Why Lindsey Graham Isn’t Afraid of a Conservative Challenger

National Journal ^ | May 8, 2013 | Stacy Kaper

[eekitsagreek]

Two-term Sen. Lindsey Graham expects a primary challenge from the right, making his starring role in immigration reform a confounding political vulnerability for the South Carolina Republican.

Graham knows it, too. But he thinks he’s correct—on both the policy and the politics. Graham says his position on immigration is in line with voters’ evolving sentiment on the issue—namely, that voters in South Carolina oppose the “de facto amnesty” in place under the current “broken” system. And it has not gone unnoticed by Republican strategists that Graham enjoys some political cover created by conservative Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., stepping out front on immigration.

But just in case he’s wrong, Graham is raising buckets of cash and getting in front of voters—a lot.

[eekitsagreek]

Would love to see the people of South Carolina vote this idiot out of office. I hope it happens.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Lindsey has figured out that once the 8 Gangbanger’s “amnesty” thing is signed into law, Republicans won’t be getting elected again anyway.

[Bullish]

go away Lindsey, you frikkin’ queer bait, and you can take Marco with ya’.

[onyx]

Linda is wrong.

[Bizhvywt]

His buddy McCain got away with it in 2010, with a conservative anti-illegal immigrant opponent in JD Hayworth. Why would Gramnesty think any different?

Just get an early endorsement promise from Sarah Palin before there is a challenger and bury your opponent in negative ads from your incumbent war chest. $23 million ought to do it.

[9YearLurker]

So South Carolinians would rather have a ‘de facto amnesty’ replaced with an actual, immediate and permanent amnesty?

What is it with South Carolinians and politics—such as why does he poll so well there after all his shenanigans—anyway?

[Gene Eric]

>> voters’ evolving sentiment

It’s only the tenets of Socialism to which one evolves, never liberty...

[wac3rd]

The system isn’t broken, the fence is.

When cheap labor and easy votes meet, both parties love the party.

[factoryrat]

Graham probably has a lot of backing from donors in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in SC, from dems and pubs alike. And here everybody thought that republican=Conservative. How naive. If you want to know who really runs the show, always follow the money.

[laplata]

Lindsey has figured out that once the 8 Gangbanger’s “amnesty” thing is signed into law, Republicans won’t be getting elected again anyway.

---

That’s exactly right. He’s going to willingly bend over and take it from the Rats.

[PalmettoMason]

To answer your questions...

The SCGOP will support Graham with whatever resources are necessary. No challenger will receive ANY support.

South Carolina’s open primaries will allow Democrats to crossover and vote for Graham against anyone more conservative than him. During the last election cycle, his Democratic challenger in the general election was actually more the conservative candidate. It was a weird case of many Republicans voting for the Democrat, and Democrats voting for the Republican.

That said, I am sure Governor Haley’s endorsement of Lindsay Graham is on it’s way.

[Viennacon]

“Evolving sentiment”

Did Lindsey Goober Graham just equate the voters of South Carolina with Obama? No, dirtbag. They haven’t evolved. And sticking to the ‘evolutionary’ theme, it’s time we made you a fossil.

[9YearLurker]

But he shows really well in polls too, doesn’t he?

I just can’t see what GOP voters like about him. I’m in the Northeast, where GOPe/RINO types are to the left of a lot of Democrats in other parts of the country, but SC isn’t that overtaken by folks from up here, is it?

[VRWC For Truth]

Now that DeMint is gone, Grahamnesty thinks she’s the senior SC senator. The DC media is more than happy to lick the boots of this flaming RINO.

[fortheDeclaration]

Open primaries-keep RINOS in power.

[SeminoleCounty]

He’s beatable

Anti-Illegal Alien groups have been running ads against him and Rubio-Obama Amnesty bill....I know this from watching upstate TV stations in SC on vacation a few weeks ago. A candidate will get support from some large groups

Also...Graham just voted for the Internet tax...so its more than illegal alien amnesty

And....Graham is funded by George Soros via his Open Society group.

There is not an airport that can handle all of Lindsey Graham’s baggage

[Bigg Red]

I certainly hope Grahamnesty gets the boot.

But I worry because of all of the lefty Northerners who have migrated to SC in retirement. (Just speculating based on what little I know of the state.)

[buckalfa]

"--but SC isn’t that overtaken by folks from up here, is it?",

Not yet, but by 2020 South Carolina will be a swing state. Demographics are a bear.

[buckalfa]

"If you want to know who really runs the show, always follow the money."

That says it all.

[upchuck]

Thanks for the ping.

And put one of these fine folks in his place:
Nancy Mace	Lee Bright	Richard Cash

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