Difference between revisions of "Jim DeMint"

Revision as of 19:13, December 31, 2009

Jim DeMint
U.S. Senator from South Carolina From: January 3, 2005 – Present
Predecessor	Ernest Hollings
Successor	Incumbent (no successor)
U.S. Representative from South Carolina's 4th Congressional District From: January 6, 1999 – January 3, 2005
Predecessor	Bob Inglis
Successor	Bob Inglis
Information
Party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Debbie DeMint
Religion	Christian

Jim DeMint, born September 2, 1951 (age 72), was elected on November 2, 2004 as South Carolina’s junior U.S. Senator. An outspoken conservative, he is an emerging leader in the Republican Party.

Early life and education

DeMint was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, he earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and received his Master's degree from Clemson University. He owned a market research firm in Greenville, the DeMint Group.^[1] He remains a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.

United States Senate

DeMint has dedicated his life in public service to defending the values that have made America great -- individual liberty, free markets and faith. He currently serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. DeMint has worked with President George W. Bush to pass tax relief measures, and he cast important votes to end the marriage penalty, repeal the death tax, and increase the amount of money workers can contribute to retirement savings plans. In March of 2007, DeMint was ranked by National Journal as the most conservative United States Senator in their conservative/liberal rankings. In the 2008 Presidential election, he endorsed Republican Mitt Romney, then supported the John McCain campaign.

Demint has been a leading conservative critic of President Obama's policies, saying about his health care plan: "The last time the President made grand promises and demanded passage of a bill before it could be reviewed, we ended up with the colossal stimulus failure and unemployment near 10 percent", ^[2] referring to the economic stimulus package.

In 2009, Senator DeMint authored the book Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism

2010 reelection

DeMint's outspoken opposition to President Obama’s health care plans made him a polarizing figure nationally, but at home it has strengthened his reelection bid. Voters show growing discomfort with the Democratic agenda; big-name Democratic potential challengers have kept silent, realizing DeMint's base of support is strong and growing. "I think we have to acknowledge, it’s going to be a tough race for any Democrat," confessed Joe Erwin, former state Democratic chair and one of two party recruits to pass on the race. Erwin said DeMint’s status as "a poster child" for anti-Obama factions means "It’s essentially going to be a nationalized election....National money would flow in here in bucketfuls if there is a serious enough opponent that looks like he or she would give DeMint a real competitive battle."

While DeMint’s ideological stand — including his famous comment that Obama’s failure to pass a health care overhaul could be his "Waterloo" — have hurt him somewhat among businessmen and moderates, they have solidified his conservative base so that his reelection appears safe.

9/12 March On Washington

DeMint attended the September 12th, 2009 TEA party organized in Washington D.C. He spoke at the rally saying he'd had enough of "Alice in Wonderland" politicians promising more programs at the risk of financial disaster. ^[3]

References

1. ↑ Short Biography
2. ↑ http://demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=99867a17-09e2-6f21-b777-8f3d2bac8879
3. ↑ Tea Party Express Takes Washington By Storm, Fox News, September 12, 2009

External Links

• U.S. Senator Jim DeMint - Official Site at www.senate.gov
• Jim DeMint: A conservative’s conservative. Michelle Malkin article: [1]