Lindsey Graham gives as good as he gets

Politico ^ | 7-24-09

[STARWISE]

When Sen. Lindsey Graham announced his support for Sonia Sotomayor this week, right-wing radio talk show host Mark Levin said it was a sign that Graham is “unreliable ... as a thinker and a leader.”

Wendy Long, counsel for the conservative Judicial Confirmation Network, called it proof that Graham “still lacks courage, statesmanship and an understanding of the Constitution and rule of law.”

“May his antics get the attention they richly deserve.”

The response from Graham: Enjoy life in the minority.

In an interview with POLITICO Thursday, the South Carolina Republican defended his decision to back Sotomayor by laying out a broad critique of conservative activists who push “ideological purity” and refuse to cooperate with a Democratic Congress and White House.

“If we chase this attitude … that you have to say ‘no’ to every Democratic proposal, you can’t help the president ever, you can’t ever reach across the aisle, then I don’t want to be part of the movement because it’s a dead-end movement,” Graham said.

“I have no desire to be up here in an irrelevant status. I’m smart enough to know that this country doesn’t have a problem with conservatives. It has a problem with blind ideology. And those who are ideological-driven to a fault are never going to be able to take this party back into relevancy.”

While a handful of other GOP senators have said they’ll back Sotomayor when her nomination comes to the floor, Graham is the first Republican on the Judiciary Committee to support her.

He may be the only one. Not all of the Republicans on the committee have announced their views, but the two who would seem mostly likely to defect — Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), two veterans who have voted for every Supreme Court nominee they’ve faced in the Senate — have both expressed reservations about Sotomayor.

Hatch said that he’s “troubled” by her nomination, and Grassley said that “people take things into consideration now that they didn’t used to before.” He added: “So obviously, there are other things to consider than just qualifications.”

Graham said that Sotomayor is not the nominee he would have chosen.

But after questioning her extensively during her confirmation hearing — asking about everything from her views on abortion to the charge that she’s a “bully” on the bench — he said Sotomayor deserves his support because a review of her 17-year record proved she was well-qualified, her confirmation would not upset the ideological balance on the court, and Obama is entitled to some latitude in making his pick because he won the election.

Most of all, he said, he wanted to return to the days where ideology was not part of the equation when choosing judicial nominees — citing the 98-0 confirmation of Antonin Scalia in 1986 and the 96-3 confirmation of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993.

“I don’t want to politicize the judiciary any more than has been done,” Graham said. “My goal is to ensure the rule of law isn’t taken over by special-interest groups.”

Whether it was his efforts to prevent the “nuclear option” in 2005 over George W. Bush’s judicial nominations, to back the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility or to pass an immigration reform bill that the right calls “amnesty” for illegal immigrants, Graham is used to the heat.

~~~

Rest at link.

[STARWISE]

“I have no desire to be up here in an irrelevant status."

~~~~

ROLF! You couldn't BE any more irrelevant with your spineless stands, Lindseygirl.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Boy, that headline is all kinds of wrong.

[STARWISE]

~~PING!

South Carolina FReepers: rain holyhell upon this wimp!

[the invisib1e hand]

right-wing talk show......conservative Judicial Confirmation Network...

Marginalization: the napalm of politics.

[rahbert]

you mean the choice of personal pronoun?

[penelopesire]

Something about this headline gives me the laughing fits...LOL!!

Gads......

[STARWISE]

;)

[NordP]

Dear Lindsey SpectRE,

Thank you for your honesty. Please join your brother on the other side of the isle, ASAP.

Signed,

A Proud CONSERVATIVE who isn't so whimpy and STANDS UP for what she believes in...and feels that DOING THE RIGHT THING ISN'T ALWAYS EASY, BUT IT'S ALWAYS RIGHT!!!

BYE BYE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO RE-ELECT YOUR SORRY BEHIND

[GBA]

“I don’t want to politicize the judiciary any more than has been done,” Graham said. “My goal is to ensure the rule of law isn’t taken over by special-interest groups.”

He is nothing more than a master of political double speak as the above quote illustrates. McCain and Graham, Specter and so many other rinos are predictable disappointments. Is it really a surprise that republicans are in the minority?

[Mr. K]

How long has he been in office?

TOO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was present when this disaster took place

YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EagleUSA]

Reminder Memo of Grah-amnesty: Remove from Congress in 2010 election.

[Frantzie]

I cannot stand Miss Lindsay Graham-nesty. The Dems must have a really good file of pictures and video to blackmail this sissy with.

[1-Eagle]

If the electorate were so sensitive, then the vicious treatment given Clarence Thomas would have resulted in a landslide for Republicans. We're not asking for Sotomayor to be tarred, feathered, and driven out of town on a rail... just vote NO. Vote your convictions, not what is politically expedient.

