DeMint: A conservative kingmaker upends GOP order

DeMint is a leading conservative in the Senate who is pushing as hard as he can against RINO's by supporting conservative candidates throughout the nation. Republicans during the Bush years looked more like liberal Democrats in their spending frenzy and DeMint wants it to stop. The way he has set out to do it is to help true conservatives get elected. There is a possible downside to this if the fledgling candidates cannot attract enough independent voters to defeat their Democrat opponents. If this happens, we may see Democrat majorities in Congress through 2012. True conservatism is something I believe in and this is the year to attack the status quo. Wish DeMint well.

Excerpt: Jim DeMint is becoming something of a tea party hero, even a potential conservative kingmaker, a status that is not making the freshman senator many friends among fellow Republicans in Congress.

A backbencher known for his eagerness to challenge the Republican establishment, DeMint is becoming one of the most influential voices of the conservative rebellion that's shaking up GOP primaries. Tapping an anti-incumbent fervor, the South Carolina lawmaker is a coveted — and feared — endorsement, funneling money and grass-roots energy to long-shot candidates who threaten Washington's GOP favorites.

DeMint, who rejects suggestions that he wants to challenge McConnell as party leader, argues that Republicans will succeed if they stand by their principles. Although some of his endorsed candidates have faltered — state Sen. Marlin Stutzman lost the Indiana primary last week — most are faring well in polls.

"We're gonna find out in November," he said. "I don't know that I'm always going to be right, but I do know this: I'm not going to sit on the sidelines again. When we tell people we're the conservative party ... I want to make sure we have people sitting in those seats who really mean it." Read full article here.