In an interview today with NBC, Lindsey Graham stated that he has set up a “testing the waters” committee. He said that he is not conducting polling but that his committee would see if there is a “viable path” to the presidency for the Republican United States Senator from South Carolina. While he has hinted before, this has been the first major interview where he has said that an actual committee will be created.
Graham says also that he is exploring this idea because he thinks the world is “falling apart.” What a joke narrative. These Republicans think things are SO dreadful under Obama, but would they admit how catastrophic the George W. Bush administration was?
Graham believes that he has been more?right than wrong?on foreign policy, an area where he and his friend John McCain always seem to think that they have the answers.
So where does Senator Graham stand on the issues?
The Economy
Graham vehemently opposed Obamacare and thinks it is a financial disaster for the country. Graham doesn’t have a lot of innovative ideas when it comes to how we can cover more Americans. I will say that he DID oppose Bush’s Medicare part D legislation, which has cost us terribly.
He has opposed raising the debt limit to prevent America from going off of the deep end. He supported the Bush tax cuts which helped drive our economy in the ground and handing Obama a near depression.
Foreign Policy
He has said that Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. I always wonder where Republicans come up with this stuff. Is it because Obama has a heart when it comes to the lives Israel has killed?
He wants other nations to disarm or never receive arms but was opposed to recent ARMS treaties with Russia and the United Nations. Because you know, the United States can do whatever we want while preaching to the world.
Graham seems to think there should be no rights given to terrorists or suspects at all. He doesn’t want them to have rights as criminals and wants them in GTMO. He is absolutely against trials in New York for suspected terrorists and doesn’t support them being transferred to the states under any circumstance.
Domestic Issues/Social
He likes to criticize Obama and Congress for not acting on border security. Yet, illegal immigration is at one of the lowest points in modern history.
Graham likes to protect life as long as it is in the womb. He sponsored legislation to ban abortion at 5 months except in cases of incest, rape, or saving the life of the mother. Oddly, on his campaign site from his last run, he says that he is “the perfect man for the perfect issue” in regards to abortion. What an out-of-touch slogan. A man is never perfect for a predominantly women’s issue. This is part of the problem.
He also is a bigot and doesn’t support same sex marriage equality. He urged the Supreme Court to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act. He thinks we should support traditional values despite what the courts say. Sounds like he would have been a George Wallace supporter to me.
As an owner of 12 guns, Graham obviously loves gun and is in bed with the NRA. During recent gun control debates, Graham opposed laws on background checks because they would be too “burdensome” for citizens. Yes Lindsey, it should be easier and more “burden-free” to purchase killing weapons than to register to vote.
In shocking hypocrisy, Graham thinks that laws should be enacted to allow those with concealed-carry permits to be able to have their concealed weapons in states that do not allow these permits. So, gun laws in other states shouldn’t matter, but if a gay couple marries in New York, they shouldn’t be recognized in South Carolina? What a disgusting notion.
So for the most part, Graham is your typical scary, bigoted, gun-obsessed, hawkish Republican. I hope he enters the race though because I do not see him as a viable candidate when it comes to facing the democratic nominee. We can add Lindsey to a much talked about prospective list of GOP hopefuls that include: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Dr. Ben Carson, and others.
I don’t see Graham winning the nomination, but if he did, I believe Hillary Clinton would destroy him in debates and in the election. If Hillary is not the nominee, I am sure another contender could do the same. While Graham can be likeable sometimes, sometimes, he has a lot of baggage and comes off as a Washington Insider.
