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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint's spokesman is trying to quell speculation about the South Carolina Republican's political ambitions.

Spokesman Matt Hoskins said Wednesday that DeMint was seeking to be respectful of supporters when he told a media outlet he was discussing a potential 2012 presidential bid with his wife.

DeMint is a tea party favorite and has taken on a kingmaker role by raising cash for candidates including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. His entry would likely have an outsized effect on early-voting South Carolina.

Hoskins said DeMint is not running but wanted to be respectful of supporters urging him on.

In his interview with "The Hill," the senator reiterated he has no plans to run and said it "would take an extraordinary set of circumstances" for him to do so.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)