http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/271411-jim-demint-resigns-from-senate Time to cash in I guess, but it seems bizarre to do it without even serving out the term you were elected for. But then again, gotta ask yourself "What would Sarah Palin Do?"
He's going to the Heritage Foundation because he wants to make a difference*! Literally writing and passing the laws of the land was too hands-off for DeMint. *(A difference to his bank account balance)
My theory behind the move (reposted from qt3): DeMint is basically looking at being helpless for at least another two years and more likely another four (I doubt the GOP gets the Senate in 2014). Right now insofar as conservative stuff is going to happen, it's going to happen because the White House and House majority come to an agreement; the Senate is literally an afterthought. The only thing DeMint might be able to do is participate in a few filibusters against nominees. This after six years of being the minority... That's a solid decade. It's a long time, and I don't blame him for wanting out. The reality of life for a Senator or Congressperson is that it's not very fun. Yeah there are nice perks and junkets and everyone kissing your ass, but it's also a ton of travel, being away from your family, and begging people you probably don't like very much for money. The payoff is you get to write the laws of the land but, as I pointed out, DeMint really isn't going to be able to do that. The Heritage gig will undoubtedly pay more and involve less stress, so it's not surprising that he'd take it.
I'd absolutely blame him, if I had voted for him. They call it "serving" in Congress because it's a role in which you accept a large responsibility to the people that you represent. If he wanted to have "fun," then he should have gone to Disney World instead of running for the Senate.
He could actually start proposing worthwhile legislation, but I guess that goes against being in the Tea Party caucus.
Oh totally. I'm not saying he should resign, I'm just recognizing he's human and he's probably got pretty human reasons for quitting.
Just to be clear, that snark was not directed at you, jeffd. I'm sure that you are correct about his motivations; I just think that they reflect poorly on DeMint as a person. Especially in the context of quitting two-years into his term. If he chose to not run again at the end of his term, that would be another matter. But he made a promise to his constituents to represent their interests in Washington for six years, and some of those constituents spent millions of dollars to make it happen. Bugging out early to take a high-paying job elsewhere is crass and borderline unethical.
It will certainly mean he has to think a lot less. Surely all those brain cells he saves will prove useful!
I'm going to link to this Jennifer Rubin column because a useful Jennifer Rubin column is like finding a snow leopard in your sock drawer, that also contains socks made of woven angel burps - so rare as to be impossible*. Jim DeMint is the final nail in the Heritage Foundation's coffin. Jim DeMint, if anyone has forgot, once said that Gays and Single Women shouldn't be allowed to teach in schools. *She is awful, just awful.
I got a whole "scandal avoidance/pre-emotion" vibe out of it, but I probably watch too much Thick Of It (ha! No such quantity!). Is he Heritage job so time sensitive? Is there a coming fiscal deal that is already locked in but for the kabuki that would compromise him? Is there pressure from somewhere for the South Carolina governor to appoint a replacement? Is Stephen Colbert bucking for the appointment and have some fresh dirt on DeMint allowing for a new Senatorial comedy duo: The Franken-Colbert Show?
Most of the writing I've seen on the subject suggests that this is a a reasonable move for DeMint with respect to his effectiveness given the current political position of the Republican party. It sets off alarms for me personally for a few reasons: There's no question that this is a big pay raise for DeMint, and we've seen a sharp, mainly Republican uptick in resignations for money that began with Sarah Palin and lately is continuing with both DeMint and Dick Armey; It represents the continued politicization of think tanks, which while ideologically aligned at least aimed to produce credible research; and, most of all, We expect, on a cultural level, that someone elected to political office will finish their term barring some kind of major mitigating life issue like severe personal injury (e.g. Giffords) or major family issue, or a disqualifying scandal. Recall also in any discussion of Jim DeMint's voice in the Senate that he recruited several mini-DeMints who remain in office.
One reason to go now is to give your appointed successor an incumbency advantage at the Special Election in two years.
She should appoint Yoda. I know that he's A) not real, and B) dead, but man, would I ever love to hear him filibuster.
