Profile: Jim DeMint: A Gay President Would Be “Immoral”

Calls Gay Marriage “Destructive”

South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint, in an interview with Bloomberg’s Al Hunt, called homosexuality “immoral,” and said he would be “bothered” by a gay president. He also said, “Marriage is a religious institution. The federal government has no business redefining what it is. […] Governments should not be in the business of promoting a behavior that’s proven to be destructive to our society.”

Hunt writes,

“He cringes at the notion of a gay or lesbian president: “It would be bothersome to me just personally because I consider it immoral.”

And adds,

“He’s a favorite of the grassroots “tea party” brigade and Fox News. His growing cult is such that party insiders even talk about him as a potential presidential candidate.”

“He goes [to the] right on everything, from the economy and health care to immigration and hot-button social issues such as gay rights. He is a leading barometer of the Republican Party’s important and non-nuanced conservative base.”

So, who is South Carolina’s Jim DeMint really? Well, aside from the insight above, Joe.My.God reminds us,

“DeMint has refused to call on SC Gov. Mark Sanford to resign over his highly moral trip down the Appalachian Trail.”

More, via Wikipedia:

DeMint was ranked by National Journal as the most conservative United States Senator for 2007 and 2008.

He is a “consistent supporter of school sponsored prayer and has introduced legislation that would allow schools to display banners reading “God Bless America,” and “favors banning all forms of abortion even in cases of rape and incest.”

DemInt “was one of two Senators, along with David Vitter, to vote against Hillary Clinton’s confirmation to become the United States Secretary of State.”

Change.org’s Michael A. Jones adds that DeMint,

“…has never been a big fan of gay rights. There was his stump speech in 2004 where he suggested that the state of South Carolina should ban openly LGBT teachers from working in public schools, not to mention his tireless support for a federal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

A few more choice quotes from Jones:

“Congratulations, Sen. Jim DeMint. You’ve just become the Jesse Helms of this decade.”

“Funny how one of the favorite politicians of the teabagger crowd doesn’t like the idea of big government… except when it comes to rummaging around America’s bedrooms to see who people are sleeping with.”

But let’s let the Senator talk for himself now. Here are a few more quotes from the inglorious Jim DeMint:

“The only reason we don’t have national health care right now is you – is the people outside of Washington,” DeMint told a gathering of Tea Party activists.” (Politico)

“Americans are tired of apologizing for their principles, and they’re looking for some new Republicans who will stand up for mainstream American values,” DeMint said. “That’s why we’re helping a strong group of viable conservative candidates…” (The Hill)

“Let’s get the facts out there: The Republican Party grew up around the idea of abolishing slavery, with Abraham Lincoln,” DeMint said. “And the whole civil rights movement would have been dead if it were not for Republicans who ended a Democrat filibuster.” (The Hill)

And I’ll leave you with this:

“What I feel like we’re doing is trying to pull our party back to where America is.” (The Hill)

DeMint had better hope there’s a Garmin or a Tom-Tom in his stocking Christmas morning, because he’s way off track…