Redstate

It may be that Mr. DeMint's devolving worldview is the engine driving his demise. Just a thought.

When he wins (because of? in spite of? it).

He's long since apologized for the remarks on single moms -- as he should, in light of the fact that he was raised by a single mom.  That's long done.

What's hurting him is Tenenbaum's dishonesty and negativity.  Craig Linton has chronicled that well enough here -- she is perhaps among the nastiest Dem campaigners of this cycle.

When? I'm not being snarky, but the CNN piece was six days ago.

I don't know about Tenenbaum. Lots of races getting nasty, tho. Colorado, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Washington. 'Tis the season, I guess. Not a problem here in AZ. McCain's running without serious opposition.

Here.

I do respect Arizona for turning out interesting Republicans about once a generation.

Although Craig has tried to put the blame on the liberal media in South Carolina and Tenenbaum's untruthfulness, Jim DeMint's careless words are to blame for this race tightening.  DeMint should be 20 points ahead--instead the race is down to a 6 point difference in the Rasmussen poll.  DeMint may have offered a lame apology (he was speaking from his heart?) for his comments about not allowing unwed mothers to teach.  However, he has shown a real lack of discernment in making the comments in the first place (and in the wording of his apology).

For additional commentary written by a South Carolina conservative who is very disturbed by DeMint's comments, check out the following posts--here, here, and here--on my site, Country Fried Blog.  In the end, I am still leaning toward voting for DeMint because his positions on issues like abortion are far more important (although his earlier position on firing pregnant unwed school teachers would actually encourage abortion).  However, DeMint isn't making it any easier on me--and his recklessness is drawing limited Republican money and support away from other close Senate races.

I saw polls back in early September that showed DeMint with only a three point lead. Tenenbaum's clearly a pretty effective politician. All in all, I think the closeness of the race, at least to the extent it's covered in the media, will help insure against complacency. Conservatives know they need to get to the polls in South Carolina because of the senate race -- because it's clear the presidential race there is not in question. I'm feeling good about our chances of sending a truly outstanding individual to the United States Senate.

It was close shortly after the primary and runoff, but then DeMint opened about a 12 point lead. But now he has seen that vanish with truly stupid remarks. He did do well in this debate from what I've read, so hopefully that will stop the bleeding.