Jim DeMint

“As more people rely on government programs, the harder it becomes to conduct the necessary reforms to preserve them to help our society's most vulnerable.”

“I have no plans to run for president.”

“We must now make clear to Lebanon that it will not benefit from U.S. assistance and support as long as it harbors this brutal terrorist and murder.”

“I've developed a lot of reform proposals myself and been accused of trying to destroy Social Security, when the whole point was to try to save it. I think most people know that Social Security is bankrupt.”

“The problem we've got now in Washington is that the goals are completely the opposite from each other.”

“Compromise works well in this world when you have shared goals.”

“I'm not a kingmaker.”

“I don't need to be asking for money for local museums and other projects just to make me look good back home.”

“Something happens to me when someone says, 'You can't.' I'm generally not very competitive; unless someone tells me I can't do something that should be done.”

“Motorists who want to save money on gas will demand and buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. We should not limit their freedom with more government regulations.”

“I can tell you if you look at the polls, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, they do not think we should increase the debt limit.”

“Well, one of the most important things for Americans to be reminded of is that a lot of the exceptional nature of our country is founded in Judeo-Christian values that promotes individualism, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to family, charity.”

“You could accuse Republicans of a lot of things, but you could never convict us of being too conservative!”

“I don't have many litmus tests, but this is one: Any candidate who doesn't understand that we need to balance the budget should not be president of the United States.”

“The debate in the Republican Party needs to be between libertarians and conservatives.”

“First of all, no candidate is going to win by catering to the alleged Occupy Wall Street vote.”

“I like to be a strategic policy guy.”

“Today is a celebration of hope for the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people can now take control of their government and their future by creating a society that protects the rights endowed to us by our creator - life, liberty and freedom.”

“The hope and change the Democrats had in mind was nothing more than a retread of the failed and discredited socialist policies that have been the enemy of freedom for centuries all over the world. I fear America is teetering towards tyranny.”

“You've got the Democratic Party that now depends on more government spending and actual building the dependence on government in order to increase their political party.”