Posted on 04/27/2010 9:27:53 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
The Republican lawmaker, under attack from both parties, backs off from efforts to work with Democrats on immigration, energy and Guantanamo Bay.
BY JIM TANKERSLEY
For months, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was one of the few Republicans willing to cross the aisle to work with the Obama administration on controversial issues. Now, he may be the showcase example of why bipartisanship is all but dead in Washington.
In the beginning, Graham's attempts to find compromises with Obama and Senate Democrats on immigration, energy and closing Guantanamo Bay looked like the best chance for a thaw in Washington's icy partisan environment. But now, under attack from colleagues and activists in both parties, Graham is threatening to chuck the whole effort.
That potentially dooms prospects for congressional action this year on energy and immigration, as well as the likelihood of widespread cooperation across party lines on most other issues.
From the right, Republican activists in Graham's home state have heaped scorn and censure on him. Fellow Senate Republicans, including party leaders, have left him to deal with Democrats on his own.
Meanwhile, from the other side, White House officials have criticized Graham's push to include what would have amounted to a new gasoline tax in the energy bill. Liberals have griped that Graham packed the bill with giveaways to industry; moderates say he hasn't delivered Republican support for the bill anyway.
Perhaps most important, Graham suddenly finds himself wrestling with the Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid of Nevada, over a plan to fast-track the immigration bill. Graham says that by pushing immigration when it isn't ready and can't pass, Reid has jeopardized good-faith negotiations on immigration and energy in hopes of scoring cheap political points against Republicans.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
fyi
I just get the feeling he is trying for a legacy play.
When is he up for re-election?
When is he up for re-election?
2014.
Good catch. Ms. Graham is a loser like his best boyfriend in Arizona.
Ive said many times on here if the pols and SRM think the people were pissed over healthcare, just wait until immigration. Lindsey still doesnt get it.
Why was he re elected 2 years ago. He’s been a Rino longer than that.
I agree. This issue is even more volatile than healthcare, especially following healthcare. The Dems are about to light the fuse.
Graham’s biggest problem is the invention of the hidden camera.
Poor wittle Windsey! All he wants to do is betray his constituents and those mean wascally Wepubwicans won’t let him!
Would the good folks in SC please put this pathetic RINO out of our misery?
Republicans closed ranks and no one would run against him that had the state wide recognition, funding and support.
Similiar to the bahavior of Republicans in Arizona (and some Tea party groups sadly). The difference is J.D. hates McCain with cause. Party pleas are ineffective with him. He has enough good will with conservatives (on immigration particularly), name recognition and of course nationally the financial support of conservatives that hate McCain to run a credibe challenge.
If Lindsey were up for re-election this year it may have been a different story.
I remember driving through South Carolina when he was up for election last, his campaign ads stressed how conservative he was (it wasn’t hidden, the ads were something blatantly targeted to conservatives like “Lindsay Graham is a conservative, he supports conservative values.”) If he dances with the left, he should be noted as such and judged appropriately by the electorate. If he holds to the right, he should similarly be noted as such (and also judged appropriately by the electorate). With as much information as is available today, there is no way a sitting legislator at any level should ever be able to run from his or her record.
Lindsey must now be grilled by the electorate on his “gang of 14”. Obama is running rough-shod over America and could care less about his bi-whatever past.
>>> Lindsey must now be grilled by the electorate on his “gang of 14”
You mean the “gang of 14” that preserved the filibuster when dimwits were eager to throw it away ? That kept the only weapon a minority Republican senate had for the last year to prevent total dem rule by decree? You want him to apologize for THAT “gang of 14”? Somehow I don’t think that will make much trouble for Graham.
Oh please. For the sake of our country. Please let this be true!!!
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