I believe "child mascot" captures Graham's essence. From pool joint stars to John McCain to the current White House occupant.
3
This quote seems so appropriate to Sen. Graham: "Listen, I'm a politician, which means I'm a cheat and a liar, and when I'm not kissing babies I'm stealing their lollipops." from the Tom Clancy movie: " The Hunt for Red October"
4
Before I read this piece, I thought Senator Lindsey Graham was a joke.
After reading the article, I think Senator Graham is a dangerous man willing to enable a manifestly unfit President for personal political gain......and, also, a joke.
8
When Graham says, “This is the defining moment of his presidency. It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”, that’s the height of hypocrisy. Remember Merrick Garland?
2
Would that the N Y Times reporter had pursued more about Graham's role in the Clinton Impeachment or, perhaps, more interestingly, his military "career". Yes, he served in the US Air Force for a few years, then joined the SC Guard and later the USAF Reserve; yes he liked to wear camo when he visited Iraq; yes he liked to wear a sidearm with that camo. He was an Air Force lawyer. It's clear to see why warrior wannabe Graham sidled up to McCain, much less clear why an officer who declared an oath to defend the Constitution would place Party over Country or as egregious, sidle up to this President. Except, as the article points out, Lindsey Graham always does what's best for Lindsey Graham.
2
Lindsay Graham has sold his soul to the devil. He clearly does not take his oath to the Constitution very seriously. He is supposed to be representing American interests not those of Donald Trump
I also do not subscribe to the “married to the Senate” argument. Lindsay Graham is a bitterly sick man and South Carolina would do well to boot him out of office in 2020
8
It's pretty clear that either he has been compromised (photos and such) or he fell under the spell of a cult leader. I think too much coziness to religion is the gateway drug to cult behavior. You lose your ability to discern right from wrong and spend your time defending the indefensible. People like Graham will be on the ash heap of history along with the leader...
4
This interview throws out the window any thought that this outspoken politician has any scruples. I hope those like Graham who became turncoats are defeated at the polls in 2020 for their support of a president who had only his own interests, not that of the country, at heart.
3
The fact that like trump, Graham is without scruples and will do anything necessary to stay in office.
3
Our Lindsey (I write from one of SC's acre size blue zones) must believe that none of the of the Trump worshipping Republican primary voters here will be aware of his "wink, wink" cuteness in this piece. I wouldn't be so sure. His possible primary opponents will have researchers who aren't afraid of damnation from reading the Times. Seems to me that our good ole boy senator was nowhere near deferential enough to the Donald in this piece. A Trump creature is expected to be absolutely, seriously committed in all venues to the Trump program of that day. That won't work with Trump as your magazine lays out in the Spicer article in this week's magazine.
3
He has no moral center because there are no morals. Precious few in the Legislative and Executive branches are supporting and defending the Constitution. They support and defend their primary interests, paramount of those is the almighty dollar.
4
One line in Robert Bolt's "A Man For All Seasons" from Thomas More to Richard Rich, the freshly appointed AG of Wales seems particularly apt in summing up Lindsey Graham:
"For Wales? Why Richard, it profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.... but for Wales?"
Now imagine trading your soul for Donald Trump
2
In a representative democracy getting elected is paramount for a politician. Once elected gravitating to the sources of power would seem to be obvious.
Well Trump has emasculated the traditional GOP and Congress has leached power to The President for decades.
LG is an adept politician and his next challenge will come when the Trump era ends sometime in the next six years. What happens to the demographics and economics of SC will determine in part how he adapts. This is democracy in action.
1
The senator worries that "we're going to get it wrong in Syria and Afghanistan"?
What year is Graham living in??
6
Most things become corrupt over time. Too much wind, too much water, too much salt, too much money, too much power, lack of honesty. Sometimes a good cleaning helps.
2
I would really like to know how the $30 million the NRA poured into the 2016 election was spread around —- and, where that $30 million came from. The answer might shed a lot of light on some of the about faces that have taken place in the GOP.
3
Senator Graham has negated any positive feelings one could have about him. Other than those who buy Trump's version of the Presidency. To paraphrase an old and still wise prophecy: you are known by the company you keep.
After Trump is out of the WH, the rot will linger and will be permanently attached to politicians such as Lindsey Graham.
4
No Mr. Graham. Trump is not your or the Republican party’s president. He is supposed to be America’s president. If indeed he is “hated” ,as you aver, then it is Trump himself who is the subject of that hatred not you, your fellow Republicans, or the popular minority of Americans who voted for him.
3
Lindsay sold his soul. he is a lacky. he is a has-been. he is nothing.
4
Marlene
Amen. You definitely got this correct
1
Graham is the worst kind of politician. He has no conviction. No Moral position. He stands for nothing. He seeks only power and the perception that he is an insider. He's a Beta attracted to those whom he perceives as Alpha. A textbook lackey.
7
I wonder if the Senator understands the meaning of "lipstick on a pig"?
2
It isn't Due Process until the process produces dues. If Donald turns out to be a traitor, Graham will be very disappointed with him. It might inspire a crisis at the border.
So, we were surprised but we shall now forever know him as a thorough-going craven opportunist.
2
"It’s about him being treated different than any other president.” I guess he doesn't remember that immediate plan to make Obama a one-term president, the 10 Benghazi investigations, the Supreme Court seat for which Merrick Garland was not given the courtesy of a hearing, the calls for President Obama to return to Kenya, etc. Lindsey Graham is a self-interested politician, just like the overwhelming majority of them. The fact that he is a lawyer and defends a man with supreme disregard for the rule of law is all you need to know about Senator Graham.
8
Either we accept Graham's confession that he is power-crazed and that Trump--good, bad, or ugly--is helpful in reaching and implementing this; or we discount the above as just the Trumpian tactic of distract, divide, conquer. That is a cover for Graham's real aspiration: getting Trump to appoint him (who served in the military as a JAG) to SCOTUS. In turn, that requires more time and, above all, Trump's reelection...no matter what.
1
I wish you had gone longer and deeper. Interviewed Megan McCain. Talked to former Graham and McCain staff members about him. Yes, he wants to be re-elected. But can’t that happen without selling your soul to the devil?
1
As a centrist Democrat I used to have a lot of respect for Lindsay Graham. Now - not so much. He has become inconsistent, he's lost his moral center, and he literally blows in the wind on policy. Fealty to Trump has really damaged this guy and I doubt at this late stage he'll recover from the damage.
2
Graham: “If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business."
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what is wrong with Washington today.
Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for their country, and Lindsey Graham's main concern is getting re-elected.
Expediency comes at a cost, and the nation is paying a steep price today. I wish Graham and Trump's other GOP enablers would think about that.
4
It's a shame about Lindsey Graham. Lashing himself to the mast of the USS Donald J. Trump.
I would ask Chris Coons why he would want to rekindle a working relationship with the hissing, frothing, obviously theatrically enraged Graham.
I believe that it is not about who Graham has become, but who he has revealed.
And it's not about hating Lindsey Graham. I, and lots of other people, liked him, enjoyed his sense of humor, and his sense of fairness and decency.
We are not chasing a barking dog. We are attempting to contain a rabid dog. And a rabid, out-of-control political party.
A party of which Graham has the misfortune, and the lack of common sense, to be part of.
I believe Graham has lost himself.
Lindsey Graham and I are about the same age. And I, like him, fear irrelevancy. But there are worse ways to go. Like cozening Donald Trump. Whispering in Trumps ear. Capering for the trickster.
So Mr. Graham can cleverly obscure his debasement to Trump, and to the very worst the republican party has to offer, but all he really needed to do was step into John McCain's shoes. There was a moment when they would have fit very well.
But that moment has passed.
8
Bravo! You nailed it with the sentence about filling McCain's shoes. They will remain, sadly, unused in a dusty corner of the GOP house of shame.
1
Graham was always the lightweight when teamed with McCain.Since his death the true Graham has surfaced: the hawk , bigot and opportunist/apologist. Typical of the contemporary Republican crowd.
4
What's that giant sucking sound?
Graham started the good fight, then just caved like so many other Repubs that spoke accurately of the danger of a Trump in the WH.
The GOP is forever shamed and tarnished.
1
Even the Divine Sarah Bernhardt would probably cringe at Lindsay Graham's recent 'over the top' performances on the Senate Stage. He's now a complete Trump Tool along with many others in the Republican Party.
2
No, Lindsey Graham, I don't hate you or Republicans. I am a Democrat but I always looked to you for a touch of sanity amongst some crazy ultra-right-wing Republicans. I always thought you stood up for what is just. That's why I always liked you and John McCain. You used to be brave enough to stand up to your own party. I admire that from politicians in either party. I don't hate Trump (or anyone else) but I do think he is the worst excuse for a president we have ever had. He has attempted to destroy the institutions built up over the years since the end of WWII. He has stoked fears of those who have looked to him to save the United States when he is actually seeking to destroy everything. And why? Is it just because he thinks he is so smart he knows more than the generals, those who have dealt with foreign policy for years, those who have been involved in domestic policy for years. I am sad to see you have drink the koolaid or is it that you just want to be re-elected?
3
I’m a constituent in my adoptive home state, and I write to, and call, Lindsey Graham a lot—sometimes, to applaud his stands on support for the State Department, my former employer, and more recently, his craven support for various Trump positions plus his comments at the Kavanaugh hearing. Lindsey bends with the political wind and is known to pander, to wit: Prior to his last campaign, in 2014, he came out against abortion, a social issue that I had never seen him address in the years I’ve lived in SC. Really? So, he’s an opportunist, perhaps held in check a bit by his attachment-at-the-hip relationship with John McCain. But that “moderating” influence is gone, and seemed to disappear at the time that McCain revealed he had incurable brain cancer. It was shocking to me to see how Graham, all of a sudden, got pulled into Trump’s cancerous “orbit.”
2
The human ability to rationalize behavior - that the end justifies the means - reallly reflects the human need to be “important”. Much of the worst deeds done by humans are done under this type of unethical and destructive calculation.
7
These days, I’m guessing that John McCain would not recognize his old friend or old party.
8
John McCain is definitely rolling over in his grave.
7
Lindsey Graham is one of the biggest jokes in Congress right now, and that's saying a lot.
Most other Republicans powered down their brains from the outset and swore eternal fealty to an unfit, corrupt president. But Graham is almost worse; he pretended to be a courageous person, capable of independent and rational thought, right up until the very moment he bent the knee and became an obsequious puppet just like the rest of his GOP brethren.
5
Please don't forget McConnell. He was elected and swore the oath of office. Did he really read it? It is loyalty to the Constitution......not to his own ego, or Party, It is to the United States and all it's citizens.
2
Graham hasn't changed. He was McCain's lapdog, and now he's Trump's lapdog.
1
This is disturbing. Senator Graham is admitting to having prostituted himself in order to have access to the "smaller orbit". It's naive for him to think that Trump considers Lindsey Graham in the same orbit as Ivanka and Jared. Moreover, Senator Graham misstates Donald Trump's intentions with the presidency: for Trump, a "successful presidency" is one that benefits him personally. He's never shown a us that he cares more about our country than himself.
3
Having worked on the Hill for years, I was struck by the candor and honesty Lindsey Graham revealed in this interview. He’s right-he reallyHASN’T changed.
Lindsey Graham has never been anything more than a chameleon. He changes colors to match the highest profile attention grabber in his orbit. For years that was John McCain, so he got attention (and won re-election) while also appearing to have McCain’s integrity and his guiding set of principles. That was all illusion.
The minute McCain was gone, he filled the void with Donald Trump. He makes no apologies for changing colors. No self respecting chameleon would!
I give him credit for confessing that this “newest self,” that debuted with the outburst and feigned indignation on behalf of Kavanaugh, is pure theatre and that he is “in on the joke.” The sad part is, the joke is on the rest of us.
6
I was born and raised in KY and also have lived in South Carolina for 7 years. I'm not sure whether to be more embarrassed by having lived in a state the brought us Mitch McConnell or Lindsey Graham. I think it's Graham because at least we always knew who McConnell was. At one point there was hope for Graham. I have to believe his supposed good friend John McCain would be embarrassed to know him today.
4
“It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.” ...“This is a fight between the people who are so smart and the rest of us.”
Being repulsed, having revulsion has nothing whatsoever to do with being smart. The president is being treated different than any other president because he is ACTING different than any other president.
9
just more evidence that these safe republican seats are in danger of being swamped by the coming blue tide...
2
It’s too bad about Lindsey Graham. Lashing himself to the mast of the USS Donald Trump.
I would ask Chris Coons why he would want to rekindle a relationship with the Lindsey Graham we witnessed during the Kavanaugh hearings.
I felt his rage was strictly aimed at the peanut gallery and beneath the Senator from South Carolina.His performance was revealing, and unconvincing.
In spite of what Mr. Graham may think, many people who are repulsed by Donald Trump still harbor positive feelings for Graham. Many Democrats.
I always valued his sense of humor, his sense of fairness and his decency.
In Trump, we are not chasing a barking dog, but attempting to contain a dangerous president, and an out-of-control republican party.
I believe Graham has lost himself.
Lindsey Graham and I are about the same age. And I, like him, fear irrelevancy. But there are worse ways to go. Like cozening Donald Trump. Whispering in Trumps ear. Capering for the trickster.
So Mr. Graham can cleverly obscure his debasement to Trump, and to the worst instincts of the Republican Party.
I believe he could have chosen another path. He could have stepped into John McCain’s shoes. There was a moment when they would have fit very well. But That moment may have passed.
2
An excellent, though nauseating, look deep into the entrails of Washington politics. Graham is revealed as nothing more than a partisan hack who will do and say anything to get reelected. One is more disappointed than surprised. But there is some small hope that his cozy, though temporal, relationship with trump just might temper some of trump's more dangerous moves.
2
Are there varied forms of Stockholm Syndrome? A form that might include people who are not actually locked-up prisoners, but people who are so fearful, so cowed, by one or several people that they will do anything to protect themselves? Examples: Lindsay Graham and other Congressional Republicans who submerge their true values and instead cowtow to this president.
Then we have the president himself. Is he not ingratiating himself to the dictators of the world because he's so afraid of them that this is the only way he knows of to protect himself from their potential wrath?
And yet, fear often engenders hate, sometimes misplaced hate. Bullies are usually cowards. Is this not what we've been watching since 2016?
“I’ve got an opportunity up here working with the president to get some really good outcomes for the country,” he told me.
An outcome of particular interest to Graham, at the moment, is getting re-elected to a fourth Senate term in South Carolina...
.....
So is that it? It's about approval and reelection? It's about nurturing the divisions so that you, the candidate, can appear different enough from the opponent?
Is this is really where we are at? A constant political theater of exaggeration, boast and fear mongering so you can stand out in relief enough in order to win the next election. It sure does help explain why we are always in an election cycle, even if the next election is two years away.
This is like Orwell's Eurasia and Eastasia and Oceania writ small among the eternal political opponents, and all we can do is stand gape-mouthed at the every changing circus.
3
I asked him to explain the joke to me. “If you could go to dinner with us. … ” he said, shaking his head.
...you would hear us laughing at all the fools that believe whatever we say to them....?
2
@Jim Cricket This is what enrages me the most. But I think they are laughing at the impotent fools -- i.e. me -- who are enraged by this whole charade.
@Carol Bradford I think Trump/Graham are banking on the fact that outrage is not a particularly easy emotion to sustain.
Lindsey Graham has no conscience without John McCain. What a disappointment to a man he called a friend
4
'“Why? ’Cause they hate him,” Graham said of Trump. “They hate us,” he added, and repeated the call: “They hate us.”'
This man is beneath contempt.
1
On national television during the last primary campaign, Senator Graham famously and colorfully described Mr. Trump as a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot." Since Mr. Graham apparently has no further use for that proven assessment, might he loan it out for some other candidate's use during the next campaign go-'round (attributed, of course)?
3
Mr. Graham support for the president started when he began taking huge donations from Russian connected companies. You really only need to follow the money to explain a world class flip-flop like that.
1
Graham is an excellent example of how Trumpism is really just another shade of Republican conservatism, no matter how much the Moaning Joes of the world hyperventilate while doing backflips to distance themselves from it. McCain did give us Sarah Palin. Reagan, his fabricated welfare queen. Graham, like many Republicans, shows how easy it is to deep-six what you pretended to stand for last week for something even more abhorrent this week, contradictions be damned. Beyond no apologies, being Republican apparently also means never having to say, "I remember." Perhaps the whole party has dementia?
Graham is also a great example of how hollow, without principle, and feckless it all is--easily toppled by the likes of a carnival-barker, willing to follow one right over the cliff.
This is what Graham calls political relevance. Amazing.
I have no idea what they are drinking, but I don't want any.
3
It's no longer a secret that Western politicians and other persons of prominence in the world are regularly video-taped every time they visit Russia. Inside your hotel rooms, streets, everywhere. This is how Putin gathers Kompromat. Even if you're not captured with a hooker, they will get your naked picture in the bathroom of your hotel room.
Russia plays very dirty. They probably have dirty stuff on Senator Graham, the Air Force Colonel who has now completely lost his courage.
3
Lindsey has always needed a "Daddy". When McCain died and he lost that umbrella of tolerant inclusion, Lindsey knew who needed anoter "Daddy" to support and provide the umbrella of being relevant.
Guaranteed Graham cannot stand alone on core principles .He needs his "Daddy', even if his Daddy is a bigot, a hater and divider, a self promoting liar and probable crook
I'll bet Mc Cain saw through Lindseys dependency . And maybe so does D.J.T.
2
Power corrupts and that is what happened to Lindsey Graham.
1
As a constituent of Mr Graham, I believe he had changed. My Republican friends are disgusted with him too. Many are calling for his defeat in 2020. He does not represent us. He represents Mr. Trump. A quote here is telling. He complains that Trump is treated differently from other presidents, but fails to note that Trump treats the presidency differently from other presidents, leading to great concern at home and abroad.
9
I understand more fully than before what Graham means when he says he hasn't changed. He apparently values access and [perceived] influence more than his highly touted principles. I'm a Democrat but over the years I have seen him take positions that seemed moderate/pragmatic and I kind of liked him. My husband always had his number and assured me that Lindsey was an opportunist of the first order. You were right, honey.
12
Interesting article. I have scratched my head about Graham for a long time. The consummate politician. Wets the tip of his finger, holds up his hand, checking which way the wind is blowing. Comparable to an untethered yachtsman who adjusts his sail accordingly. As I recently read the heavily redacted Manafort charging memo I had the uncomfortable gut feel that possibly one of the names that was blacked out could possibly be a Senator from South Carolina. Kompromat?? Sincerely hope not.
8
Lindsey Graham was so connected to John McCain that when the latter past away, it took Graham's backbone leaving him as a spineless lackey.
8
Mr. Graham has gone from being marginally relevant to the punchline of a joke, or more probably the joke itself. The sound you hear in the constant background is John McCain spinning in his grave.
6
Lindsay Graham is a profile in cowardice; saving his ‘job’ is all. His rant at the conclusion of the Kavanaugh hearing says it all; he is totally unfit to serve in the USA government.
18
Please, Senator. The rumor is that someone, somewhere has something on Lindsey Graham and is making sure he follows the party line. The Trump/Putin relationship, we all suspect, has the same dynamic.
Nothing else could have turned him from Trump critic to total Trump sycophant so fast. What possible explanation could there be?
Maybe he doesn't want to end up like Robert Kraft.
9
The problem with Graham is he no longer has Senator McCain to lean on and provide him with some back bone. He is among the most prominent Trump trolls in the Senate.
8
Lindsey Graham has publicly stated that his emails have been hacked (Russia?), but the product of that hacking has not been made public. Shortly after admitting this, he had a golf game with Donald Trump. After that golf game, he went from anti-Trump, to Trump cheerleader.
What is clear is that Trump knows something from the hack of Lindsey Graham's email account that he is holding over Graham (Possibly evidence that Graham is gay, or made discriminatory statements?) and is using it to blackmail Lindsey Graham. No other explanation makes sense. QED
18
So sad..when you believe that the voters of South Carolina will throw you out, because you swore an oath to the constitution and decide to uphold that oath..so sad
7
Lindsey Graham has become relevant and all it cost him was his independence and everybody's respect.
10
Graham has pulled out a red herring that stinks up the place and gives lie to his self-deception.
We're long past collusion of manipulating election results, it's the daily conspiracy to do Putin's bidding.
The evidence is overwhelming that Trump makes choices again and again that benefit Putin and Russia more than they benefit the US and our allies.
Try some Bayesian analysis as simple as a coin toss for each choice Trump makes. Pull out a roll of coins, flip one for each decision, and put them in 2 stacks, one each for heads or tails - Putin or the US.
Notice how few are in the US stack? Probability suggests that's not an accident.
"You want to invade everywhere except where I want to invade," is that an accident? How can Trump keep forming opinions and making decisions that are based on false notions disconnected from facts, and therefore consistently wrong?
4
The man has no shame and a total lack of character. Graham, McCain and Lieberman used to really scare me when they were playing the Three Amigos. The Amigos came across as looking for a war to start. Now Graham acts like he is Trump's caddy in waiting.
5
Do all the political analysis you like, but I opt for blackmail.
