DeMint First Sitting US Senator to Endorse Hoffman

Conservative lightning rod Jim DeMint (R-SC) has become the first sitting United States Senator to endorse Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the special 23rd District Congressional election; shunning Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava, whom conservatives have labeled "too liberal".

Other members of Congress to support Hoffman include Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Representative. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), and Representative John Linder (R-GA).

DeMint explained the endorsement as follows:

Too often, we're told that Republicans have to be like Democrats to be competitive in states like New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. But the truth is voters don't want to be forced to pick between two liberals; they want a real choice. If voters want to give Washington more control over our lives, they can always vote for Democrats.

Many conservative voters have indicated they feel they can't lose, because the purpose of backing Hoffman is to demonstrate to the Republican establishment that they will no longer accept liberal candidates.

Strategically, the election comes at an opportune time, because the Republican National Committee will have a year to adjust to the new "rules of the game".