Posted on 05/04/2014 6:48:56 AM PDT by cotton1706
Here's how Sen. Lindsey Graham is navigating through six challengers in South Carolina's Republican primary: goodwill, shrewd politics and nearly $7 million in campaign cash.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney was thought to be a credible challenger in the June 10 primary, until Graham inspired House leaders to give Mulvaney a seat on the House Financial Services Committee. Mulvaney opted against challenging the two-term senator.
A hacking episode resulted in the theft of South Carolina taxpayers' personal information and a public relations problem for Gov. Nikki Haley, also up for re-election this year. Graham advised her on the situation, and now she has better poll numbers than he does.
Not long ago, Graham looked vulnerable to a primary challenge from conservatives offended by his bipartisan dealmaking and votes for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominees. Tea party challenges ousted GOP incumbents in the past two elections, and, some believe, prevented the party from regaining the Senate.
But Graham's power and shrewdness, not to mention the intimidating $7 million treasury, have positioned him to cruise to the nomination and likely re-election in November. He's benefited from the support of establishment Republicans and allied groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focused on gaining the six seats the GOP needs to retake the Senate.
Two top potential rivals let people know early on they were out.
State Sen. Tom Davis, an aide to former Gov. Mark Sanford, predicted before the Republican convention in 2012 that South Carolina voters would oust Graham. But Davis said he could do more for his libertarian-leaning causes in the state Senate, and that to run against Graham, he would need to raise a lot of money.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
No; there has to be another reason.
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There is no other reason. I have emailed Sen. Scott about my concerns with his, what appears to be ‘joining forces’ with Graham and I would LIKE to hear that Graham, out of his desperation, took it upon himself to include him in those TV ads without his permission.
Please let us know what you learn one way or another?
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I will do that. I just hope that Sen. Scott hasn’t been lured into thinking, just because he is a rookie Senator, that is is going to need the GOPe to win his own election bid.
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