HOT Steve Bannon Could Replace Jim DeMint at the Heritage Foundation

Steve Bannon

A very interesting exchange took place this morning on  "Fox News Sunday," as rumors continue to circulate that Jim DeMint is out as the leader of the neoconservative D.C. think tank the Heritage Foundation. The organization has had an important influence on President Donald Trump policies.

Could the very odd thinking top Trump advisor Steve Bannon replace him?

It makes some sense. Reports indicate that Bannon is losing influence with Trump as the son-in-law Jared Kushner muscles in. And money bags Heritage trustee Rebekah Mercer is a Bannon supporter who dumps big bucks into the coffers of Heritage.

Here's what went down at Fox.



"There are a lot of stories out that Jim DeMint, the head of the Heritage Foundation, is going to be out and that Steve Bannon may become the new head, that this is going to be his safety net as he is forced out of the White House," "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace asked Michael Needham, the CEO of Heritage Action. "What can you tell us?"

"That there's a lot of speculation and rumor in the media that never misses a chance to divide and attack conservatives," Needham said.

Needham said DeMint is a patriot who has had a "courageous career."
"The Heritage Foundation is an institution that is committed to formulating and promoting conservative policies," he added, "and that is not going to change."

Wallace further pressed Needham on whether DeMint was out at the foundation.

"There's a lot of speculation and rumor, and I'm not going to add to the speculation and rumor," Needham responded.

"And Steve Bannon?" Wallace asked.

"There's a lot of speculation and rumor, and I'm not going to add to the speculation and rumor," Needham reiterated.

The Steve "Fourth Turning" Bannon at the Heritage fund?

Now that would be interesting.

-RW 


UPDATE

Via The New York Times:

Mr. DeMint’s abrupt ouster, described by people as a “coup” against him, was the result of a larger debate among conservative donors who fund the group. One of its board members is Rebekah Mercer, a reclusive donor who has helped propel the White House chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, in his effort to dismantle aspects of the political establishment.


Ms. Mercer was described by people with knowledge of the events as helping drive the effort toward a shake-up. Another person close to the discussions, who asked not to be identified, said that Mr. DeMint was not seen as sufficiently pro-Trump by some members of the board...

Mr. DeMint’s apparent undoing was, in part, a reflection of the dissatisfaction of those inside Heritage who believed the organization was too much of a sideline player in the health care debate.

According to one person familiar with the reasons behind his ouster, Mr. DeMint was blamed for not positioning Heritage to make a more effective and convincing case for a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. He is highly compensated, earning more than $1 million in 2015 alone, according to tax documents.

As a novice who is new to the ways of Washington and unfamiliar with the complexities of running the sprawling federal bureaucracy, Mr. Trump leaned heavily on Heritage to help steer his agenda and staff his administration.