13
Got to be succinct on this one...
Is there a big pay day for these guys (the likes of Graham) when our republic officially becomes an oligarchy?
6
Lindsey Graham’s breezy explanation of the political expediency served by his quick flight to President Trump’s side following John McCain’s death reminds us that history is full of collaborators. Charismatic peddlers of lies, discord and hate like our current president sadly find those whose short term interests are served by collaboration. History typically treats such collaborators unkindly and one might suspect that history will regard Senator Graham far differently than his friend John McCain. For Senator Graham’s sake, let’s hope that the contemporary devil is less stingy in returning souls than has been the case until now.
5
So: the Senator trades his principles on lesser Fox News items to win influence on important issues and re-election. I know politics is the art of the possible, but still, it seems a price too high to pay. Can’t imagine he is happy with himself.
3
More like “politics the art of the profitable”.
I made the statement that Lindsey Graham lost both his conscience and his courage, when he rather suddenly joined with Trump's shrills shortly after the death of John McCain. Although a life-long Democrat in South Carolina, I voted once for Graham as Senator because the Democratic choice in SC that year was incompetent, and everyone knew it except the candidate himself. I have asked and received help from Senator Graham on occasion and he has always been responsive. I have admired him because of where he came from, since I came from some of the same textile mill village history. I honestly thought Lindsey was his own man, until his conversion following Senator McCain's death. I long for the Graham I once thought I knew.
21
Nothing in Lindsey's words were substance, only a fearful emotional appeal. And he is afraid of 2020.
9
I like Lindsay Graham. Although I think he is a little "squishy" when it comes to border security and immigration, he was absolutely the hero during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. I cheered him when he called the democrats out for what they were: Power! Nothing in politics moved me as much as those hearings. The treatment Justice Kavanaugh received was absolutely disgusting! I think this was the lowest point this country has reached in a long time.
I realize this may not be a popular position for someone posting on this website to espouse but I don't believe in guilt without any proof.
He's a good man. And btw, he doesn't agree with everything Donald Trump believes.
1
Interesting that Lindsay Graham projects Republican obstructionist behavior on Democrats. He's proving himself to be another political opportunist who is willing to twist or sell out any principles he may once have espoused in exchange for attention or influence with Donald Trump.
15
Sen. Graham says that the only way to be "relevant" is to directly influence policy. That makes all of us non-Senators "irrelevant". And in the same breath, he mocks "the people who are so smart"?
8
I have no doubt that they are both 100% in on the joke, the joke being that one can say and do just about anything for political theater without having any conviction whatsoever about what one is saying.
15
"An outcome of particular interest to Graham, at the moment, is getting re-elected to a fourth Senate term in South Carolina..."
Well, there you have it, folks. It's really that simple. This career politician is so enamored with maintaining his place at the federal trough that he will take stances that anyone with some moral fiber would never even contemplate. He is pandering to the basest of the base in South Carolina, and while SC is indeed changing for the better with an influx of international businesses, it is still predominantly populated by people who consider Democrats to be nothing other than immoral abortionists, gun stealers, and defenders of Allah and open borders.
Excusing, and even praising, the rantings of one Donald J. Trump may endear Mr. Graham to enough SC voters to get him reelected once again. But every power monger eventually overreaches and places himself so far out on a branch that a fall is inevitable. Lindsey thinks this will pay off, and maybe it will in the short term. But at what price ultimately? He's not Frank Underwood, and this isn't House of Cards...or some reality show created by Mr. Trump.
16
In Greenville, Graham framed the Kavanaugh melee as a proxy battle over President Trump — and placed himself on the Trumpian side of an us-versus-them divide. The Democrats and the national news media, he said, are engaged in a singular mission to thwart the president. “Why? ’Cause they hate him,” Graham said of Trump. “They hate us,” he added, and repeated the call: “They hate us.”
I assume Graham missed Mitch McConnell's quote in 2008 "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for Obama to be a one-term president" I assume Graham believes that McTurtle said that out of love for Obama. How soon they forget.
15
In many respects, Senator Lindsey Graham embodies the notion of "opportunism". He is an ambitious opportunist, who has figured that endearing himself to Donald Trump and whispering into his ears, puts him in the position of influencing events. And that makes him a dangerous man, especially knowing his brand of right-wing politics, which he masterfully coats with layers of apple pie and motherhood.
20
When his friend John McCain died, so did Lindsey Graham's conscience.
Perhaps he does not understand that this President, wholly lacking in any sort of moral compass, is different; and that is why people treat him differently.
15
I'm reminded of Mitch McConnell when I read this -- both he and Graham are disturbingly hypocritical (see McConnell's recent go along on Trump's bogus national emergency for one).
17
He’s clearly trying to protect his seat...and power.
9
The take aways from this are that Graham has completely lost his soul, humanity, ethics, honor, moral compass, and is drunk with power.
He seems to take to extremes the mantra of today's politician: "Sometimes I have to dump on the people so I can get reelected to continue to do good things for the people." Only he leaves the last "people" out and inserts himself.
He's also kidding himself in a big way if he thinks proof of Russian collusion with the campaign (almost certain at this point) will "be the end of us." He'll find one more way to rationalize it.
10
Lindsey Graham was a thoughtful, smart, dedicated senator. I didn’t always agree with him, but I always respected him. Now he is an embarrassment to our state.
16
Lindsay Graham is now a punch line ; he sat by while Trump trashed John McCain and he defended an obviously indefensible Brett Kavanaugh. Why is the answer to every Democratic policy or critique is that "they think they are so smart?" No one says you aren't smart - it's your behavior and the policies you support that we don't like. You should be happy that no one stood up and answered you at that hearing in the same tone you attacked them - you knew they wouldn't so you went ahead. You've learned your lessons well from your master - but now there is no there there anymore.
10
To use the vernacular of 1990s trio TLC, Senator Graham is a "scrub". He is not a leader, he has never been a leader. Graham was hanging out the passenger side of his best friend John McCain's ride, and now that he's gone he's doing the same thing to the next seemingly available alpha male.
15
Precisely why one would ask this question directly to Lindsey Graham is a bit of a mystery to me.
We can infer a couple of things from his behavior. None of these things are mutually exclusive.
He's a sociopath with no moral conscious.
He's compromised in some fashion (blackmail/extortion).
Perhaps these traits were better hidden when he was under the shadow of senator McCain, but based on every observable bit of behavior in recent memory it's impossible to believe there's any positive aspect to Lindsey Graham. As I see it he's the Republican poster boy for depravity.
10
It has always seemed odd to me that a man who has absolutely no respect for anybody or anything nevertheless expects everyone else to respect and admire him
But it must work, at least with some people. Remember the friendship that existed between John McCain and Lindsay Graham? And now, Graham, who along with McCain had no use for Trump, has become a Trump toadie. Who knew.
7
Fascinating. Graham is both aware and unaware. He sees that Trump is at heart play-acting, working his regular shtick as Mr. Outrageous--and the emulative Graham therefore gives free rein to his own histrionic side. But Graham can't see that playing Mr. Sidekick isn't working. He genuinely believes his cozying up to Trump is an acceptable, even laudable political tack.
6
If South Carolina is sending their best to Congress, it’s no wonder the rest of the country has to bail them out every year.
7
I find Lindsay Graham's transformation since his 'best friend ' became ill & passed away to be revolting. There was a time when I had some respect for Mr. Graham because I thought he believed in the country. Now, I see that to him it's all a joke and woe be unto to those of us that aren't laughing. He sold out Mr McCain before the nails were in the coffin and now he is selling out the country for power. His sneering remark to the Democrats during Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing was disgusting. One could practically see the spittle being emitted from his mouth as he told Democrats that he hoped they would never 'git' it. He will never get my vote and I hope he is unseated as soon as possible. Standing up for Trump's emergency declaration is standing against his oath of office.
13
“The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke,” Graham said. I asked Graham if he is in on the joke, too. “Oh, 100 percent, 100 percent.”
OK, what's the joke? That some people actually believe we care about our country and its people? This administration is certainly a joke, and a cruel one.
11
There is one small silver lining in all of this.
Forever more, a Republican can no longer refer to oneself as a 'Value Voter'. Well, at least not with a straight face. Can they?
6
Clearly the Russians have some significant dirt on Lindsey and, through Trump, have told him that they can ruin him in a heartbeat if he strays from the party line.
11
I realized, after about three paragraphs of reading, I don't care to know more of Graham.
I'm so smart.
10
As Lindsay Graham and Republicans start thinking about the 2020 presidential elections and the president for whom they have lashed themselves to the mast, they should consider that one of their Dear Leader’s primary motives in running for election is to run the statute of limitations on two felonies.
2016: “Make America Great Again” “Lock Her Up”
2020: “Keep Trump Free From Prison” “Run the Statute”
4
“Well, I’m getting into the smaller orbit now,”....
The closer you get to Trump, the odds of being destroyed quadruple.
Look at all of the bodies and careers that have been destroyed by Trump's orbital radiance. He spares no one.
8
Basically, do not believe anything he says, ever.
9
The dissembling Senator Graham needs to come clean about his relationship with Russian money.
It’s been well-documented that the NRA has become a slush fund for Republican politicians. Sadly, it appears that Russian money has found its way to the NRA.
So, Senator Graham, are YOU under the influence of Russian money?
11
It’s worrisome that Graham and others in the Republican Party are not just Trump sidekicks, they are Trump lackeys and excuse makers. You wait to see something that they are going to do that will be of value to either people in their states or people in this country, and we’re all still waiting. It’s very discouraging. We need the best possible leaders that we can get at this point in our history. And that leadership is sorely lacking right now.
4
What's wrong with Senator Graham embracing and dancing with Trump? Are you asking for a bit of consistency by our leadership? Or do we Americans have something against hypocrisy?
1
First, abandon all integrity. After that it's easy.
6
McCain’s family did not want Trump at his funeral at his request. He was disgusted with Trump and his leadership after Helsinki.
Here is part of his official statement about that summit:
"Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. The damage inflicted by President Trump’s naiveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate
President Trump proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin. He and Putin seemed to be speaking from the same script as the president made a conscious choice to defend a tyrant against the fair questions of a free press, and to grant Putin an uncontested platform to spew propaganda and lies to the world.
No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant. Not only did President Trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary; but speaking for America to the world, our president failed to defend all that makes us who we are—a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of liberty at home and abroad. American presidents must be the champions of that cause if it is to succeed.”
Graham’s explicit decision to back Trump even after this statement from his good friend McCain, and even after Trump continues to disparage McCain after his death, is beyond belief.
Before the Senate vote for Barr, Graham made this statement to all of the Republicans “If you don’t support this president, WE won’t support you.”
9
And here I thought Graham wasn't a professional. Turns out he's a senior member of the oldest profession - the sale going to the highest bidder of flattery and camera time.
I still hope that Mr.Mueller will take them all down. The GOP is the biggest domestic threat we have. Traitors to democracy, all.
10
Lindsey Graham is one republican that I had some respect for because I thought he’s man of principle. But he’s no different or even worse than all the others. Graham has no problem graveling at Trump’s feet for votes support. These kind of politician cares not about the best interest of the country, but him self. Do anything to get elected. I hope people see this man for the phone that he is and vote him out.
3
"It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”
If you didn't know better you'd think he was talking about the way the GOP treated President Obama. Republicans sure do have a short memory, especially when it comes about something that doesn't concern them.
5
" ... he wants to be a successful president,” Graham said of Trump, “and I want him to be successful under terms that I think are good ... "
Too bad. Neither is equipped to deliver he things they want.
4
It is interesting to note that the two things most important to Lindsey Graham as stated by himself more than once in this article are being relevant and getting re-elected. Working for the good of the people of South Carolina or of America in general didn't come to mind.
He is already irrelevant to my mind, maybe not re-elected is in his future as well.
6
What's perplexing about Graham's about-face and support of Trump is that Trump is both a Yankee and a carpetbagger.
4
He's probably right when he claims he didn't change. I've always wondered why, every once in a while, he'd show some bit of something that was more attributable to convenience than long held belief. I suspect if he weren't so good at using McCain as camouflage, he would have been far more identifiable long ago.
4
Maybe I’m just naive or too optimistic when it comes to the inherent goodness of most human beings; but there’s a very strong part of me that really wants to believe that Graham is putting on an act as a sycophant in order to protect the country from Trump. Graham’s past statement and actions evidences a rational politician who was willing to reach across the aisle. What’s more: his close friendship with John McCain makes it exceptionally difficult for me to imagine a man who could stoop so low as to support Trump, a man who was, for lack of any other word, John McCain’s enemy.
To accept the alternative that Graham is doing this for anything other than a larger plan to take this man down, is too sad for me to consider.
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business.”
Graham is not the first politician to suddenly lean in the direction of the prevailing political winds when his policy stances and beliefs poll disapprovingly among the base of his party.
He does seem particularly wimpy however in the backbone department so his sudden sways are not a surprise but a disappointment to those who sent him there for something more then just supporting his personal job security.
Senator Graham seems to think because "They hate us" he has carte blanche (heavy on the blanche) to essentially do evil.
It is possible that we don't hate you - we are a nation brought together by a Constitution and a system of checks and balances. What we all love is the Constitution and the opportunity for the pursuit of happiness.
The Republican party and Trump do not care for the Constitution or the lives and opportunity of those who are not rich or white. That is what we hate, that is not America. Growth is from compromise and collaboration to become a more perfect union - not from being the "No" party for the sake of "No".
3
What happened? Senator Graham figures his best chance to be re-elected is to be a Trump supporter. It's a political calculation. Like with Trump's other supporters, the constant lying, affairs, criminal advisors, and attacks on the media and Constitution are meaningless and don't change his 90% Republican approval rating.
The tribal nature of his supporters (including Graham) becomes even further apparent when they not only ignore Trump's personal failings, but ignore the terrible results Trump has inflicted on the country:
1. Uninsured up 7 million or about 25% vs. Obama baseline according to Gallup, due to Trump's ACA sabotage.
2. Budget deficit in 2018 up 60%, and debt additions for 2018-2027 up 38% vs. CBO forecast when Trump took office. We should be reducing the deficit when the economy is doing well, not giving tax cuts to the rich.
3. Job creation in Trump's first 24 months (203,000/month on average) slightly below job creation in Obama's last 24 months (212,000/month on average).
4. Corporate tax revenues down one-third; the top 10% own 85% of the stock so this money went to them via buybacks. The tax cuts have made inequality much worse.
5. Big opportunity costs, the roads not taken: Going backward on the environment and climate change, and no progress to reduce healthcare costs or put Social Security on sound financial footing.
A complete debacle of a Presidency reflecting the debacle that is the Republican Party. Senator Graham is complicit.
7
Bought off or intimidated?
12
What’s it to them? The word former says it all, and most of them have blemishes and questions on their own record. Thank God we don’t want rule by committee or consensus, but at last have a strong President who takes bold and decisive action. I can recall all the criticism he received for his threats against North Korea much of it from those same failures that are criticizing him now. But Kim,the only one whose opinion mattered, was nonetheless impressed.
2
@Edward So far Trump's North Korea policy hasn't had the desired result - North Korea giving up their nuclear weapons - and they are highly unlikely to do so. Maybe Mr. Kim is impressed because he thinks he can pull one over on Mr. Trump. Time will tell.
16
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business,”
At least he’s honest about what truly motivates him—doing whatever he has to do to keep his job. That’s what public service is all about, is it, Sen. Graham?
The candor would be refreshing if it weren’t so appalling.
42
I used to think — foolishly it turns out — that even though I generally disagreed with the positions Graham takes, he is an honest man. I no longer think that.
52
John McCain, who Graham said he admired above all others, would be horrified at what Graham has lowered himself to become--- a toady to a narcissistic, man-child who cares only for himself, and is terrifyingly ignorant of our system of government. A wannabe dictator. McCain must be rolling in his grave. A tragedy, not only for Graham's character but , more importantly, to our democracy.
51
Graham has always been a toady. He just went from being McCain's toady to being Trump's toady, with the bonus of not getting primaried from the right.
34
There is a word for Lindsey Graham. It’s “Quisling.” How someone can side with an autocrat after being John McCain’s partner in opposing Trump is disgraceful and disgusting. Signing on to the “fake news” national emergency and supporting the “coup” conspiracy theory against the F.B.I. and its former Deputy Director, Andrew McCabe, borders on the criminal in its attempt to obstruct justice. Andrew McCabe knew from his expertise in prosecuting the Russian mob that that it was likely that it was Donald Trump who was staging a coup with the help of Russia. There is a strong case for a Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization. That is why McCabe has been ruthlessly attacked and smeared, and then fired by Trump. That Lindsey Graham has sold himself out to what increasingly appears to be a criminal conspiracy only implicates himself in aiding and abetting a real coup.
29
Does Graham ever wonder why most of America and the rest of the world, “hates Trump”?
Much of it is the child-president’s oversized ego, his constant (and well documented) lies and his belittling former friends and allies while embracing despots like Kim and Putin. Did recent news that Kim killed a political enemy with a flamethrower bother Trump? Probably not.
30
This article would be better if it included some of Graham’s many quotes highly critical of 45, before he flip flopped and supported 45. The change can only be explained by a blind, unprincipled thirst for power, no matter the hypocrisy.
43
Little lyin Lindsay GraHAM has become a sick joke. He flaps his gums and gives cover for trump, a fraud he couldn't stand. Graham changes
positions and flip flops as required to maintain his power base and ties to trump. Even if he speaks up against some of trump's terrible decisions, graham still rolls over and votes the Republican Party OVER Country policy. Hopefully they are both defeated in the next election cycle.
25
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business,” he said.
This philosophy is, in a nutshell, what is wrong with America today. The drive to get re-elected has replaced any drive to serve the greater good.
We are in dire need of federal term limits immediately. Two terms is generous and more than enough for any one person. #Drain the swamp now!
16
@Cynthia K. Witter
We DO have federal term limits. They're called "elections." All citizens need to do is pay attention to what their representatives are doing, and then term-limit them at the ballot box if they don't like it. Any other type of "term-limit" is just government for the lazy, and succeeds only in making sure that no one with any real experience is allowed to govern.
15
@Mojo
Thank you!! I have been saying this for years. Elections are the term limits - use them!
Sooner or later every principled politician, Republican or Democrat—left, right, or center—faces a choice. Like Senator Graham, will they honor their self-interest, party interest, or even the capricious public opinion of their constituents above their integrity? Will they instead value above all else the public welfare and their own honor ?
Those who choose political survival above their personal honor and resolute integrity confirm that they value their office as nothing but a sinecure to preserve their power for the sake of power. They value reelection as the sumuum bonum of their adult life for which they will pay any price. They become just another weather vane responding to every changing political wind.
The personal political tragedy of the weather vane politician is that those with real power soon see him as as capricious as the political winds he responds to. The transiently powerful whom they flatter with unreserved support will betray them as soon as their own transactional loyalty is no longer expedient.
For them, such senators have become just another dispisable political hack to be betrayed and humiliated.Remarkably, the weather vane politican has eyes but cannot see that like so many before him he also will also soon be cast away.
8
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey,
You lost your host when John McCain passed, and now you’ve attached yourself to Donald Trump like a lamprey on a mackerel.
The life of a political opportunist is not an easy one.
22
Essentially this article demonstrates Grahams's lack of principles. Instead of having principles he wants to be "relevant," even if it means indulging in an astounding level of sycophancy, so that he will be re-elected.
20
It would help the reader if the Times would identify in their opening paragraph information if a politician has received Russian money or any foreign campaign contribution. Graham has received foreign campaign contributions which makes a big difference when reading about his political behavior.
22
John McCain of blessed memory is undoubtedly spinning in his grave.
15
One thing about the way Graham lurches from fake rational to fake crazy, at least I have never had to change my mind about him. I've always known he was a fake.
24
Here is what Graham said about the fact that money that was earmarked for schools in Kentucky would go to building the border wall.
“I would say it’s better for the middle school kids in Kentucky to have a secure border,” Graham said on CBS News’s "Face the Nation.
He knows this is a lie, he's not stupid. Just a cynical politician that will do anything to hold on to power.
27
Kids in Kentucky don’t need schools. They need hard hats and coal shovels!
4
"I asked Graham if his “collaboration” with Trump, such as it was, was in any way akin to a political marriage. “Oh, gosh, no,” he said. “I personally like him. We play golf. He’s very nice to me.”
Mr. Graham... Trump does not play golf. He cheats at golf. He probably cheats on his taxes, he cheats on his wives, he cheats contractors by not paying his bills, he cheats on America by not reading anything and not putting in a real day's work, etc. But you'll stick by him because you feel like you have more power than ever before. While your position is despicable your candor is appreciated. I hope you'll appreciate mine when I say you are much less than half the man John McCain was.
34
I use to respect Graham but not anymore . I find him repulsive. McCain must be turning over in his grace.
13
We don't know what the Russians have on Trump -- yet and, after this article, we don't know what Trump has on Graham -- yet.
25
Turning to the dark side. Democracy dying to thunderous applause. George Lucas was right. Because it's all happened before and happening again. A parable should not be dismissed simply because it is in the form of a movie.
