Thread: DeMint: Conceding Debt Ceiling Battle Will Destroy GOP

DeMint: Conceding Debt Ceiling Battle Will Destroy GOP

Friday, 24 Jun 2011 12:20 PM
By Martin Gould, Hiram Reisner and Abigail Walls

Tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint issued a rallying call to all Republicans telling them if they cave in to Democratic demands on debt ceiling talks they can kiss their future in the GOP goodbye.

The two-term junior senator from South Carolina made it clear that Republicans must stand up and say there can be no increase to the limit without a huge cut in spending.

His call came as bipartisan talks on raising the debt ceiling led by Vice-President Joe Biden broke down when Republican Rep. Eric Cantor and Sen. Jon Kyl walked out. Now it seems inevitable that the only way they will end in success is if President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner get involved and somehow come to an agreement.

But in a series of television appearances, DeMint, a powerbroker who has proved how crucial his support can be to GOP candidates, said he won’t support anyone who caves.

“Based on what I can see around the country, not only are those individuals gone, but I would suspect the Republican Party would be set back many years,â€

Fed-Up GOP to Obama: No New Taxes http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/Obama-D ... /id/401360

Boehner: Debt Increase Can't Pass with Tax Hikes http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Debt ... /id/401340

Analysis: Stakes Huge for Boehner in Debt Debate http://www.newsmax.com/US/Boehner-budge ... /id/401361

WashPost/Pew: Americans Fear Debt Ceiling Hike http://www.newsmax.com/US/Debt-Ceiling- ... /id/397676

Geithner: Debt Limit Deal Will ‘Absolutely’ Happen http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Timoth ... /id/401346

Gallup: 70% of Republicans Oppose Debt Hike http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Gall ... /id/396272

Lawmakers Harden Positions on Taxes, Spending http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Budget ... /id/401342

The 'toxic vote' that could sweep GOP out of Congress for years

DeMint says if Repubs don't handle debt limit right, they're out in 2012

Posted: June 25, 2011
14:45 am Eastern
© 2011 WND

WASHINGTON – Someone in Washington has finally figured out why opposing another hike in borrowing is the most important issue facing America – and particularly for Republicans, says Joseph Farah, editor and chief executive officer of WND and founder of the grass-roots "No More Red Ink" campaign.

Farah was referring to Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina who told ABC News today that Republicans who support raising the debt limit without first passing a balanced budget amendment and massive across-the-board spending cuts will be out in 2012.

"You're gone," he said, "destined to be swept out of Congress by a wave of voter anger. Based on what I can see around the country not only are those individuals gone, but I would suspect the Republican Party would be set back many years. It would be the most toxic vote. I can tell you if you look at the polls, Democrats, Republicans, independents, they do not think we should increase the debt limit."

Farah says DeMint is absolutely right.

"Republicans who don't oppose raising the debt limit are not only out of tune with their own party, they are out of tune with Democrats and independents – in other words, all voters," he said. "DeMint understands this is the key vote of this session of Congress and, for that matter, any session. It will be the defining vote on what kind of country we will be in the future – a borrow-and-spend country that mortgages the future of our children and grandchildren or one that takes a step back from socialism and tyranny toward constitutionally limited government. That's the choice."

The "No More Red Ink" campaign began long before all the debate about the debt limit. Farah launched it in January, foreseeing that it would become the defining issue for Republicans in the House – who have the complete power to say no more borrowing and spending this year. The campaign has sent over 1 million letters to House Republicans urging them to do just that – regardless of any concessions they might be offered by Barack Obama or Democrats.

Farah says few Americans yet understand that House Republicans alone control the destiny of the debt limit. This is why it is such a critical issue for Republicans in the next election. There are 240 Republicans in the House. If 218 of them oppose raising the debt limit, hundreds of billions of dollars will need to be cut from Washington spending this year – and there is nothing Obama or the Democrats in the House and Senate can do about it.

"That's why I characterize this vote as the Republicans' nuclear weapon," said Farah. "And guess what? They were elected to use it. If they don't, DeMint is right – many of them won't be back for a second chance."

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