DeMint: States can lead conservative comeback
Since the 2012 election, some conservatives have blamed their losses on their message while others pointed fingers at the messengers. Truth is, both camps have a point.
That’s why Jim DeMint aims to tackle both problems from his new perch at the Heritage Foundation, which he is joining as president after eight years as a U.S. senator from South Carolina.
“I’m convinced if we have the right ideas, the right messengers, the right message, we can win,” DeMint told me Tuesday before greeting Heritage members at the Westin Buckhead.
Part of the challenge is stylistic: “We can’t just talk like a bunch of engineers” about things like budget deficits, he argued.
“We’ve got to help people see how our policies actually can make their lives better. … And the way we can do it is actually put the camera on people whose lives have been changed.”
DeMint pointed specifically to the different approaches GOP-led Pennsylvania and Democrat-controlled New York have taken to their natural-gas deposits which have been made more accessible by hydraulic-fracturing, or “fracking,” technology.
“It’s almost like a line between North and South Korea,” DeMint said. “On one side, in New York, they’re not developing the energy. And on the Pennsylvania side, we can talk to families whose lives are better” because of the jobs that have come thanks to fracking.
There will be more opportunities for making such comparisons thanks to the one area where conservatives actually made inroads last November.
“We’ve got more conservative governors and legislatures, [and] they’re doing bold things now with the states on school choice, with tax reform. … We’ve just got to showcase those ideas and show how they’re working.”
Even without a turnover of power in Washington, DeMint said there are ways for conservative state leaders to prod the feds in the right direction.
He pointed to the 26 states that sued to overturn Obamacare. While they didn’t get the entire law declared unconstitutional, they did persuade the Supreme Court to rule Congress was overly coercive in threatening to reduce the states’ existing Medicaid funding if they didn’t expand the program.
But despite their legal victory, some conservative governors have been reluctant to decline the expansion — and the federal funds that come with it, albeit at a cost of billions of dollars for the states.
“Some governors realize this is a dead-end street,” he said. “At some point, you’ve got to say, ‘Keep your money, we’re going to make it ourselves.’ That’s where we have to really work on block-grant ideas, so that states can get back the money they send up there, whether it be for transportation or education or Medicaid.
“We’re going to try to build a coalition of states that will push back against the federal government on these things. I think we’re close to having half the states who would come together to just say no.”
Banding together will become even more crucial very soon, he warned.
“What you’re going to see over the next few years, is these states that are failing, with terrible tax policy, regulatory policy, energy policy, they’re going to be in Washington needing a bailout,” he said.
“That’s why I think this coalition of states, what I might call a Coalition of Responsible States, is so important, to give each other support and push back against the federal government.”
– By Kyle Wingfield
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577 comments Add your comment
Aquagirl
February 18th, 2013
3:20 pm
I suggest you read up about Rutherford B. Hayes, Aquagirl, before you dismiss him so cavalierly
Well, if he’s on the ballot I’ll just have to skip that race. Though he doesn’t have to run himself to help the GOP, perhaps Aesop can arrange his appearance for Republican fundraisers on the South side of town.
Or people who shriek about how awesomely great Republicans were in 1880 might realize the rest of us are more concerned with today’s Republicans. Waving Rutherford Hayes’ corpse around only distracts…well, nobody. But I can see how the party of Mitt Romney might prefer a desiccated cadaver.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
February 18th, 2013
3:21 pm
“They say. . . .”
Usually uttered by people who don’t actually know anything.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
February 18th, 2013
3:22 pm
Kinda like people who presume to speak for ” the American People “.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 18th, 2013
3:24 pm
Kinda like people who presume to speak for ” the American People
Like we heard pre-election: “Obozo is done. The American people are tired of this clown.”
Like that?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
3:24 pm
TRUE, so don’t EVEN claim Lincoln (or even Ronald Raygun) as a Republican anymore! They are DEMOCRATS (compared to today’s extremist moronic GOP).
Don’t have any good presidents of your own, I see.
EVERYMAN
February 18th, 2013
3:24 pm
Wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a country where ALL Americans were treated EXACTLY the same! All would have the SAME rights under the law, regardless of race. In that country, each person would be taxed the SAME tax rate, no matter what their income was and ALL income would be taxed at that rate with no deductions. In that way, the market would pick the winners and losers, not the government. Then, add a balanced budget to the constitution and raise or lower the rate depending upon if there is a surplus or a deficit. The rate could be changed each year. We then could have all the entitlements we would be willing to pay for, but not more. In this way, ALL would have skin in the game, and all would be more frugal.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
February 18th, 2013
3:25 pm
I see that Aquagirl prefers to remain ignorant.