It takes courage to do that, it takes courage to vote knowing it 'might' mean you don't win re-election, but if our troops must stand in the line of fire, in harms way, how can we ask our politicians to show any less courage to simply VOTE based on the law and what is best for the country? Sotomayor is NOT the best we can offer this country.

It isn't about being 'liked'. It is about being 'right'. Most of us left concern for being 'liked' behind when we walked out of the high school door with a diploma in hand.

[opaque soul]

When I was in high school, we referred to people like Lindsey as a pussy. Hey Lindsey, you are irrelevant... do you not remember the last presidential campaign? The guy you slept with lost... go pound sand!

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Why doesnt Lindsey just become a Democrat and get it over with....

[STARWISE]

A stunning illustration of his irrelevance, incoherence and derangement:

Most of all, he said, he wanted to return to the days where ideology was not part of the equation when choosing judicial nominees — citing the 98-0 confirmation of Antonin Scalia in 1986 and the 96-3 confirmation of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993.

[Retired COB]

Graham is the first Republican on the Judiciary Committee to support her. He may be the only one.

The sad thing about this RINO's position is that in order to get out of the Judiciary Committee Judge Sotomoyer has to have at least one "Yes" vote from a Republican on the committee. If the Republicans in the Judiciary Committee were unanimous in their dissent, she is rejected.

This is the only way we can defeat her nomination.....and Lindsey Graham is blowing it for the party.

[Dick Bachert]

Grahamnesty is the poster boy for the old saying that “If you don’t STAND for something, you’ll FALL for anything.”

The argument by the increasingly silly and irrelevant Lindsey Graham that Sotomayor is no worse than Souter is akin to a doctor telling you that your lung cancer is cured – but you have leukemia. I heard Graham remark that “The President has a right to get the people he wants.” That “logic” says that if Obama WANTS to abolish an elected legislature for a politbureau of his fellow Chicago thugs – which he is in the process of doing with his “czars,” — you should simply roll over, move on and let him have it.

And this guy is a LAWYER?? Good grief!!

[maggief]

Linsgay earns his kneepad status.

[Nephi]

Sen. Grahamnesty’s idea of tough question: “Do you have a temperment problem?” Too bad the metrosexual didn’t have the cajones to ask her about her criminal association in the DeLano matter.

[STARWISE]

I just called Sen. Wimpy's office .. I urge all to do the same. My last point was, as a former member of the military, a JAG, ask him to honestly consider how her appointment on SCOTUS could impact our brave military on future court issues. I said 'she's a radical, and he's a wimp!"

Graham, Lindsey - (R-wannabe - SC)

[STARWISE]

OOOps

Graham, Lindsey - (R-wannabe - SC)
Washington DC 20510 - (202) 224-5972

[penelopesire]

It’s time for the politicos to feel our righteous anger!

Way to go Starwise!

[SharpRightTurn]

“citing the 98-0 confirmation of Antonin Scalia in 1986 and the 96-3 confirmation of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993.”

What's the matter, Sen. Grahamnesty, forgot to give the examples of Robt. Bork and Clarence Thomas, too, to show how conciliatory the other side is?

[SMARTY]

“...Graham is used to the heat.”

Really???

In the ‘heat’, people squirm. This guy has been squirming around for a long time...trying to remain ‘relevant’. He has not succeeded!

Instead, he has been equivocating to the point where he is NOT someone Conservatives can count on to represent their interests.

IS THIS or IS THIS NOT a representative system? These politicians get to DC and instantly forget where they came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bmwcyle]

He is a pitcher and a catcher is a San Francisco manner.

[CHEE]

Yea, kinda of like “Lindsey, Barney has a basement pad for rent”,

[bamahead]

.

[Deo volente]

“I have no desire to be up here in an irrelevant status.”
_________________________________________________________________

Then move aside and let a real conservative take your place!

[Niteranger68]

Lindsey Graham - Trash Mammal

[nhwingut]

That’s funny. I recall the Dems saying “NO” to every thing Bush, in process demonizing him at every turn.

In the end. They win. We lose. Bush ends with a 30% approval rating. I guess Ms Lindsay missed this strategy.

Graham is a get-a-longer.

[Servant of the Cross]

"… laying out a broad critique of conservative activists who push “ideological purity” and refuse to cooperate with a Democratic Congress and White House."

Lindsey, you are merely channeling Meghan McCain. Despite your grandstanding in questioning Sotomayor to appear 'tough' (“you have said some things that just bug the hell out of me”), you have exposed yourself as the limp-wristed pushover you really are with your “Yes” vote on Sotomayor.

