Talk:Jim DeMint

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Contents

[edit] DeMint's apology

DeMint issued clarifying comments in the wake of his controversial statement about gay and unmarried teachers. But they amounted to neither a retraction of his statements, nor an apology for the pain they may have caused among his constituents and observers. DeMint expressed a regret for having commented on his personal views during his campaign. He explained that it was only appropriate for him to comment on issues directly applicable to the position of Senator; not such issues as he deems are domain of local education officials. The below reference to the Greenville Online News correctly characterizes DeMint's apology as "generic." Greenville News states: "...whether DeMint was apologizing for Sunday's remark about gays, Tuesday's about unwed teachers, or both, wasn't clear from the statement issued by his campaign." --24.51.38.135 14:19, 19 Jan 2005 (UTC)

DeMint's statement was more than an expression of regret, he did actually apologize ("So, as my wife often reminds me, sometimes my heart disengages from my head and I say something I shouldn’t — and that’s what happened yesterday. I clearly said something as a dad that I just shouldn’t have said. And I apologize." [1]). And it's not that vague what he's apologizing for. He made comments on October 3 and 5, which were similar in nature and which drew a great deal of public attention. On October 6, he issued an apology specifically referencing both the subject matter of his earlier comments (the people responsible for educating children) and comments made "yesterday" (which would have been October 5). I think it would be consistent with the facts to insert a sentence that reads, "DeMint later apologized for his remarks," with a link to the text of the statement. As 24.51.38.135 notes, DeMint may not have apologized for the "pain [his comments] may have caused among his constituents and observers," but he did apologize for the remarks themselves. - Walkiped 21:18, 20 Jan 2005 (UTC)

He apologized for making the remarks, not for the remarks themselves or the harm they may have caused. Furthermore, his apology is based on the assertion that his personal socio-political views (as opposed to his professional socio-political views) should have been withheld from public disclosure. This assertion is so bizarre and unique in national politics that it strains the credibility of his apology. This excerpt from Meet the Press (October 17, 2004) includes a refusal to apologize for the remarks.

REP. DeMINT: Well, I apologize for that remark, because I really regret distracting from the main issues of this debate.
MR. RUSSERT: Well, do you apologize because it's a distraction or do you apologize for what you said?
REP. DeMINT: No, I apologize for distracting from the real issues of this debate. This is...
MR. RUSSERT: So do you--wait, but let's clarify. Do you believe that gays should be able to teach in the public schools of South Carolina?
REP. DeMINT: I believe that's a local school board issue and the voters of South Carolina want me to talk about how they're going to be safer, how they're going to have better jobs, how I'm going to save Social Security.
MR. RUSSERT: But you said they shouldn't be. And the Republican Party in South Carolina's platform...
REP. DeMINT: Right.
MR. RUSSERT: ...said they should not. Do you believe that gays should be able to teach in the public schools?
REP. DeMINT: I believe that's a local school board issue.
...
REP. DeMINT: I believe that's a local school board issue. And, Tim, I was answering as a dad who's put lots of children in the hands of teachers and I answered with my heart. And I should just say, again, I apologize that distracted from the real debate.
MR. RUSSERT: But you apologize for distracting but are you apologizing to gay teachers or to single mom teachers?
REP. DeMINT: No. I'm apologizing for talking about a local school board issue
...
MR. RUSSERT: But don't the voters have a right to know about whether or not you still stand by comments you made in the campaign?  :Do you stand by your comments?
REP. DeMINT: I apologized for answering a local school board question.
MR. RUSSERT: No, you're apologizing for the distraction, but it's a simple question. Do you believe that gays should be able to teach in South Carolina schools?
REP. DeMINT: Well, Tim...
MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe that single moms should be able to teach?
REP. DeMINT: It's a very simple answer. I think the local school board should make that issue, not Senate can--I mean, make that decision.
MR. RUSSERT: But you didn't think that a month ago when you answered the question.
REP. DeMINT: And I apologize for that, Tim.
MR. RUSSERT: For answering the question?
REP. DeMINT: Yeah, for distracting from the real thing.
MR. RUSSERT: But not for the substance of your comments.

--24.51.38.135 00:58, 21 Jan 2005 (UTC)

How about this language then, "He later apologized for making the remarks, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate"."? - Walkiped 02:30, 25 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Here's a reference for DeMint's apology, since one user previously deleted the mention of it. - Walkiped 02:42, 7 Jan 2005 (UTC)


[edit] Bias

Tenenbaum led in many polls for much of the year, but DeMint rode George W. Bush's long coattails in the state to a 9.6 percentage point victory in November. come on now this is one of the most bias sentences on the senator pages.

[edit] Please review Joe Wilson (U.S. politician)

Jimbo Wales has requested that we try to improve Joe Wilson (U.S. politician) for the reasons he stated on Talk:Joe Wilson (U.S. politician). I put in a few hours but can't think of anything else, except a photo or two which we are unlikely to get permissions for over the weekend. Please see if you can improve the article any further. --James S. 10:46, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] not true

DeMint is very conservative, even by South Carolina Republican standards.

There's nothing wrong with saying that he's very conservative but "even by South Carolina Republican standards" is completely untrue. I live in South Carolina. Senator DeMint isn't any more conservative than the average South Carolina Republican.--Hbutterfly 22:22, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] subjective

Tenenbaum led in many polls for much of the year. However, the state's strong support for George W. Bush gave DeMint enough of a push to defeat her by 9.6 percentage points in November.

Isn't that rather subjective? South Carolina is a conservative state. There's not really any way to prove why Senator DeMint was elected.--Hbutterfly 22:24, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] I find his support for Telco's and not net neutrality scary.

It seems to me this senator was bought and sold By the Telcoms for $40,000. Free trade? I guess just not on the internet hu Jim. Yo got some intresting feed back on you article you posted to c|net. You should take a look.

http://news.com.com/Why+Net+neutrality+means+more+federal+regulation/2010-1028_3-6088253.html

And here are his political contributors. http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00002472&cycle=2006

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