DeMint Talks Politics, Policy in Upstate

Sen. Jim DeMint used his tour through the Upstate Wednesday to rip into President Barack Obama and implore Americans to select a Republican presidential candidate based on substance instead of style.

Less than a week before the he hosts the much-discussed Palmetto Freedom Forum, DeMint visited the Upstate for much of the day on Wednesday. DeMint stopped in Greenville, Greer and Simpsonville, speaking briefly before taking questions from mostly supportive constituents.

DeMint said he would wait and vet the candidates and their records more before coming to a decision of who he supports, encouraging others to do the same. He also used his visit to The Poinsett Club to make a jab at Obama's qualifications. 

"We need to make sure they have the character, the courage and the confidence to run the largest and most complex organization in the world," DeMint said. "It is foolish for us to be attracted by charisma, someone who can give a good speech without looking at the person's resume. You wouldn't hire the lowest level manager in your organization if he had the resume of Barack Obama."

"I'm encouraging people who aren't already committed to a candidate to wait," he added. "Every week you're going to learn more about these candidates."

DeMint also criticized the entire field of GOP candidates for not being outspoken enough in the contentious battle over the debt ceiling, the resolution of which he argued did nothing to reduce spending. 

"They were too quiet during the debt limit debate. They left us hanging out there. That's not who I'm looking for," DeMint said. 

Afterwards, he expounded on his comments. 

"I just don't think the candidates spoke strongly enough once the final product was on the table. But they're not in Washington, and it took a while to find out what was in the final package," DeMint said. "I think what we come up with in the Super Congress is likely to be a very bad product. We need for Republicans to take a strong stand."

It wasn't the last time DeMint would demand politicians stand on principle, regardless of political affiliation, calling the last two years the "darkest" in his political career. During his stop at the Golden Strip Tri-Chamber Business Reception in Simpsonville, he said the bitter battle over the broader issue of government power and spending has ultimately been transformative for the nation.

"The culture of Washington has changed in the last two years," DeMint said. "Now you have people in the House and Senate who aren't as concerned with how much they bring back home, as they are with doing what's right."

From a policy standpoint, almost all of the questions DeMint received were, unsurprisingly, about the economy. No mention was made of Libya or the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq or the upcoming anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Instead, DeMint reiterated his commitment to a balanced budget amendment and flat tax.

The senator also addressed his own political future, having recently admitted that he may not seek re-election in 2016.

DeMint spoke highly of a new wave of like-minded politicians both far (Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Pat Toomey) and near (Trey Gowdy, Jeff Duncan and Tim Scott), who could carry the conservative torch.

DeMint, who turns 60 on Friday, also noted that in 2016 he’ll be 65 and eligible for Medicaid and Social Security, and with a laugh, he said, “I’ll tell my children I’m not a conservative anymore and I want big government and I want them to pay for me.”