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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thurmant (talk | contribs) at 20:35, 23 September 2013 (Explaining COI). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Jim DeMint's Responsibility for the Recession

This is a major topic, which it would be remiss of the article to ignore. Here is one source for example. 86.19.209.84 (talk) 07:36, 11 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Update for "Business career" section

Hi, I've been reading through this article and saw that the Business career section is very sparse and is missing some information on Jim DeMint's early career and his transition into politics. I've drafted up a new version of this section, included here below. I'd like to have other editors review this addition because of my COI here: I'm an employee of The Heritage Foundation, where DeMint is now president. Please let me know if you have any questions about my suggestion. If it looks ok I would appreciate it if you could add it to the article for me. Below is the section (and revised section heading) I suggest:

Business and early political career
After graduating in 1981, DeMint returned to Greenville and joined his father-in-law’s advertising firm, working in the field of market research.[1][2] In 1983, he founded The DeMint Group, a research firm with businesses, schools, colleges, and hospitals as clients.[1] DeMint’s first involvement in politics began in 1992, when he was hired by Republican Representative Bob Inglis in his campaign for South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District. Inglis defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson, and DeMint performed message-testing and marketing for Inglis through two more successful elections.[3] In 1998, Inglis ran for the U.S. Senate, and DeMint left his firm to run for Inglis’ old seat.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sen. Jim DeMint (R)". NationalJournal. Retrieved April 3 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b Jessica Rettig (June 22, 2010). "10 things you didn't know about Jim DeMint". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved April 23 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b Dave Weigel (December 6, 2012). "How Jim DeMint Changed the Senate". Slate. Retrieved April 3 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

I also recently posted a request on the talk page for James Carafano, a Heritage Foundation expert, which I would appreciate help with if someone has the time. Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 19:27, 30 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I can probably do this in a bit, but not for an hour or so (need to be off the computer, someone's coming to see me). This looks fair and neutral, in addition to verifiable. – Muboshgu (talk) 20:35, 20 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
 Done – Muboshgu (talk) 21:15, 20 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for making this addition, Muboshgu! I might have some other suggestions for this article later, so I hope you'll be able to look at those too. Thurmant (talk) 19:57, 21 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Update for ""U.S. Representative" section"

Hi, I've drafted another new section for this article that I would like for other editors to review. As my message above explains, I work for The Heritage Foundation, where DeMint is now president, and because of this COI I would like another editor to review and add this section into the article if it's ok.

The section I have prepared is to replace the existing U.S. Representative section, which is currently empty:

U.S. Representative
DeMint was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999 and served South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District until 2005, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate.[1] His peers elected him to be president of his GOP freshman class.[2][3] DeMint pledged to serve only three terms in the House, and in 2003 he announced his run for the Senate seat of outgoing Democrat Ernest Hollings in the 2004 election cycle.[3]
The Washington Post and The Christian Post have described DeMint as a "staunch conservative", based on his actions during his time in the House.[4][5] He broke rank with his party and powerful state interests several times: DeMint was one of 34 Republicans to oppose President Bush’s No Child Left Behind program and one of 25 to oppose Medicare Part D.[2] He sought to replace No Child Left Behind with a state-based block-grant program for schools.[3] DeMint also worked to overhaul Social Security by allowing the creation of individual investment accounts in the federal program. In 2003, DeMint sponsored legislation to allow people under the age of 55 to set aside 3 percent to 8 percent of their Social Security withholding income in personal investment accounts.[3] DeMint was also the only South Carolina House member to vote for normalizing trade relations with China, arguing in favor of free trade between the countries. He also provided a crucial swing vote on a free trade bill regarding Caribbean countries. His votes led South Carolina’s influential textile industry to heavily oppose him in his subsequent House and Senate races.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ "Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)". Roll Call. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Dave Weigel (December 6, 2012). "How Jim DeMint Changed the Senate". Slate. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sen. Jim DeMint (R)". National Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  4. ^ Paul Stanley (December 6, 2012). "Sen. Jim DeMint, Tea Party Leader Leaving to Run Conservative Think Tank". The Christian Post. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Rachel Weiner (December 6, 2012). "Jim DeMint leaving the Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  6. ^ Joseph Kahn (December 8, 2001). "Wheeling, Dealing and Making Side Deals; Vow to Scrap Latin Textile Deals Wins Vote on Bush Trade Powers". New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  7. ^ Jane Tanner (June 9, 2002). "Business; A Cloth Man With an Iron Will on Trade Policy". New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2013.

