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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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Wow! An early Christmas present.
The republicans will probably have him running for president or VP in 2016. They have a nac of picking quitters half way through their terms to run.
Good riddance to an intellectual pygmy--let him peddle his hateful drivel to the true believing pin-heads and end his pretenses at statesmanship
I thought Boehner would be the first to go but this is great. DeMint, the most extreme teabagger in the Senate gone, then Boehner (after he folds), then Grover and who knows how many other Christmas presents the GOP will deliver. Happy dayz.
I don't think Demuth was referring to the departing senator - he was referring to the President. Read his remark again, with emphasis on the 2016 !! part.
'PROBUSINESS' above just spouting more right-wing talking point lies. NOTHING of what he said is even remotely true. Typical lying Republican.
Good riddance to bad rubbish…he should quit right today and expedite the process.
Jim WHO???
Conservative think tank??!! That's an oxymoron.
Tolerant liberal is also an oxymoron.
Get rid of the far right wackos and rebuild the party. Rush is wrong in thinking the Repubs are not conservative enough. The nation has shifted from right of center to a bit left. Obama, on the other hand, has shifted to the right. Should be an interesting four years...two actually, since the Repubs will hold the House in '14
I guess you failed your Political Recognition 101. Obama is on line with Conservatives. Nothing I like better than sticking it to a Troll, REX 1306908. Now there's a handle for you Troll Rex, sounds tuff.
Stick what fool, Odumbo is turning out to be another Bush...spending like crazy, keeping us involved in a useless war, denying rights to people who disagree with him. etc.
He should spew his hate on fox spews,oh that's right they,don't have a post,,losers
Now if all the rest of the Senators, regardless of party, will leave maybe we can save the country.
DeMint is just transferring from one part of the right-wing echo chamber to another part of the right-wing echo chamber!
"The Conservative movement needs strong leadership." DeMint says. The last thing they need is an EGO!
The GOP needs to rid itself off all these fascist bible toting moronic cretins who live off pure greed, vast incompetence and formidable arrogance! It needs to become the party of visonary entrepreneurs as a counterweight to the democratic party's overly socialistic ideas. Both parties need to learn to compromise and use common sense in their decisions and ruling. I would even welcome third/forth parties (like we have here in Europe) to be allowed to participate in the governing of a country as large and powerful as the USA in the interest of ALL citizens. Americans need to learn to compromise!!! Forget this Winner Takes All philosophy.
Bye and don't let the door hit you where the sun doesn't shine. Another worthless GOP/Tea Bagger off into the sunset. Maybe Harry Reid can finally getr something done. Unfortunately, South Carolina Governor Nikki(yes the broad that allowed the Russians to steal tax records from South Caroliniaians) will pick another Tea Bagger succerssor.
All the sore righties on here,thanks for the entertainment. Haheho
Well, your tea party puppet show really screwed up the Republican Party, no doubt you will be the same idiot with your new job. Your a worthless person to the American people, you should go home and just sit on your porch. This is the way of helping the republican party. As always, your just a puppet to Grover Norquist. You could help America by leaving America. We don't need puppets for money in your pockets for us Americans.
I think the republican party should tack hard right, even more extreme than the teabaggers. Lets see where they end up.
YAHOO!!! Can't think of a bigger boob more appropriate to finish the Heritage Foundation's run right into the ground.
Trailer park types,baggers and bibles ,losers
What a great Christmas Present. He might now have to be responsible for his STUPID actions while sucking on the Government TEAT. I bet he will keep his pension and extra great Medical benefits from the Government.N0W the people of his home state[the lowly 47% that got all those government freebees,while he was bleeding the system may have to earn a living. Now we have to believe in DIVINE help was involved in getting rid of him.
I think we are going to see a mass exodus of the Tea Party folks in 2014 as the Republican Party leadership fully realizes that a full conservative agenda, like what the TP wants, doesn't work. DeMint leaving is just starting the trickle.
It is possible that without so much conservatism flying around, Senate or House not withstanding, that these people might actually get the clue that moderate polices when able and compromise are the only way to get things done. A grass roots conservative departs, it allows the other more moderate folks to have a voice.
I agree, Limbaugh is stumbling around now, can't think of much to say.
Haha hehe hoho later you,tea bagger hoe
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