On so many things.
She usually isn’t so open about it, though.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
3:27 pm
Honestly, twenty, fifty, even a hundred years from now what will people fondly remember about clinton and obozo? Two of the most corrupt, dishonest, perverted posers that ever held the office?
Reagan and Lincoln would slap you across your filthy mouth.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
February 18th, 2013
3:28 pm
Only one poster is using the byline “The American People”, Finn.
Pay attention, no matter how hard that is for you.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
3:30 pm
aq – The 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865. Andrew Johnson was the president. What does Rutherford Hayes have to do with this? Are you even aware of our non pmsnbc history?
Politico
February 18th, 2013
3:36 pm
Aesop
Reagan the actor or the guy who couldn’t remember anything when questioned about Iran Contra….
Oh, my bad…. One in the same
Politico
February 18th, 2013
3:41 pm
Aesop
And speaking of being corrupt, the Democrats surely have their crooks and cronies but no administration has ever had more officials investigated, indicted and convicted than your hero Reagan’s administration
Just the facts little boy blunder, just the facts
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
3:43 pm
politico – Yes, I understand, you have been brainwashed to hate Reagan because he brought America back from the brink. Problem is, why are some other liberals trying to claim him as their own?
Politico
February 18th, 2013
3:46 pm
Aesop
Hate is your gig. You have nothing that I posted that says about hate…. Your hate projections and impications are you just mirroring yourself onto others…
Nice try, little buddy
EVERYMAN
February 18th, 2013
3:47 pm
I would also like to add that we are a nation that is under the rule of law, not the opinion of people. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when polls come out stating that a majority of people are in favor of higher taxes on the rich. Well, DUHH!!! Most are not rich so OF COURSE they would be in favor of that!! What if the majority of people were in favor of taxing people on the basis of their ethnicity? There would be an uproar, thank God for the constitution! TREAT EVERY AMERICAN THE SAME! Then, let them succeed according to their skills, wits, and work ethic. The outcomes will never be the same for all, but fair for all. THAT is what the founding fathers wanted. President Obama stated in the state of the union that any American who worked full time should not live in poverty. Well, that sounds nice, but, the truth of the matter is, if a minimum wage job is the best you can do, due to your skillset, then you will be poor. My father taught me that there is honor in all/any work, but not equal reward. I respect any who work, they are just as good as the Trumps, Gates and so on, but they are NOT promised any certain standard of living by the constitution, just the chance to rise to any level their skills and talents will allow. It goes without being said that anyone who is truly disabled is the exception to this and they deserve our charity.
Furious Styles
February 18th, 2013
3:49 pm
Conservative comeback??? The dinosaurs are gone and aren’t coming back, correct?
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 18th, 2013
4:04 pm
Two overriding things pop out as I review the comments, 1) Dems just love to tell the GOP how they should change and why they lost the last election. Biggest reason they lost, they were facing an incumbent, and incumbents rarely lose. So according to the Dems, Coca-cola should let Pepsi formulate their drinks.
2) Dumb GOP voters vote against their best interest. This is so old and so stupid. I realize the Dems have a short term outlook on anything that puts money in their pocket and takes it from the people who earn it, but not everyone is that immoral and crass. Yes, if you want to get back more than you put in, you should definitely vote for the Dems. However, if you care about your children, grandchildren, and the long term well being of the country, you may have to give up some short term undeserved gains, and vote for the adult party, the GOP.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
4:08 pm
politico – Look, I completely understand your position in this discussion, that being you having two total clowns as your reference to greatness. Pigs will lift off the ground and fly, a marvel of “evolution,” before obozo and clinton are ever consider higher than like 23rd or 24th. I’ve got Reagan, a sure top fiver. We can see why you hate this.
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 18th, 2013
4:10 pm
Just last week, Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu argued during a Capitol Hill hearing that the government needs more tax revenue.
But in a twist of hypocrisy, the Louisiana senator and her husband appear to have not yet paid $1,206.95 in tax penalties to the District of Columbia government on their Capitol Hill home, The Daily Caller has learned.