15
Graham stretches the norms of rationalization in his attempt to justify being a Trump concierge; leaving no room to consider anything beyond his willingness to throw our country under the bus for the sake of his winning re-election. What he argues as being justification...his motivation to influence policy, completely neglects any consideration of the oath he took as a senator to defend our constitution. In fact, no where in the reasonings he offers does he make a single reference to his constitutional obligations. He, like most in his party, seem to have forgotten the sacred purpose of their positions, resulting in very real threats to our democracy, national security, human decency, and international standing, (the actual list is much longer, I know).
Graham complains that no other president has been treated as Trump has, all the while ignoring the giant elephant in the room...he is like no other president we have ever had. We have never had a president who so actively worked to denigrate and threaten our institutions, divide our citizens, invoke imaginary threats, antagonize and alienate our global allies, and outright lie multiple times each day. We have never had a president who cozies up, excuses, and accommodates brutal dictators. And we've never been forced to wonder which country our president is actually working for.
The counter argument to Graham's theory is that these circumstances carry far more gravity than any of his policy ideas or re-election.
18
It's simple. Graham represents a strongly pro-Trump state and is selling out his principles to get re-elected. His inner drama queen requires that he show his true colors in the most theatrical way. After 2020, when Trump is gone and the Senate majority is Democratic, it will be interesting to watch him flip-flop yet again.
13
"It can be jarring to watch Senator Graham enact, in real time, the broader shift the Republican Party has undergone under Mr. Trump."
Lets see...
[x] Putting the desires of their donors above the desires of their constituents
[x] Caring about their jobs more than they care about whats best for their country
[x] Using fear and anger to keep America divided and to keep their base voting against their own interests
[x] Using the misinformation on Fox News to keep their base in the dark about what they're really doing and what's really going on in the world
Nah...doesn't look like they've shifted at all to me...if anything Trump has just helped uncover the rot that's been at the heart of the Republican Party for quite awhile now.
18
Sen Graham has fallen into the Trump trap where if you praise him he makes you feel important and if not he excoriates you on Twitter with some witty put-downs, but in the end, like everything Trump does, it’s a con. You get a tiny fraction of what you have been promised and you’ll be forgotten or turned against in a minute, if only to make Trump look good.
Just ask all the contractors who worked for him.
14
@Mark Marks
Mark, you and I have very different takes on what is "witty". Crazy Bernie, Lyin' Ted et al. These are middle school taunts. Most middle schoolers grow up and stop using puerile name calling. Trump was expelled from a middle school military academy; that ended whatever passed for his education; he received a business degree, purchased by his father with a huge donation; no one remembered him attending classes. We have gone from a constitutional scholar, a gentleman who ignored much of the verbal garbage from the GOP, to a man who is truly unfit to serve. Wasn't So. Carolina among those States which chose to secede, rather than honor Lincoln's actions regarding slavery? Graham's forebears weren't rich enough to own slaves; he does the best he can by getting aid for his State, another permanent receiver of Federal aid. Not enough to own a person, just enough to buy that person's vote.
If you have visions to accomplish, you must align with people who have the power to facilitate those accomplishments. Graham knows this. Every smart CEO knows this. Voters are naive to think McCain was a hero-Senator. He should have negotiated on health care. Graham will do what it takes to achieve his goals, and at the same time he won't throw the President under the bus. He knows how to disagree with Trump without being malicious. That makes him a top-notch Senator in my book. My only regret is that I live in Colorado and can't vote for him!
1
Graham's commentary parsing the nation into
the "smart and the rest of us" is a core problem with the Republican Party. A disrespect of learning and knowledge is one of the primary reasons the Republican Party is losing members. Ignorance and wisdom rarely go together.
11
Dear NYT,
A number of commentators think Graham is the victim of blackmail. I have read this allegation about other Republican enablers -- that they received help from Russia.
Can you report on this -- either that it is a myth on the left or that it is true.
Maybe it is a sign of how shocking reality has become that this is believable. And I don't even know what is worse: remaining a political figure being blackmailed, or supporting Trump voluntarily. At least people in the first case could claim that they are victims of a crime? Is that better?
We are cursed to live in interesting times.
9
@Ann
"Maybe it is a sign of how shocking reality has become that this is believable." Agreed, who would have beleived that there is open concern and indications that a sitting president may be a Russian asset.
3
Just another politician selling a cheap soul that is past its sell by date. Small wonder that our politicians are held in lower regard than used car salesmen.
11
I can't even fathom the hypocrisy here.
“It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”
Lindsey had no qualms about treating Obama differently. And Trump, regardless of party, brings down most of the wrath upon himself, since he acts differently than any other president...and I don't mean that as a compliment.
One has to ask why he's hitched his horse to this particular wagon and if there's a darker side to this political kamikaze mission. The reversals, outbursts, and venomous style he's adopted of late will surely erode any legacy as a reasonable representative willing to work across the aisle.
I admired John McCain for certain reasons even though I disagreed with many of his views. Regardless, however, he served as a sort of moral anchor for Graham. With his absence, the line too that anchor has come untied, leaving Graham drifting to extremes.
14
Graham is one of the strongest reasons to implement term limits on Congresspersons.
12
The sad part of these comments is that so very few come from people who live in South Carolina. As bad as Graham is, there are obviously a lot of people who accept his values, behavior and whoreish attitude about hie position. Especially, as he now lauds Trump!
I regret to say that there are simply too many Americans who profess "Love of Country", but who instead, believe in the lying, game-playing, egos who dominate the Republican Party.
Senator Lindsay Graham has to go, and for South Carolina's sake, the sooner the better. And it sure going to help the other 49 states as well.
13
So, he says John McCain would understand, I don't think so. McCain never sold out his values. What I get from this article is that Graham wants to get elected again and will do or support anything Trump wants in order to achieve his goal. I saw his ugly and vitriolic performance in that senate committee hearing and was shocked at his unprofessional behavior. Apparently, he had been really good at masking his feelings for a long time. Finally the ugly true self came out and we saw him for who he really has become.
13
Question is, what does Trump have on Graham? What compromising information is out there that Trump got his little hands on? That's the only explanation of how Graham transformed from a vocal opponent to Trump's lapdog after a golf outing.
13
I'm deeply troubled by Lindsey Graham's unflinching support of the person who is the POTUS. I think Lindsey must be compromised with something or multiple things being held over him. Maybe it's personal or financial but Lindsey Graham is ruining his reputation like so many other people over their involvement with this POTUS.
10
Senator Graham is clearly compromised. The question is by whom and with what?
15
When we elect a Republican we are not getting the best or the brightest. We are not getting true public servants. We do not get people with independent minds. They lie down and grovel before a president who gives every indication of being greatly beholden both financially and politically to our most committed foreign adversary.
This president has many shining red buttons on his console and while he doesn't want to be told what they do he wants to push them all (just to see what happens).
3
Defining moments for politicians this year are most certainly going to effect them negatively at the polls in 2020. Graham's outburst at the Kavanaugh hearing was on of them. Susan Collin's statement that Roe v Wade was settled law is another. My guess is that they both Graham and Collins will fail at the polls in 2020. The GOP has failed to act in the best interest of our country in overseeing our democracy.
13
The good people of South Carolina have an inexhaustible reservoir of good will for the most rottenly craven politcians. Graham is in no perceptible danger to lose in 2020. Strom Thurmond and more recently Mark Sanford are recent exemplars of political immodesty, the latter losing only when he refused to toe the party line, to accept the received wisdom of this president's policies.
6
When you explain to people that they're living in a dump, and extremely impoverished, and will have shorter lifespans as a result of all the exposure to microbes and chemicals, don't be surprised when they ignore your pleas. Their reaction might be: "But, look at all the stuff we have!"
3
In a word, Russian money.
"The Intellectualist, a left-leaning news aggregator, points out that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has received at least $800,000 in campaign donations from a man with ties to Putin-allied oligarchs, which could explain why the Senator has been increasingly supportive of President Trump lately."
21
Could Lindsey Graham's switch from Trump skeptic to Trump sidekick be related to the funds both received from Russia? Is Lindsey Graham beholden to Trump because of the $800,000 he received from a Russian oligarch through his "Security is Strength" PAC? Or is he receiving instructions from his Russian benefactor directly. He who "pays the piper calls the tune", after all.
21
@Elizabeth Bennett
The kompromat explanation is right up there with the sell-out explanation. In fact, it may be both - the "either with us or against" us with Vladimir Putin. Accordingly, Trump and Graham are on board with the Russian asset in the White House so he makes a very strong visible and theatrical defense of Trump, earning his "pay" and the protection of Putin.
1
Not to be pandering in fake news, but I think Trump has something on Graham. Something big. The “shift” was too sudden. Graham went from snarky and belittling to sycophantic and adoring.
The upshot of the Trump presidency is that a great many of us have become totally cynical about politicians. I trust them as far as I can throw them.
18
Lindsey Graham is dead wrong. We do not hate "them", this is not about some grand principle that he can hide behind to try to divide us.
What we hate is what Trump, and now Graham through his servitude to Trump, have become and have accomplished. This was not pre-ordained. They had to work hard at it.
They supported white supremacists, coddled Russia, destroyed our strategic friendships in Europe and Asia, denigrated Mexicans, eviscerated the Civil Rights Act, disassembled environmental protections, created the first trillion dollar deficit, ignored rampant self-interested dealings by numerous cabinet members and family members, and lied to the American people literally every single day, day after day.
They are the face of chaos, corruption, moral bankruptcy.
It took a lot to instill this amount of nausea among Americans, but they did it. And Lindsey Graham, through his actions, now owns all of these dumpster fires. May he go down with the sinking ship along with Trump.
35
Surely, Graham is smart enough to know that he is laughed at as soon as he leaves the Whitehouse --and is used (though thinking HE is using Trump to stay relevant).
It is rather sad to see someone floundering around so desperately without a rudder.
Graham can be funny, what Trump is doing to America is not.
11
I was less bothered by Graham's vicious attack at the Kavanaugh hearings than I was by Feinstein apologizing to him, or the other Democrats' silence. I was less bothered by Kavanaugh's outrageous (& obviously rehearsed) accusations than by the fact that none of the Democrats asked him to back them up. Republican's have been channeling rabid dogs for a long time. Democrats acting as if they deserve points for pretending they're above it is completely part of the problem.
2
Lindsey Graham has not changed. He's always been a sidekick. It's just that in the past, he was a sidekick to Senator John McCain, so Lindsey seemed more stable and honorable. His choice these days is considerably less stable and devoid of grace, which leads Lindsey to his current craziness.
13
Comments by this Politician are stridently and affirmatively disingenous seemingly uttered in self-interest to maintain a perceived precarious base in his home turf.
2
“They hate us.”
No, Lindsey, what the little people can’t stand is not so much a party as a government of corrupt billionaires led by a president who lies, can’t spell, rewards his wealthy friends, makes xenophobic, sexist comments and hopes to erect a monument to himself in the form of an overpriced border wall that will only keep out the Romans.
Graham is the very embodiment of the rich Republican who can only stand by and gush as Trump tears apart the nation.
23
Honest in his absolute dishonesty. It's a pretty old schtick, but I guess if his constituents like it, what can be done?
Again, the problem really isn't the leader--Trump, or in this case, Graham--it's that the people that vote for them are so full of rage that they would do literally anything to hurt the people they hate (that would be YOU, you "urban elite").
They hate you and want to hurt you. That's really all that matters. Trump and Graham promise to hurt you, and so they will continue to get a alarmingly large plurality (if not a majority) of votes.
11
Not only has Graham put party over country, he has put his own ambition over the welfare of the Republican Party. I am gobsmacked that the Republican legislators and senators who support this president can't see they are goose-stepping (in lock-step) off of a cliff. Surely they must know, though impeachment is unlikely, Trump will eventually be exposed for the corrupt mess that he is and -as we all know- it's now the Trump Party and no longer the GOP.
Those who wish to be relevant, who delude themselves into thinking they can steer the president in the "right" direction, only end up being captured, consumed, spit out and disgraced by this president. But, then again, people like Graham are the ones who think, "It'll be different with me, I can use him for my own ends."
I became sick to my stomach when I watched Graham's performance at the Kavanaugh hearing: it was as offensive and incredible as Kavanaugh's sputtering and clearly disqualifying performance.
It's hard to imagine abandoning one's principles on such a scale. I suspect that those principles were never there; that it's always been one performance after another in the Lindsey Graham Show.
Ironically, casting himself as Trump's Toadie has cut off any opportunity for him to have a leading role in this "show". He will just be one more "Republican extra" who helped bring about the utter and final disgrace of the GOP (Go Along Party).
13
lindsey is correct that trump is being treated differently than every other president. that's because trump demands it.
trump demands that he be the center of attention, and he is. additionally, trump's actions demand close scrutiny because the president continues to prove himself to be - at the very least - a pathological liar.
the treatment trump is receiving is of his own making.
what lindsey's upset about is that the majority of americans are demanding more than what trump and his lindsey are offering.
10
It's not as simple as a Trump-skeptic to Trump-cheerleader transition. It's a back-and-forth to the extent that I remarked after one news report, "I think LIndsey Graham has a brain tumor."
8
From a liberal point of view, Graham's antics and contorted justifications are a despicable model for the unprincipled, self-serving politician. Although he enjoys the spotlight more than his camera-shy congressional compatriots, he epitomizes the rampant disregard for norms and decency riddled throughout his Party.
8
It’s like the nobles have been granted land and titles into perpetuity.
Oh, wait.
8
I'm a bit surprised the article doesn't end with Graham stating
" and then we fell in love..." and "he sends me the most beautiful letters"
13
It's fair to say that Sen. Graham has tainted his "legacy" by buddying up Individual 1. That begs the question: What is it that Indy 1 has on Sen. Graham, and when did this revelation come to pass?
One has to ask if our dear S.C senator has become compromised because that can only explain the puzzling actions of someone that was ideologically intertwined with the late Sen. McCain.
12
The article did not explore Graham's political ambitions beyond his being an influential senator. How about Graham becoming Secretary of Defense, for example?
2
There would be no unconstitutional Republican sycophancy if we had term limits. The Congress as sinecure for life is anti-democratic.
They're all so full of themselves believing they're better than we are. It's because they represent their big money donors - never us. Makes them feel important.
A job in Congress should be no different than jury duty.
2
“Politics, he explained, was the art of what works and what brings desired outcomes.”
Politics is the art of the possible, Mr. Senator.
Lindsey Graham is the quintessential embodiment of what the problem is with hero worship. Trey Gowdy would fit in the same category, except he’s somehow no longer relevant.
3
Speaking of his primary rationale, Relevance:
Would Lindsey Graham matter if a camera weren’t on him?
He got less than 1% in GOP primaries. He has no social media following. He was McCain’s side kick earlier.
Lindsey Graham is a nobody.
I’d have said the same about Trump many years back, but the mainstream media made him into what he wasn’t. A successful businessman.
Thanks, NBC (and later CBS Moonves, and CNN)
8
"Jarring" is one word for it, though I can certainly think of others.
2
Trump is being "treated differently than any other President",
because of how he behaves and dishonors the Office of the President.
Graham is no different than the rest of the Republicans in the Senate and House. They have used Trump for their own purposes, the main purpose being the Tax Reform Bill. But close behind that is the repeal of the ACA, Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression and Anti-Choice. Bless their Hearts (a favorite expression of South Carolinians)
How Graham can lie through his teeth about Trump's golf score
just shows you the guy has no shame. I wonder how low Graham will go for Trump
I do not believe that any Republican puts Country before Party, let alone Graham. Those days are long gone.
Trump is useful to Graham and Graham is useful to Trump. Theirs is a marriage of convenience. When one or the other is no longer useful they will throw each other under the bus.
The fact that the South Carolina voters have elected Graham for four terms only speaks to the fact they like to be lied too.
Here is hoping that the South Carolina Democrats produce a candidate that is strong enough to unseat him.
12
Graham is that sidekick, that we all knew growing up, who attached himself to the class clown or bully . In his many appearances on the Sunday talk shows throughout his political career, I cannot recall that Graham ever had an original thought. Trump really does not need Graham’s input , the Senate will publically follow Trump ,no matter where he leads. During this interview, Graham is almost bragging about his closeness and influence upon Trump. But if you are really invaluable, there is no need to talk about it. Graham appears to be a man of no loyalty or character when one sees how Trump has spoken about his “great friend” John McCain. It would appear that Grahams’ description of Trump as an actor could just as well be applied to himself.
3
We have always known that Republicans with a conscience are an endangered species, but Graham' s transformation from critic to lackey has been particularly spectacular. We all remember when he once described Trump as "some kind of kook", but look who's kooky about the president now. Back when he was a detractor, Graham was certain that Trump would lose the election and ruin the fortunes of the GOP. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way, and rather than preserve his honor as people like Flake, Corker and--above all--McCain did by opposing Trump, Graham debased himself by going all in for MAGA. Nobody tops Trump for his ability to provoke disgust. But Graham is willing to do anything in his attempt to run second.
6
This piece is the best argument that I can provide for term limits!
6
There is something ineffably sad about this story. Something I don’t feel about McConnell or the other Trump toadies. It’s as if something at the core of Graham’s being broke and he went into survival mode to cope, to ‘hold it all together’. I pity the man, A sad ending to a a life previously respectable and productive in a positive way.
5
There is a big difference between truly "really good outcomes for this country" and what one vacillating Senator whose primary role is to be a sidekick thinks are really good outcomes.
Good outcomes like cratering the EPA, ignoring climate science, fighting for a "wall" that is basically useless, allowing a bizarre and dishonest President to co-opt Congress's primary functions, making very bad deals internationally while alienating our allies....Are these good outcomes? Really??
Lindsey Graham's only credibility was in being John McCain's "sidekick". Now that McCain is gone Graham wasted no time in running to one of the late Senator's chief adversaries.
Credibility left remaining - zero.
2
So what happened to Lindsay Graham? It's pretty simple: In 2016, Trump was the boorish and marginal figure loathed and despised by many; but in 2019, he suddenly seems like a reasonable and normal mainstream person, the voice of reason and safety, compared to his rivals. Just compare him to Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez pushing outright socialist revolutions similar to the Bolsheviks; Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, or Julian Castro expressing increasingly anti-white sentiments; the left suddenly advocating Open Borders (two official editorials in this paper have called for that explicitly, abandoning all pretense). In other words, what happened to Lindsay Graham is a question of what happened to the left, and the answer to that question is: Anarchy, racism, and communism/socialism. By virtue of the left's radicalization over 2016-2019, Trump has evolved from a cartoonish figure into a mainstream advocate of sanity.
1
It's as if someone has started blackmailing Senator Lindsey Graham. His behavior towards Trump and his attitude towards Trump have changed so abruptly. Did he have some sort of epiphany that led to this change? This is a major change in him. What gives?
6
Lindsey wants to get reelected and has decided the best way is to support and enable a career con man. If this observation makes me smarter than he is, so be it.
5
As a southerner myself we have a saying down here that almost every southerner knows well, and understands its meaning. And that is "Bless his heart, he is trying as best as he can." Which means you are a complete and utter failure at the endevor at hand. Bless his heart.
7
"How Lindsey Graham Went From Trump Skeptic to Trump Sidekick"
You don't need 10,000 words to explain it
You only need 15
He's up for re-election in 2020 one of the most conservative states in the union
6
Let's change the headline to "Lonely Old Guy Develops Man Crush." It's the classic marriage story - "When he first asked me out I was repulsed by him, then finally we went to dinner and I saw how charming he was, he swept me off my feet." Given that Senate is his only family, Graham will do anything to get reelected. And that is what we are seeing.
6
The Trump presidency certainly has provided a great opportunity for elected officials to put their character deficits and warped values on full display. It's surprising how many have taken the opportunity to reveal their narcissism, interior ugliness and lack of concern for anything other than what they imagine will put money into their own pockets. This country has come along way in the wrong direction since Nixon delivered the "Checkers speech" in the face of bipartisan criticism over what now would not reach the threshold of business as usual.
1
I want an apology from Senator Graham. I am a Democrat who has numerous relatives who are Trump supporters. While I disagree with them, I love and respect them. And yet, to score cheap political points, Senator Graham is mischaracterizing me as someone who hates them. It is untrue, hateful, and divisive. I believe many people are struggling with how to stay connected with family and friends on the opposite side of the political fence. Encouraging a sense of persecution at times like this is incendiary and uncharitable. I would direct Senator Graham to today's Gospel lesson, which is the Beatitudes: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
4
I can't even fathom the hypocrisy here.
“It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”
Lindsey had no qualms about treating Obama differently. And Trump, regardless of party, brings down most of the wrath upon himself, since he acts differently than any other president...and I don't mean that as a compliment.
One has to ask why he's hitched his horse to this particular wagon and if there's a darker side to this political kamikaze mission. The reversals, outbursts, and venomous style he's adopted of late will surely erode any legacy as a reasonable representative willing to work across the aisle.
I admired John McCain for certain reasons even though I disagreed with many of his views. Regardless, however, he served as a sort of moral anchor for Graham. With his absence, the line too that anchor has come untied, leaving Graham drifting to extremes.
