DeMint denies he'd be open to taxes in budget deal

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer was giddy Thursday after seeing surprising comments by Sen. Jim DeMint suggesting the tea party Republican would be open to new taxes in a deficit-cutting deal.

But in an interview Thursday, DeMint firmly shut the door, saying he "never" would agree to higher tax revenues as part of a budget deal to stave off cuts to the Pentagon.

"The only way you can make a deal with that president to save our military is to raise our taxes. I’m not for that," DeMint told POLITICO. "So that is my reason not to have a lame duck."

Asked if he'd agree to higher tax revenues in a budget deal under any circumstances, DeMint said: "Absolutely not, never never."

The comments came after a Bloomberg story quoting DeMint, in which he talked about the prospects of cutting a deal with the president.

“You can’t get a deal with Obama without raising taxes on the producing class of folks. ... We might as well cut a deal,” he said, according to the article. “If Republicans want to maintain the defense, we’re going to have to give tax increases to Obama."

DeMint has said previously there shouldn't be a lame-duck session of Congress because he fears a bad deal would be cut on taxes and spending. Instead, he has suggested allowing the Bush-era tax rates to expire, and then having Congress lower them retroactively next year.

At a Thursday afternoon news conference, Schumer said the comments were fresh evidence the tax debate was shifting in his party's favor.

”Just this morning, Sen. DeMint of all people was quoted by Bloomberg saying if President Obama gains reelection, he'd be willing to accept revenues as part of a deficit reduction package," Schumer told reporters. "When Jim DeMint is suddenly open to revenues, you know the tide is turned."

-- Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.