According to public records available online in the District of Columbia’s “Real Property Assessment Database,” the D.C. government has penalized Landrieu $1,003.33, plus $202.62 in interest, for 2012 taxes on her mansion on East Capitol Street. It is unclear what the penalty is for.
From Dailycaller.com Pay your taxes, set a good example, Prog.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
4:12 pm
Look at who kookman’s trotting around this afternoon, cherry picking his quotes. Even if I smoked crack I would never even consider quoting LBJ or FDR. When you have such lame animals in your stable, you search around for better stock. Why do you libs always find a Republican to latch onto?
indigo
February 18th, 2013
4:16 pm
Aesop – 2:20 “why would anyone question the NRA”
That speaks more clearly to your education and IQ than anything else I can think of.
Hint – They’re not good.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
4:21 pm
indie – The NRA is able to comprehend what the Constitution says. Meanwhile, you are on the same side a pol pot and stalin. When YOU question MY intelligence it only confirms my superiority.
md
February 18th, 2013
4:26 pm
“While I don’t see raising the minimum wage as the panacea that some on the left see it has, I also don’t buy into the same tired rhetoric that the right brings out each time there is a proposed increase. ”
Might be why I lead of the post with “It is a double edged sword”……..
md
February 18th, 2013
4:36 pm
Finn…..not sure where you live, but the strip malls around me are still half vacant with stores still closing every other week. Those are the mom and pops you want to saddle with higher labor costs while right now they are doing dishes themselves and pay little Johnny down the street to help out. They would love for business to pick up so they can hire little Joe, but folks like you are making it difficult for them…….
Then there is this little problem we have with jobs going offshore. The US consumer is buying all the cheap crap from China as it is and now you want the US to up their labor costs that are already 4x what they are in these developing countries……..I guess that makes sense to someone.
You plan on raising the minimum wage, you best be dictating to the consumer that they have to support their neighbors new raise by buying the goods and services made here, otherwise the hole just gets deeper and even more jobs flee to the sanctity of cheap labor……
Politico
February 18th, 2013
4:41 pm
Aesop
You are tap dancing so well, you might have been an extra on Hee Haw
Hahahahahahha
Politico
February 18th, 2013
4:46 pm
md
Some of those mom and pops you speak of had bad business plans, timing, marketing, etc.
I’m a one man band who augments with other consultants I partner with when needed… Obama or no President has or will keep me down
Tying it just to political perspective and narrative is a fool’s game of stupidity.
curious
February 18th, 2013
4:51 pm
Kyle,
You really do need better quality posters. Your most prolific don’t add to your image of a young conservative positive writer.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
4:55 pm
Companies use consultants so that they can avoid the tax and regulatory compliance issues of hiring a full time employee to do the same work and here’s politico, a consultant no less, marveling over the wonders of an enormous government.
clueless
md
February 18th, 2013
4:58 pm
“Tying it just to political perspective and narrative is a fool’s game of stupidity.”
It’s basic math…….if it wasn’t, just raise it to $100 an hour…….
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 18th, 2013
5:00 pm
This below is a great link to show how the GOP at the state level is paving the way for responsible government. With one glaring exception (Texas) GOP-led states are either in balance or close to balance, while Democrat states are frequently not.
It’s also fun to play with who is in power (governors or legislatures) and whether it is shared. Also interesting to see which states recently went from blue to red in some areas, and how they’re improving (Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan).
Either way, an interesting look.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/state-budget-crisis/
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 18th, 2013
5:02 pm
Midterm drop-off also is a very real problem for Democrats: Voter turnout falls dramatically for them in midterm elections, no matter who the president is — and especially among young people, blacks and Hispanics, the very voters who put Obama in office.
Like I was saying…..
Dusty
February 18th, 2013
5:02 pm
Dear MarkV
You asked a simple question so I will give you a simple answer.
You don’t spend money when you don’t have any. If you are in debt, you don’t have any money to spend.
That principle also applies to our country. We are rich in resources but we are not rich in finances. We are in debt. Trillions!
I’d stay with you longer but i am” oven-sitting” two Cornish hens and some wild rice. I don’t want them to get too wild.
Politico
February 18th, 2013
5:15 pm
md
I’m sure you read my post about the lefts panacea or are you just as usual stuck in your own political tunnel..
I’ve always thought you were a smart dude, but as stuck in your own political narrative as anyone that doesn’t fit your political views and narrative.
md
February 18th, 2013
5:21 pm
” but as stuck in your own political narrative as anyone that doesn’t fit your political views and narrative.”