5
The total sum of Lindsey Graham's entire career in one word; "sidekick". His legacy; "Trump sidekick" is how history will remember him.
5
Is it true that "Senator Graham" is actually a federal witness protectee having cooperated with authorities after serving many years as a Roman Catholic priest/boys' choir director?
2
Senator Graham goes from Trump is a kook, crazy and unfit to he's got a great short game and I will make him successful. The Senator goes from being beaten like a dog to lap dog. The senator is truly a man of his convictions.
One thing is clear, he likes the trappings of being a showy senator and will do whatever he has to do to be reelected. In that effort I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to watch his political chameleon act. The show must go on even if it lacks substance.
3
The Times needs to establish some editorial conventions for better classifying the genus of Trump followers. For example, consider Senator Graham: is he a sidekick, a minion, or a toady?
2
Graham's betrayal of his alleged close friend John McCain is despicable by any measure. His pretenses at virtue are laughable. Hope South Carolina wakes up to who they really have in the Senate.
5
I once admired Mr. Graham to some extent - however I find his tone now incredibly offensive. Telling a crowd that people who oppose Trump's policies is because "they hate us" is profoundly disturbing. This illustrates all that is wrong about modern day politics - the inability to disagree vehemently on policy without "hating" anyone. I find Trump disgusting and despicable. I think he is a con man. However this doesn't mean I "hate" everyone who voted for Trump-that would include many of my relatives, and I certainly do not hate them. Frankly I think at his core Mr. Graham is a weak man. He needs to be a sycophant to someone. First it was John McCain. Now it is Donald Trump. You don't go from calling someone out the way Graham did to being one of his most ardent supporters without making a conscious decision about this act. Trump didn't change. Graham did. It's pretty sad.
2
Graham is the poster child for the Republican Party’s total capitulation to a felonious President. It’s party over country without exception. It’s gut wrenching to behold a political party devolve into a partisan instrument of the radical right and become an enabler of the most racist, misogynistic, homophobic, regressive, mendacious President this country has ever seen. The term “moderate Republican” is now an oxymoron. From Susan Collins to Mitch McConnell and everyone in between, the Republican Party has thrown the American people under the bus in favor of evangelicals, the alt-right, polluters and big business. To see Graham basking in the slimy attention from Trump and to watch his righteous pontification is nauseating. 2020 can’t come too soon!
5
"He mentioned Melania, Ivanka, Jared. The circle is small.”
Its hard to know which circle this is. I vote for Dante's circle #8-Fraud. But really any could be the habitat of Lindsey and the Trump family.
8
This is the same Lindsey Graham who was oh-so-emotional at John McCain's funeral; lauded the integrity and honor of his dear deceased friend and colleague. McCain must be rolling in his grave.
I find it completely plausible that Trump and/or his Russian friends have some kind of severely compromising material on Graham, whether regarding his sexual proclivities or some nefarious dealings. This guy is nothing but a mouthpiece and puppet and has no business in the United States Senate.
6
@MacKenzie Allen
The same lg who brought the trump daughter to McCain's
funeral against family objections.
1
It's always jarring to watch a constitutional officer act hypocritically, cowardly, duplicitously, and all those other -ly words.
4
The reason he became a vocal Trump supporter is because his friend McCain died and he no longer had to worry about his opinion.
6
Term limits! Please!
6
The bottom line: Lindsey Graham will do anything to get re-elected.
3
When people ask of me
what would you like to be,
now that you're not a kid any more?
I know just what to say,
I answer right a away.
There's just one thing
I've been wishing for.
I wanna be Donnie's girl,
I wanna be Donnie's girl.
That's the most important thing to me.
2
I did not even read this all the way through 'cause I really do not care about or like him. Regardless of how the many many investigations into Trump turn out, one thing is for sure: history will not look kindly on his term as president and certainly no one will ever forget those that put aside the American Constitution and the values laid out in the preamble in favor of Trump's dark nationalistic, xenophobic, misogynist, lying and hate-filled racist plan for a new American oligarchy.
This guy should be ashamed to cite anything that Reagan ever said-Reagan would not stand a chance in today's Republican party.
2
The question that repeats itself over and over and continues to hang in the air, unanswered, is “have you no shame? At long last, have you no shame?”
5
Very simple: Graham sold his soul to the devil! He is another republican who is not a REAL REPUBLICAN. He is a trump surrogate. He is not standing up for the rule of law or the Constitution....He really needs to be voted out of office soon!
5
Graham sold his sole to the devil for power. He stashed his Christian virtue and made a pact with the Antichrist while consoling himself that he would somehow achieve a greater good. But unfortunately, when you sell your sole to an Antichrist like Trump there is no greater good only loss... loss of values, the rule of law, the constitution, dignity, and a loss of morality.
1
Graham is somehow compromised.
7
I am still waiting for the senate hearings to investigate the liars against Justice Kavanaugh.
A man who literally sold his soul for a lousy $170K paycheck and a few worthless percs, Graham continues to lower the standard for groveling politicians. Unlike McCain, history will remember him for having not a shred of honor whatsoever.
6
My only regret from the Kavanaugh hearing was that a Democratic Senator did not hit back hard against Graham's obnoxious and pathetic tirade...... something that started with "Lindsey, your friend John McCain is rolling over in his grave at the way you grovel to score a few points with our sham of a President".....
5
Is it worth spending your crediability, dismantling your moral compass and voiding your common sense for political currency?
3
In previous eras, there have also been powerful people who decided to support the indefensible in order to stay relevant. It has rarely ended well.
7
Pretty transparent, really. Graham watched Trump destroy fellow South Carolinian and House member Mark Sanford, and knew that if he crossed Trump he would suffer the same treatment, and with the same result. But, my God, did he think he had to go all the way to licking his boots? Character is a commodity in seriously short supply in today's GOP.
13
Trump also shifted toward them, in many specific policies. I disagree with every one of those, but I recognize that coming together is what politicians do.
It was not all one way. It is just politics.
2
I am over 70 years old and a foreigner with over a decade of comments of finding fault with the milquetoast Mr Graham. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act promised that the USA would no longer be a country of law but a country of justice. Laws that guaranteed injustice were struck down and the belief that there could be separate but equal realized what it was laws that guaranteed injustice and privilege. In Montreal I was 16 and my cohort living in a very conservative society we understood why for our political and social elite were Priests lawyers and doctors.
I never saw Graham as a Trump skeptic, I saw him as the epitome of true believers in an inherited hierarchy a man who believed as did Goldwater, Nixon and Reagan that the universe and its laws were there not to serve justice but to serve privilege. In 1964 Quebec before our quiet revolution our society had still not accepted the French Revolution and it was the pre-enlightenment God that dictated social and legal norms and it was status that laws protected not justice.
Today it is justice not law that our Quebec legal system is commanded to dispense.
For me Graham has always been a man who had nothing but contempt for justice and his determination to have a judiciary to protect privilege has been what Graham, Hatch and Grassley were all all about. I am still in mourning for the America that believed that truth and justice was the American way. I find nothing new in Graham's chant of the King is dead long live the King.
12
It is not hard to see how Lindsey Graham went from Trump skeptic to Trump sidekick.He was a great pal of the maverick John McCain until his passing and then Mr.Graham took a hard right and decided to hitch his wagon to the fortunes of Mr.Trump.Time, and the South Carolina primary will tell if that was a good decision.In the meantime he has no place lecturing his party about their support for Trump.Twenty or more Republican Senators are up for re-election in 2020.Their seats may be at risk so they need to re-evaluate their Trump support.They can see what happened to Trump supporters in the House in 2018-forty or so are no longer there!
7
The death of John McCain, and the increasing hold of Trump on the Republican Party, has shown the true core of Lindsay Graham - a man who has a weak personality, and cannot think for himself. A waste of a Senate seat.
20
A full-page advertisement on why people hate politicians (and shouldn't trust them farther than they can throw them...out).
7
Graham is a weak man with nothing other than his job ; it is his identity. He needs to do anything to prolong his job because he would be irrelevant and lost without it. In short Graham is a man without character . What you see, and hear, is what you get.
13
Any particular reason that you're not discussing the possibility that Graham is being blackmailed based on either tainted campaign contributions or his sexual orientation?
20
Lindsay Graham, it turns out, never had his own ideas, and never had any principles. He was McCain's buddy when he was a leader of the party, and wants to be Trump's buddy now that he is the leader.
It's really not worthwhile parsing why he says what he does, He's a parrot, a toady, and an actor feigning passion when deep down he doesn't care about any of it.
11
@Jerry S
The inner and outer selves of a politician are entirely divergent. Doesn't take long to hollow them out.
Sad to watch. It appears that Trump has a kompromat on him.
9
What is Graham afraid of? He seems to have lost his backbone.
2
@Frank perhaps all the money he gets from Russia.
The Intellectualist, a left-leaning news aggregator, points out that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has received at least $800,000 in campaign donations from a man with ties to Putin-allied oligarchs, which could explain why the Senator has been increasingly supportive of President Trump lately.
2
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business,” [Graham] said.
There it is, folks. The most stunning and disgraceful comment in the entire article. America first? Nope. Me first.
18
@Occams razor
That is exactly it.
3
It is obvious Lindsey is gay. I’m sure the Enquirer has graphic photographic evidence. The south is still deeply homophobic as well as racist. Indisputable evidence of Graham’s sexuality would kill his career.
I don’t doubt that he is being blackmailed.
26
Trump must be holding some devastating dirt for Graham to go so far off the rails. He's always been a hypocrite, but now he's just plain ridiculous. If he weren't representing such an uneducated and racist state, he would have been long gone.
11
I believe Senator Graham’s turn toward supporting President Trump is based on his desire to be the next Secretary of Defense. This would provide the knock on benefit of clearing room for Nikki Haley to take his seat in the Senate. Seems an easy calculus for Republicans.
Well, I’ll give Senator Graham this much... at least he’s being honest about his ambitions like them or not.
1
A simple matter of doing whatever is necessary to maintain job security: as Trump goes, so goes South Carolina and Senator Graham. Can holding your nose, in a manner of speaking, be such an important requirement of serving in Congress?
1
Why does Graham now rubber stamp everything Trump says and does? Because he and Trump have a simpatico personality. They forget that we have recordings of all their remarks. Both have contradicted themselves too many times to mention. But it seems to be working for them so far. My theory is that the passing of his buddy John McCain unleashed the real Lindsey Graham. He and McCain railed against Trump's pro Putin stance often while they were their own little bloc. Once McCain was out of the picture, Graham chose to become Trump's puppy. I'm sure his constituents in SC have taken notice.
1
Senator, you’re no John McCain.
6
Lindsay Graham acts as if Donald Trump is the first president to be treated with hostility. Can his memory be so short as to not recall Mitch McConnell's refusal to do absolutely nothing to help President Obama? Or Donald Trump's unraveling everything just because it came from Obama? Or the vitriol over his birth certificate? As if his pregnant mother would fly from Hawaii to Kenya just to give Trump a racist rant forty some years later?
So his holier than thou performance is tiresome. He's chosen to align himself with a vile human being in order to keep a group of far right voters from taking him down in the primary. No other reason. He's an opportunist, hardly the only one in the Senate but far from an honest legislator working for the American people.
7
All of the GOP needs to be investigated and exposed for the traitors they are. I'm sure most are bought off by the Russians. If they lie in bed with Trump, they are as guilty as Trump. Get rid of gerrymandering and get rid of the GOP.
6
This article could have been condensed into one sentence:
---Graham is running for re-election as a Republican in South Carolina.---
6
"Trump is an entertainer and an agitator, which Graham says he can relate to, in a way. “The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke,” Graham said. I asked Graham if he is in on the joke, too. “Oh, 100 percent, 100 percent.” He laughed. “Oh, people have no idea.” I asked him to explain the joke to me. “If you could go to dinner with us. … ” he said, shaking his head."
Graham would like us all to believe that he's acting as a double agent to protect us from the worst of Trump. I suspect that Graham and McConnell believe that they are using Trump much more than Trump is using them. Whatever "jokes" these guys think they are "in on," none is funny.
7
A sidekick should be a reliable man. It's the nature of the sidekick.
3
I was reading a book co written by John McCain wherein he lavished praise on Graham. I could not pick up again. It now resides in my buildings laundry room.
There was a kid in my high school, Alan. Smart, very nerdy and uncool
However he found a way to hang with the cool kids.
He befriended the captain of the football team who had all the attributes the nerdy kid lacked: a high school Tom Brady.
Anyway "Tom" grew to depend on "Alan," most notably by driving him everywhere ("Tom's" strict parents would not allow him to get his license til he had no great lower than B). Bottom line "Alan" was everywhere "Tom" was, and there was no laughing at "Alan" in "Tom's" presence.
They kind of looked like best friends.
First semester senior year, "Tom" got all his B's and, consequently, his driver's license.
He immediately dropped "Alan" who now worshiped "Tom" from afar.
No one was surprised by this denouement or saddened either because, while "Alan" was riding high as "Tom's sidekick, he was really mean to the other kids.
The parallels to Lindsey and Donald are obvious. As president, even Donald is the ultimate QB. And Lindsey just wants to ride with him. But all he elicits is laughter. Actually, it's sad.
3
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business,” he said.
The perfect illustration for term limits!
4
So, basically, Senator Graham is nothing more than another politician bent on re-election. Surprise.
Long lost are love of country. Replaced long ago by a love of being a United States Senator. Join the club.
Grahams incredible twist to Trump is only satisfying to the hard-core Trump base. They love it.
But if Senator Graham thinks that this will buy him penance when the bell rings, he is mistaken. If his end of days were to come swiftly, I doubt that the nation will have a similar outpouring of admiration as we did for his bestest, McCain.
But I expect that Graham believes he will outlive Trump and in that longevity, be able to re-brand himself in time for his own state funeral.
Perhaps his gamble is right. But either way, make no mistake, this is a person that has pinned his own legacy against a lust for power. He is not a patriot. He is rather a beggar for scraps and an accomplice of power.
He may very well impinge himself as an elder statesman. Sadly, he is proven himself to be anything but.
7
A spineless lackey and there’s nothing wrong with that?
Deplorable, to borrow a phrase.
6
In a lot of ways Lindsey is like Mitch. In some ways, he is worse.
3
Lindsey Graham was once an honorable wingman of McCain, who never hid his disdain for Trump and disinvited him from his own funeral when he died. McCain would be turning over in his grave at seeing what a sniveling toady his old friend had become.
2
There is no Lindsay Graham. There is only a classic toady who, when he was attached to McClain, had his miserable character somewhat cloaked.
2
Just wondering what is in David Pecker’s personal vault about Lindsey Graham. I’m certain that, whatever it is, that has more to do with Graham’s conversion to Trump sycophant than anything else.
6
What happened to Lindsey Graham? Without McCain to prop him up, he got lost in the woods of his own making and turned to the largest power source he could find: Trump.
Anyone who thinks Graham is guided by principles need only go back to his role in the Clinton trial of impeachment to realize otherwise. A snake in the grass of the first magnitude.
2
Most GOP Congressmen are so habituated to bark for anyone who throw meat to them- be it industry lobbyists or any internal and external political force. They just exploit religious (read, Christian fundamentalism, mainly Evangelicalism), racial and other social division to promote thier own political and financial interest. It's so strange that vast majority of mainstream GOP leadership and the party itself was so against Trump when he decided to run for Presidency. But it took almost no time for those Republican establishment to learn who is the new boss in the pack order and changed all their barking pattern and behavior for the new alpha male. That's just another consequences of how GOP leadership so carefully groomed so fanatic and ignorant electorate for so long that makes up its core support base. That highly ignorant and polarized (on issues like race & religion) electorate hardly care who is the master of them to guide their loyalty for the party and for what purpose. Lindsey Graham is no exception but the rule in that party.
2
Graham, McConnell and many of their soulless, hypocritical, and entirely self-serving Republican colleagues in the Senate are deathly afraid of the increasingly likely big reveal of how much money came into their campaigns ultimately from Russian oligarchs and Putin, via the NRA and others. For these Republicans, if committing treason is what's needed to preserve their political lives, then so be it. They're in bed with Trump now because their fates are inextricably tied with his.
5
Liars lie. That's what they do.
5
What has really happened? Here's a cue - Graham got smart by watching Trump trample over the constitution and just about every morale dictate that generally characterizes a US presidency, and realized that GOP can legally get away with just about anything they set their ambitions to achieve by applying a highly effective media-savvy approach. Entertainment is the key, episode to episode, season to season. Now cue Macbeth...Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Very sad that Graham sees all this as theater when people are getting shot in synagogues, journalists are getting threatened and receiving explosives in the mail, and the entire country is in anxiety and hate mode.
Also very similar to Pence in that they both admire an authoritarian father figure. He seems to need someone to idolize. When he lost McCain, he latched on to a more poisonous one.
7
One more daredevil volunteering to be kicked down the road?
"Trump is an entertainer and an agitator, which Graham says he can relate to, in a way. “The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke,” Graham said. I asked Graham if he is in on the joke, too. “Oh, 100 percent, 100 percent.” He laughed. “Oh, people have no idea.” I asked him to explain the joke to me. “If you could go to dinner with us. … ” he said, shaking his head."
The joke? Trump and Graham think that being in leadership roles that significantly impact people's health, education and job opportunities, economic fairness, justice and peace of mind is a joke? This is despicable. In fact, it's disgustingly elitist.
4
Nothing happened to him. He wants to survive a primary in South Carolina and probably couldn't do so without Trump's support.
1
History will not be kind to these people.
2
"Trump is an entertainer and an agitator, which Graham says he can relate to, in a way. “The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke,” Graham said. I asked Graham if he is in on the joke, too. “Oh, 100 percent, 100 percent.” He laughed. “Oh, people have no idea.” I asked him to explain the joke to me. “If you could go to dinner with us. … ” he said, shaking his head."
This its all you need to know about these questionable, unethical ne-er-do-wells. It's all a joke to them and the jokes on us as they lie, cheat and steal their way to infamy.
Income inequality, climate change, exorbitant medical costs-forget about it. They're having too much 'fun' laughing at us.
1
Executive summary. He has merely recalculated where his bread is buttered. Which is something he has been doing his entire life.
2
I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, but let Lindsey Graham be a reminder of the dangers that generations of inbreeding can have on one's character and moral compass. In case there's any doubt on what those effects are: inbreeding eradicates any semblance of character and morals, leaving one looking and acting like the senator from "the palmetto state". So much nicer, by the way, to have an "empire" than a "palmetto"!
2
Given the access the author was granted, I am surprised he didn’t ask about and even force the issue of Graham’s pathetic flip-flops in public statements as he has plunged into the filthy lying game with Trump...
2
Lindsay Graham is one example of the reason there should be term limits. Fear of not being re-elected led to his outrage at the Kavanaugh hearing; unwillingness to reach across the aisle; and sidling up to Trump. Trump is a liar, a cheat, and a thief. He oozes corruption.
This leads me to believe Graham is smarter than the rest of us.
2
Trump isn't in on any joke. He didn't get that New York "society" thought he was a joke. He continues to believe he'll get there someday.
Graham is in on the joke. He's an apple-polishing weasel who prided himself for his friendship with John McCain and waited until McCain was dead before he started kissing Trump's rear end; with an eye on VP or Presidential candidate in the wake of Trump, whether impeached or reelected. Graham misses the joke that he would be a ridiculous President. He doesn't realize that some people are born inescapably wimpy and he has that written into his personality. He's willing to publicly endorse Trump's insult to his old friend John McCain, a man of proven courage and integrity.
3
Shorter version: Graham makes no bones about throwing his integrity into the wind.
3
Congratulations to Mr. Graham, named by the Washington Blade among DC’s most eligible LGBT singles! Now if he could just find a good, strong man to help him through the guilt and grief that will consume him during his final years.
6
@DC
Enough with the homosexual references. I am a 5th generation San Francisco native; the pictures of old Victorians now shown in magazines etc. are the products of a large, creative community comprised of a lot of gay men and women. I lived on upper Market at the time, and watched the gay community transform Castro St. and surrounding neighborhoods; they opened small shops; they donated to local schools; they were charming and financially stable. They did not prey on children; they donated to their schools. They attended local meetings held in a church basement. Lindsey Graham does not represent the larger gay community who tend to be educated and successful. He represents a Southern tribal point of view; his performance at the disgraceful Kavanaugh Hearing was awful. The Hearing should have been for a moderate: Merrick Garland. It was for a Catholic ideologue, Kavanaugh. Now he fawns on the despicable man in the WH; the man who mocked his best friend when he became confused during a legislative hearing, a man who had a brain tumor and still managed to show up to save the ACA. Ted Kennedy showed up to save Medicare. These are the heroes we need to honor. Graham is just a preening little man who had a crush on a war hero, so he supported some good legislation.
