Graham proudly running on record
Senator describes himself as a problem-solver
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said he is seeking a second six-year term based on what he accomplished during his first, particularly when he and fellow senator and Republican presidential nominee John McCain broke party ranks to warn President Bush that the strategy in the Iraq War wasn't working.
MCT
Sen. Lindsey Graham
"That's probably my biggest accomplishment at a personal level — to have the guts and vision to say we can lose this war," he said. "I took on my own party with Senator McCain."
Their efforts helped convince President Bush to change tactics, and the resulting surge of troops into Iraq last year helped calm violence there.
"We are winning in Iraq. There's been a phenomenal turnaround," Graham said. "We have not yet won, but we're on the road to victory. And by victory I mean a stable government that is aligned with us and the overall war on terror, a buffer to Iran. Winning in Iraq is hugely beneficial to our national security," he said.
Graham said taking that sort of action, initially unpopular with fellow Republicans who had been blaming the media over Iraq, is what he will continue to do if given another term.
He said he also would work on tough issues such as immigration reform, restructuring the tax codes, revising regulations on Wall Street, pushing for energy independence and changing Social Security before it goes bankrupt.
LINDSEY GRAHAM
PARTY: Republican
BIRTHDATE: July 9, 1955
FAMILY: Single
EDUCATION: B.A., University of South Carolina , 1977; J.D., University of South Carolina Law School, 1981.
OCCUPATION: U.S. Senator
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Senator, 2002-present; U.S. Representative, 1994-2002; S.C. Representative, 1992-1994.
SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: "I listen to criticism more than people think that I might. I can learn from it, but I will never be bullied into making a decision because once you're able to be bullied, you're ineffective."
NAME A SPECIFIC GOAL: "To confront the challenges of my time with solutions rather than rhetoric."
"I've taken political risk. I've spoken out. I've tried to get 80 percent of what I want and call it a day and try to get the 20 percent later," he said. "I'm a conservative ... but I'm also a problem solver."
Graham said he hasn't met his opponent, Democrat Bob Conley, but he is not taking this race for granted.
"I wouldn't know him if he walked through the door," Graham said. "He represents a style of politics that I totally reject, and that is always finding that our best days are behind us or 'My way or no way.' I really believe that I represent mainstream conservatism and that Democrats and independents may not agree with me on every issue but find me fair-minded. I hope I can be a political leader in contentious times that people can rally around."
Graham's decision to support President Bush's immigration compromise last year, a plan ultimately scuttled, angered the GOP base in South Carolina, but he still was able to beat his primary challenger, Lexington orthodontist and former Republican National Committeeman Buddy Witherspoon by a 2-1 margin.
Because of Graham's close friendship with McCain, some have speculated that he might be offered a cabinet position should McCain win, but Graham said if he's re-elected, he will remain in the Senate.
But other Palmetto State Republicans are excited about how Graham could help the state if he and McCain are elected.
S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, who helped chair McCain's campaign in South Carolina along with Graham and S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, said, "Lindsey will probably be one of the few people in the country who will be able to get McCain on the phone at a moment's notice, not quite as readily as Cindy [McCain] will be able to, but close."
Graham said he and McCain are friends "in the real sense of the word, not the Washington sense of the word."
Their election on Nov. 4 would give Graham special access. "That would allow me to do things that I can't do today, quite frankly," Graham said. "I like President Bush very much, but my relationship with Senator McCain is very special. I think South Carolina will benefit, quite frankly."
Reach Robert Behre at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 44 comment(s)
Posted by Riptide on September 22, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Senator Graham,
We have laws governing the procedure for entering this country. These laws are put into place to protect the American citizen. We certainty don’t want people with criminal histories in our country. Also, we don’t sick people coming in with no means of paying. We don’t want terrorist entering this country like the ones on 911. We don’t want foreign nationals undermining our labor laws and working below the going rate or minimum wage .We don’t want people that will become a burden to the taxpayer in any way.
When a foreign national enters this country other than the port of entry or border crossing, this foreign national is breaking the law. When our representatives to government turns a blind eye or encourages this total disregard to the rule of law, then you people have reach a new level of arrogance. To add insult to injury, you senator has refer to people like me as racist when we raise this issue of illegal aliens. Well senator I’m NOT voting for you.
