Fear not motive for Graham
Senator: Election won't drive actions
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham told the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday that he no longer will push legislation as though his re-election depended on it.
"I am so tired, we're all very tired, of thinking of every problem based on the next election," the South Carolina Republican said. "I'm tired of governing that way. I'm tired of living my life that way."
Graham said problems such as what to do with Social Security could be solved quickly if politicians weren't afraid that it would cost them another term.
"We're afraid. We're afraid of that ad," he said. "We're afraid of that group that yells loud."
Graham has been roundly criticized by fellow Republicans in his own state for his support of a failed immigration reform bill that opponents within the party have labeled "amnesty." Earlier this month, the Greenville County Republican Party executive committee voted to censure Graham over immigration while a similar motion made by the Spartanburg County party failed by a vote.
Speaking to a friendly crowd at the chamber's annual small-business luncheon, Graham mostly steered away from the immigration debate to focus on Medicare, taxes and the war in Iraq, but he did use the controversy as a punch line to underscore his point.
"The worst thing that can happen is somebody can say something bad about me," Graham said. "And you know what? That doesn't bother me one bit. Anyone heard of immigration?"
The comment brought laughter.
Graham ended his speech discussing the war in Iraq. "Let me tell you how it's going to end," he said. "With patience and perseverance, we will win because our values are better than the enemies' values."
Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 3 comment(s)
Posted by crankyyankee on August 30, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lindsey just doesn't get it. Enforce the laws you swore you would two terms ago and we wouldn't be talking about the emigration issue today. Lindsey here's a tip, pick one problem and solve it. Just one. In eight years of your leadership you and your cohearts have solved zero. Well you did do great job on ethics reform Jefferson and Craig highly approve. He's the perfect fit for the State that ranks last in everything!
Posted by notsosilentcal on August 30, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to point out that emigration is the act of LEAVING one's country and cohearts is, I guess, having two hearts. If this is the quality of Senator Graham's opposition, he'll be in the Senate as long as Strom.
In all seriousness, though, I think this is something Graham decided a while back. South Carolina keeps its incumbents around. He knows he's free to do what he thinks is right, rather than what's immediately popular. This is why we elect people to represent us, rather than just taking a poll on every issue. I say we need more politicians willing to ignore the will of their constituents for what they see is right every now and then. If they get too far off the rails, there's always another election just around the bend.
Posted by orvinc on August 30, 2007 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is where everyone misses the point. We can choose to “primary” him out of office and still vote for a republican in the general election. I agree with Senator Graham on most things (i.e. war on terror, taxes, and ethics) but he could smell or almost feel that VP spot right along side of John McCain. This was his down fall. He should have had no fear being from one of the most conservative states in the Union to push for Social Security reform, tax reform (fairtax), and border security. The people of South Carolina elect him not Arizona or Massachusetts. He truly lost my vote when he emotional stated it was his job to work with Ted Kennedy and the defeat-o-crats.