A few dozen people stand around an open grave while a light rain falls from a dark sky and a chilly breeze ensures all a thorough, cold soaking. Hair is asunder, soil and grass clippings cling to sopped leather shoes, and raindrops dilute tears on eyeglass. Lindsey Graham is among those making a final, quiet parting. A man standing next to Graham sees him fidget, then reach his hand deep into the pocket of his sodden wool coat. Graham is the only one there who doesn’t realize how cold he is. He pulls out a round metallic object, the shape and color of three stacked, tarnished silver dollars. A looped chain hangs from between his fingers as Graham surveys the item, head cocked, chin jutting, eyes narrowed. “Whatcha have there?” the man next to him quietly asks. “Something I don’t need and I’m tired of carrying around,” Graham drawls, not looking away from the item he holds. As the man bows his head and returns to his own private thoughts, Graham gives the item a further cold, hard look. “Tired of this thing,” he thinks; “been tired of it for years. Here, you can have it. I gotta stay relevant.” Then, with a sneer, Lindsey Graham tosses his moral compass into John McCain’s open grave.
6
Well John McCain had no idea what type of friend he had in Mr. Graham. If he had known that he was being used by this so called friend. John would of called him out.
Wow what a good imposter Mr. Graham has been, now he is the presidents lap dog linked to all the scandals. A career left in shambles and the laughing stock on the hill.
The American people see you for what you are and will get the last laugh. Trump wont be in office forever the days are numbered.
1
Lindsey Graham is a pathetic, weak example of a so-called statesman unwilling to stand up to a man he knows is clearly taking steps every day to destroy this nation's standing in the world and at home.
All to ensure his own re-election. Kind of sums up everything that is wrong with politics in this country, right there.
2
May be he was always the sidekick in secret due to his association with McCain. Now that his moral compass is gone he is coming out in his true colors. Or he is having some secret agenda for turning the country around to liking Trump
2
Russian money and closeted sexual orientation may play a role in the equation, but there's no real mystery about why Graham is Trump's toady. His white supremacist "The South Will Rise Again" constituents love it. They are still fighting the Civil War, flying their confederate flags, and viewing themselves as exalted by their skin color. Trump is their chieftain, their Robert E Lee without any of the class. Outside of the formerly confederate states, it's hard to believe they haven't moved on. But they haven't.
9
What do the Russians have on Lindsey.
6
It's a deal with the devil. Follow the money.
3
Lindsey is merely an opportunist through and through.
3
History will remember him as the obsequious, unprincipled, grovelling sycophant he has proven himself to be. If there is any justice his name will become a shameful metaphor like “Quisling”, “Pétain”, and “Benedict Arnold”.
4
Graham is disgusting and I wonder if he ever looks at himself in a mirror and wonders how did he get this way. I lived in the bad old days of the 60's in Alabama where I knew lots of people like him. They went to the Baptist church every Sunday and sprouted "fire and brimstone" about the evils of drinking. Yet, go to a dark roadhouse in Mississippi on a Saturday night and you would see some of those speakers drinking away. Some, not all even belonged to the KKK and or the more refined Citizens Groups of the day. So Graham had a hard life and took care of his sister, big deal so did hundreds of millions of others. My aunt and uncle had a riverfront bar that we worked at on the weekend washing dishes, my birth father left not to be seen again when I was five, and I served in the US Marines. I read the piece and does that make him a better person I think not. Graham like the rest of the Republican Party I might add the party of Lincoln have lost their moral compass and have no right to lecture others. I did like how no one picked up on the little comment he made about "There being the smart people and then us." So, in other words he is calling his fellow travelers stupid. As for conservative what a hoot - it seems not mentioned is the simple fact would a conservative if it was a Democrat be in favour of stealing money from Defense construction to build a wall be ok with that. The Constitution is clear on who has the power of the purse, not the President. Jim Trautman
3
“I told the president that if you colluded with the Russians, if your campaign sat down and worked with foreign intelligence operatives to manipulate the results of the election, that’d be the end of us, ” Graham said.
Hmm. This should be interesting...
2
"I told the president that if you colluded with the Russians, if your campaign sat down and worked with foreign intelligence operatives to manipulate the results of the election, that’d be the end of us, ”
There's good reason why no one takes anything Lindsey Graham says seriously anymore. Donald tells Lindsey "you're the only one I trust anymore", and Lindsey tells Donald "You are a really great golfer". It's no wonder he and Donald manage to hit it off so well.
2
Sure this president is treated differently from others, Lindsey.
He is different and proud of it. If you want to go further, the Republican party shows more deference to Trump than any other president.
Who gets away the stunts that Trump pulls? Who has displayed more disgraceful behavior with not a word of outrage?
No other president Republican or Democrat would behave as Trump has and still be office.
The worse Trump behaves, the better the Republicans treat him. It is absolutely disgraceful.
Trump plays the victim card, but in reality pretty much gets what he wants.
2
So, you want to be "relevant", Lindsey? And "if you don't want to get re-elected, you're in the wrong "business" ?! Really?
South Carolina folks are beginning to want you gone. There's a meeting at the Fort Mill Tavern this weekend to discuss the ousting of you and those like you from your "relevant" positions in DC.
Your groveling for Trump is very unbecoming and makes us wonder just what need that fulfills for you. Your constituents are waking up one at a time, week after week. You ARE becoming expendable.
9
1. John McCain died, so Graham can't be shamed; 2. Graham is afraid of a primary challenge in antediluvian South Carolina; 3. Graham wants to be Trump's running mate next year. 4. All of the above.
3
Maybe 45 is being treated differently than other presidents because the other 44 had an inkling of how government works.
3
Sen. Graham was purchased.
12
Wouldn't "From Trump Skeptic to Trump Shill" be a more accurate headline?
As a recent Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/17/world/europe/trump-international-relations-munich.html) makes clear, Graham has lost all credibility.
2
Sen. Graham just embraces the same three core "values" which drive Trump:
Greed
Hatred
Delusion
These are the basis of all human misery.
6
What, precisely, is “the joke”?
Here’s a guess: that neither Graham or Trump could care less about the economic prospects of their “base”, let alone the rest of us Americans.
5
Lindsay Graham is the dog who finally caught the car he was chasing. He has no idea what to do with it, and he's afraid to let go of it.
5
After reading this I am more and more convinced that Trump is the only “honest” Republican. The rest, like Graham, McConnell and, yes, I put Susan Collins in this category too, are the phony Republicans as they hold the same despicable and deplorable beliefs that Trumps holds. Only they don’t come out and say it. They pretend they hold the best interests of the people who elected them or the country at heart but really, all they care about is protecting corporate interests. They pretend they are appalled by actions of the American people who are swayed by the hateful rhetoric of the president to do hateful things, yet they do nothing to change anything. They are the aiding and abetting Republicans, the president does not stand alone.
It is not “sad”; it is pathetic.
1
Lindsey Graham has thrown his lot in with a sordid law obstructing crook. And to think I actually had some respect for Graham at one point. My bad...
4
Graham's decency died with McCain.
2
Summary: “An outcome of particular interest to Graham, at the moment, is getting re-elected to a fourth Senate term in South Carolina, where Trump owns commanding approval numbers”
All that needs to be known. It is the age of the chameleon bootlickers. The only part that doesn’t change is the nose: always brown.
2
Please, people in South Carolina tell us why you vote for Senator Graham. I don't want to hear what someone in Boston thinks. [The same can be asked of those in KY about Senator McConnell.]
4
For Graham, politics is a business. This is his business. He's in it for what he can personally take from it: money, influence, perks. He has no personal principles or standards (much like Trump). He's an opportunist. Politics is a business for opportunists. After McCain's funeral, as the congregation was mingling amid the pews of the National Cathedral, Graham was seen warmly greeting and hugging Huma Abedin. Some people on Twitter reacted negatively to the image; how dare these two be, what, friends? I think that's what Washington is really like. It's a lucrative business for those who can muscle their way to the top.
4
Yep, another political hack more interested in himself than our nation. Mr. Graham will of course say that the ends justify the means, but many of us citizens recognize lack of integrity and moral courage when we see it.
13
Perhaps someone will pen a sad, modern sequel to JFK’s famous book, calling this one “Profiles in Relevance.” Rather than stories about people who sacrificed themselves for the greater good, the new version will be about people who sacrificed their integrity and the greater good for self-preservation, and Lindsey Graham can be featured in the first chapter.
7
I try to imagine Russian operatives reading this article and the conclusions they make about the malleability of American leadership.
They have Graham figured out even if he doesn't.
Of Trump , Graham says,
"I personally like him. We play golf. He's very nice to me. "
"Perfect," say the Russians. "This fellow is fine with liking the same man who relentlessly insulted his friend McCain."
8
Senator Graham has revealed that his only core principle is that he always wants to be close to the center of power and will adjust his opinions accordingly to achieve that goal.
17
I think Lindsay has developed a “lean and hungry look” or maybe I’m just picking up on something that has always been there. I believe him when he says he wants “relevance”, that’s the most important commodity to a real politician.
4
Everything is for sale...even a Senate seat; forget personal honor and character.
Is there no Republican prepared to protect the Constitution?
13
Graham has demonstrated himself to be a leader of the party in his display of soul-less power seeking. The GOP once was a principled party; now its only principled interest is power and the flow of money and its companion--corruption. They have become the uncontested experts in subverting the economic interests of the people of the country while stuffing their mink lined pockets.
3
So it's all about the voters. This is the trouble with democracy. Half the people are below average intelligence.
How many scientists or artists do you see running for office? Inquiring minds don't do committees well.
Instead we get businessmen and lawyers - born and raised to just play the game, and play to win.
So, we see winners and we see losers, and never dare to really look at the stars.
8
Quite correct on the intelligence scale..Probably another 25% are in for a perceived tax cut or abortion demands
The last 25% really change who is elected. Americans are the least educated in democratically elected governments..Easy to be ignorant
Look what we have now
Lindsay Graham is a politician that wants to get re-elected...he knows down to the 0.1% the voters in his state that support the president.
1
Of course we are all fascinated by the drama of Lindsey Graham's capitulation to Trump and what might be behind it. But Trumpism has real-world consequences -- separating families at the border, an assault on reproductive rights, etc. Why, in this article, was Graham not asked to address these issues?
5
Mr. Graham most likely is only trying to get re-elected. South Carolina is Trump Country. However, it could also be that Vladimir showed him a thing or two in a file.
7
Senator Graham is the President lap dog right now. At one time he was a man showed he could think a little for himself, but he's really just a dogmatic Trump guy. I don't know what his internal instinct is at this juncture. Does he think the Republican Party should hold together at all costs? It scares me that he thinks those costs are worth the price they will pay.
2
"If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business."
And that sort of says it all about Graham, doesn't it? I'll give him credit for admitting that his fundamental quest is a re-election quest--the vast majority of politicians feel the same way but would never say so. That's all the credit he gets. Graham is a poseur who only cares about inflating his own sense of self-importance. Any politician who cares more about re-election than about serving constituents is a traitor to his own people.
4
Graham has exchanged integrity for the opportunity to be “relevant.” It’s a childish impulse, beneath the dignity of a senator. Or a president.
The evidence is piling up that Trump is bad for our country. The harm he has done to our global standing, our Constitution, our common morality and the cohesiveness of our society will not be repaired in my lifetime. Anyone who does not oppose him is accountable for this harm.
Do I “hate” them? My father died for this country, and these people spit on it. My children will suffer harm from their actions after I am gone. So yes, I do.
6
Duh. This is a no-brainer. Lindsey is running for re-election in 2020. South Carolina went for Trump by 55% in 2016.
2
Graham has supported wars that sent Americans to kill and destabilize nations for lies and misinformation, and drained trillions from our treasury that could have been spent building not destroying. He also supported gerrymandering of the USSC by refusing Obama his right as president to seat his choice to replace Scalia.
Why is he so angry, self-righteous and unrepentant? He has done enough damage for generations of his family to atone for. Why are Democrats not angrily confronting him? Why is he not a pariah, ignored and ridiculed by the media for his abject track record of being wrong about foreign policy?
3
Given the way he has acted since Trump took over it appears he is more interested in getting re-elected than anything else.
3
Nothing happened to Lindsay - he was just never who we thought he was and when he lost McCain he lost his anchor. It's fine for Graham to be relevant and support the President in certain areas but instead being a figure both sides can trust to be deliberate and honorable(and partisan) in his intentions he really has become a caricature of himself.
Who would ever think that Lindsay Graham of all people would be accused of being a toady? Yet he is. He's not the person people knew him to be - and that was not a bad person, even if you disagreed with his politics.
That kind of says anything.
3
I have to say that this article doesn't make Graham look good. And when he says that Trump is "in on the joke", I have to wonder what part of all of this is a "joke"? I'm not seeing anything humorous about the conduct of Trump in office or his obnoxious tweets and statements.
7
This quote from Graham says it all:
"If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business.”
That's all Lindsay Graham and other Republicans who won't stand up to Trump care about. Not the Constitution. Not the future of our democracy. All they care about is self-preservation.
8
It almost makes you wonder what Trump and his team have on Graham. And of course John McCain is rolling in his grave.
2
Every time I want to like Graham, he does something contemptible. In the primaries, he spoke the truth when he said that having Ted Cruz as president would be like drinking poison, because you could always try to find an antidote. But voting for Trump is like a gunshot to the head.
When he turned into a viper at the Kavanaugh hearing, it was over for good, and made me ashamed for my native South Carolina. That moment, he became the embodiment of everything I hate about my state.
While not doubting that he wants what he thinks is best for the country, he could not be more wrong. And remember that he praised Hillary Clinton when she was a senator.
Sorry, Graham, you can't have it both ways. McCain would be ashamed of you.
8
Great article by Mark Leibovich. This seems pretty simple to me. Lindsey Graham cares about one thing - getting re-elected. The best way for him to do that is to stay as close to Donald Trump as he can. Trump won South Carolina 60-40 and Graham is not about to lose the Trump base. As cynical as it sounds, he’s just another politician more concerned about his job than his country.
4
I too have wondered what is Graham up to? This article makes it clear- he is willing to do more than compromise, he is willing to be a shill to Trump to be in his small inner orbit. He shrugs off the considerable cost to his reputation, his character and his soul - all to get Trump's ear? He is flattered that Trump asks his opinion, and calls him frequently! Others in this comments section call him pragmatic or Machiavellian. That is putting it mildly.
3
The article quotes the irate Graham on Trump's presidency, "It’s about him (Trump) being treated different than any other president.”
Graham appears conveniently to have forgotten the Republican-Ken Starr treatment of Bill Clinton and the long-term long Mitch McConnell strategy to try to stop every initiative President Obama brought up (including trying to make him a one-term president).
Graham's selective memory is consistent with his "which-way-is-the-wind-blowing" attitude toward the current WH office holder. If the real heat of the Special Counsel's report and the actions of the SDNY hit trumpy, his family, and his coterie, Graham will turn against trumpy, et al., "in a New York minute."
Graham is a chameleon. Both we on one side and trumpy on the other should always remember that.
3
Russell Baker, the great NYT columnist who just passed away, wrote prose pearls on the Republican Party/Trump in NY Review of Books.
“What Trump saw when glancing at the arthritic Grand Old Party was the empty shell of a political machine, available for occupancy.
Adding it to the world-famous assortment of properties and consumer goods bearing the Trump name—hotels, golf courses, gambling casinos, colleges, beefsteaks—would not only give him some sorely needed political legitimacy but would also enhance his celebrity. He took it over.
... “this period might be called “the Trump Captivity,” and “captivity” describes the condition in which the GOP awoke late in the 2016 campaign to discover it was wearing the Trump logo.
Whatever the election results, the Republican Party has lost its credibility as a political force. When the shock subsides, a few people who still care will have to decide what the party of the future will be, if any."
From ‘On the Election—I’ -- Nov 10, 2016.
3
The senator in question is up for reelection in 2020 and nothing catches better his primary theme than this quote:
“Why? ’Cause they hate him,” Graham said of Trump. “They hate us,” he added, and repeated the call: “They hate us.”
Wrapping himself in the aggrieved white (male) voter's alienation from (and exploitation by) the elite is a surefire strategy for keeping him free of a primary competitor running to his lunatic right. Why he doesn't also prance around wearing a maga hat is a curious tactical omission. I'm sure someone must have suggested he dye his hair an unnatural orange too, but so far he's resisted that level of imitation.
Cartoonish caricatures like graham are a dime a dozen (which is about all they're worth) in this country's political history. We have always had them and will always be cursed with still more of them. This has to do with
an electorate's inclinations to wallow in bad taste,
mindless entertainment, which reflects abysmal levels of education, and their expectations that their representatives
should be just as proud to exhibit the same.
There is, as well, the defense of white (male) privilage
of which he is well aware forms a crucial feature of his electorate's anxieties. Standing tall to defend against all encroachments to this legacy of the 19th century
appears to be all that's needed to keep a very large part of his support.
The question with graham is whether he really believes the act or is merely badly performing a role.
4
While supposedly on Trumps side , wink wink, he shows how fake he is and how he is playing a game. He used to have a good friend who had morals, and now to one who has none. He is not in this for the good of our country but for his own accolades. Adversely he will be remembered as one more new republican. Everything for their party and of course themselves. South Carolina could use a fresh face.
2
Graham needs to support Trump to get reelected.
That is all you need to know.
2
true colors finally reveal themselves - he was hiding in plain sight
3
I can't believe he hasn't made a deal with the devil, i.e. Trump. My guess is that Trump will pull out of the next presudential race at some stategic moment, throwing his support to Graham. Graham has been careful not to offend the basket of deplorables while maintaining his standard conservative cred. After being elected (god forfend) he will pardon Trump and his family of all crimes. Trump will probably pardon most of his cronies before leaving office. I know it's pretty CT, but it fits the facts.
I would like nothing more in life than to be rid of Graham and the people who support him. The kind of people who think "look at those elitists, they think they're so smart." But when they need money from the liberals, they know where to get it.
Why do I think I'm so "smart"? Because this country nowadays is a case study on how to run a global power into the ground, and anyone who points this out is some of "smart elitist liberal"
5
The epitome of the craven politician.
He will be happy to violate his oath of office and not defend the Constitution in the upcoming vote because it doesn't mean as much to him as "relevance."
Haven't seen this extent since LBJ - another good ol' boy.
1
@Citizen60
Are you comparing Graham to LBJ who risked his Senate seat to marshal the Voting Rights Act through Congress; he knew he would lose votes at home. He also remembered the black kids and their parents he grew up with in Texas hill country. He did the right thing for the right reasons; he called in every favor and twisted every arm; he got black American citizens a Federal right to register to vote; they registered and voted. Now registration, polling places and hours are being used in another attempt to deny black citizens their right to vote. No doubt Graham in So. Carolina will be checking on which way the wind is blowing.
Lindsay Graham has always been values-free. He is the perfect example of someone who sways in whichever direction he perceives the winds are blowing. In this case, his No Trumpism changed into adulation of Trump not for any principled reason, but because he realizes that, while he is in risk of losing in the general election with his pro-Trump worship, he needs Trump's racist, white supremacist, misogynistic, hate/rage-filled core if he even wants to win the Republican primary & get to the general election at all. Principles & values never intrude into his calculus.
3
oh come on!
We don't need an expose on this one.
Graham went from one side to the other because Trump appealed to his narrow, selfish interests and Trump offered him something, at least until he realizes his next election might be in jeopardy.
There it is in 50 words or less.
6
LG has been compromised by DJT in some way.
We’ll find out. Somehow, some way his motives will become public.
No politician does a 180 like this without cause.
There is no rational actor that adopts DJT’s policies with the enthusiasm of LG for no reason.
In the meantime LG will have memorize all of DJT’s lies to keep up.
Vote 2020!!
4
When Graham started this slide to being Trump's wingman, months ago, his motive was obvious. His last re-election was a bit of a stretch; with the far-righters feeling he wasn't 'conservative' enough. This scared him, so now he is playing so far right no one can get on that side of him!.
He's been playing to his base for reelection all along. People were saying he's auditioning for a cabinet position... this was always incorrect.
I am embarrassed to say I live in his district of SC; proud to say I never voted for him!
2
It'll be interesting to see what happens with the Trump Party (the former GOP) in the next 10 years.
1
Lindsey Graham does not "react" - unless you mean "act again". Graham ACTS as well as any performer during this week of the Oscars. Maybe he should be considered for one of the Oscars. I do not understand how Trump can trust Graham - from 'skeptic' to 'sidekick' or any place between- just look at how he calls attention to the late John McCain............The U.S. Senate has become a club of scoundrels who would sell all they possess to be close to Trump, no matter the danger involved.
1
As a South Carolina voter, I am still waiting to hear from Sen. Graham how his position within the president's orbit will provide any tangible benefit to his constituents back in his home state.
SC is changing rapidly - for example, the Hispanic/Latino population here has grown by about 24% since 2010 (compared to about 15% in the US overall), and Graham's alignment with a president who has such a terrible record with the Latino community is (at best) problematic and (to many) unforgivable.
Blind support for Trump can backfire even here in SC, as we saw in the 2018 midterms in the congressional race in SC-1, where the popular Republican incumbent Mark Sanford lost his primary to fanatical Trump supporter Katie Arrington, who ultimately lost the general election to moderate Democrat Joe Cunningham. Cunningham's message of "Lowcountry over party" resonated with voters from both parties who are tired of Trump's rhetoric and want to be represented by somebody who cares more about South Carolina than about partisan battles.
For many voters here, Graham's ridiculous performance during the Kavanaugh hearings cemented the fact that he is willing to expend all of his political capital currying favor with Trump and is completely disengaged with the needs and interests of his constituents.