Posted by ironhorse on September 22, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will not vote for the SC version of Barney Frank.
What did he win on before, the hispanic vote?
Posted by moonpie on September 22, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Absolutely I hope Conley can pull this off.
With news the state of SC's un-employment benefits are about to dry up we need to send a message to all politiicans that we want people in ofice that will deport illegals, period. They work for cash under the table and you know what that means? No money in the way of taxes or un-employment portions go to the state coffers. But we pay out to them when they're un-employed? What a freaking shame!
Posted by LadyM on September 22, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't vote for Grahmnesty if he was the only one running. After hearing him call anyone that wanted our immigration laws enforced a racist & that he was going to tell the bigots to shut up, why would he expect us to support him now. I will vote for Connelly just to get rid of Grahamnesy once and for all. He is a disgrace to say the least and not a conservative Repulican in any sense of the word. Let him go to LaRaza and beg for a job there, that's where he needs to be working because he seriously isn't representing his American constituents in SC.
Posted by dogwoodroad on September 22, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah...unfortunately for Graham, I believe he may be running his last election. Those of us who always voted for him, because he seemed to actually speak up instead of just voting party lines, are now feeling the burn from his public comments and his voting record. Sorry LG - I used to be on your side...
Posted by Riptide on September 22, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mouth...
When people have a yearning to be free and are willing to pay the price, then we as a free nation have an obligation to assist. Freedom comes from the people. It can not come from the top down. This idea that we can give democracy to Iraq is an illusion. Nation building is exactly that, we’re creating a government that is foreign to a culture that has no idea what democracy is all about.
To expect people to recognize the rights of others, when for thousand of years these same people have never given any thought to other people’s rights. Freedom, liberty, and human rights are concepts that don’t exist in the Middle East cultures. It’s like explaining the 2nd amendment to a liberal. Liberals will not be able to wrap themselves around the idea of defending life, liberty, family and property any more than a Muslim can wrap themselves around the idea of freedom, liberty, and the rights of man. Liberals and Muslims are all about controlling people.
Posted by wentsouth on September 22, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would never vote for Graham! First thing is he took an oath of office to uphold and protect The Constitution of The United States,heres what came out of that La Raza (The Race)lovers mouth:I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Instead of upholding that oath he tryed to give the illegal invaders amnesty. How long has he been in office? If he secured our borders or tracked exspired visa's 9/11 would not of happened,so he took part in all those lives lost,also we wouldn't be in Iraq if that had of been done. Theres's only about 8 Senators on the Senate floor that have upheld their oath ,the rest need to be voted out.
SC has an Immigration Law, wake up people and vote Grahamnesty/Shamnesty out of office. I am voting for Bob Conley who will work for The People not the invaders. He has 2 more votes from my house.
God Bless America!
I am voting for BOB CONLEY A TRUE AMERICAN!
Posted by palmettotree on September 22, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mouth I totally agree with you on everything you said.
James I was really upset too when i heard him call us that too. I have always thought for awhile that he was a waste of taxpayers money.
I am going to look up his opponent today and read what he has to say.
P.S. I don't care if he is the friend of McCain, when he kisses the behind of hispanics that is it for me.
Posted by zoomru on September 22, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHAT ?????
Uh OH !
Lindsey....... BEND OVER !! NOW !
As above....you said..
"...He said he also would work on tough issues such as immigration reform, restructuring the tax codes, revising regulations on Wall Street, pushing for energy independence and changing Social Security before it goes bankrupt..."
WELL.......when are you going to START !!!?? WHEN ??
"Its the ENERGY....LINDSEY !"
You can get SAND moved but you can't get GE windturbines that are MADE right here in OUR state in USE ...here??
You have NOT got ONE landfill CLOSED using the NEW PLASMA technology??
With the energy generated SOLD back through the POWER GRID. Just go to www.startech.net
NO leadership in getting coastal windfarms up and running...NOR have you displayed leadership in getting the state's MEDIA to educate the citizens about the NEED to pursue these EFFORTS ??!!
No leadership in getting FARMS using the technology from www.valcent.net and producing OUR OWN ETHANOL FROM ALGAE ??!!!
