Rob Simmons courting Sen. Jim DeMint

by: Scarce

Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 08:52:54 AM EST

Maybe this has been on the radar for awhile and I just haven't noticed but the thought that Simmons would be actively seeking the blessing of this new conservative godfather out of South Carolina is to me both appalling and fascinating. To what levels will Rob Simmons stoop to curry favor with the radical right? Wait and see, I guess.

DeMint has already endorsed conservative Assemblyman Chuck DeVore over party favorite Carly Fiorina in the California Senate race and was the first member of Congress to back conservative Marco Rubio over Gov. Charlie Crist in the closely watched Florida Senate race. He has been openly considering an endorsement of a conservative political unknown in the Illinois Senate race against moderate Republican Rep. Mark Kirk.

And in a sign of his growing influence, several of the party's more moderate candidates are looking for DeMint's support to give them some conservative street cred, like Rob Simmons of Connecticut and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, who have begun to reach out to the junior senator from South Carolina.

These moves are signs that candidates believe a blessing from DeMint not only may hold off right-wing challenges in the Republican primaries but also could open up new lines of funding from an increasingly passionate, grass-roots conservative movement. [Teabaggers]