571
@Carrie
If you are a Republican, I applaud you. But it seems to me that Graham's insistence in remaining 'relevant' is just code for remaining in power. And it is the primary system at fault. This is where McConnell and Graham are joined at the hip. They refrain from criticizing Trump publicly, and keep quiet about how they really feel - because they know they need to appease Republican voters at the primary level. To remain in power, they will remain in lock step with Trump, and swallow their probable distaste.
45
@Carrie
Yes I am a SC resident and one of his constituents as well. I created a Crowd PAC to fund his 2020 opponent, just like the one for Susan Collins done by her constituents in Maine.
We are looking to get mobilized and find a Senator that actually represents the state of SC, not just those uber elite. Feel free to look it up on Crowd PAC and share with everyone. Please search "Your time's up Lindsey Graham!"
I am doing what I can to get the message out there.
81
@Butter I was with you until the Kavanaugh hearings. I was willing then to excuse his votes for very liberal democrats for the Supreme Court after his heartfelt response to the democrats on the committee who were unwilling to believe anything but the worst of the candidate.
LGraham sold me then that he is my man in the US Senate, and I am sure now, that he represents my best interests.
I am sorry you feel otherwise, and am sure your efforts will go unrewarded.
2
Lindsey Graham is always looking for the nearest camera. His quest to be "relevant" has turned him into a joke. But he is a dangerous joke.
Graham says of Democrats "they hate us." No, Lindsey, we don't hate you. We are disgusted by the effects you have had on our country. Politics is so vitriolic and mean. It is almost impossible to have a civil conversation between Democrats and Republicans. It didn't use to be that way but Trump has promoted that sort of animus because he feels he needs enemies for his supporters to detest. Graham is feeding that narrative more than just about any other politician other than Trump. It is tearing at the fabric of our country.
I understand fighting for what you believe in but sometimes the nature of the fight is more deleterious to the country than any policy victory might be. My mother was a Democrat. My father was a Republican. They had a wonderful, respectful marriage. I wonder if that is even possible today. People like Graham are fueling antagonism and hatred in our country. But, no, Lindsey, I don't hate you. But I am deeply disgusted and concerned by your actions. They are not in the best interest of our country and your main job as a Senator is to act in the best interest of our country. You are failing miserably at that.
599
@Rex Clemmensen: Actually, it's the other way around. Take the wall for example. There are plenty of instances in the past when Mr. Clinton and Mr. Obama both explained the need for secure borders. Now, we have a president that is really trying to do something about it and guess what? All of a sudden, it's terrible, and rude, and gives the wrong idea of America, etc. It's called "play by the rules". Mr. Schumer loves to agree to billions for foreign aid to a whole load of countries, including Israel, and part of that money in Israel goes to do what? Build walls. But he won't agree to do the same thing in America. Does that make sense? Wake up because most of the country doesn't agree with you.
@Brian Kenney
Secure borders do not mean Trump's wall. If Trump wanted to do something effective about border security, he would do other things that are effective but do not lend themselves to being portrayed in a simple slogan and a compelling visual.
One of the most effective enhancements of border security would be to put some of the managers of Trump's New Jersey golf club and other such properties in jail for hiring undocumented immigrants and helping them get higher quality forged documents. We do not play by those rules except a bit for show; Trump never plays by the rules but instead constantly bends and breaks them.
Running the country with policies that can be reduced to simple, emotion-laden symbols does not work, at least not forever; dubya tried running a war like that and it caught up with him until he came up with another symbol -- the surge -- that helped him pass the mess to Obama.
34
@Brian Kenney, your comment presents so many problems that undermine your own argument I do not know where to begin. First of all, just because you support a wall or fencing un some areas of the border does not know mean it is wise or cost-effective to have one everywhere as our southern border is well over a thousand miles long and most places the geographical barriers suffice to keep people out. Second, thanks to our previous 2 presidents and Congresses, the border is safer than it has been in 50 years (We spent tens of billion to achieve this over a ten year period. If anyone did things to enhance border security it is Bush and Obama. Third, not one new yard of new wall has been started under Trump although he lies to his supporters to the contrary. Fourth, foreign aid is usually much more cost effective but we are not spending the billions you are talking about except re: Israel and formerly Egypt. Schumer offered Trump $25 billion on border security last year and Trump rejected it. Do you know that? Does that make sense? Most people oppose declaring an emergency that does not exist. The polls are overwhelming and a majority oppose construction of a wall. Those are facts. The only one spreading fake news is Trump and those people at Fox News not name Chris Wallace, Shep Smith and Judge Napolitano.
9
I've evolved on many issues to a position I think will have been best when one looks back in 10, 20, 50, 100 years. I can't help but think that ultimately, Senator Graham will be generally reviled in the same way as John C. Calhoun, Jefferson Davis, et al. Something tells me he will be happy with that assessment.
12
Times use of sidekick shows, once again, subtle but persistent bias.
Of course, if you want to insult the GOP, you will like this.
But this bias belies any hint of objectivity.
"All the news that fits our views"
2
@R. R.
Then why are you here, exactly? I'm sure the National Review wouldn't stoop to such tricks, especially when Obama was there to kick around.
3
@Mike
I am here because, despite the overwhelming progressive bias of the posters, some of them might retain an inkling of balance.
The Times should not be the slam sheet to which it has descended.
I certainly try to maintain balance and fairness, and I am not the only one.
Graham is emblematic of everything that is wrong with Washington in general, and the elected officials on the right more specifically. He's a hack only interested in self-preservation. He would cut off his right arm if he thought it would boost his poll numbers and ensure six more years.
Which brings up another point. Can we please stop referring to all elected officials as leaders? The term simply doesn't apply to over 90% of them.
32
"If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business" he said. That about sums up our Congress. I don't believe in term limits. We have the vote for that. But Lindsey saying this makes me sick.
78
South Carolina: welfare state feeding at the trough of the federal government. This state TAKES significantly more money than what they GIVE in taxes. Perfectly ironic place for slimy Graham to operate.
As a Californian, it disgusts me to have to listen to someone like Mr Graham. Without California, his state would be third world.
163
@Lake Monster as someone from this state.
First of all, chill with the hate against my state.
Second, there are plenty of people in this State the absolutely abhor Graham. Our state is crooked and gerrymandered worse than anything you can imagine. I have worked with the Democratic party here in SC, but unfortunately they are just as crooked as the GOP here. They don't put up an opponent against Graham because it's not in their nest interest.
There are good people here boots on the ground fighting. We brought lawsuits against local elections commissions, but there's only so much one can do.
If the National Democratic Party would put more emphasis on seats in red states that can obviously turn, then 2020 will be a landslide.
11
"South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum." - James L. Petigru, former Attorney General of South Carolina
6
Mr. Tahoe, just wait. Gavin Newsome, King of California, has stated he wants to give the illegal aliens. free medical coverage. That ought to put us under, as far as paying for it. I don't get anything for free. I assume you don't get anything for free. How does he justify giving the most expensive benefits, at least my insurance is nearly as high as my mortgage, again, I'll assume your's is also, to people that have never paid into the pot? He'll turn us into South Carolina yet.
Graham’s conversion to Trump’s Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s sidekick, is not hard to explain. Trumps approval rating among Republicans is near 90%. Until that number goes down, expect Graham and other GOP luminaries to play the sidekick role too.
40
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
If you don't expose Trump for the fraud he is, then it's less likely
he will target you as the fraud you are, on Twitter.
45
This piece is a solid argument for term limits. These people feel that they are entitled to do whatever they have to to be reelected. Lindsey has been around way too long and is up to his neck appeasing big business and big military.
If he is deemed as too liberal in South Carolina then maybe its time to allow them to secede and let the rest of us create a just and moral society.
49
Careful. Don't feed in to the reckless and dangerous talk of a new civil war that is making the rounds on the conspiracy-theory, paranoid far right.
1
@Sneeral I'm not suggesting a civil war, just an amicable parting of the ways. Lincoln should have let them go in 1861. We are just not compatible and never were.
2
LG is like a lot of his political buddies who “went through the change” and believe in the “Diamond in the Ruff” story. This is the fable about a John Doe who had a neighbor who encouraged his dog to use Doe’s yard as a place to deposit many large piles of animal waste over an extended time. At first, John was irate and considered doing something in retaliation. However, there was general knowledge that the dog liked to swallow jewelry. So John decided to put up with the smell, appearance and poor sanitation with the belief that his “ship would come in” and the abuse would be worth it.
10
So Graham has chosen power and politics over principle. No surprise there. Power is such an intoxicating thing, and his fragile ego obviously needs to be stroked. His place in history is now firmly established and it's not a good one. Where are the statesmen in the GOP? Are there any?
59
The remarkable transmogrification of Lindsey Graham, from harsh critic of candidate Trump, to Sycophant Numero Uno to President Trump, has been more than discomfiting.
It was as if, John McCain had been keeping Graham on a short leash all those years knowing, in his heart, that Graham — disloyal to his core being — would bolt for the door and into an alternate universe, or into the path of an oncoming bus.
Well, actually, after McCain's passing, it took less than a New York Second for Graham to latch on to Trump's coattails, perhaps in the hopes of being selected as one of a string of DJT's AG's. Trump, ever the serial philanderer (ask his three wives, all of whom must carry the moniker of "the other woman"), goes through team members like Big Macs. Still, Lindsey Graham remains hopeful of hitching his horse to The Donald's wagon. Is it because of a rebellious group of SC constituents making reelection ney impossible?
What we have in today's Lindsey Graham is a very louder sycophant than his fellow Jim Crow southerner, Jeff Sessions. Both have a kind of Keebler elf look-alike quality without the sweetness.
But here's the thing: There are many Republicans in the House and Senate equally as adoring of Trump, Graham's transformation was sudden and seemingly out of character. But now we know his character in more detail: A professed Christian, he believes in Jesus but, prefers to ignore his teachings. Graham has, apparently, saved his compassion and empathy for Trump.
29
His coattail grabbing consisted of inviting Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to John McCain’s funeral. This despite the clear signals given by McCain himself that Trump himself was not welcome.
Why would he betray the McCain family like that?
3
The contortions that these people go through to remain relevant hurts my neck to watch.
As a politician I appreciate that he is doing whatever he can to effect meaningful change. But I struggle with seeing this as statesmanship.
Graham, like McConnell is in an election cycle and they are vulnerable from attacks on their right flank. So they go through these machinations to maintain their seat and their relevance. In two to six years, the president will be gone and you can guarantee that both these guys will be out there saying that his agenda was his agenda, not theirs, his policies were not theirs, his tariffs, his tax cuts, his immigration, his language were all not theirs and that they are stand up guys who stood up to the president.
And it will take contortions and strain on my neck to see where they are coming from.
14
@BB Nailed it.
Graham- a wannabe in the Trump orbit.
9
Senator, we do not hate you. You disgust us.
96
Just a coward with no principles. The very meaning of craven.
49
I keep seeing reports here that McCain is spinning in his grave. Can we harness some of this energy and use it to take our country back from the Confederate holdouts who took over our government buildings in Malheur, who send bombs through the mail, and whose organized efforts to kidnap children put Hamelin's Pied Piper to shame?
Why are we letting this happen?
12
@Albert Ross
What is it that they say? "The South will rise again." What a polite way of saying "you may have beat us for now, but we're biding our time for a ripe opportunity to get revenge upon the North and reinstate slavery," which could be written in shorthand as "Make America Great Again."
I know, I'm cuckoo bananas crazy. But I think I may be correct about this being a big part of the narrative.
Off to tend my garden.
Wouldn't want that wind spinner in my foxhole.
22
Prior to the election, Graham clearly recognized that Donald Trump is nothing more than a lying, cheating, racist sociopath. After the election, Graham has become Trump's sidekick. Trump did not change in any way. The only difference: Graham has abandoned all pretense of being an honorable, patriotic servant of his nation or his constituents.
46
The difference is actually that before the election he couldn't be hurt by Trump and now his reelection depends on Trump's good Grace's. There's nothing surprising about that.
1
Graham has thrown away the credibility that once made you respect him even if you disagreed with him. His wiki page will forever have a "what happened?" section.
8
this president is treated differently than other presidents bc he IS different. He is a despicable, cruel, ignorant human being. He has earned no respect as a human, or as president, regardless of his current bed being in the white house.
32
Lindsey Graham, ever the opportunist, realizes water in the Trump swamp is just fine. Too bad there's no Academy Award for backflips.
18
“What happened to me?” the senator asks. “Not a damn thing.”
In other words, Graham admits he always was an opportunist. Okay, the senator is in good company, but he is supporting, defending, and protecting a man manifestly unfit to be president and a danger to American national security. When Graham tries for higher office, his association with Trump will blot his chances. It also will be mentioned in his obituary -- not something a decent person would want.
23
Mr. Graham is correct in stating that nothing has happened to him; he is the same oily hypocrite that he has been since he was a member of the House Judiciary Committee and marched down the isle in the Senate to prosecute Clinton. (Will he dare to vote against the madman we have serving as president today? I think not.) He is the epitome of the Republican Party today; he thinks what is good for the GOP and for himself, is good for the USA. In fact he thinks only the things that are good for him and his party are good for the United States. Party before Country, office before Country, and self before constituents. He is an old white man that thinks the US is only for white men and will only work if white men run the country. He has no more understanding of the intent of the Constitution than Putin.
When people like Graham realize that the US Constitution will sustain us if it is applied to all people equally, regardless of sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, political belief, and sexual orientation? Make America great again, Mr. Graham. Find another line of work.
28
I disagree. I don't believe that Graham or many of his compatriots in the Republican Party-before-country think that spring Trump is good for America. Just good for their re-election chances.
2
I have been waiting for this article for 2 years. What happened to Lindsey Graham? And now I have my answer. Lindsey Graham happened to Lindsey Graham. He is a self-interested, shameless suck-up and he’s clearly not afraid to say so. That and/or Trump has something on him. I sincerely hope the fine people of South Carolina vote him out of office.
40
The lap dog needed a new lap after the passing of Senator McCain.
21
Senator Graham tells us he and President Trump are "in on the joke, 100%". Is it a joke, or a con?
34
Without a doubt, it's a con. Too bad LOG doesn't realize that Trump will turn on him and everyone else when the pressure gets great enough.
2
John McCain would be shocked and repulsed by the new Lindsey Graham.
18
Graham says:
“He said to me, ‘You want to invade everywhere except where I want to invade,’ ” Graham said, laughing.
Who knew military invasion was a laughing matter?
19
I saw Jake Tapper on tv accuse Stephen Miller of being obsequious. Immediately I went to Webster: boy does this word fit Billly oop I mean Lindsay Graham as well.
10
What kompromat does Trump have on Lindsay Graham to change his position on everything he has ever stood for?
It’s the only question that matters
23
@Deirdre Good point, although I think it's Putin who holds the kompromat. Remember, Russians hacked both the DNC and the RNC, but only the DNC files were leaked.
I think they held on to all relevant information contained in that hack to make sure that any dissident Republicans would follow Putin's marching orders.
4
Guess he’s well suited for south carolinie, but he came off as more of a national politician when taking orders from McCain. Now he’s just another red state nobody.
19
A red state nobody in a state with outsized power, certainly relative to the large GDP and population state in which you and I reside.
1
@karen
Two remedies: First, Repeal Citizens United, removing the fake "individual" designation as rendered in the infamous Scalia Decision. There was an old Superior Court Decision with an uncorrected transcription error wherein a corporate entity was identified as an individual. The error was never corrected, or used, until Scalia used it.
Second: Repeal the Electoral College which is prone to gerrymandered polling venues which bear no relation to an honest spread of voters. I saw one which was shaped like a frying pan to gather in voters from one Party and isolate them. One in TX was recently struck down by a Superior Court. If the GOP cannot register enough voters, the answer would be to come up with policies which would appeal to voters beyond their big donors. The GOP plutocracy is doomed, given the changing demographics. The majority of voters are not rich, or even in the upper middle class. Mitch is getting too old to hold those midnight tax heists in a room closed to Democrats. The chump change $600/yr. will end in 2027; the huge tax gift to corporations and the top 10% are permanent with a trillion dollar revenue deficit looming in the future.
Graham is an opportunist. He is still that little boy sweeping up his Dad's saloon and looking for someone to say, "you are special and I like you."
He attached himself to McCain and wept in front of reporters when McCain was dying.
Now, he is in love with Trump. Why? He needs Trump to be reelected.
He is a pathetic human being. But, SC loves him.
18
Graham is a follower and not the brightest bulb in the box .
He sticks himself like a leech onto someone with strong opinions, adopts their positions and tries to bask in their sunlight.
It it were not McCain or Trump, he would find another figure to sustain his parasitic personality.
14
Appalling to watch someone let himself fall so utterly under the thrall of an unabashed racist, corrupt, malevolent creep such as Trump. Frankly the people of South Carolina are ill-served by this incredible lack of spine. Trump will shortly be residing in the proverbial dustbin of history but for Graham and millions of others who so quickly allowed themselves to be co-opted, there is no redemption.
29
Just call him what he is, a chameleon.
3
"Child mascot," you say? Nothing creepy about that.. but this helps make sense of Graham's unhinged performance during the Kavanaugh hearings. He's an ingratiating fellow and always the smallest man in the room. He's every Southern Somebody's favorite bachelor nephew who will "never grow up" and loves the hot goss. He's like a tiny moon looking for a new planet to orbit, a new "regular" to giggle for.. and then suddenly one appears: ablaze and orange and puissant, and as hot as any extinction. Like heaven, he thinks.
10
I can't help but notice his fascinating indictment of Democrats: "they hate us" is completely ignored by the author. I'm surprised it was even included, perhaps they thought it would help paint a picture of Graham as unhinged?
For me it confirmed what I had suspected: he was deeply upset about the Kavanaugh hearing. He went from openly collaborating with Democrats to reviling them after that hearing. Yet this fact is all but skimmed over, instead the author tries to smear him as a savvy political parasite latching onto a new host.
Maybe he is that, but that's not what prompted his change of heart towards Trump. The animus for his change is clear in that visceral disgust toward Democrats, and it goes completely unexamined.
I don't know why I bother pointing this out. The NYT faithful will eat this up as more "proof" of some conspiracy involving Russians or blackmail, or perhaps that Graham was a snake in the grass the entire time, even though it makes no sense for him to have sided against the Republican-majority congress before this, if he were a purely cynical creature. He was willing to be the unpopular guy in the room, until something pricked his conscience.
Kavanaugh should not be on the court. He demonstrated that he does not have the temperament. He was credibly accused of attempted rape. He lied to previous committees.
You may not be able to convict him in court, but you wouldn’t hire this guy to paint your house. Unless, as Graham does, you care more about your party than your country.
1
Wow Graham is a clueless disgrace who has sold out any values he had to get re-elected.
12
I attended a gathering here in NYC about a year ago where Graham was the speaker. It was quite a well-informed group of attendees & when Graham began with his “good ole boy southern hick” routine, he got a silent response from the audience. He then shifted to a more normal style but still didn’t get much encouragement from the audience.
He is obviously an attention-needy individual & clearly has figured out that pandering the nincompoop-in-chief is the best way to get it. So pander he does.
True beliefs? What are they?
14
"Trump is an entertainer and an agitator, which Graham says he can relate to, in a way. “The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke,” Graham said. I asked Graham if he is in on the joke, too. “Oh, 100 percent, 100 percent.” He laughed. “Oh, people have no idea.” I asked him to explain the joke to me. “If you could go to dinner with us. … ” he said, shaking his head."
This makes me sick.
19
The only honest thing from this article was Graham saying him and Trump are in on the “joke” together. The whole presidency has just been one long joke to troll liberals (largest crowd size ever, wall is already started, etc).
I’m sure we’ll all be laughing when climate change burns our forests and suburbs to the ground, floods our coastal cities, decimates our crops, and the 4 trillionaires - I mean job creators - build themselves a rocket to Mars.
9
Graham reveals himself for the pathetic, weak, spineless, amoral man he is. I’m sure psychiatrists will have a field day examining this excuse for a human being, and his apparent need to attach himself to a father figure to be politically relevant.
America prides itself as the most powerful nation and a beacon of democracy for the world. It should expect more of its senators.
29
Lindsay Graham has always been a lightweight. Calling him a spineless opportunist would not be hyperbole.
17
..."he's in on the joke" Trump has said absolutely cruel things, racist things, misogynistic things. He has bullied both his allies and his enemies (with the exception of Putin and other autocrats, whom he admires). There is no evidence that he is ever joking-- he does not smile and he does not apologize. "I was only joking" is always the excuse of an unrepentent bully, who wants to get away with his cruelty. Your excusing of this behavior, Senator Graham, is reprehensible.
32
Graham is a man without a center, without a core. John McCain--a principled man--who held sway over Graham throughout the years of their friendship--is no longer here to provide much needed guidance to the sad, rudderless Lindsey.
As for Graham's claims about no president ever having been treated like this...he seems to have completely forgotten his own dogged pursuit of Bill Clinton. Twenty years ago Graham ranted endlessly about Clinton's morals and ethics. But that was then, and this is now.
