The Trump Wing of the Party Needs Jim DeMint's Team
Sixty-one Republicans in the House voted to oust Rep. Liz Cheney as Chair of the House Republican Conference. Earlier in the day, Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said they had the votes to oust her. Earlier, some House conservatives claimed they had over 107 votes and possibly 120 committed votes.
Say what you will about Liz Cheney, but the Cheneys know how to count votes.
This is an ongoing problem for the back bench conservative fighters in the House. They can some times scuttle things, but they cannot necessary advance their agenda without Donald Trump.
What they need is more training and conservative staff and should look to Jim DeMint’s Conservative Partnership Institute. With word that Mark Meadows is joining DeMint, if Trump supporters want to invest in growing their movement they should look there.
What DeMint understands is that Trump Republicans need staff who know the rules, can maneuver and build coalitions, and can count votes. They need to understand that often times you can’t undo things, but can stop things from happening. Occasionally, you can even advance sound policies.
The Establishment dislikes Jim DeMint. They hated him while he was in the congress and they hated him at the Heritage Foundation. Some helped foment a movement that pushed DeMint out of the Heritage Foundation. But DeMint has persisted in a commitment to finding and training not just good conservatives, but also staff for conservative members. He fills a void. It’s not just about getting a right-of-center staff, but a committed conservative staff that is also competent.
I don’t always agree with Senator DeMint. We differed on our views of the election outcome. But I am a fan and admirer. I also recognize that as much as a lot of the GOP really would like to be rid of that meddlesome Trump, just as they wanted to be rid of that meddlesome DeMint, Donald Trump actually showed there is a path to black and Hispanic voters that runs through cultural and economic issues. There is a place for an ideology that is less Wall Street and more Main Street. There is a place for cultural, pro-life conservatism that understands the plight of workers with big ideas against an elite who tilt the playing field toward their large donors.
DeMint has gotten that all along and, more particular, understood that a congressman is only as effective as his staff. Couple him with Mark Meadows in finding good candidates to run for office (DeMint has a great track record on that front) and they have the potential to build out conservative operations that can count the votes and know when to advance and when to hold.
Yesterday, the Trump wing of the GOP tripped themselves up and Liz Cheney called their bluff. I think the party needs both sides. I firmly believe the GOP needs more like Jim DeMint who long made sure his own party was held accountable. I firmly believe the Trump wing of the party, if it starts training staff and working with the Conservative Partnership Institute, will be able to ensure the party holds the line on public policy.
This is one of those times where one cannot argue for a purity without compromise. This isn't even a theological argument--though, if your theology is well-balanced this demonstrates the need for cleared-eyed wisdom. Politically, your recommendations are much needed. I hope they are heard. Theologically, you demonstrate how our theology allows us to see the details which are incomprehensible to many.
Though I differ STRONGLY from your opinion of the 2020 presidential election (I stand firmly with DeMint on this), you are wise to direct readers' attention to him.
DeMint's personal track record and integrity are what brought me to the Heritage Foundation in the first place, and I'm still a supporter today. I was angry at his ouster--but not enough to withdraw support.
Among those things the Trump wing of the party needs, wisdom from seasoned veterans (the "older-wisers," my nephew calls them) like DeMint tops the list.