Two weeks ago readers of this column read that “most incumbents are stuck in stubborn ways;” that, most in the “… ongoing (Washington) soap opera have behaved largely irresponsibly;” and, then, the charge:

“In the executive branch, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner have failed to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities to citizens. Instead, each has, respectively, set their personal political and financial careers as the priority.”

Now that “Debt Central’s Latest Deal” is done, others are drawing the same conclusion and speaking out.

Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, whose influence increasingly stretches far beyond the Palmetto State, has taken the lead on this issue by tying the laces on his political gloves and stepping into the public ring … in America’s Corner.

Leading with a ‘roundhouse’ right, DeMint called for “the immediate resignation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner,” saying “Enough is enough!” 

Senator DeMint then jabbed President Obama directly: If Geithner doesn’t leave forthwith, the “President should demand Secretary Geithner resign and immediately replace him with someone who will help Washington focus on balancing our budget and allowing the private sector to create jobs.”

Of course, Jim DeMint is right. 

That’s why the national conservative favorite led with his ‘roundhouse right,’ then followed with the political point-scoring jab at left-side incumbents.

Those direct hits were scored in the opening round and DeMint was still warming up.

Next round, DeMint went right across the proverbial ring after those who crafted Debt Central’s latest deal to increase federal borrowing.

Describing it as “not a serious attempt to solve our spending and debt problem,” DeMint cornered opponents then landed the following roundhouse Truth-Shot:

“The deal Congress just passed over conservative objections has already had its obvious effect … the loss of America’s credibility around the world.”

Senator DeMint was referring to Standard & Poor’s downgrading of the U.S. Credit Rating to AA-plus from AAA, as well as the S&P announcement pointing to “Differences between political parties have proven to be extraordinarily difficult to bridge.”

I have not spoken with the senator about this. But, like so many other Americans who have talked much of this over with ourselves, in my judgment: Jim DeMint has it just about right. And, S&P has it wrong. 

I do not refer necessarily to S&P’s negative forecast of future ratings of federal debt willpower or that the deal “did not go far enough.”

Instead, S&P’s blatant political preferences can be thoughtfully discerned within their spin statement: “Differences between political parties have proven to be extraordinarily difficult to bridge.”

That line couldn’t have been better if it were  scripted at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. given the obvious spin messaging:

Short form - “It’s the Conservatives fault.”

Long Form - “If conservatives in the U.S. House and Senate would have simply gone along Messrs. Obama, Geithner, Reid, et al, everything would have turned out ‘peachy’… the U.S. rating would have remained AAA+ … and the forecast of future ratings would have been ‘creamy’.”

Yeah, Right.

To Sen. Jim DeMint we say, “Don’t unlace those gloves!”

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.