Lindsey, don’t join the McCain/Powell choir on what the GOP needs to do, just go away since YOU are irrelevant.

[RetSignman]

(Enjoy life in the minority.)

Yeah, that’s right you little finook, between you and McCain you have made sure we will stay in the minority.

Now go back your bath house and STFU.

[SaraJohnson]

“If we chase this attitude … that you have to say ‘no’ to every Democratic proposal, you can’t help the president ever, you can’t ever reach across the aisle, then I don’t want to be part of the movement because it’s a dead-end movement,” Graham said.

---

There it is folks. The “moderate” Rinos like being the minority in cahoots with the Democrat majority. They like the GOP being in the minority. They hate the conservative majority of the GOP and with McCain in the lead, they killed the GOP majority.

So next time the “moderates” puke about extremism...know what they are up to in the effort to keep the GOP in a minority.

[Faith]

Heavy sigh.

[RetSignman]

(Graham gives as good as he gets)

That’s the word in the gay community.

[MBB1984]

Isn't that the truth? Obama voted against both Roberts and Alito. Of course, Graham doesn't care about conservative judges, only his self interest which he believes is feathered as a left wing Republican.

[MBB1984]

Thanks. I made the call. If nothing else, I want his aids to have to listen to all the complaints.

[myself6]

Kick him out of the party... Problem solved...

[Tatze]

Grahamnesty just won reelection in 2008. He’s not up again until 2014.

I tried, but the putz running against him in the primary was not good enough! I even wrote in a vote in the general rather than vote for the RINO.

[mono]

...have to have at least one GOP vote on the committee...

I dont think that is correct is it? The Dems have majority status on the committee, so a party line vote would still go to the floor for a final vote, I believe. Grahams vote is irrelevant.

[EagleUSA]

Grahamnesty just won reelection in 2008. He’s not up again until 2014.
:::::::
Oh, hell. Well, that is one time I did not want to be wrong...well, every dog has his day. People will not forget.

[Retired COB]

I dont think that is correct is it? The Dems have majority status on the committee, so a party line vote would still go to the floor for a final vote, I believe.

I heard this on a news commentary (I believe on Fox as I don't watch the others). Their point was that under Senate rules the nomination couldn't leave the Judiciary Committee for a floor vote without the "Yes" vote of at least one Republican. The report was slanted about how the departer of Senator Specter from the Republican Party might have cost them the one vote minimum that they needed on the committee. They further stated that it was entirely possible that Lindsey Graham could possibly take his spot as the leading RINO.

[rabscuttle385]

-

[rabscuttle385]

“If we chase this attitude … that you have to say ‘no’ to every Democratic proposal, you can’t help the president ever, you can’t ever reach across the aisle, then I don’t want to be part of the movement because it’s a dead-end movement,” Graham said.

“I have no desire to be up here in an irrelevant status. I’m smart enough to know that this country doesn’t have a problem with conservatives. It has a problem with blind ideology. And those who are ideological-driven to a fault are never going to be able to take this party back into relevancy.”

Clearly, Lindsay has been indoctrinated well by Queeg.

The Juan McCain Truth File. "I have great respect for Al Gore." —John McCain, October 2, 2008 FR Keywords: mccaintruthfile, mcqueeg, mcbama Please tag all relevant threads with the aforementioned keywords. This can be a very high-volume ping list at times. To join the ping list: FReepmail rabscuttle385 with the subject line add  mccaintruthfile. (Stop getting pings by sending the subject line drop mccaintruthfile.)   Republican Commissar’s Warning: By joining this ping list, you may be subjected to the delusional rants and ramblings of McCainiacs, of "moderate" Republicans, of pragmatic conservatives resigned to voting for the lesser of two Democrats, and of countless RNC shills who simply want to meet a new overlord.

[Pining_4_TX]

Or, it could be quite accurate.

How does this clown keep getting re-elected? Wow, once somebody is an incumbent, they can do anything and still have a job for life. It stinks.

[RJL]

“If we chase this attitude … that you have to say ‘no’ to every Democratic proposal, you can’t help the president ever, you can’t ever reach across the aisle, then I don’t want to be part of the movement because it’s a dead-end movement,” Graham said.

It would just be nice if Lindsey supported the Republican President, Congress and voting base as frequently as he supports the Democrats.

[Randy Larsen]

This is what happens when we depend on girls to fight for our honor!

To all the ladies...please don’t take offense.

[ConservativeMind]

The trouble is, Lindey votes the majority of the time with the liberal side of things. This is not the exception, but the rule.

Besides, how many times has Kennedy voted on Republican things saying the same thing, or, for that matter, 0bama?

Let’s get real, Lindsey.

[charmedone]

IOW, he has no standards or principles!

Sad, that!