DeMint Refuses To Take Back 'Waterloo' Statement: "It's Not Personal"

WASHINGTON - An outspoken Southern Republican says it's time to "put the brakes on" President Barack Obama, saying he's advocating too much government spending and ballooning the deficit.

At the same time, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina refused to take back his assertion earlier that the health care overhaul Obama is pushing will be his "Waterloo." Appearing on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday, DeMint was asked if he stood by that statement. He replied, "It's not personal. We've got to stop his politics."

DeMint said he agrees that health care changes are needed but that it would be a mistake to push through such complex legislation before the August congressional recess, as Obama has demanded.

Comments

[GJRtexas]

Calling all middle class! We must stick together to defeat the upperclass who are shaking in their boots over losing their power. How will the CEO's, CFO's, VP's, and overpaid executives manage to keep their their 60 foot yachts, multi-million dollar homes in Florida and the Bahamas,
and off shore accounts, if suddenly they salaries are reduced by say, 50 percent. Half of 10 million is simply not enough to sustain a lifestyle to which they are accustomed . Their "let them eat cake" attitude won't sustain much longer. Historically, the downtrodden reach a point when they eleminate the leaders power over people. The change is beginning. A Black president, health care reform, regulation of banking, and the Wall Street thieves will be directly linked to the working people of our country. Soon the upperclass will realize the people are getting tired of living with a giant thumb over them. The upperclass will find themselves on the outside looking in. History is with us. Let the change begin!!!

[bazookajoe]

I wish I was as optimistic....

[CarmanK]

These guys are just arrogant jerks who are so full of themselves they have forgotten that they are supposed to represent their constituents, protect the constitution, and serve the nation honorably. So, many on Capital Hill have just lost their way and I hope the people that have voted for them in the past, recognized who they are, these idiots. And that the people will finally reject this self serving individual who is getting away with nonsense on the taxpayer dime.

[FlamingLibrul]

The nice folks who are rooting for Dimented to "Stand firm" in his 'beliefs' are really cracking me up. What does he stand for? He lives in a cultist w*orhouse, with a group that believes they are chosen by God to be wealthy and powerful- and that being moral is for everyone else- just not them.

Dimented stands for nothing but the most insidious, selfish, putrid agenda of keeping himself and his lobbyist and industry buddies wealthy, while pandering to extremist talibangical elements. Anyone who supports this, because of the "family values" platform of God, Guns, and Gays is just weak-minded and not worthy of being allowed to vote.

[Solja]

Eric Cantor spreads lies on the internet.
http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200907220001

[bazookajoe]

I watched it.. "here's the republican plan....." then some nonsense about keeping what you have and that was it... Some idea.. HA!

[AntiRethuglican]

His name ought to be, "DeMent Ed"

[jomac15]

gosh, what the heck is going on with politicians from south carolina?

[macohmz]

Republicans can't solve problems. They are problem generators with their allegiance for those in control of great wealth. As far as they're concerned the "problem" is always big government. They complain about big government while having life-long careers in it.
De Mint doesn't understand that the American people just can't afford the cost of health care because he has health care. He doesn't have the strength or the willingness of imagination to put himself in someone else's shoes. They can't see the problem seriously enough because they're so well protected.

[huffingt]

Empathy from a leader, president, commander of chief, father, a man and a human being.
Two reasons president says:
" First, because of the letters I get every day from families that are being clobbered by health care costs. And they ask me, can you help?" People are suffering a, so I feel it's critical to act,"

Rethugs, do you hear that? Do you still want to object. If so, you may start looking for another job, because we will toss you out soon

[Tommygun264]

United Health Care (UHC) insures 70,000,000 Americans. In 2008 it grossed $18.5 billion in profits. President & CEO Stephen Hemsley took home $9,400,000.00; CFO George Mikan III took home $3,800,000.00; and Executive Vice President Anthony Welters took home $12,300,000.00. UHC'a projected income for 2009 is $87 BILLION.

Tell me again how unfair the public option is?

[DeeBlackthorne]

Over $21 billion this year.

[thepoliticalcat]

Adversarial? Huh! I can't say what I want to here, or I'll be censored, but Jim deMint is beneath consideration.

[texasrodeoqueen]

folks like this Dimwit are why the Greed Over People party are no longer in power

[meyek]

there is nothing to take back. he stated his position. although i'd like him to come around to my way of thinking, he won't. he gave you something even better. he stated his position. you agree or not. i don't

[DeeBlackthorne]

"We've got to pursue health care reform, BUT." Republicans, I am so tired of your buts. If you spent half as much time trying to solve the problem instead of blowing "wise Latina" comments out of proportion and likening opposition to Obama to a battle in wartime, maybe you guys will have something to show for it in 2012. Until then, shut up and get out of the way.

[jazabelz]

They will never try to solve any problems that impact the middle class and poor in this country. That is not their aim --never was and never will be! Wish middle class Republicans would wake up to this fact!

[1murillo]

DeMint won't take his comment back because he's getting press where he otherwise might not. Thinking he can stop Obama is one of the few reasons he's against healthcare reform. To people like DeMint, healthcare is merely another chance to reduce Obama's strength; he doesn't really care how Americans get healthcare.
It doesn't matter when opponents, or delayers, say, "Healthcare is important..." because nothing they say or do is constructive.

[givesflack]

Republicans are morally and spiritually polluted and, with no regard for
their fellow Americans and for that matter world citizens, are in
lock step with big business global domination and ultimately complete monetary
and political control. They have uniformly crippled America economically,
attacked defenseless countries ruthlessly, and created social and long lasting
degradation of Democracy here and abroad. They are unreasonable, unjust,
aggressive, corrupt, merciless, cruel and dangerous to society. I think cons need to wise
up as the rest of us have.