Tuesday's election results make Sen. Lindsey Graham optimistic

postandcourier.com ^ | 5/21/14 | Robert Behre

[cotton1706]

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said this week's primary results bode well for his crowded primary challenge on June 10.

A main theme from Tuesday's GOP primaries, particularly the Senate races in Georgia and Kentucky, was that the Republican establishment candidates have learned to beat tea party challengers.

Graham faces six Republican challengers, all of whom have argued that he has not been conservative enough, while Graham has argued that he has been effective because he is willing to work with his political opponents.

Asked about Tuesday's results, where more establishment GOP candidates defeated tea party challengers, Graham said they show that Republicans are looking for candidates who can win in the general election and can govern, if elected.

"The Republican party has a real opportunity in 2014 and 2016, so we're looking for candidates who can not only win but help solve the problems the nation faces," he said. "I think those two concepts help me at home - being a winner and a problem solver."

One of Graham's challengers, Easley businessman Richard Cash, said he shares the concerns of the tea party, such as fiscal discipline and adherence to the constitution, but considers himself more a "God and Country" candidate than a tea party candidate.

Cash said he doesn't think Tuesday's elections bears much on South Carolina's Senate primary race.

"In Kentucky, you had one main challenger to (incumbent Sen. Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell, and here we've got a group of challengers who are all peeling away votes from Senator Graham's base," Cash said.

[cotton1706]

Oh, they'll go all out to protect Little Lindsey. He votes with the democrats.

[VanDeKoik]

If conservatives get their fricking act together, then he will have a runoff, and then he will lose.

[Nextrush]

Sarah and Ted sat out Kentucky and they are sitting out South Carolina.

Is something wrong with that picture?

[Telepathic Intruder]

he has been effective because he is willing to work collaborate with his political opponents

[Mr Fuji]

It’s not looking good for us after last night.

[Kenny]

Graham faces six Republican challengers

Therein lies the problem. Impossible for any one of them to really get their message out.

[cableguymn]

to many LIV’s... they won’t wake up and say “uh?” till it’s far far far to late to fix anything.

[Gene Eric]

Yup, and also diffused opposition to Graham. Perhaps the Establishment is facility the wide field.

[Resettozero]

Yup, and also diffused opposition to Graham. Perhaps the Establishment is facility the wide field.

LG/GOPe has bought and paid for ALL South Carolina media. No one will hear from the challangers until it's too late to sway any potential voters who are still in the dark.

For all practical purpuses, no one in SC except for the politicos and FReepers even know there are challangers to LG or even that there is a primary on June 10th.

On June 10th, and for a possible run-off 3 weeks later if LG does not receive 50% of the vote, every bureaucrat whose livelihood in any way depends on political associations and/or appointments will be given time off work to vote for LG, just as they were Tuesday for other GOPE candidates in Georgia and Kentucky.

Only if God intervenes will enough voters learn about the June 10th primary and the opposition Republican opponents who are challenging LG. I pray He does.

[Resettozero]

...challengers...

[dfwgator]

Maybe finally people will wake up and realize that trying to achieve our objectives through the GOP is not the answer.

[Gene Eric]

That’s a good point, and the unspoken truth about established politicians that route funds back to their voters.