Posted on 06/09/2014 5:53:38 AM PDT by cotton1706
COLUMBIA — The six Republican challengers trying to beat U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham tried to position themselves as the best choice to replace the two-term incumbent Saturday night during their only debate.
Graham spent his time defending his 12 years in the Senate, saying his challengers are too conservative and would threaten Republicans’ chances to win back the Senate.
With Tuesday’s primary nearing, Graham and his challengers mostly stuck to their campaign themes. Graham was attacked on policy and his willingness to at least listen to Democrats and President Obama, but no one made it personal.
“If you didn’t support Obama’s agenda or amnesty, we wouldn’t be here tonight,” state Sen. Lee Bright said.
The one-hour debate didn’t give any of the seven candidates a lot of time to expand on their policy ideas. Graham’s challengers spent their time reminding voters in what areas they didn’t think he was conservative enough.
Graham largely ignored any barbs and explained what he has done for 12 years and his plans if he gets a third term.
“One principle I have that I try not to abandon is not to worry so much about me, as my country and my party. I don’t take the path of least resistance,” Graham said.
He defended his decisions to support finding solutions to immigrants who come to the country illegally. He also defended his votes to confirm Obama’s Supreme Court nominees, saying elections have consequences and that his job as a senator isn’t to vote on nominees strictly on their judicial ideologies.
All six of his opponents said that was wrong, with Columbia pastor Det Bowers disagreeing most vigorously.
(Excerpt) Read more at chronicle.augusta.com ...
I didn't have the time to find and watch it, so I'm glad to hear it. This is THE most important senator to primary.
What did anyone else who heard the debate think? Any polling available?
I’ll be voting against him tomorrow but I’m afraid he might win. Too many people are either stupid or just don’t care. But it won’t be because I didn’t try.
Here two links to some very good first hand commentary from FReeper upchuck in S.C. ... highlights:
I watched the debate with the Aiken County Tea Party. Some of them said the word on the street is that linda's internal polling shows her getting 38% on Tues.[emphasis mine]
linda was VERY unimpressive. Sounded like the insider he is. Everybody roared with laughter when he said, paraphrase, “I’m going to beat the Democrats brains out.”
And, except for one comment from Mace, they did a good job of sticking together, not bickering among themselves and firing at linda every chance they got.
Just returned from vacationing in the Greenville area and was disappointed in the lack of any visible energy or enthusiasm going into this week’s primary. I’m comparing this to 2010, when Nikki Haley was in a furious primary battle for the governorship, and to 2007, when Graham’s stance on immigration got him in trouble. Talk radio was ablaze during both periods and in 2010, signs were everywhere for Haley and her 2 or 3 opponents. I still don’t know how Graham ended up winning in 2008 after hearing the vitriol directed his way the summer before. I thought this trip, I would see a wicked dogfight, with signs for Mace, Bright and Graham battling for space along the roads. I saw a few Graham signs, a few for Richard Cash, none for Bright , none for Mace. Nothing on the radio. We have a hundred more reasons since 2008 to dislike Graham; how is it that he seems to be heading back for the Senate, almost unopposed? Maybe there’s more enthusiasm in other parts of the state...
Polls show he is near the 50% threshold.....really!!!
cash was most impressive. Too many look-alikes among the challengers. The looker(mace) didn’t look so good.
He defended his decisions to support finding solutions to immigrants who come to the country illegally
____________________________________________
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
You don’t have to “find” any solutions...
Its smacking you in the face...
DEPORT THE ILLEGAL ALIENS PRONTO
Whoever becomes his challenger needs to be ready to go to war and prepared to win, Squishy needs to go down big time.
I think he used to either be more conservative or manage his image to appear more conservative. Even now, most people make the mistake of trying to live their lives without worrying about the government so they don't know.
Polls don’t make the election, people do.
Come on, conservatives. There’s a day left and 24 hours is an eternity in poitics.
I watched the debate Saturday night. What sticks in my mind was when questioned on amnesty Senator Graham said; “there’s no one in South Carolina affected by illegal immigration.” He is truly out of touch.
“I watched the debate Saturday night. What sticks in my mind was when questioned on amnesty Senator Graham said; “there’s no one in South Carolina affected by illegal immigration.” He is truly out of touch.”
I hope a lot of South Carolinians watched the debate. He’s not used to being questioned by other republicans. He’s used to the Sunday talk show type questions. And he’s apparently doesn’t like having his votes questioned. He looked very small.
I loved it when Bright called Graham out on speaking before La Raza, saying he’s “tell the bigots to shut up”
The debate was shown live by SCETV network. The comments on their site speaks volumes. “RINO Graham is a big spending liberal who needs to be ousted from his position on Tuesday. Lee Bright is the man this state needs to replace him.
I’m voting for Bright on Tuesday! “
“Miss Lindsey MUST go! I am sick of his lies and backstabbing. He called US bigots in front of a hate group called “La Raza” or “The Race”. Graham has to go and good riddance!
Lee Bright will get my vote and the votes of my family on Tuesday. “
More comments here...http://www.scetv.org/electionblog/post.cfm/u-s-senate-republican-debate
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