John McCain loves you, Lindsey!
Posted on 06/05/2008 6:23:04 AM PDT by Between the Lines
There's no mistaking Lindsey Graham's loyalties or liabilities as he seeks a second term in the U.S. Senate.
The 52-year-old Republican makes it clear that his future and that of Republican presidential candidate John McCain are tightly interwoven.
"My re-election, I think, will benefit South Carolina because if he gets to be president, South Carolina's interests will have a receptive audience due to our relationship," Graham said in a recent interview. "I want to help him do the hard things."
McCain recently made his first stop in the state since winning South Carolina's January primary, and Graham pumped his fists in a cheer at a news conference when McCain said he'll campaign again here later in the year. The next morning, over a grits, bacon and pancakes campaign breakfast, he talked about how he and McCain don't toe the Grand Old Party line on immigration, social security, the war in Iraq or how judges are confirmed.
"John has risked his political career at least four times in the last two years that I can remember and I've got the scars to prove it," Graham said. He's been McCain's wing man, noting he was in the room with McCain and President Bush when the president was convinced to add troops in Iraq while other Republicans "were running to the exit like the theater was on fire" and "coming up with one goofy idea after another" to get out of Iraq.
The Iraq surge came as the duo found a wave of opposition for their brokered deals with Democrats on an immigration law overhaul. At the state GOP convention a year ago, the crowd booed and shouted "No" at Graham's explanations of the bill, which would have provided a path to citizenship.
Graham, a lawyer and Air Force Reserve colonel who still works a room like a small restaurant owner, became the butt of criticism from conservatives. Rush Limbaugh called the immigration bill "Grahamnesty."
The issue has faded, but just barely. Opponent Buddy Witherspoon, who is challenging Graham in the June 10 primary, has seized on it in campaign ads, and he and others have questioned whether Graham is conservative enough to represent the state's Republicans.
"This is David and Goliath, no doubt," Witherspoon said of his race against Graham.
The analogy is fittingly used by Witherspoon, who characterizes himself as farther to the political right of either of South Carolina's GOP senators. He proudly proclaims he's a devout Christian who opposes abortion and gay marriage, and says he regrets the nation has moved away from its "one nation under God" roots.
But illegal immigration has become the 69-year-old Navy veteran's key target in an attempt to score points against the one-term incumbent. Graham, along with McCain, supported an immigration measure last year that would have provided an eventual path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. The proposal angered conservative Republicans even as it failed and Witherspoon is doing his best to stoke that ire.
In January, in the lead-up to the GOP presidential primary, Witherspoon ran a 30-second TV spot with images from the U.S.-Mexico border, including people stepping over fences and speaking in Spanish. In it, a man and woman say: "Muchas gracias, Lindsey Graham."
"Lindsey's too liberal for South Carolina," Witherspoon said during an interview at his home, echoing the slogan on his campaign signs.
Witherspoon said he's running for office out of concern for the future of his grandchildren and others. He said he wants to cut government spending. He's also not dissuaded by Graham's money advantage: Witherspoon had $258,000 in cash as of last quarter's filing, compared with Graham's $4.8 million. Even though a loan to himself accounted for 60 percent of the money he's raised, Witherspoon said he's optimistic.
Meanwhile, he criticizes Graham as being too willing to work with Democrats. As an example, he cites Graham's involvement in the "Gang of 14," a group of Republican and Democratic senators who brokered a deal to head off filibusters of federal judicial appointees.
"Now's not the time to go along to get along," Witherspoon said.
He also makes a jab at Graham as being "joined at the hip" with McCain during presidential campaigns. Witherspoon said he could not endorse a presidential candidate himself because of his position on the Republican National Committee, though he stepped down from that post to run for Senate.
Graham says he's focussed on his own campaigning and not on his opponent.
"I'm not worried about him," he said.
Meanwhile, he's spending some of his money on television ads that touch on his anti-abortion stance, military record and fight against taxes.
Meanwhile, Graham's independent streak and knack for having the background on issues of the day has made him a frequent TV news show guest. He recently said he's going to focus on his "record for delivering for my state, being outspoken, being a player in Washington. Being somebody who can get things done."
Graham always has been driven, say those who know him. His parents -- who ran a liquor store, pool hall and restaurant in Central -- died 15 months apart when he was in college at the University of South Carolina. He adopted younger sister Darline when she was 13.
"Even as a child I knew that he would probably be successful and go places. He always had that drive about him. He always had a plan and a goal," said Darline Graham, now 43.
Lindsey Graham said he credits his parents with teaching him the campaign style that propels him from handshake to handshake during political gatherings as he seeks a second term.
"When people walked in, they had to feel like they were at home -- especially in a small town, because you live off of repeat business," he said.
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
“I’m going to donate to witherspoon. I’d pay money to see graham go down in defeat.”
Oh, what a message that would send.
I’m not going to send money though. I’m not a SC resident, and I hate it when outsiders interfere in my state’s elections.
“I’m not going to send money though. I’m not a SC resident, and I hate it when outsiders interfere in my state’s elections.”
>>>>>>>>................
What? with the DNC and RNC shipping in money from liberal donars nation wide and you would not support a conservative against the traitor Lindsey??
Glad you did not have my back in Nam.
LOL! Or maybe "David and the Queer?"
Witherspoon bump!
I recently moved from my voting district, but on Tuesday evening after work I am going to get on my motorcycle and ride the 70 miles back to my polling place JUST TO VOTE AGAINST LINDSEY GRAHAM!
Let’s make an effort to get rid of this asshat, folks.
See you at the polls...
Good for you Mason.
Everybody get out and vote Tues. Important stuff.
Did you know most of Lindsey's money comes from out of state, and from trial lawyers?
C'mon. Just send him a buck or two.
*BUMP for Buddy*
John McCain loves you, Lindsey!
Wait a minute...... is there anybody in South Carolina that is actually going to vote FOR Lindsey Graham? I mean that actually LIVES here?
I did my part and voted for Buddy today!!!!!
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