And I’ll say it again, it’s not politics, it’s business math.
If company A only has $30 in it’s budget for labor, it has 2 choices with the variables of the current rate of $7 and the projected rate of $9.
9 into 30 = 3 employees
7 into 30 = 4 employees
It really is no more difficult than that.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 18th, 2013
5:25 pm
Amazing how liberals can’t get past that simple math, isn’t it, md?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 18th, 2013
5:28 pm
Amazing how liberals can’t get past that simple math, isn’t it, md?
Election night Karl Rove says, “What?”
Politico
February 18th, 2013
5:30 pm
md
And as long as everthing fits your narrative that you learned in your “program” (AA)p that is great, but life isn’t always that black and white for everyone.
Certain cases yes, other no
Life is more complex than the program they have to put certain people on. But I’m glad and thanful for those who need that and it works for them
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 18th, 2013
5:31 pm
Yes, I understand, you have been brainwashed to hate Reagan because he brought America back from the brink
He also tripled the National Debt.
Tripled.
That is what Reagan did.
He also cut and ran like a coward from Beirut when the barracks were bombed there pulling all the Marines out and not retaliating.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 18th, 2013
5:32 pm
Election night Karl Rove says, “What?”
LOL.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 18th, 2013
5:33 pm
Here is some simple math
92 killed at American embassies under Reagan.
33 killed at American embassies under Bush.
4 killed at American embassies under Obama.
Simple enough for you ???
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 18th, 2013
5:36 pm
9 into 30 = 3 employees
7 into 30 = 4 employees
It really is no more difficult than that.
Again. Republicans will do anything to protect taxes for super wealthy.
But paying someone making 14,000 a year a little more must be fought every step of the way.
Studies have shown in states that have already raised the minimum wage that it has had NO impact on employment levels
Try again.
Michael H. Smith
February 18th, 2013
5:37 pm
Coalition of States?
Uh, does Mr. DeMint understand that the Federal government is, for all intents and purposes, a Coalition of States?
Then again, once upon a time there was this confederacy of states that pushed back against the federal government by forming a new government and new separate country.
Just saying no didn’t work out so well back then, as I remember?
The better route to correcting the things the leftest got wrong will be to win both houses of Congress and the White House and then proceed with the constitutional process to remove the mistakes. But, BUT… the GOP might want to consider this part of scripture before they go about healing the land: Physician, heal thyself.
Oh, and this use of the term “the entitlements” that we conservatives toss around far too carelessly… um, we need to remember who paid for those SS and Medicare benefits, they are not unmerited gifts from some good government redistribution fairy – we the recipients paid for them!
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 18th, 2013
5:40 pm
we the recipients paid for them!
Amen
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
February 18th, 2013
5:40 pm
Kamchak doesn’t know the difference between “projections” and math.
Not surprising.
And not surprising that when faced with an unassailable argument, Cheesy and Kamchak deflect to another issue (and ignore history in doing so). Of course, these are the arm-chair generals who likely never served a day in their lives and call for us to not be involved in military adventures when it suits them, but seem to think that not escalating one back in Reagan’s day is considered “cutting and running”.
On second thought, cutting and running is what liberals do best anyway.
getalife
February 18th, 2013
5:40 pm
If you cons were consistent in your beliefs, you would hate reagan.
Hollywood actor, granted amnesty, cut and ran from Beirut, negotiated with terrorists with Iran/Contra and blew up the deficit.
Try being consistent in your beliefs so you don’t look like clowns.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 18th, 2013
5:41 pm
…cutting and running is what liberals do best anyway.
Sarah Palin says, “What?”
md
February 18th, 2013
5:41 pm
“And as long as everthing fits your narrative that you learned in your “program” (AA)p that is great, but life isn’t always that black and white for everyone.”
There will always be extremes on the left and right of every issue…..it is the average I worry about.
Politico
February 18th, 2013
5:42 pm
md
Suck that AA teet and I promise my work ethic, education, skill and know how will always beat out your tired rhetoric of the right..
I wish you no ill will but if you did as well as you tout via your political rants, you might be something.
Hillbilly D
February 18th, 2013
5:50 pm
If this blog was a person, I think it’s name would be Sybil.
Politico
February 18th, 2013
5:51 pm
Suck it md
You have bo “CHOICE”
I do, weekling