Jim DeMint: 'I Need Some New Republicans' (VIDEO)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) sees himself as something of a kingmaker in the Republican Party, and is actively supporting very conservative candidates running against the party-establishment picks. Some party leaders are not pleased with his approach.

Now, in an interview with David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, DeMint defends his strategy, saying that to get anything done in the senate he need some "new Republicans."

"I need some new Republicans, people who believe in constitutional government, a balanced budget and liberty and so I'm out across the country recruiting new Republicans who I think if they get here will not only challenge the institutions of government but be willing to even challenge the Republican Party and our leadership if they feel like we're going in the wrong direction," he said. "I think just a handful of new Republicans in the Senate could help change the direction."

Watch:

DeMint also argued that he was just helping the GOP back onto the right course.

"The problem here in the Republican Party is not that our base has gone to the right," he said. "The problem in the Republican Party is that the leadership has gone to the left and the tea parties and the Republicans out across the country are right there where American principles have always been and I'm trying to pull the party back to the mainstream of where America really is."

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