Jim DeMint: The GOP’s new gold standard

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., may be the elected leader of Senate Republicans but their is little doubt where the press believes the real heart of the conservative movement beats: in Sen. Jim DeMint’s, R-S.C., office. Just look at the tweet from NBC News’ Chuck Todd earlier today:

And here is Politico‘s Jonathan Martin reporting on Rick Santorum’s legislative record yesterday:

Santorum is plenty conservative on social issues for the current GOP, but his old-fashioned approach to governing and fiscal issues during his 16 years in Congress is out of step with the brand of tea party Republicanism embodied today by the likes of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

DeMint has long been identified as the head of the Tea Party, but while that movement slowly fades (when was the last time there was a large Tea Party rally), DeMint’s influence over the Republican Party appears to be staying.

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