Not PROTECTING Carolina Jobs by getting the PEE DEE power plant to be NUCLEAR instead of bending over for Robert Byrd and the COAL...Lobby !!
Lindsey....you FOOL ....No one !!!
Pack YOUR BAGS !!!!
Posted by greyrider on September 22, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As much as I'd like to see the Republicans regain control of the Senate, Graham is the stereotypical sleazy, dishonest politician who cannot be trusted. I am very disappointed at SC Republicans for handing this guy a win in the primary that he did not deserve. The longer this election campaign goes on, the more I love Sarah Palin. When she saw corruption within the Republican Party in Alaska, she blew the whistle and helped clean house. I, in no way, shape or form can endorse the Democrats and their leftist, nanny state ideology. But Republicans cannot run on a "I'm not a Democrat" platform. There are Republicans who are corrupt and immoral, they need to go. SC Republicans really dropped the ball by not unloading Graham in the primary.
Posted by wentsouth on September 22, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://grades.betterimmigration.com/dele...
Heres his voting report card if this doesn't wake up the people of SC nothing will.
His voting record clearly shows that what he promised La Raza is his true intent. To assist THEM, and not we "BIGOTS" that he referred to us as being. And, remember this, La Raza is granted $15 MILLION Dollars of OUR money from OUR Government!! That's OUR money being given to the Hate Group to be used against we Citizens, and Graham supports this!!!!!!! FACT !!!!!!!!! We MUST protect our Borders, and remove Illegal Aliens from Our Country, and we have NO Representation from OUR Government with this Graham in OUR Government.
Posted by WhoCares on September 22, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree it's time to get rid of Graham. Since he is only a one-term senator, the state is not losing that much seniority in the Senate. One-term senators don't have a lot of "power" anyway, so fortunately he has not done us a lot of harm...yet. So yes, now is the time for Mr. Graham to go!!!
Posted by dreyn on September 22, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On reading these post, I believe anything I say would be just preaching to the choir. Lindsay Graham is just about the most detestable human impersonator I can think of. I'm sure that Arizona is happy to have him as their 'third' senator, eagerly following whatever McCain tells him to do, but I'm just not sure that South Carolina put him in the senate for that. But, then, he won the primary pretty handily, didn't he? I, too, was so offended being called a bigot by this 'person'. Seems like the distinguished senator doesn't mind wiping away every principle that normal american people live by to serve his master, McCain. But he will win again-it's over. The republican leadership has spoken in SC and all we sheep can do is live with it. We vote in one of the most stringent immigration laws in the nation-then immediately re-elect the guy who will overturn it. What a joke we must seem to the esteemed senator.
Posted by zoomru on September 22, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LINDSEY ...... !!!
COme ...ON ???!!
YOU SAY....
"That's probably my biggest accomplishment at a personal level — to have the guts and vision to say we can lose this war," he said.
YOU IDIOT .... ANYBODY can say we can LOSE this WAR ?? A LEADER knows how they can ...WIN !!!
For the LOVE of Pete...Lindsey ??!!
Posted by jk_newhard on September 22, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't you just disagree with the man without calling him names? Can't you decide to vote for Conley / not vote for either with sound reasons voiced respectfully? Many of you have legitimate reasons to vote against Sen. Graham - have the guts and human decency to keep the political debate a thoughtful, respectful one.
Posted by guidedbystewart on September 22, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can not say that I like any of the candidates, a typical dilemma I have with many SC Politians. I do not like Graham or Conley, but I like either more than DeMint! I thought about just leaving ballot blank when it comes to that Senate position.
Posted by dreyn on September 22, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jk_newhard:
I agree with you. You tend to lose the high road when you resort to name calling. At the same time, have you seen anything stir people up more than the mention of this guy? He makes me think of hiring a lawyer to represent you and when you show up at the courthouse, he's sitting at the other table looking at you distastefully. He does not represent the interest or the people of South Carolina, BUT-the people are going to vote him back in, and that's the way the system works.
Posted by dreyn on September 22, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like people ought to be looking at Harrell and McMaster if they think that having Graham being able to contact McCain is the end all-be all for South Carolina. I will have to vote for McCain because the alternative is so awful, but I would hate for him to think I'm supporting his selling out of the law.
Posted by zoomru on September 22, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL ... LOL ....LOL !!!