I'm more than happy to answer any questions about this section. Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 15:18, 30 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Can we please get a reliable source for this statement:

notable for his staunch conservatism

It strikes me as possibly falling under WP:WTW.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 06:35, 17 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Hi RightCowLeftCoast, I've seen several articles that describe DeMint as a "staunch conservative" or "very conservative". Here's a couple that might work as sources, and I've provided the full citation details in case these look good to you:
This The Christian Post article from December 2012, includes the following:
"DeMint, who is two years into his second six-year term, is a staunch conservative and has often run afoul of party leadership when he has demanded they hold the line on taxes and social issues."
Here's the details to add this source:<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Jim DeMint, Tea Party Leader Leaving to Run Conservative Think Tank |author= Paul Stanley |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/sen-jim-demint-tea-party-leader-leaving-to-run-conservative-think-tank-86197/#ovSw781etArmQ3xZ.99 |work=The Christian Post |date=December 6, 2012 |accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref>
This article from The Washington Post, also from December 2012, describes DeMint as follows:
"DeMint, a staunch conservative who often clashes with party leadership, was reelected to a second term in 2010. He will depart before the new Congress is sworn in next month."
Information to add this source:<ref>{{cite news |title=Jim DeMint leaving the Senate |author= Rachel Weiner |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/06/jim-demint-leaving-the-senate/ |work=The Washington Post |date=December 6, 2012 |accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref>
If the above sources are ok, and the section otherwise looks good, would you mind adding the section to the article? Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 13:29, 18 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
We can state that the Christian Post and the Washington Post have called DeMint a "staunch conservative" while in his time in office, but as that is their verified opinion, rather than a value judgement made by Wikipedia, it can be included as a verified opinion. Please modify the wording accordingly and add the above references and I shall look over it once more. Afterwards, I don't foresee any issues with adding the revised wording, once presented.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 13:43, 18 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Hi again, in the drafted section above I've added the sources and made a change to the wording as you suggested. Do you think this is ready to add to the article now? Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 19:05, 18 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
 Done Here is the diff showing the implementation of the suggested wording.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 21:51, 18 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks RightCowLeftCoast! The new section looks great, thanks again for your review and making the addition. Thurmant (talk) 22:13, 18 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Update for "Political positions" section

Hi, I've been busy elsewhere for a while but have still been working on ways to improve this article. I've drafted another section for this article that I would like to ask other editors to review. In case you are new to this talk page, I am an employee of The Heritage Foundation, where DeMint is now president, and because of this COI I don't want to edit the article myself. I'd like another editor to review and add this section if it's ok

The section I have prepared is to replace the existing Political positions section, which is marked with two different tags. The first tag says that the section is incomplete. I've aimed to update this section so that it is as comprehensive as possible, without being unnecessarily long. Second, I've turned this section into prose and the second tag requests.