Graham is a hypocrite. He was in the 1990's (when he was so obviously making his bones in his new job), and he is now. A man without a center or a soul.
32
Look up "sleazy politician" and you will find a picture of Lindsey Graham. His transformation is a wonder to behold. How John McCain could consider this opportunistic charlatan a friend is a mystery.
In keeping with the Trump practice of assigning nicknames, Lindsey should henceforth be known as "Schemer" Graham.
11
Republican policy since Gingrich has been about power for rich white men and not the good of the country. If you're principles begin corrupt it's just a matter of degrees of how far corrupt youy are willing to go. Graham has always been on his knees,
10
Perhaps Senator Graham and the president would let the rest of us in on the joke?
21
Lindsay Graham. Banana backbone. Calculating self-interest. He’s “in on the joke” that is damaging our country and its institutions. Funny man. Joke.
13
So Graham’s explanation is you have to be in on the joke. What joke? The cruel insider joke that is playing out as a cruel hoax on the working middle and lower classes, those that do or don’t support this corrupt, growing autocracy? The joke that is destroying the social safety nets that have been in place to help the huge majority of Americans that work for every penny we have and might fall upon hard times? The joke of destroying the reputations of institutions that have been charged with keeping Americans safe, like the FBI, and the intelligence services? The joke of appointing cabinet heads that are really put in to destroy the department they are in charge of, like the EPA and the Department of Education? The joke of calling the North Korean brutal dictator a great leader that Trump is in love with (Trump’s words, not mine)? Which joke are you talking about, Mr. Graham? And why are you laughing and grinning at these “jokes”? Is seeing the ripping apart of the American fabric what’s funny? Is this divisive president who is purposely, actively, daily trying to pit American against American what’s funny to you? Do tell, Mr. Graham. What joke?
14
Who said that the President does not like house pets ?
I beg to differ. He has Senator Graham and Senator McConnell on a leash and they are his favorite lap dogs. Should be a treat to watch our leader letting them romp on the White House lawn.
24
Graham is up for reelection in South Carolina. That says it all.
7
“This is the defining moment of his presidency,” he said. “It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”
I almost spit out my morning coffee reading this quote! Really? That’s the reason for Graham to lose his moral compass...? Gee, what other President was castigated from day one? Well, Obama does come to mind. Truly pathetic from a guy I used to think had a reasonable sense of right and wrong. I guess he really misses McCain.
9
For me it is quite obvious. Graham was an outspoken Trump critic until the President invited him to play golf with him. During this match the President probably mentioned that he has some very compromising information on the senator and that he better falls in line. Since then Graham toots Trumps horn like a choir boy. And I think I do not have to speculate too much where Trump got this information from?? His best buddy, Vladimir Putin, maybe?
14
He always goes the most opportunistic way. It isn’t worth writing an article about.
4
Trump has the peculiar ability of villains usually found only in youth fiction to gather the most bizarre toadies: damaged creatures that grovel and snarl at the same time, slowly mutilating themselves for their master's pleasure. Tolkein's Wormtongue and Rowling's Wormtail come to mind.
The process of becoming a groveling toadie of this magnitude starts with the identification of the toadie with the master, an identification of "us" ... that of course the master does not share.
Graham is all the way there: "“They hate us,” he added, and repeated the call: “They hate us.”"
Lindsey ... have you groped any women? Assaulted any? I'm not aware that you have ... what's this "us" about?
Linsey is voluntarily joining Trump's pack of dead-enders -- those who already destroyed themselves and had nothing to lose: Manafort, Christie, Giuliani.
There's no appellation more suitable for Lindsey than "Wormbrain."
If you know the ending of LOTR or the Potter series the toadies come to wildly different endings. One wonders what the ends of Lindsey and Donald will be.
6
You didn't mention the lobotomy, which was necessary to face the next election. After all, he's in business as a Senator and wants to stay in business, but its the wrong one that he's in for the American people. Garbage collection would be more like it. Sorry, I didn't mean to disparage the garbage collectors. Hopefully, South Carolina, the closest thing to a fascist state in the country, will some how foul up and not elect him.
5
Republicans are willing to send our patriots in uniform to face serious injury or death, but are too cowardly to face losing re-election, even when our nation faces the increasing dangers presented by President Trump, a liar, a divider, and apparently a traitor.
May registered voters save us all in 2020.
15
The most dangerous place in the world is between Lindsey Graham and a TV camera. He just needs ... craves ... to be seen as relevant ... even if he's spouting nonsense, which is often the case. He should try single-malt scotch as a new drug of choice. It would be better for the nation.
5
To most of us Lindsey Graham is the worst kind of politician, blowing with the wind. But in this revealing softball interview we get a glimpse into the cause of the eternal disappointment of voters everywhere. Unsurprisingly, it’s right there in the subtitle; “What happened to me?. . .nothing. . .”
For Graham, representing S.C. voters was always a means to an end, personal “relevance”, i.e. being popular, a somebody. Sen. Graham is just being faithful to his own sense of importance by switching views with neck snapping speed. Too bad we can’t go to dinner with Trump and Graham as he hints. Then we could see the charade for what it is, a joke at the voters expense. With his idiotic ideas, Trump also seeks relevance and if the NY intelligencia won’t grant him relevance he’ll seek it from savvy pols and ignorant racists alike.
6
By trying to be relevant and playing up to the President, Graham foolishly thinks he can influence him. The problem there is trump is a psychopath, meaning in his case, he is a self serving manipulator with no interest in the country or its people and lacking the knowledge and talents necessary for the job, he operates on his 'stable genius' gut level with no doubts he knows best.
Graham is the one being influenced and manipulated. The most stunning example is his reversal on immigration. Once a member of the Gang of Eight's comprehensive immigration reform, he now supports Trump's fear-mongering on the border and even his unprecedented unconstitutional power grab. Republicans are natural followers and I'm afraid the planet is in big trouble!
4
The Democrats and the national news media, he said, are engaged in a singular mission to thwart the president. “Why? ’Cause they hate him,” Graham said of Trump. “They hate us,” he added, and repeated the call: “They hate us.”
Now he knows how #44 felt, as he sat in the Senate with McConnell and vowed to see Obama fail.
9
John McCain was friends with Graham? After reading this article it seems more likely Graham was using McCain.
4
The former Senator has transformed into a first-rate royal courtier.
7
I've heard Graham speak a few times, including the last time he held a town hall meeting, and I don't recall his saying anything about what is best for his constituents in SC.
I read this article rather quickly but I didn't notice anything about his considering what was best for his constituents here.
It appears to me that he is considering only what is best for himself.
14
The tone of barely-concealed contempt not just for Senator Graham but for ANYONE who might have the temerity to support Trump may be inaudible to faithful "Times" readers who accept it as Gospel. But its decibel level is ear-shattering to others. I read the paper faithfully cover-cover every day -- I work in public policy and have no choice -- as I do other MSM whose views I question, the "Washington Post" being the other most egregious example of anti-Trump psuedo-intellectual demogoguery. Let me give you an excellent reason for according Senator Graham more respect: Trump is right about what is arguably the most consequential issue of our time: ending a terribly myopic and ill-considered policy of massive low-skill immigration. It not only has brutal consequences for the most vulnerable Americans -- the working poor and working class, the elderly who cannot afford to retire and the young who can't enter the workforce -but the combination of the next Big Thing -- the revolution in robotics, machine learning and automation on steriods means that we will require radically fewer workers -- and the low-skilled will be without work first. This includes the great majority of low-skilled and low-education migrants -- both legal immigrants and illegals. If we let this go on we will have a permanent under-class of non-white immigrants and will have planted the seeds for terrible civil/ethnic unrest. Whatever his other flaws, Trump get this right.
@Dr. Svetistephen - Several friends own labor dependent businesses that were populated for years with workers born in America and came from families who have been here for many generations. As job and economic options improved, some sought other work and their labor force began to dry up. The businesses didn't stop and they began to employ recent-immigrant labor who wanted the jobs. What they found are a corps of reliable workers who learn their tasks well and willingly work when the work needs to be done. Virtually every one of the businesses are glad to have them and all pay a fair wage and provide benefits. Business is about productivity and results and their workforce delivers both. Often overlooked in assessing current immigrants is that the comments mirror those about immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Revisiting entrenched views and century-old reasons as to why "these" immigrants aren't the "right" ones does nothing good for America. Instead, it ignores what history has shown to be true.
1
There are no statesmen (or -women, for that matter) in Washington today. A few are there for their constituents, a smaller, miniscule number because they think their presence makes (or will some day, Jimmy Stewart-style) a difference, many are there for the title of Representative or Senator because it strokes their egos and makes them feel important. Then there is the large plurality, if not the majority, who want to believe the world revolves around them. Graham is exhibit A.
I wandered the web for a while trying to turn up any significant legislation that Graham can be credited with or blamed for. Then I went out to look for diamonds in the gravel of my driveway with equal success. A more productive search was to refer to my old pal Roget's synonym finder for something more colorful than "sycophant." Lickspittle won unanimously with a vote of 1 to zero.
12
Mr. Graham exemplifies the need for term limits. It's time to move on. No good will come from a Senate whose only function is to make excuses for an incompetent president. The Senate, the Congress, and the President need to constantly challenge each other, in a positive and constructive manner, allowing the best ideas, the best laws to percolate to the top. Unfortunately, a functioning government needs a coherent vision. This vision is lacking allowing the Congress to abdicate their responsibility for two years while making excuses for abhorrent and even criminal behavior. Mr. Graham is just wrong in every way; another government employee who has no vision, no goals, and generates no inspiration. He is not only 'in on the joke' but has become the joke. Sad.
5
Senator Graham is just part of the evolution nof the Republican Party from a conservative party with a fringe extremist wing to an extremist party with a fringe conservative wing.
9
The sad but perfect union between a politician with Russian financial ties and a bullied little boy wanting the acceptance of the strong man, be it McCain or the donald. America certainly comes last in his rubric.
13
"An outcome of particular interest to Graham, at the moment, is getting re-elected to a fourth Senate term in South Carolina, where Trump owns commanding approval numbers..."
And scene.
That's what this is all about.
If SC was heartily anti-Trump, Graham would be too. It's not particularly complicated. He's hungry to get re-elected. He's spineless.
11
During the debate on the 2017 tax legislation, it was Lindsey Graham who publicly stated that they had to pass the bill or the funding from their major donors would dry up. That's all you need to know about his true concerns.
14
Timely reporting—going beyond the “wall” of Trump distractions and dishonesty to examine the individual Republicans who have made it all worse, most of all for their poor constituents. Graham is a character, a facade that masks the worst kind of politician lives only to retain his seat and spotlight. In this case, he and the McConnell have led a legacy of real harm.
2
Just last night I sent Lindsey Graham an email asking him what happened to him and was he going to choose the Constitution over Trump.
4
There's no story here about how Graham became a sidekick.
Like most politicians his life is governed by expediency.
3
There is no longer a Republican party. It is now the party of Trump, as they've jettisoned most everything they once stood for. Jail to the chief!
10
The most pertinent comment he made in this interview is that he and Trump are "in on the joke""- the "joke" is on us! What LG is not divulging is the extent of his involvement with the NRA/GOP/Money-laundering fiasco. Talk about swamp creatures!
11
It's not the New York Minute we're really scared of; it's the New York Second it takes to push the launch button.
1
Graham is obviously a follower rather than a leader. I must say I had more respect for him as a John McCain follower (some) than I do for him now as a Donald Trump follower (none bordering on utter contempt).
6
Put me down as subscribing to the popular blackmail theory. I think that is why he is really supporting Trump.
4
Graham doesn’t have McCain to follow around anymore, so he settled on trump. Since he’s an habitual sycophant, he needs to kowtow to others and that’s trump.
5
Both Trump and Lindsey Graham adhere to the doctrine” What’s in it for ME “. They will stretch any truth,advocate for any policy, use any course language that advances their policy of the moment.Graham thinks he is being relevant- he is being complicit.He takes pride in the fact that Trump consults him- He does not consult him, he co-opts him.Trump knows that Graham has some Senate gravitas because of his cooperation with John McCain.He is using Graham as an “influencer”.They are a deceitful duo!
5
Lindsey Graham is the proverbial mouse that roared. His fawning behavior toward Donald Trump during the past year will come back to haunt him in the not too distant future. So sad!
3
Both Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump have Daddy issues. Graham says Trump “is nice to me.” Trump says Kim Jong-un “loves” him. Graham strives to stay relevant. Is this what really moves these men? Both men are so needy. Sad, sad, sad.
9
There's no secret about someone like Graham. He's a parasitical sycophant who takes on the character of whatever host he embeds himself in. Having no ideals, talent or character of his own, he feeds off of those who he believes will best elevate him.
He was a mini-maverick when he attached himself to Sen. McCain, and now that trump is the all-powerful in the republican party, he's latched himself to him.
The people of South Carolina need to de-worm themselves of him in 2020...
9
No one turns on a dime as Graham has unless bribery or blackmail are involved.
5
“I’m from the federal government; I’m here to help,”
Then actually do it!
4
I think there’s more to this story we don’t yet know.
5
Trump primaried Mark Sanford with a nobody. There, I've solved the Lindsey Graham mystery. Next issue . . . .
4
"Relevance" - Senator Graham, I am more concerned with the relevance that my life has to the well-being of my children, and grand-children, and their children well after I'm gone. What legacy are we leaving them?
The presidents, politicians and judges that we learn about in schools are the ones who served country over party; that made sweeping decisions and legislation that defined generations, if not entire centuries. Can we be the giants upon whose shoulders the next generation stands, or are we going to remain short sighted, ignoring what may happen beyond the next four years?
4
I think it's pretty safe to say that Lindsey Graham hasn't stopped giving performances, he tries to portray himself as a bipartisan Senator, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Lindsey is as partisan as it gets, and he has no allegiance to anything other than his party or a figure in his party.
Lindsey was a supposed close friend with John McCain, but the who man who has been trashed and shamelessly sullied by Donald Trump even as he was dying of cancer, as the Nation witnessed this disgusting behavior from Trump; and witnessed by Lindsey Graham "supposed close friend" of John McCain, would have made Trump an enemy for the rest of most people's lives, but it seems as soon as McCain passed from the scene, it didn't take Lindsey Graham long to become the Number #1 bootlicker and toady of Trump.
Today, no one I know thinks Lindsey Graham is a thoughtful public servant, he used his friendship with John McCain as far as it would get him.
Now, that John McCain is gone, the true Lindsey Graham colors are coming out, a phony backstabber who can't lick Trump's boots enough, anything for free greens fees.
Lindsey Graham is a gold-plated hypocrite and I think his odd support of this phony National Emergency is the most obvious example of his hypocrisy.
Lindsey would like to have the public think his word is his solid bond, but he's proven to be a double taker and untrustworthy, not more than a man bought and paid for, actin like he is now on the Trump family payroll.
773
@Chico Amen to this.
19
@Chico John McCain was still warm when some senators sought to have a building (I can't recall which one, sorry) named after him. Guess what? Lindsey Graham voted no? Why? Because, he said, John McCain would not have wanted it done. The minute I read that and ever since, I can't stand even the sound of his voice, much less his very fake theatrics. Hypocrite, as applied to this man, doesn't come close.
9
Amen to that.
1
Toad·y
/ˈtōdē/
noun
1. a person who behaves obsequiously to someone important.
synonyms: sycophant, creep, crawler, fawner, flatterer, flunkey, lackey, truckler, groveller, doormat, lickspittle, kowtower, minion, hanger-on, leech, puppet, stooge, spaniel, Uriah Heep, bootlicker, yes-man.
"A conniving little toady with an eye for the main chance."
Graham might not worry about being seen as a toady but that's what he is. I don't think we should ask what happened to him. We should ask whether Graham was ever anything other than a toady. This interview certainly suggests not.
48
Right. Poor Donald...Treated differently.
Do the Republicans really think we have forgotten Mitch’s pledge to make Obama a one term president and the sick obstructionism that followed?
or the stonewalling of the Garland nomination?
Graham’s stupid joke about the federal government only exposes his true dishonesty, cynicism and impotency. And if he doesn’t think government can help people maybe he should forego his government salary and health insurance and stop « representing » his constituents.
35
Lindsay Graham should have won an Oscar last night for "Best Actor in a Stupid Reality TV Show." He would have accepted it and gushed in his high-pitched, squeaky, sycophantic voice, "President Trump calls me all the time, and I am so grateful to him for giving me this chance to prove my undying love and loyalty to him. He likes me, he really likes me!" Gag me.
60
Senator Graham is a strange dude.
He seems to need to take the hand of the first available alpha male he can find, and then happily toddle along behind him.
How else can you explain him leaping from Senator McCain to the embrace of his polar opposite - our current White House incumbent?
40
“Don’t chase every barking dog”.
What does this even mean? Who in the world chases barking dogs?
That aside, this article is just more evidence of the need for Congressional term limits. Trump is popular in Graham's state so Graham sucks up to Trump, which is nauseating given the things the 2 said about each other in 2016 and Trump's relationship to McCain.
Also, his need to be "relevant", "it's flattering", "he's nice to me"- he sounds more like a junior in high school than a tenured Congressman.
25
South Carolina is Trump country. There is no right or wrong in a politician's mind, the wayward Linsey will sing whatever tune for his reelection to survive in a swamp full of alligators.
12
Lindsay Graham has decided to gamble on Donald Trump.
He knows that Donald Trump is an idiot but as far as the Republican Party is concerned , they have decided that he is their idiot.
The only problem with this gamble is that the collateral that Senator Graham has put up in this wager is the existence of Democracy of our country and its rule of law . The people of South Carolina don't have to be "so smart" to understand this if they are willing to look carefully enough.
And if Senator Graham wins his gamble, God help us all.
19
A portrait in sycophancy—I feel dirty after just reading about this man.
27
Perhaps the witch-hunt is getting a little close to home for the senator. Skeletons in the closet and Russian money in the mattress?
12
Wow, this article explains what the Trump enablers are thinking.
With the left side of their brain, they are rationalizing that groveling before a moral monster is what it takes to be "relevant" and get re-elected.
And on the right side of their brain, they all just have Daddy issues.
Are we too stupid for Democracy, or are we too mentally ill?
19
"If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed.....and we will deserve it."
Lindsay Graham, May 3, 2016, 2:03 PM / Twitter
12
@JKvam, they have, and they do.
4
Any self-respecting leech understands that when your host dies, you must find a new host to ensure your survival. After the death of Senator John McCain, Graham's original host, Lindsey dropped down the food chain and sunk his blood-sucking teeth into Trump. Observing their symbiotic relationship would be entertaining if you lived in another country...
31
Apparently what little courage Graham ever had died with his friend Senator McCain, an actual patriot and hero. Graham is just a sycophant who wants to fight wars with other people’s money and children, and is a tool of a bully and want-to-be-dictator.
14
Playing Prima of the prima donnas, the role that Lindsey Olin has made a career. We don't hate you, Prima, we see you. Hiding behind your acerbic wit. A fire hose of caustic humor to drench "the liberals".
Trump has always been a liar. In 2016, I voted for Hillary, but 75% Republican. In 2018, I voted for Democrats or left it blank, if only a Republican candidate. The liar and his feckless flock can label me as a liberal, socialist, wall hater, or whatever. It's more than fine, Prima. Excommunicate me from your "church". It's just a political party. One that is burning itself down, good luck with that.
12
This is the same Lindsey Graham who, when reviewing the character of his competitors for the Republican Party nomination for president--specifically including trump--moaned that "My party has gone [guano] crazy!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ53SRCypvY
Which, as far as I know, might have been the last time that Graham told the truth.
16
I don't see much difference between that other guy from South Carolina who yelled-out, "You Lie," during President Obama's speech to Congress awhile back and Lindsey Graham. I do believe Graham when he says that "not a damn thing" happened to him regarding Trump. I suspect he carries a little shoe polish with him, just in case.
12
As one of Graham's constituents, he has done little to represent the interests of the people of SC, or the U.S. as much as he has his own... particularly over the last 2 years.
His now almost routine chameleon-like flip of positions on key issues - and certainly on Trump -makes that even more clear. At least he's owned up to it as 'trying to stay relevant' in the interview....probably the first sincere/non-self-serving thing he's said in a long time.
I'll be voting for whoever runs against him in 2020
36
@EBD
I a constituent as well. I am in the process of creating a Crowd Pac like the constituency for Sen. Collins did. It's time to get him out.
3
i guess he sleeps at night by telling himself he's just "playing the game". imagine if instead he chose courage and principle over "relevance". i am glad for his honesty but disgusted by his willingness to sell his soul. he only will be "relevant" for being on the wrong side of history.
22
He's personally engaging, but in his current incarnation as an enabler and defender of the the greatest threat to American democracy in our history (yeah, I get the enormity of that statement, and I stand by it) makes him more than contemptibly and pitiably weak, it makes him an accomplice.
People who support Trump are telling the rest of us in no uncertain terms that they're done with democracy and the whole "will of the people" thing, now that they can't guarantee outcomes, and that it's time to have a rotating dictatorship of oligarchs. White. Male. Christian. Of course.
It's disgusting to anyone who really understands the value of freedom.
