Posted on 07/01/2010 10:43:42 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Sen. Graham predicts Tea Party movement will eventually 'die out' By Jordan Fabian - 07/01/10 11:57 AM ET
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has earned the ire of Tea Party groups for his penchant for negotiating with Democrats, predicted this week the movement will "die out."
Graham, who has partnered with Democrats on immigration reform and energy and climate legislation, made the observation in a New York Times Magazine profile titled "Lindsey Graham, This Year's Maverick" to be published this Sunday:
“Everything I’m doing now in terms of talking about climate, talking about immigration, talking about Gitmo is completely opposite of where the Tea Party movement’s at,” Graham said as Cato drove him to the city of Greenwood, where he was to give a commencement address at Lander University later that morning. On four occasions, Graham met with Tea Party groups. The first, in his Senate office, was “very, very contentious,” he recalled. During a later meeting, in Charleston, Graham said he challenged them: “ ‘What do you want to do? You take back your country — and do what with it?’ . . . Everybody went from being kind of hostile to just dead silent.”
In a previous conversation, Graham told me: “The problem with the Tea Party, I think it’s just unsustainable because they can never come up with a coherent vision for governing the country. It will die out.” Now he said, in a tone of casual lament: “We don’t have a lot of Reagan-type leaders in our party. Remember Ronald Reagan Democrats? I want a Republican that can attract Democrats.” Chortling, he added, “Ronald Reagan would have a hard time getting elected as a Republican today.”
Graham's comments are likely to further the divide between him and the conservative grassroots groups, which some see as a key voting bloc for Republicans during this year's midterm elections.
The South Carolina Republican was elected to the Senate in 2002 and won reelection in 2008. He is not up for reelection until 2014, though some conservatives have said his gestures to Democrats could invite a primary challenge.
His comments underscore the rift between the anti-establishment Tea Party groups and some Republicans in Congress.
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), who was ousted for another term by Tea Party groups at his state's GOP convention, has taken several shots at the group since his defeat.
The three-term senator suggested the movement simply thrives off voter anger and does not act rationally. This week, Bennett also made similar comments to Graham, saying that the GOP is running short on ideas.
Other Republicans such as House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), have praised the movement for its energy and enthusiasm.
Graham also detailed his clashes with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) over the climate bill. He told the Times that he and the top Democrat exchanged “a few F-bombs” during their conversation before hanging up.
Graham has negotiated with Democrats on immigration and energy, but broke off talks on climate when it appeared Democrats were going to move forward first on immigration.
With that response, I do believe that ‘ole Lindsay’s support is going to “die out”...........
every conservative should do all in their power to support and encourage the Tea Party people.
Speaking of dropping “a few F-Bombs”, FULG!
When people like Lindsey Graham and John McCain are no longer representing the Republican Pary in the Senate then yeah, I can see the Tea Party dying out. It’s work will have been accomplished.
The only thing that is going to “die out” is your career, Senator.
I agree. After his kind are gone from Washington there’ll no longer be a need. Until the next time anyway.
For starters.....the Tea Party Movement isn’t about ‘party’ it is about America and Americans. Mr. Graham is what this movement is trying to remove from our government.
Lindsey is from SC right? Methinks senor Graham will come to understand what NFL stands for: Not For Long.
Just how despicable can one RINO be?
Idiot alert!
A TV appearance by Grahamnesty is a surefire reason to NOT watch whatever program has stooped to the level of requiring his presence.
Hopefully not before the SC Tea Partiers kick your sorry RINO butt out of office, Sweet Lindsey.
What they mean by a “Coherent vision for the country” is socialism and statism.
What an arrogant so-and-so!!! He sure is cozy with the Times while hostile to his constituents and the TEA Party.
It is time for the homo to go.
Do what with it, you sorry excuse for a representative of the people? Take it back to it’s Constitutional roots. Bring back limited government. Stop the expansion of the federal government into every aspect of our lives. Oh, and send YOU back to the private sector.
> Sen. Graham predicts Tea Party movement will
> eventually ‘die out’
Maybe Grahamnesty knows something about the false messiah’s plans. Think midnight train rides, razor wire camps, and long trenches with backstops.
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