Political positions
Jim DeMint is a member of the Republican Party[1] and is aligned with the Tea Party movement.[2] In 2011, DeMint was identified by Salon as one of the most conservative members of the Senate.[3][2][1] He founded the Senate Conservatives Fund political action committee, which has contributed to the campaigns of other Tea Party candidates, including Rand Paul and Marco Rubio.[4][5]
US economy and budget
Throughout his political career, DeMint has favored a type of tax reform that would replace the federal income tax with a national sales tax and, in addition, abolish the Internal Revenue Service.[6] He has supported many changes to federal spending, such as prioritizing a balanced budget amendment instead of increasing the national debt limit.[7] As a senator, DeMint proposed a two-year earmark ban to prevent members of Congress from spending federal money on projects in their home states.[5] In 2008, presidential candidates John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama co-sponsored DeMint's earmark reform proposal, although it ultimately failed to pass in the Senate.[8] In March 2010, DeMint's earmark reform plans were again defeated.[9] In November of the same year, DeMint, along with nine other senators including Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, proposed another moratorium on earmarks which was adopted by Senate Republicans.[10][11]
DeMint has also been a proponent of free trade agreements, advocated for the privatization of Social Security benefits, and in 2009 authored the "Health Care Freedom Plan", which proposed giving tax credits to those who are unable afford health insurance.[12][6][13]
DeMint was opposed to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the bailouts during the automotive industry crisis of 2008-10. He also led a group of Senators in opposing government loans to corporations.[14][15] He supports a high level of government accountability through the auditing federal agencies.[14]
Clashes with Obama administration
In 2008, DeMint criticized Barack Obama for waiting eight months into his first term as president before appointing a new head of the Transportation Security Administration.[16] After the attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 in 2009, DeMint stated that President Obama had not put enough focus on terrorism while in office.[16]
Also in 2009, shortly after the Honduran military had overthrown Manuel Zelaya as President, DeMint visited the country to gather information.[17] The trip was approved by Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, but opposed by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry. DeMint supported the new government, while the Obama administration favored Zelaya's return to the presidency.[17]
Foreign policy
In 1999, DeMint voted against the NATO intervention during the Kosovo war.[14] DeMint voted to authorize military force in Iraq in 2002.[14] In 2011, DeMint voted in favor of Rand Paul's resolution opposing military involvement in Libya.[2][14] He favors prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons over containment.[14]
DeMint has also expressed concern about various United Nations treaties, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Law of the Sea Treaty.[18][19] DeMint has expressed opposition to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 on the basis that granting amnesty to immigrants may cost Americans trillions in taxpayer dollars.[20][21][22]
Social issues
DeMint identifies as pro-life, and also opposes research from stem cell derived from embryos.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ a b Ryan Lizza (June 27, 2013). "McCain Against Heritage". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Meredith Shiner (May 11, 2011). "John McCain: Libya vote unlikely". Politico. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Steve Kornacki (May 12, 2011). "Why healthcare may not doom Mitt Romney after all". Salon. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  4. ^ Rachel Weiner (June 27, 2013). "Democrats go after Tom Cotton". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Raju Chebium (November 12, 2010). "Showdown Looms as Jim DeMint Faction Presses for Earmark Ban". WLTX. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Joe Conason (October 7, 2004). "The DeMint factor". Salon. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  7. ^ Jonathan Karl (June 24, 2011). "Fighting Words: DeMint Warns Republicans They May Be 'Gone' if They Support Debt Ceiling Increase". ABC. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  8. ^ "Sen. Jim DeMint says Obey's partial earmark ban wouldn't apply to 90% of earmarks". politifact.com. Politifact. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  9. ^ Humberto Sanchez. "Vote looms for earmarks ban". govexec.com. Gov Exec. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  10. ^ Brian Montopoli (November 9, 2010). "Plan to Ban Earmarks Exposes Republican Split". CBS. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  11. ^ Brian Montopoli (November 18, 2010). "House Republicans Adopt Earmarks Ban in New Congress". CBS. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  12. ^ "DeMint, Tenenbaum debate touches on jobs, insurance, education". WISTV. October 18, 2004. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  13. ^ "Republican plans for health care reform similar to Obamacare hd". The Colorado Springs Gazette. September 21, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Jim DeMint". ontheissues.org. On The Issues. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  15. ^ Zach Carter (March 24, 2012). "Sen. Jim DeMint's Republican Power Play Snags Boeing". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Daniel Carty (December 30, 2009). "DeMint: Obama "Has Downplayed Terrorism"". CBS. