GOP Voters Take A Page From DeMint

GOP voters are more likely to agree with Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) than with those who say they want to broaden the party, according to a new poll.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey shows 51% of GOP voters would prefer a candidate who agrees on major issues even if that candidate has little chance to beat a Dem, while 43% prefer candidates who don't agree on some major issues but who stand a strong chance of beating a Dem.

DeMint, who is gaining credibility as one of the major voices in the conservative movement, has said he would rather serve in a minority that agrees with him than a majority that includes more centrist members.

"I would rather have 30 Republicans in the Senate who really believe in principles of limited government, free markets, free people, than to have 60 that don't have a set of beliefs," DeMint told Washington Examiner columnist Tim Carney in April.

Meanwhile, DeMint has set about to back more conservative nominees in several primaries this year, in several cases over the NRSC's clear preference for another candidate. His Senate Conservatives Fund PAC has endorsed former FL House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) and CA Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R), candidates running against better-known rivals.

Tomorrow, real estate developer Patrick Hughes (R) will meet with DeMint a second time. If DeMint backs Hughes, he will do so over another party favorite, Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL).

On the other side of the aisle, and following two cycles of major expansion in the House, Dems are more likely to back a candidate who can beat a GOPer. Fully 58% say they don't mind disagreeing with their nominee if that nominee can beat a GOPer, while 38% want ideologically pure nominees.

While at the DCCC, then-chair Rahm Emanuel won kudos for recruiting candidates with little regard to their ideology if they could win a seat. Now, Reps. Bobby Bright (D-AL) and Parker Griffith (D-AL) are in the same caucus as Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ).

Establishment GOPers, meanwhile, stood behind Assemb. Dede Scozzafava (R) in her race for the open seat left by Army Sec. John McHugh, until Scozzafava's left-leaning positions gave an opening to Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who eventually lost the race to Rep. Bill Owens (D).

The RNC and the NRCC have backed away from Scozzafava, pointing out that they have a duty to back their party's nominee. But GOPers privately agree that the party has to expand to include some who disagree with stalwarts like DeMint. If they don't, some say, DeMint could get his wish.

(REID WILSON)