"...Many of you have legitimate reasons to vote against Sen. Graham - have the guts and human decency to keep the political debate a thoughtful, respectful one...."
RESPECT ??? RESPECTFUL?????
Is the ACTIONS and words spoken by Mr. Graham...RESPECTFUL to the MEN and WOMEN who have fought and died for the FREEDOMS that we ENJOY !!!
MY BACKSIDE !!!!
WE ....are ...FED ....UP !!!
Time for being NICE ......IS ....OVER !!!!
GRAHAM should display RESPECT and get out and meet the citizens of this state and NOT PLAY PEEK- A - BOO and call meetings at the last minute when WE are unable to get babysitters or get OFF ...WORK !!!
RESPECT ?
Graham should show respect to any candidate running against him and take on ALL who question him??!!! There should be weekly debates on different topics ...BUT ..NO!!
RESPECT ??
MY BACKSIDE !!!!
Posted by 512c on September 22, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Evil men for war, lindsey graham the pretty boar
Posted by JF on September 22, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if La Raza's "man" of the year will carry the bigot vote?
Posted by commonsence on September 22, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a non-partisan, independent voter who will not be voting for Graham this year. For me, the immigration issue is not primarily about the illegals - it is about our elected officials ignoring the laws of the land. Regardless of party, I can't vote for anyone who can't support the law - when there is an alternative. Now what to do about the presidential candidates...
Posted by VMI90 on September 22, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...just about everyone agrees on this one...hopefully Graham will be sent back home on election day. But hey, that hack Sean Hannity loves him!
Posted by dreyn on September 22, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just went to the Greenville News site and was reading their comments about our Log Cabin Republican. Who is voting for this guy? Seems like the people who read and take the time to air their views in the papers are overwhelmingly against Lindsay. So who is doing the voting for him? Would like to see something from somone who thinks Graham is doing the right thing.
Posted by JF on September 22, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Doe, What does Obama have to do with Graham? Are you implying Obama supported the assaination of Reagan? Really?
Posted by msplacedinsc on September 22, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Commonsense,
I agree~! If you can't uphold the law as a politican then GET OUT!!!
My wife, myself and my two oldest children are non-partisan, independent voters, we believe that both parties have no idea that they are doing? Once in office, they work twice as hard and focus on 4 or 6 years down the road to keep their job? It's really sad time in the good-ole'usa!
Posted by KidYendor on September 22, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lindsey, you have to realize that because of neocon Republicans like you our best days are behind us and until our trillions in national debt are paid off they will remain behind us. Our new $700 billion bailout spells more doom for taxpayers and their kids. We have to pay with our money and our future and you need to pay by being voted out of office.
Posted by singleroni on September 22, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
just who is voting for her? i can't find any one voting for her
Posted by zoomru on September 22, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How amusing is the ENDING of this article with Bobby Harrell-asa and Henry "MacDaddy" McMaster trying to flex in some ..."GRAVITAS"...as RUSH would say ?!!? LOL ... LOL!!
You two BUCK-a-ROOs have no idea when to shut..UP !!!
Bobby and Henry...can you NAME ...ONE..(yes ONE!) issue in which you TWO worked with Lindse' Suave' Graham-nista that was detailed in EVERY newspaper in this ENTIRE state ?? CAN you....punks ?? WOW ? I didn't think ...SO !!!
I highly suggest you two HOMBREs have a cup of "pride" with KATON DAWSON and decide when you will go crawling back into Mark Sanford's office to explain to OUR governor how you will be working WITH him to fix OUR budget !!!
Get busy.....!!
Posted by ed52 on September 22, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
any republican is better than the obama ho conley
Posted by palmettotree on September 22, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jane thanks for the links to the sites. Graham actually yelled at you? Did you by some slim chance get it on tape? It would have been a step up for Conley if you did.
Posted by travlagnt2 on September 22, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Senator Graham, I tried to tell you, you would hear our voices at the polling booths. Well judgement day is acoming and you still dont think we have enough to vote you out? I would rather vote for a conservative Democrat any day before I revote for a liberal Republican. Better clean off your degree, I think your going to need it again.
Posted by sig on September 22, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He is just like the rest of them looking out for themselves.
