The
Tea Party is over for two-term Senator Jim DeMint who is retiring right now, and
will depart the Senate in January to spend some quality time as President of a
conservative think tank, which will undoubtedly fatten his wallet to a greater
degree than his taxpayer-funded salary.
According to the Washington Post, DeMint said in a statement Thursday morning ...
"It's been an honor to serve the people of South Carolina in the United States Senate for the past eight years, but now it's time for me to pass the torch to someone else and take on a new role in the fight for America's future. I'm leaving the Senate now, but I'm not leaving the fight."I've decided to join The Heritage Foundation at a time when the conservative movement needs strong leadership in the battle of ideas. No organization is better equipped to lead this fight and I believe my experience in public office as well as in the private sector as a business owner will help Heritage become even more effective in the years to come..."
According to a Washington Post analysis of congressional wealth, DeMint is among the poorest members of Congress. His estimated wealth in 2010 was $40,501. He could stand to receive a significant bump in pay in his new position. Retiring heritage Foundation president Edwin J. Feulner's total 2010 compensation package from Heritage was more than $1 million, tax records show.
Feulner, 71, will continue part-time as chairman of the foundation's Asian Studies Center.
The New York Times reports...
"Mr. DeMint -- who has fashioned himself into a bit of a kingmaker for conservative Republicans, often at the expense of his own Republican colleagues -- now finds himself with a comfortable and well-paying perch that will provide a platform to continue his efforts to push the Republican Party to the right."His imminent departure will allow him to oppose even more loudly a big budget deal that includes higher tax revenues sought by President Obama. He has been among the biggest critics of a deal proffered by House Speaker John A. Boehner to address the impending fiscal crisis by generating at least $800 billion in new tax revenue."
Ah poor Jimmy. Greener pastures beckon. Forget that "servant of the people" crapola, your constituents can't sweeten your tea like the Neocons can, with their big fat honeypots. I'm sure the good people of South Carolina can dredge up another kooky conservative to take your place. They're good at that, sorry to say, given that state's historical preference for political figures of the flying monkey variety.
