Sen. Graham Peeved on Health Care but Will Stick With Climate Bill

The New York Times ^ | 2010-03-23 | Darren Samuelsohn

[rabscuttle385]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says he is not abandoning negotiations on a comprehensive energy and climate bill even as he warns of partisan gridlock following the Democrats' push this week to pass health care reform.

"It's going to make it very difficult to do anything complicated and controversial," Graham told reporters yesterday.

"I'm still committed to trying to roll out a vision of how you can price carbon and make it business-friendly. We're still going to do that. ... But the truth of the matter is, I think you're going to find most of our colleagues around here risk adverse."

Graham's continued role in the climate talks with Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is critical for lawmakers trying to maintain momentum on an issue that has largely been kept on the sidelines while President Obama and Democrats focused on health care.

In recent days, Graham warned that immigration reform would be the "first casualty" following the Senate Democrats' efforts to complete the health care bill via a fast-track reconciliation vote. And he is also predicted GOP gains this November. "Republicans will pick up a lot of votes from people who think this is bad for their business, their family, and the process used to pass it was sleazy," Graham said over the weekend.

(snip)

"If Lindsey Graham flies the coup, this thing is dead," said Kevin Book, managing director with ClearView Energy Partners.

While Graham said he is staying put, his predictions about the Senate mood appear to be spot on -- at least among some moderate Republicans.

(snip)

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) said she would "continue to work" with Democrats on energy and climate change legislation.

[TJC]

This guy is a rat.

[mrsmel]

Yes they do, and they don't deserve to be treated as "my esteemed colleagues", which is what will happen. I can't believe the Republican senators are going to act as if this was just another political event which is now behind them. Why don't they understand?

[Madame Dufarge]

"I think it makes it a very difficult environment with which to deal with complex and big issues, most certainly incorporating Republican ideas in building that camaraderie," Snowe said.

Since you obviously wouldn't know, Olympia, here's a Republican idea: don't participate in any of this AGW Kabuki theater.

[WellyP]

I think the answer is simple...She is LOYAL!

[Waryone]

To all the “it’s the conservative purists’ fault for 0bama and 0bamacare” crowd:

Lindsey Graham is the poster boy for why all RINOs must be defeated. They are a dying breed, but they must be completely annihilated. This year we can get rid of Pansy’s running boy McLame. With Arlene Sphincter gone, Pansy will be the last of the big mouthed RINOs in the Senate.

If SC finally gets rid of Pansy in 2014, maybe all the other RINOs will fall in line, or decide not to run for office again.

[bereanway]

“I’m still committed to trying to roll out a vision of how you can price carbon”

That, on its face is sheer lunacy. Anyone who says such a thing should be committed.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Graham: I'm still committed to trying to roll out a vision of how you can price carbon and make it business-friendly

He's also working on a way to make amnesty decrease unemployment for US citizens.

[GoCards]

Well thats nice but?????? What has he done for us lately, hmmm

[Vaquero]

as God is my witness, I’ll never go MANBEARPIG again

[Moby Grape]

I am aware that there are conflicting opinions as to the legality of recalls for members of congress / senate...however, I WISH that the people of Graham’s state would start a recall effort TODAY...like the one that Arizona had for McCain before 9/11.

Even if fruitless, it would put the sissy on notice.

[old curmudgeon]

I think I am beginning to see through this.

Graham thinks the health care bill is a done deal so he can rant about it and look good (he thinks) to his people back home.

He can shaft them on the carbon tax thing and still say that he is conservative because he fought the health bill.

After all, you can’t expect him to agree with you on everything...

Repeal the 17Th Amendment.

Return the selection of senators to the state legislatures as our founding fathers intended. This is the only sure way to return to the states their lawful rights under the Constitution. Senators will then, as actual representatives of the states rather than the people, protect states rights and prevent the federal government from destroying the states with unfunded mandates

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

She’s loyal to a snake.

[Niteranger68]

Graham: I'm still committed to trying to roll out a vision of how you can price carbon and make it business-friendly

The underwater hairdryer if there ever was one.

[Kenny]

Don’t these imbeciles think about the money?

Where’s the jobs, tax cuts, or here’s an idea:

SPENDING FREEZE

[webschooner]

So now that his sister, Juanita McLame, has to pretend to be a conservative for a few months in order to get re elected it’s Lindas turn to be the liberal in charge?

exactamondo, and Juan just hates having to let his butt boy be in charge.

[chipper dave]

Lindsey Graham is a slow learner.

[SF_Redux]

fire all 535 and their staff

if they stay in this country, cut off their pensions

[SF_Redux]

bah, cut their pensions anyway

[Adder]

No, Graham, not risk averse. Idiot averse.

[riri]

What is you held a coup and no one noticed?

My lord, what is it going to take to make people notice what is going on around them???