the right to move to a truly secular European country because America is founded on Christian principles. Like it or not, those principles will be around for a long time so long as the Constitution survives nut jobs like you. It's obvious you hate Christians just as Islamic Terrorists do, but Christians aren't going away just because the Godless left-wing won an election. You should seek counseling for your anger and vitriol too.
What a bunch of BS you are spouting. Many who came to America were looking for FREEDOM FROM RELIGION. The Republican, I mean, The Retaliban Party got the message loud and clear in this last election yet they continue in their self-serving attempt to redefine and rewrite the basis of American Freedom which is clearly stated in our Constitution, i.e. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. That means you can pray at any alter you want but you CANNOT base politics on it. Retaliban Party Members, like Jim here, violate their Oath of Office 24/7 by not upholding the Constitution. Plus, the guy is perfect for the Heritage Foundation which has ZERO to offer women, people of color and non-christians. The only word you got right is 'secular' and it applies to your thinking.
Would this be considered a Christmas miracle?
"....The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank". "Think tank" has GOT to be a misnomer. They don't "think" for me.
Bye.. we are glad to see the back of you..
Who is next.... McCain? That would be Chrismas on K Street
The Republican Party; have self-destructed -- on the grounds of homophobia & religious corruption!
That's why we are proceeding to get rid of them...stay tuned.
One less TeaBagger............. Amen
First of all, calling the Heritage Foundation a conservative "think" tank is false advertising. In order to subscribe to their beliefs you must refuse to think. It is the first rule.
Second, DeMint can go anywhere he wants, so long as he goes. The Senate will be a better place without him, although I am not optimistic about the liklihood that Nikki Haley will appoint anyone with a brain.
So long, douche. The Heritage Foundation is a great place for you, a bunch of neanderthal racists and religious nuts. Here's wishing you no success in your endeavors.
HE cannot stand the stench of RINO's in the Senate and house! and he is offended by Bohner's stupidity, tepidness, and crying and whining, NO MORE RINO's! we need a third, actually , a second party, the Republicans are dead, I as a conservative will no longer vote for one , regardless of who they run unless they meet my conservative standards! otherwise there is NO difference between a RINO and a demonrat. Thre is more to this than meets the eye!
I as a Republican hope you far right nitwits start your own party. I am tired of having you fools lose elections for us. Just go away and shut the f#*k up. Conservatism is dead and you clowns killed it.
if we do, you will lose forever, which is the raod your on, go registr as a demonrat stupid,
Your moniker of an x over the women's mouth to silence her says it all. Don't like free speech huh? Wonder why your candidates don't win?
I'll bet that if this had been ANY Republican other than Jim DeMint, the majority of the comments would still be filled with hate, displeasure, disdain, etc.
We wish Senator DeMint the best in his future endeavor.
Liberals don't do much except hate, it runs in their blood and makes up most of their DNA, the rest be occupied by stupid genes.
Hot dog! The Demented is leaving. Now if only the rest of the Stupid Party would leave office.
We the people will recall all these tea turds
Good luck.
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint"I'm leaving the Senate now, but I'm not leaving the fight. I've decided to join The Heritage Foundation!!!
The Heritage Foundation!!! is the Right Wing Propaganda machine!! where Tea-Publican screw-ball ideas come from!!!
Heritage Foundation run be the Kock Brothers and the rest of the upper 3%
Despite the smartass comments here, the loss of even one Republican Senator is one too many. As it stands now, the Republicans haven't a chance of overturning some of the idiotic bills that come before the Senate body, most of which cost the taxpayers money. On the other hand, no one can blame Mr DeMint for taking the job at the Heritage Foundation which is a lot more permanent than being a Senator and no more campaigns to suffer through.
I am all in favor of letting Obama having his way and for the Demorats to gain control of Congress. Then...everthing will be his and their fault.
That's great news! The tea party folks are going to be on the outside looking in pretty soon. It's the beginning of the end for Grover Norquist too. These folks are only an impediment to progress and to congress getting it's work done.
The Democrats owe DeMint a debt of gratitude. He kept the Senate in their hands with his teabagger candidates in 2010 &2012. I'm sure he will keep up the good work at Heritage and find more crazy House & Senate candidates in 2014.
South Carolina will just replace him with a jr. right wing radical. He knows the Republican Party is about to go through a major adjustment toward the center. No surprise he would go to something like the Heritage Foundation, a bastion of far right wing ideology.
Later boy,,,
The tolerance and compassion on display here is so heart warming.
But considering how the Tea Party is no better, it's hardly a surprise.
Take ALEC, add one measure of the Heritage Foundation and a pinch of CATO and you have the makings of a disaster of Titanic proportions.