Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

Democrats love his with-us-or-against-us conservatism

(NEWSER) - Jim DeMint might just be the Democrats’ secret weapon. For starters, the senator from South Carolina is making good on his declaration that he’d rather have “30 Republicans in the Senate who believe in principles of freedom than 60 who don’t,” endorsing lots of far-right candidates around the country, many of whom are unelectable. But the damage he’s doing to the party could stretch well beyond 2010, writes Stuart Rothenberg for Roll Call . More»

Texas congressman draws three primary challengers

(NEWSER) - Ron Paul is facing a whopping three primary challengers this year, all from the so-called Tea Party movement many credit him with starting. Two say they were inspired to run by the anti-tax protests, and have helped organize local rallies, while a third has attended several of the protests. But their criticisms of Paul sound a lot like the standard complaints Republicans have lodged in the past, the Dallas Morning News reports. More»

(NEWSER) - The so-called “tea party” movement has spawned a host of primary challengers for House Republicans, pressuring them to stay far to the right, CQ Politics reports. “I’ve got four primary challengers, and all of them hope to capitalize on the tea parties,” complains Bob Inglis of South Carolina, who has come under fire for backing a carbon tax and the resolution condemning Joe “You Lie” Wilson. More»

Voters worried mostly about economy, while 40% are 'moderate, liberal'

(NEWSER) - Perhaps the most interesting of yesterday's primaries was the vote by the relatively moderate electorate in the key swing state of Wisconsin. Analysts are salivating over exit poll results, and the hints they may offer into how voters are likely to lean come November. For one thing, the economy, and not social issues, was a priority for Wisconsin voters, notes the New York Times . As for where they stand on the political spectrum, just over half said they support the Tea Party—and they generally voted for Mitt Romney. More»

It's everybody's call

(NEWSER) - Opposite ends of the political spectrum are claiming the blockbuster Hunger Games as their own. Is it a tale of too much government or of gun-packing capitalists who don't believe in social services? The dystopian story tells of dictatorial President Snow forcing conquered people to offer their children annually for fight-to-the death hunger games that provide "entertainment" to the masses. Protagonist Katniss Everdeen participates to save her family. "Because it’s an allegory, people can read into the movie whatever they please," Entertainment Tonight movie critic Leonard Martin tells the New York Daily News . And that's exactly what's happening. More»