I reported blatant Fraud to him involving DHHS. I received 2 thank you letters with no answer oher than DHHS will look into it. Yea right!
Unemployment in this state is terrible, crime, schools and the list goes on and on.
What has he done for us lately? Nothing.
Re-elect him. Think not!
Posted by BillytheKid on September 22, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe the Community Reinvestment Act was to remove the "red lines" the banks had put on areas where they would not write a mortgage. The messes we are in now are because LG and his "friends" lifted oversights on lenders and others allowing them you bury themselves. I for one would let them die along with wall street and to oil future traders. I damn well know where I would put the needed tax increases, they are needed to pay for the Bush war and to pay for anything the idiots in Washington put into place to bale out everyone that is now standing in line with their hand out.
LG’s stance on the war is on record. He was for everything until just in the last month he sees that he just might have screwed up with that one and sees no future for the USA their. He is big businesses buddy and does not represent anyone is South Carolina. He never met a tax break for the rich that he didn’t like.
Posted by msplacedinsc on September 22, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lindsey "I'm a closet mo" Graham, will end being a lobbyist in DC as all ex politicans do?
Posted by jeff61 on September 22, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not voting for Graham. I cannot support a traitor who will not secure our boarders and wants to give amnesty to criminals. These elected politicians who refuse to defend the constitution and the laws need to be put on trail and convicted for crimes against the constitution
Posted by jeff61 on September 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No Bend Over and Spank your buns.,I am not talking about Bush and I have never been blind to what goes on....Get off the Bush rants...none of this is about Bush....
Posted by jeff61 on September 22, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this may be shock and you will except it but Bush did uphold his consitutional duty by doing his best to procect this country from all ememies, forigen and domestic...remember Bend over..domestic....
Posted by mkris on September 22, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yawn... some more neo-cons... That was so last year.
Reality has proven them wrong, just like its proved free markets are always the best.
Posted by mkris on September 22, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yawn... some more neo-cons... That was so last year.
Reality has proven them wrong, just like its proved free markets are always the best.
Posted by moonpie on September 22, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Over whelmingly AGAINST LG. Then why will he win? Man I hope we all vote and vote him out. This is one politican that thinks he is above the people that put him in office and that he is not accoutable to us the voting public. Say what you want about Strom Thurmond but he was accountable to the people and supported our wishes.
Posted by moonpie on September 22, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rasmussen Poll Shows Bob Conley with Huge Gain Against GOP Incumbent
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of South Carolina's U.S. Senate race shows Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham attracting 50% of the vote while Democratic challenger Bob Conley earns 41%. According to Rasmussen, Graham is viewed favorably by only 52% of the state's voters. Thirty-eight percent (38%) have an unfavorable view. Graham held a commanding +22 point lead against Conley in July. Rasmussen concludes: "... this poll indicates a somewhat tighter race than expected in South Carolina ..."
The more South Carolinians hear Bob's message, the more Graham's lead evaporates...
Posted by LadyM on September 23, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For those that would not vote for Bob Connelly because he is registered as a Democrat, please look at his stance on the issuses that are the most important to us in SC. He will fight to stop illegal immigration, which is pushing our unemployment rate through the ceiling. Just look at all the construction sites anywhere in the state. Do you see any black or white faces, NO! And have you noticed that the price of new housing hasn't gone down. Now just who do you think is benefitting from illegal's? It isn't the home buyer! It's the contractor that is pocketing the savings from payer lower wages to illegal's. They're not passing those savings on to anyone. And more and more of our American citizens that depended on construction work to survive are losing their homes and just trying to survive.
Grahamnesty didn't take any of this into consideration when he was accepting an award from a racist hispanic group LaRaza that wants 'their' people to have more rights than American citizens. Grahamnesty must be defeated this election or you can kiss this state goodbye.
It is time to show the politicians that we will not sit by and let them do what they want. It is time to show them that the people of this country are still in control, like we did when we overwhelmed the capital phone lines in June to stop the Amnesty bill that Grahamnesty was pushing. We have a voice and it's time that we used that voice to say NO to politicians that would promise one thing to get elected and then forget those promises once they get to Washington. Let's show them we still have the power of the vote!!!!!!
Posted by msplacedinsc on October 1, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's sure has a pretty mouth? MO!!