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The top GOP moments in 2012: DeMint steps down

Tea Party favorite Sen.
File Photo: Senator Jim DeMint, R-SC, speaks during an address to the 39th Conservative Political Action Committee February 9, 2012 at a hotel in Washington, DC (Photo:- by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images File)
File Photo: Senator Jim DeMint, R-SC, speaks during an address to the 39th Conservative Political Action Committee February 9, 2012 at a hotel in Washington, DC

Tea Party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint created big waves earlier this month after announcing he’d step down to take over as president of the hard-right Heritage Foundation. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced Republican Rep. Tim Scott would replace DeMint in January. DeMint was behind many failed right-wing Senate challengers in 2010 and 2012, like Christine O’Donnell, Ken Buck and Richard Mourdock. Many critics blamed DeMint and his cohort for ruining the GOP’s chances of retaking the Senate in November.

 Click here for the  tenth GOP moment in 2012.

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