23
@Three Bars
"Enormity" means "wickedness" and "atrocity" and your statement about Senator Graham is nothing of the sort, on the contrary it is right on target.
1
So he and Trump are both performers who think governing is about performing instead of leading. I guess our media saturated society has enough elements that agree instead of realizing that performers are people paid to pretend to be someone else. It’s great in a movie or play, scary in dealing with the problems of our country.
12
Given the extremity of the shift from sharp critic to screaming sycophant--and DJT's way of doing "business"--one can only reasonably conclude that Mr. Trump has some very compromising material on Graham. It's too extreme just to have "come around" to Trump's way of things. Is there any other senator who has experienced a similar transformation? Not that I know of. Hie legacy will be linked to this freak show, and nothing short of something horrific being held over his head can account for it.
6
Umm I am sorry but I kind of expect the people leading the country to be smarter than the rest of us. I don't want an average joe running the country. I'd prefer someone particularly intelligent and well educated to be making important decisions that affect us all.
12
“The point with Trump is, he’s in on the joke.” A very telling sentence in the article.
Trump knows what he is doing. He is playing America - the supreme conman, an ultimate huckster - he has cast the country under his spell. When will the public and the elected representatives call him on his bluff?
Let’s hope in 2020. But watch out - don't let the on line trolls and twitter Trump divide democrates and democratic candidates. He wants the candidates to look weak, play the socialist card, and stoke fear in the electorate. Don’t fall for his game.
9
'In on the joke?" Unbelievable. Reading this article, I was on the road to having just a smidgen of the respect I have lost for Mr. Graham restored. The brakes were slammed at that quote. I like a good joke as much as the next guy, but his is not a joke, Lindsey. It's our country and our lives.
22
Graham is no different from the other republicans- he just gets more attention. Wouldn't it be nice if the press didn't give him the attention he craves?
4
What troubles me the most, is to get reelected you obviously have to cater to the most extreme of your constituents. Hoping just to survive this president. But those extreme voters are still there afterwards, with their grievances and their anger. Shouldn’t the aim be for a good leader to find common ground and fight division? When there is a Democrat elected next time, Graham and others will just go back to fighting him/her at every turn or are they willing to work together and make that presidency a success for the country? I doubt that.
9
If the Academy gave an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in Over-Acting, Lindsay Graham would be among the top 5 contenders. It's over-acting because, like Trump, he is in on the joke, too.
9
Graham is calculating and knows what his audience needs to hear to garner their support. When he says support "us", he really means "me" or I won't be your Senator anymore. Graham is afraid of the Trump voters and he's likely concluded that South Carolina is better off with him as a Senator than whoever Trump might support against him. Graham's behavior may reflect an effort to save both his job and his state from itself. Graham may see his choice as flirting with Trump or watching matters get worse for both him and his state. Still, putting your reputation at risk to support a president who lacks ethics, moral values, and will sell his soul, is no way to run America. Standing firm and confronting that abhorrent behavior most certainly is.
4
“Do I trust him?” he said at last. “I trust the president to want to be successful,” Graham said.
So Graham knows Trump can't be trusted further than his own self interest -- I agree with the Senator on that score, and Graham is comfortable selling his soul to Trump provided that Trump isn't proven to have committed treason when getting elected.
I am sorry that John McCain didn't have better friends.
11
To be flattered by Trumps attention indicates a moral compass that is missing or broken.
“I have never been called this much by a president in my life,” he told me. His tone reflected a mixture of amazement and amusement, with perhaps a dash of awe. “It’s weird, and it’s flattering, and it creates some opportunity. It also creates some pressure.”
8
No clearer symbol of how the mind can accept, and in this case even promote abhorrent behavior in others, if it serves self-interest. Just like those who explained that then "followed orders" in Italy and Germany during WWII.
3
Politicians who aren't weathervanes don't stay politicians.
In 2016, Graham accurately dismissed Trump as unfit.
Graham represents a state that is rabid for Trump.
In 2020, Graham must run for reelection.
Q.E.D.
The great Upton Sinclair said, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it." Change 'salary' to 'Senate seat,' and you have Graham's predicament, and his demeaning resolution of it, in a nutshell.
5
Lindsey Graham has proven the adage that "Power corrupts, and Trump power corrupts absolutely and turns you against everything an elected official is supposed to stand for."
His journey to the Dark Side is complete.
16
It is a disgrace, and an indictment of our political system, that a senior senator admits to pandering to a president whose most notable accomplishments are enacting the GOP’s disastrous tax cuts and selecting names from a list for SCOTUS. One political commentator described Lindsey Graham as “episodically spineful.” To a large degree, it was John McCain who helped stiffen his backbone. With McCain’s passing, Graham’s spine has turned to mush, and he now floats like a jellyfish through the Trumpian swamp. There is no mention in this piece of what, if anything, he has done for South Carolina lately, but it sounds like he’s relying almost completely on his association with Trump to win re-election. So much for checks & balances...
14
Senator Graham seems to have a deep need to attach himself to a powerful male. For years he was Senator John McCain's faithful sidekick. So close to McCain was Graham that we came to believe that he too was the maverick McCain was. Not true apparently. Now that McCain is gone, Graham's attached himself to Trump. It doesn't appear to matter that McCain and Trump couldn't stand one another or were on opposite sides of many issues and Trump has publicly attacked McCain. It just matters to Graham that Trump occasionally calls him and that he's gotten to play golf with Trump. That's sad.
14
@liceu93
Graham needs to attach himself to a powerful man, you say?
Bingo.
3
I think we've all had it with Lindsay Graham. Let's not forget that he was famously one of the lead "Impeachers" in the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton for "crimes and misdemeanors" that didn't come close to what we're seeing in Donald Trump. The rush to find grounds to impeach Bill Clinton has gone down in history as the most shameful act in recent American political history. Then Representative Lindsay Graham was right in the middle of it as a member of the Republican majority in the House Judiciary Committee. He ranks right in there with the likes of Henry Hyde, Jim Sensenbrenner, James Rogan, Bob Barr, Asa Hutchinson, Steve Chabot, Bill McCollum and other members of that "House of Shame." It was all about mindless power then, and remains so now. Although sheer stupidity was there as well -- I can never forget Henry Hyde comparing the need to impeach Clinton to the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, by which I assumed he meant saving Western Civilization and the Magna Carta!
12
Lindsay Graham’s choice to align with a strongman is perfect cover to hide his real fears of 1) hidden truths surfacing in the era of nothing is sacred; and 2) not being re-elected.
3
Somebody should up date JFK's "Profiles in Courage" which profiled senators who took courageous positions even if they might have hurt their career by doing so.
The new books could be called "Profiles in Cowardice" and could feature Graham and just about every other Senate Republican who have placed their careers ahead of the country.
7
The answer is easy: He did a lot of soul searching and came to terms with the fact that he stands for nothing.
9
When did the end justify any means become the mantra for Republicans. I once worked for a totally amoral, unscrupulous CEO and after getting promoted was directly in his orbit. The choices were try to do what was right and fail, become like him or leave, I left. Some like Flake and Corker have left and Romney has re-entered but they are strangely silent. The so-called moderate Republicans have excelled only at obstructing progress on the nations for example healthcare, climate change and social justice while becoming expert contortionists of the truth, and their own narrative and enablers for Trump. And 35% (over 50% in some red states) accept this. Unfortunately horrible people like Graham are only a symptom, a reflection of some of our electorate. We have met the enemy and they are us.
8
The only thing surprising about this article is how bald-faced Graham is in trumpeting his complete corruption and abdication of his constitutionally-mandated responsibilities. All wrapped up with a pretty bow of self-justification and self-delusion.
The American public needs to demand more from our elected representatives. This "sitcom sidekick" needs to go.
5
Senator Graham's close friendship with John McCain had given him Patriotism by Proximity to Greatness... no longer!
The thought of a major American political party aligning itself with a president whose conduct does not befit his office, and whose allegiance to democracy is doubtful, was once unthinkable.
When history is written, the descent of the Republican Party to abject venal subservience... for fleeting political gain, will stain it members forever. Party of Lincoln? No! Party of Political Expedience!
6
After a long life watching the twists ad turns of American politics and changing national character I thought I had a strong stomach. But this article made me physically ill. Mr. Graham inspires nausea.
5
Well, he is from S Carolina and early in Don the Con’s time he was not supportive and his in state poll numbers dropped to about 40% approval. Since he began doing whatever DtheC tells him his in state approval numbers are 70%. Let’s see, principle...re-election; principle...re-election. I’ve disagreed with LG for the most part, but thought he was mildly principled. Wrong again!
1
Mr. Graham has sold his soul to the devil, it's an old story. He says more than once in this article, "I have more influence than ever." I believe he should be saying "I'm being influenced more than ever."
Afraid of getting it wrong in Syria and Afghanistan? No need to be afraid, Mr. G. You are getting it wrong if you side with Trump. He does NOT know what he's doing and he doesn't trust professionals around him that do.
Getting re-elected is worth this? Sad.
8
It is clear that whatever kompromat Trump/Putin have on Graham, it must be a real doozy.
There is just no way Graham would do a 180 degree turn and support "crazy, unfit" Trump after DJT's attack on Graham's his long-time best friend and war hero, John McCain. It is morally wrong. It is inconceivable.
Notice that Graham carefully chooses his words about Trump;
“Do I trust him? I trust the president to want to be successful.”
"It's not about a wall. It's about him being treated different than any other president."
In fact, Graham won't say he trusts Trump, just his wish to be successful.
And in fact, Graham clearly understands that Trump is being "treated differently" because of the mountains of incriminating evidence proving that Trump abuses his power, attempts to obstruct justice and has 11 valid investigations going on into financial and campaign violations.
I repeat, whatever kompromat Trumputin has on Graham, it must be a doozy.
11
Term Limits. Now more than ever.
2
So, it is all a big joke, huh? A joke that Trump and Graham are "in on". A big joke being played on our country. Classy, Senator Graham. He admits that it is the Trump Party over country, democracy and our constitution and we are being played.
8
Lindsey became a very public entity during the Clinton impeachment hearings; assuming a holier than thou position about lying and perjury.
It is quite ironic that Lindsey has now come full circle.
He so desperately wants to be reelected that he will prop up a habitual liar that may end up being impeached for charges that are far more serious than the ones that were confronting Bill Clinton. Worse, he is making excuses for it.
Lindsey Graham is everything that is wrong with our system and South Carolina does us no favors by putting this man back into the Senate.
11
The true essence of the Trump GOP -- do anything, say anything, lie, cheat, steal, grift, to serve your own purpose. Graham does what he believes he has to do to get what he wants 'in this business.'
Disgusting and loathsome. Yet, we know this is who they are... at least some of us do. What continues to boggle my mind, is the folks that continue to support the likes of Graham, and Trump and McConnell. I just can't see how their lives are improving under this regime.
I guess if you sole purpose is to get Roe v. Wade repealed, then, maybe it makes sense, but for day to day improvements? Health care? Infrastructure? Income? I'm just not getting it.
I hope people vote their truth in 2020.
3
Some years ago I met the Senator at a fund raiser involving AAJ, the trial lawyers association and had a one on one conversation with him for about 15 minutes. A long time. I walked away impressed and so have followed him. They say about some politicians that once elected all they want to do is be re-elected regardless of the moral or ethical cost. I did not thank that the Senator fell into that category at that time, but unfortunately I do so today.
289
@jlgold
No one ever said he wasn't rather charismatic, and a good talker.
Some are easily swayed by such.
18
In a nutshell this is all about Graham getting re-elected and holding on to power, so he is a politician, like most for sale to the highest bidder. I think this time he made a tactical error, trump is like the Titanic, slow to sink but when it does it can never be resurrected again. Goodbye Mr Graham.
5
" Understood, but unspoken, was that these terms would also be good for Graham."
That one sentence conquers the gist of the article, and Graham's behavior of being relevant, at the cost of his integrity.
9
"Graham, who served in the United States Air Force and the South Carolina Air National Guard, likens McCain less to a father figure than to an older brother, or perhaps commanding officer. “What I miss was the collaboration,” Graham said. “It was a political marriage.”"
Great read. Very enlightening. What I really respect about Lindsey Graham is his honesty about wanting to be an impactful, relevant politician. 99% of pols feel the same way but would never publicly state what Graham does. He wears his heart on his sleave and I admire him for that. I've read other interviews he's done and found him to be just as blunt and honest. We could use more of that in DC...
The quote above from this story is what really blew me away. I reread it 3 times. This really sheds a whole new light on the McCain/Graham relationship. What Graham is saying is his relationship with McCain was much more political than anything else. That just blew me away given how we all thought they were the closest of friends. Wow!!
Great read!
1
Graham is like nearly all of the Republicans in Congress. He has done the rudimentary mathematics and concluded that it is currently best for his political health to collude with Trump.
Politicians who have behaved otherwise have been exceedingly rare in America. So rare, in fact, that "Profiles in Courage" is a very thin volume.
My personal theory on his transformation runs to a lack of courage which was revealed when his hero and backbone John McCain died.
I wouldn't discount the possibility that Trump has "compromised" Graham in the same way Russia has compromised him.
10
I always felt that Graham had a lot of self-confidence. I now think he is afraid of being primaried or at least losing his upcoming election. Not a brave soul.
6
Graham will do whatever it takes to get re-elected. I am impressed the article writer got Graham to say that on the record. It is an almost universal motivation of elected law-makers -- both state and federal -- but you rarely hear them say it to the press like that.
For what its worth I get a beta-male vibe from Graham. He's lucky to be as politically connected as he is because in many circles he would not stand out at all.
34
I remember Sen Graham when he was a congressman.
As a Republican - count me as a convert to POTUS view of the world.
I did not vote for Evan what's his name - I just abstained.
But since the election - I have seen a concerted effort by Democrats and others to deny him a legitimacy which I resent deeply.
I think - as a Republican - he has done more for our agenda than would have been expected of him.
I remember there were fears in our party that he could just go rogue - elected a Republican but governs as a Democrat.
He has proved many naysayers wrong.
And he has indeed delivered.
Ms Callaway has often said that this POTUS will fight back - and indeed he does.
To me, he appeared on the scene when America needed a fresh look.
Like the senator - I intend to enthusiastically support him in 2020.
As an aside - exclusive use of black and white photos here - any sublime message?? Though photos are exceptional.
@Neil
I remember when John Kerry was derided as a "flip flopper".
Ah the good ol' days.
3
@Neil
Does "your agenda" include drastically increasing the debt to give tax breaks to the wealthy? Does "your agenda" include using government to legislate religious beliefs? Does "your agenda" include destroying our global alliances, NATO and the UN? Does "your agenda" include trade wars? Does "your agenda" include abandoning treaties that are being adhered to? Does "your agenda" include alienating our neighboring countries? Does "your agenda" include dismantling environmental, consumer and financial protections and exploiting our precious natural resources for private profit? Does "your agenda" include bypassing Congress and declaring an emergency in order to get "your agenda" done, regardless of democracy and our constitution?
The Republicans dismiss those that dislike Trump as nothing more than emotion. It is disturbing to see the Republican party that said it was based on values, trade alliances, concern about Russian aggression, lower debt, small government and fiscal responsibility abandon everything they said they stood for and turn into the Party of Trump, Party over country, and Party before democracy. Reagan would be appalled.
6
@Neil
The truth is that Democrats are not trying to "deny him legitimacy." The truth is he is a terrible president, has shredded our values, particularly internationally. He is unarguably an immoral person, whose only meaning in life is money. So if you "get what you want" policy wise, you should stop and think- at what cost?
6
I am one of Graham's constituents. I intend to create a go fund me campaign to raise money for his opponent. Much like the good people did for Susan Collins.
Please support this effort. This man has got to go!! He doesn't speak for those he represents, in fact, many of those who continue to vote for him only do so because he's never had an opponent.
I would love to run myself, if possible. I am urging everyone from SC to please help us elect a new Senator.
100
I am a constituent, too. We cannot re-elect Graham if we want our state to move forward. His need to clamor and glom on to POTUS and defend his every whim sickens me. There is kompromat on him and it’s a matter of time until all is known about these swamp dwellers.
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@Erin Phillips
Also my biggest worry is if Graham is compromised, our Governor will replace him with Alan Wilson.
Instead of gifting senate and house seats to the chosen few they should allow an actual election. It's time for our state to turn around. I'm just doing what I can.
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@Erin Phillips
Yes!! I'm in Columbia as well and created a Crowd Pac. As soon as it gets approved we have a group ready to get the word out to help fund an opponent.
5
Well, he is up for reelection in 2020, probably needs Trump on his side to win primary?
3
It has taken decades, but the Republican Party is reaping what it has cultivated for so long. When Trump made fun of the disabled reporter and ridiculed the war hero and the gold star family, and he not only survived but thrived, the Republican Establishment was on notice that it was on the back of a tiger. No way forward except to accept immorality and deceit and ignorance and proclaim them virtues. I actually saw Mike Pence describe Trump as "A man with broad shoulders and a big heart." It is difficult to conceive of a more Orwellian perversion.
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@Jim Hartley: I agree with everything you said except the use of the word "immoral." One must have morals to become immoral, this crowd is amoral - never had morals and never will.
7
After one of the Republican primary debates, I remember Lindsey Graham being interviewed. He warned that a nomination of Donald Trump would lead him to being “beaten like a drum” by Hillary Clinton, and ultimately lead to a “third term of Obama.”
Funny how opinions of people can change so easily once they’re in power. Glad I relocated to his state, so I can cast my vote against him.
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I recommend a viewing of the Italian film "The Conformist" by Bernardo Bertolucci. It is the story of Lindsey Graham.
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There are many who understood who and what Lindsey Graham from the outset. There are those who think with their gut but hold are own council before passing judgement. Lindsey Graham seemed someone who could not be trusted for as long as he made his tv appearances. My gut told me who Lindsey Graham was and I have frequently commented unaware I was supposed to see him as anything other than the man from JAG who knew everyone was guilty until proven innocent especially those who knew the GOP started putting the law above the search for justice too long ago. The search for justice threatened privilege of white males like Lindsey Graham who understands that a nation of law which always benefits Lindsey and friends is very different. and the nation of justice which Goldwater, Nixon and Reagan took to destroy back in 1964.
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Very interesting and insightful article. Trump has obviously captured enough of the Republican base that even very senior Republicans can't get renominated without supporting him. But the Republican base itself must be shrinking substantially, with such a man as Trump as leader. And if the Mueller Report is both a devastating indictment and released, it's clear that Trump's Congressional support with collapse. No wonder Trump is desperate--he would have to suppress it to survive. No wonder demonization of Democrats is now the Republican strategy of choice-it's the only way to justify and defend their own real demon. What a terrible commentary on the situation in the United States.
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Graham’s yearning to be in Trump’s orbit and to be relevant without respect to such distractions as honor and integrity brings to mind a lecture C.S. Lewis delivered many decades ago.
In the Inner Ring, he says that "My main purpose in this address is simply to convince you that this desire is one of the great permanent mainsprings of human action. It is one of the factors which go to make up the world as we know it-this whole pell-mell of struggle, competition, confusion, graft, disappointment, and advertisement, and if it is one of the permanent mainsprings then you may be quite sure of this. If you do nothing about it, if you drift with the stream, you will in fact be an "inner ringer."”
Graham’s desire is to be a lord of his Inner Ring-- to ascend and be special and noted and well-regarded-- neuters his honesty. I also see this in journalists-- especially national reporters and columnists and the White House press. They too want to be part of the inner ring. A dinner at the Trump Tower, a concert at Lincoln Center with the Secretary of Defense, a private briefing and a request for advice from the president, and whatever integrity they once had is gone forever.
Such is the power of the Inner Ring.
7
Graham wants, desperately, to be liked and honored by his peers. It’s amazing the lengths insecure people will go to to find favor. Lindsay is Little Trump.
14
I am constantly shocked these days in all forums (interviews, political debate on the floors of Congress, etc) by the blatant self serving transparency of Republicans. There is not even an attempt to pretend that their loyalty should lie anywhere besides, first and foremost, their own job security and a “win” for their party. Less spoken but obvious under the surface is their allegiance to lobbyists and donors (linked, of course, to their being elected in the first place...) Nobody’s even faking it anymore and talking about “serving the country” or “helping their constituents” while double dealing on the back end. These people have zero ethics and are playing a game for their own political relevance and survival. Nothing else. Vote them all out.
26
Lindsey Graham is in pure survival mode. He sees how loyal Trump's base and he has tossed out any of his moral character and hitched his wagon to Trump. Goes to show you how some people will sell their morality and ethics all for the sole goal of staying elected.
13
A convenient concoction of revisionist history, selective memory, political expediency and good old fashioned sycophancy, Lindsey Graham's transformation has been demoralizing for our democracy. He could have been a happy sceptic in the Trumpverse, and held the high road against the president's crude manners while selective supporting any policy alignments. But like 90% of Republicans, he has embraced Trump's daily spew of incoherent nonsense, equivocations and outright lies, all for a few golf games and rides in armored limos and Air Force One. He can rationalize all this as being "relevant," but history will name him an enabler and co-dependent in Trump's illegal quest for dictatorship.
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