Some in Senate GOP Call Jim DeMint (R-SC) "Undertaker" not "Kingmaker"

(By Trish Turner, FoxNews.com) - Boy are some Senate Republicans unhappy with Jim DeMint. They had a good night by any measure, picking up six seats from Democrats, but it is clear a number are holding the South Carolina senator personally responsible for keeping those numbers from rising even higher, possibly even from taking control of the chamber.

One could forgive House Democrats for beating each other up after last night's thumping (or, as Obama called it, "a shellacking"). Senate Democrats, as well, even though they did retain the majority and their leader. But Senate Republicans?

DeMint set out in 2008 to get "principled conservatives" elected - many who were not the chosen candidates of the establishment. At times, that even seemed to be the goal, as he happily bucked his leadership, saying raucous primaries were good for the party. DeMint told his growing cadre of supporters he wanted to harness the power of the Tea Party, and he started endorsing conservatives, 11 in all, in the 2010 race (the list is here). Many won their primaries, leading some to call DeMint a "king maker."

But not everyone in his party agrees. "He should be called the undertaker, not the kingmaker," said one senior Senate GOP aide on Wednesday, who added, "You could call it a big night for the Club for Growth, but not for Jim DeMint."