Lindsey Graham Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Vote on John Roberts Nomination

Senator Graham's official website ^ | September 22, 2004 | Lindsey Graham

[wimpycat]

These dipsh_t Republicans from the South, whose daddies were all Democrats, haven't really decided which party they want to be in.

[danamco]

I too have been a Lindsey detractor, after his speech and solid support, I feel humbled and a bit ashamed.

Lindsey, for what it is worth, I salute you.


I too was very angry over the deal the "dirty" 14 made. However, about a month ago Hannity interviewed him on his radio show. Lindsey explained specifically that that deal made it impossible for the dims to filibuster any of the President's nominees for the SC. After that interview I was very insured that Lindsey had made a good choice to make sure no filibustering is possible without huge backlashes for the dims, and they know it!!!

[Lancey Howard]

That is an excellent statement by Senator Lindsey Graham.

[danamco]

It should put people like Kennedy and Durbin and Schumer to shame (but that's impossible since they have no shame.)


Shame??? These kind of leftist have absolutely no shame. Durbin on the Senate floor comparing our troops with Nazis, etc. Kennedy after Chappaquiddick!??! Are you kidding???

[ken5050]

we shall see.....until then

[JCEccles]

Graham has innoculated himself for a future seat on the SCOTUS

SCOTUS isn't his element. He's a trial attorney and a showman, not a behind-the-scenes scholar. If he can't be president, he wants to be governor of South Carolina, where he can draw the media and crowds.

This is a vintage Lindsey Graham closing argument. I've heard him do it in court to great effect. He disarms his opponents, makes them feel at ease,then proceeds to eviscerate their points and leaves only his own standing. He's the best I have ever witnessed at it.

I don't know how many FReepers know it, but Lindsey is already a judge. He is reserve Air Force colonel assigned as a back-up judge on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. I think that probably about as much judging as he's ever going to want to do. That's my guess anyway.

[JohnD9207]

If the Dems dare filabuster the next nominee..Graham will be the one leading the charge for the nuclear option..


forgive the lack of caps but i'm typing in the dark while watching the rita news....

good speech...after all he is a politician, but i dont trust him after he joined mcblame and the gang of 14. mr bush's next pick will be to the right of roberts (i hope)lets see how Mr. Graham does when the going gets tough.

I doubt he will vote nuclear, perhaps?

[nopardons]

bttt

[Irish Eyes]

I hope folks who didn't get the chance to see Graham deliver his powerful speech, will take the time to read it.

I did not see Grahm's speech live. Thank you for posting it, I agree that it was superb. Everyone needs to read this in it's entirety. Should also be posted in all govenment classes.

[leadpenny]

I hope folks who didn't get the chance to see Graham
deliver his powerful speech, will take the time to read it.

Just did.

Outstanding!

Thanks.

[leadpenny]

After I read the speech I went over to http://www.c-span.org/ to listen to it via RealPlayer. Two things I noticed; he did not read it, and Kennedy got up and left during the 10 minute speech. Leahy had approached Kennedy, probably to make sure he had his proxy vote correct. I'm going back to see what my guy, Jeff Sessions, had to say.

[leadpenny]

Sen. Sessions also gave emotional and compelling remarks that he did not read.

[thulldud]

There will be a Democratic president, probably in my lifetime. (LAUGHTER)

I fail to see the humor.

A little earlier in the speech, he noted that he was holding Thurmond's seat. What does that tell you about lifetime?

[leprechaun9]

Senator Graham, you don't understand how the Senate works. Knowing that Roberts would be confirmed, the Democraps had to provide a few token votes because the country would not tolerate (and it would be reflected in the next election) a complete party line vote.

So a few hard line Anti-American Socialists would be chosen as the standard bearers of the Democrap Party to suck up to the political base of the Democrap Party!

So nice speech, Senator Graham, but you obviously don't yet understand how the Bob and Billie Club (formerly U.S. Senate) really operates! You should at least learn that before you consider throwing your hat in any future political ring!

[MinuteGal]

You're correct, Lep. Few folks understand how Senate votes are orchestrated beforehand. Ayes and nays on close issues are choreographed like Swan Lake. Not much is left to chance. The final vote on this nomination was known to the committee and insiders prior to the roll call.

The votes of most members of both parties are accomodated when necessary. The member's constituency is a factor, the position of the member's local media, the safeness of the seat......or it could be a number of other Machiavellian things like behind-the-scenes vote trading on pork issues.

There were NO surprises on this Roberts vote. None, nada. Only, perhaps, to a portion of the public.

This MO, unfortunately, destroys many illusions and idealism concerning the Senate. But, remember, The U.S. House of Lords is the most exclusive club in the world......and the members consistently do what members in a lot of private clubs do.....promote their own business (in this case, political) interests.

Leni

[YaYa123]

leprechaun9, you wrote, "Senator Graham, you don't understand how the Senate works"

I respectfully disagree, and to prove Graham knows exactly how the Senate works, please read what he said about the Democrats.

"... we're already talking about the next nominee in code. Senator Kohl, who voted yes, is talking about the balance of the court with O'Connor. Senator Feingold has mentioned he may not be too receptive to Justice Brown..."

"It is not easy for you, Russ. I know you are a prominent player in the Democratic Party. This is not easy for Senator Leahy. It is not easy for Senator Kohl. It will not be easy for those who choose to side with Roberts because they're trying to drive down the vote numbers because of the next person to come. "

"Politics is rearing its head like it has not done before.."

No doubt in my mind Lindsey Graham "gets it".

[RightWinger]

When Lindsey does bad, I bash him.
When Lindsey does good, I praise him.

Ya done good, Lindsey!
Keep it up and we may reelect ya!