Friday, July 6, 2007

Lindsey Graham Set in '08

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Fri, Jul 6, 2007 at 3:34 PM

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It would be hard to miss the fury with which the radio right has been attacking Lindsey Graham for his impassioned support for the failed immigration reforms (Sen. Grahamnesty is about as clever as they come). There's been a flurry of speculation about who could challenge Graham. But with the GOP's best possible horse (alleged coke addict and friendly distributor Thomas Ravenel) out of the race, I'd say the senator is on easy street.

Washington website Politico ran a story on Lindsey, noting opposition to his immigration position, but casting doubt to any challengers.

While some hard-core conservatives are lobbying online for someone to step forward to challenge Graham, their candidate recruitment drive has fallen short. That causes some to question whether Graham really is trouble with the GOP's most faithful.

"If Lindsey Graham were as vulnerable as his critics say he is, they'd be lining up to run against him," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres of Washington. "So far, there have been zero. Zilch."

Don't believe us? How about Sen. Jim DeMint, whose support would be essential to any attempt to unseat Graham. In a letter to the Times and Democrat on Thursday, DeMint all but endorsed Graham in '08.

Lindsey and I have worked closely together in Congress for over eight years and we make a good team for South Carolina. Both of us have been willing to take unpopular stands when we thought we were right, and both of us have gone against the president when we thought he was wrong. We may have different views on how to improve our immigration system, but I have a deep respect for the hard work, conviction and passion Sen. Graham brings to policy debates. I'm proud to work alongside Lindsey; he's a trusted friend and a true asset to South Carolina and the nation.

Does this mean that Lindsey won't see a GOP challenger? No. I'm sure there's some far-right crazy with higher aspirations than his IQ. But the big dogs who could truly challenge Graham won't be stepping into the ring come November.

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Comments (11)

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It's a shame there aren't any viable candidates to take Graham on. Is he running as a Democrat this time, I mean he and Kennedy are such good friends that he asks Kennedy for help in his voting. He was a big disappointment to me.

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Posted by EC Lewis on July 6, 2007 at 10:31 PM

I would not be so sure that he is going to have an "easy street" campaign. Many coalitions are working together to retire Lindsey, and there are plenty of candidates looking at the race. We the people of South Carolina are not going to take this one sitting down. Graham is the poster boy for illegal immigration not only in SC but in the entire US. In order to compete with Lindsey's un-American friends, like the Council of LaRaza, this campaign will be conducted at the national level along with the presidential campaign. Some states are already organizing to raise funds to use against Graham's campaign. His love for the illegal aliens is not his only problem. There are many more, and when revealed the people of South Carolina will be repulsed and vote for someone who will listen to American citizens, who are the voters!

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Posted by freesc2007 on July 7, 2007 at 12:54 AM

FreeSC, a question. If Graham is the poster boy for illegal immigration shouldn't Bush also be on that poster too?

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Posted by Fred McDermott on July 7, 2007 at 10:02 AM

Lindsey, the poster boy with Strom's annointing, is well positioned for disaffecteds to bring a Libertarian to the Senate in SC, though I'm not sure that Moultire is up to the task. It is a cinch that the neocons and some constituencies that elected to punish the party by sitting out could well back a third party, noting that SCOTUS is still in play on appointments.

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Posted by west_rhino on July 9, 2007 at 9:19 AM

There is a potential challenger to the third Senator from NY, stay tuned.

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Posted by Jeffrey Sewell on July 9, 2007 at 10:52 AM

No viable candidates to take on Graham? How about the man who got 46 percent of the vote in the attorney general race in '98? http://www.columbiacitypaper.com/2007/5/9/the-agitator-mulls-run-for-u-s-senate-in-08

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Posted by Corey on July 9, 2007 at 11:00 AM

I'll have to cop to looking at the potential of a GOP challenger when I suggested the viable candidates weren't getting out there. Putting "viable" beside any Democrat's name in this race would likely depend on Iraq and where we are come Nov. '08. If we're already pulling out troops (big if), you can forget about it.

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Posted by Greg Hambrick on July 9, 2007 at 11:53 AM

Citizens For Constitutional Government has opened a new web site: www.DumpLindseyGraham.com We have links to web sites of those announced candidates and we are in communication with several others who are giving it serious consideration. We would like to have debates to determine who should take Graham on in the Republican primary. Join our private update list and give us your recommendations via email or toll free telephone.

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Posted by Citizens For Constitutional Govt. on July 9, 2007 at 1:12 PM

I would love to see Henry Jordan or Ted Adams in this race. Either of these guys would bring a whole new concept to this S.C. Senatorial seat as well as D.C., reverence for our Constitution, borders and personal integrity.

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Posted by Patricia on July 9, 2007 at 3:06 PM

Some one, any one please oppose Graham the turn coat. He has lied to all of us. Said he would up hold the laws of our country then trys to reward illegals for breaking our laws with amnesty. We supported Graham for the house and senate. We ask the people of SC and this country to forgive us. We are sorry. Flush Graham any way possible.

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Posted by Curly Reid on July 9, 2007 at 3:38 PM

Governor Sanford will run against him and win easily in the primary and then against whatever Democrat opponent makes a token opposition. Gaham (not a spelling error) is a goner.

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Posted by Lee on July 9, 2007 at 5:38 PM
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