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Posted on 06/18/2006 3:13:19 PM PDT by Sharks
COLUMBIA - South Carolina's U.S. senators, Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, have emerged as national voices on the topic of illegal immigration.
But, as is often the case with the two Republicans, their voices are not in harmony.
Graham wants to couple tighter border enforcement with a guest worker program that, eventually, offers a path to citizenship. Senate leaders appointed Graham, who appeared on national television to advance the plan, to a committee that will work out the plans final details.
DeMint, meanwhile, vigorously opposed the plan. Instead, he wants to beef up border security and forbid illegal aliens from taking part in a guest worker program. He joined with other Senate Republicans against the approach that ultimately passed, among his first high-profile forays to the national scene.
The split over immigration is another sign that, increasingly, DeMint and Graham are carving out divergent public paths.
So far, there is no hint of a rivalry, common for senators even from the same party and state.
Mirroring Arizona
South Carolina's senators are rookies by political standards. Elected in 2002, Graham replaced veteran U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond. DeMint succeeded U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings - the state's "junior senator" for nearly 40 years.
As the pair search for their footing, they politically are mirroring Arizona's Republican duo, John McCain and John Kyl.
DeMint and Graham voted differently in 25 of the 100 roll call votes cast from mid-March to late May.
Kyl and McCain, each considered conservative, opposed each other on 28 of the 100 votes examined.
(Excerpt) Read more at bradenton.com ...
Lindsey Gay-raham.
I suspect Lindsey Graham spends a lot of time in front of the mirror.
"in front of the mirror"
Flimsy Tinkerbelle? Say it ain't so!
DeMint is running for reelection isn't he?
Not until 2010.
First Graham votes against lawsuit abuse reform and now favors amnesty...with Republican senators like this, who needs democrats.
Lindsey's on the wrong side of the issue again.
lindsay graham is john mccain's understudy, enough said.
lind-sisy is a disgrace.
DeMint will get my vote, Graham will not.
DeMint represents South Carolina, Graham represents John McCain.
He used to be better.
When, as a Senator, has he been better?
He's not getting better. This may be a sign of something serious like early onset Alzheimer's, micro-strokes, Type II diabetes, clogged coronary arteries, plugged colon, etc.
A thorough examination is in order.
Add Sessions to that list? I love that guy.
DeMint is a class guy and a statesman. Lindsey Graham gives good back rubs.
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