DeMint: GOP leadership "has gone to the left"

The senator from South Carolina has a diagnosis for the problems in the Republican Party

Published December 10, 2009 3:56PM (EST)

Most people wouldn't say that the problem with today's Republican Party is that it's too liberal. Not Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

No, according to DeMint, "The problem here in the Republican Party is not that our base has gone to the right. The problem in the Republican Party is that the leadership has gone to the left and the tea parties and the Republicans out across the country are right there where American principles have always been."

That's what the senator said in a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody. He added, "I’m trying to pull the party back to the mainstream of where America really is.”

DeMint also told Brody that one of the reasons he's gotten involved in endorsing conservative candidates this year is, "I need some new Republicans, people who believe in constitutional government, a balanced budget and liberty and so I’m out across the country recruiting new Republicans who I think if they get here will not only challenge the institutions of government but be willing to even challenge the Republican Party and our leadership if they feel like we’re going in the wrong direction."


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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Jim Demint R-s.c. Republican Party