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  17. ^ a b Carol E. Lee (October 2, 2009). "Democrats target Jim DeMint's Honduras trip". Politico. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  18. ^ "GOP Democrats spar over UN Disability Treaty in US Senate". Digital Journal. November 28, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  19. ^ "LOST treaty". The Post and Courier. June 6, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  20. ^ Ryan Grim (June 23, 2013). "GOP Leaders Playing Both Sides On Immigration Reform". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  21. ^ "Senate amends immigration bill to bolster border security". Tampa Bay Times. June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  22. ^ Jessica Chasmar (May 5, 2013). "Jim DeMint: Immigration reform will cost Americans trillions". The Washington Times. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  23. ^ "DeMint set to win clash with Tenenbaum". CNN. November 2, 2004. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  24. ^ "Jim DeMint on Stem Cell". thepoliticalguide.come. The Political Guide. December 15, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2013.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help in any way I can. Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 20:27, 21 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Looks good to me. I've incorporated your change. If anyone has objections they can feel free to revert me. Sperril (talk) 17:31, 20 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I can't say I agree. I reverted. Biosthmors (talk) pls notify me (i.e. {{U}}) while signing a reply, thx 21:22, 20 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Do you have a specific disagreement? Sperril (talk) 02:05, 21 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Generally speaking, I judge it to be an apologisitc write-up targeted to appeal to an ideological demographic. Biosthmors (talk) pls notify me (i.e. {{U}}) while signing a reply, thx 08:38, 21 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think it's perfect, but I consider it an improvement over the current article from a readability standpoint. I'll give it a once-over later today when I have more time. Sperril (talk) 16:02, 21 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Hi Biosthmors. I'm available to help improve what you feel is problematic with this draft. Can you please provide some specific feedback on what you think should be changed? As for your comment about this draft being targeted advertising, I have done my best to write this draft to accurately reflect what the sources say about DeMint's political beliefs. Is there specific language I have used that makes you think this has been targeted to a specific ideological demographic?
I'm looking forward to your specific feedback. I'd like to work to reach an agreement here as the current section really is quite poor.
Sperril, thanks for returning to the page to join the conversation. Let me know what your specific thoughts are as well. Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 16:04, 23 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I'm sorry Thurmant, but I'm a volunteer. I assume you're getting paid for this as part of your work. If not, it aligns with your work so closely I don't think I could logically distinguish the two. As a volunteer, I've helped this page exist so a classroom can edit lately: User:Ituta/Course page. Maybe you'll find something helpful there. I could take up the job of getting specific if you paid me, but you're not specifically addressing what's wrong with the section yourself, first off. I think it's kind of crazy to expect me to. Does that make sense? I'm not trying to be rude. Thanks. Biosthmors (talk) pls notify me (i.e. {{U}}) while signing a reply, thx 16:11, 23 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Hi again Biosthmors. I understand that you are not trying to be unhelpful, but I'm afraid I can't do anything to alleviate your concerns with this section if you won't share them with me. Paying you for your opinions here would be inappropriate, so if you aren't interested in providing feedback that is no problem and I can see if other editors would prefer to review this section.

My goal here, as I mentioned up above, is to expand this section, since it is flagged as being incomplete, and to rewrite it in prose as requested by the other flag on the section. I'll check in again with Sperril to see if they have any suggestions or concerns and look to see if I can find another editor to join the discussion with an eye to addressing these two issues. Thanks! Thurmant (talk) 18:01, 23 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

And I could throw flags atop your version as well. How in the world would that be inappropriate for me to get paid when it's OK for you to get paid trying to influence public opinion here? You could pay me to rewrite the whole section, actually. How's that sound? Biosthmors (talk) pls notify me (i.e. {{U}}) while signing a reply, thx 18:38, 23 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Biosthmors, I'm looking for editors to review this draft in accordance with Wikipedia's guidelines for conflict of interest editing. COI editors like myself are advised to: "Get neutral, uninvolved, disinterested editors to review your suggestions." If I were to compensate you for your help here you would no longer be neutral, uninvolved or disinterested, which is why I said I felt it was inappropriate. As I said before, I have no problem looking for other editors to review this draft if you are not able to or would prefer not. Thanks. Thurmant (talk) 20:35, 23 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
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