Jim DeMint tells CBN's David Brody that he believes the tea party movement isn't focused on "fiscal issues" -- rather, it is a "spiritual revival" akin to The Great Awakening:
Key quote:
I really think a lot of the motivation behind these Tea Party crowds is a spiritual component. I think it’s very akin to the Great Awakening before the American Revolution. A lot of our founders believed the American Revolution was won before we ever got into a fight with the British. It was a spiritual renewal. ... I've waded into a lot of these tea party crowds. I don't hear a lot about fiscal issues. I hear people saying "we're praying for you."
DeMint seems to be arguing that tea party people are rediscovering their faith in God, and that because they have faith in God, they don't need government.
That makes about as much sense as someone saying that they've rediscovered their love of books, so they don't go to the movies anymore. Or that they've rediscovered their love for cooking, so they don't play scrabble anymore.
And even if it did make sense, what does this say about DeMint's view spirituality? That carrying around signs claiming that President Obama was born in Kenya is a way of showing faith? Or that bringing guns to rallies demonstrates your closeness to God?
It's hard to believe that DeMint really believes anything he's saying here. More likely, he's just pandering to CBN's audience. Let's just hope he's warming up for something national in 2012...