WASHINGTON - A leading conservative who's resigning from the Senate is predicting that President Barack Obama will win the battle over raising taxes.

South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint calls it "a political trophy" within Obama's grasp. Appearing Thursday on "CBS This Morning," DeMint says, quote, "The president's proposal is not a plan, it's not a solution."

Asked why Obama and congressional Republicans can't agree on a plan to avert a fiscal cliff in less than three weeks, DeMint says both political parties have "failed" the country.

On Obama, the senator says, "He's going to get his wish. I believe we're going to be raising taxes and not just on the top earners."

DeMint is stepping down from the Senate to become president of the Heritage Institution, a conservative think tank.