DeMint: Romney has developed a ‘second language’ in conservativism

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) on Thursday said Mitt Romney he would not question Romney’s conservative credentials, even if conservativism might not be the GOP presidential candidate’s first language.

Romney is “instinctively not necessarily a political conservative, [but] he's instinctively a problem solver,” DeMint told the editorial board of the Washington Examiner.

DeMint, who met with Romney last week but still has not endorsed in the GOP primary, said he believes Romney has developed a “second language” in conservative thought and limited government over the last four years. He called the transition “clarifying” for the former Massachusetts governor.

During his meeting with DeMint, Romney reportedly sought to reassure him of his conservative beliefs.

DeMint also criticized the state of the GOP presidential race, saying it has “kind of deteriorated into some name calling.”

"I'm not going to endorse, I just want to stop the beating,” he said, lamenting the fact that the candidates are beating on each other rather than “selling their vision for America.”

He said he would be happy with Romney or Rick Santorum “or whatever” as the nominee, and that he expects the party to unify out of opposition to President Obama.

"I think you could pull somebody off the street and nominate him and you're going to see some excitement,” he said.

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