Posted on 05/04/2014 6:48:56 AM PDT by cotton1706
Here's how Sen. Lindsey Graham is navigating through six challengers in South Carolina's Republican primary: goodwill, shrewd politics and nearly $7 million in campaign cash.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney was thought to be a credible challenger in the June 10 primary, until Graham inspired House leaders to give Mulvaney a seat on the House Financial Services Committee. Mulvaney opted against challenging the two-term senator.
A hacking episode resulted in the theft of South Carolina taxpayers' personal information and a public relations problem for Gov. Nikki Haley, also up for re-election this year. Graham advised her on the situation, and now she has better poll numbers than he does.
Not long ago, Graham looked vulnerable to a primary challenge from conservatives offended by his bipartisan dealmaking and votes for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominees. Tea party challenges ousted GOP incumbents in the past two elections, and, some believe, prevented the party from regaining the Senate.
But Graham's power and shrewdness, not to mention the intimidating $7 million treasury, have positioned him to cruise to the nomination and likely re-election in November. He's benefited from the support of establishment Republicans and allied groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focused on gaining the six seats the GOP needs to retake the Senate.
Two top potential rivals let people know early on they were out.
State Sen. Tom Davis, an aide to former Gov. Mark Sanford, predicted before the Republican convention in 2012 that South Carolina voters would oust Graham. But Davis said he could do more for his libertarian-leaning causes in the state Senate, and that to run against Graham, he would need to raise a lot of money.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
“FR poster who discourage S.C.’s conservative electorate BEFORE the election probably are secret supporters of the SCGOPe or are Democrats. It really is easy for the reader to discern.”
Well that is definitely not the case with me. I’m just looking ahead. Graham has been very skillful at manipulation and I want the people of South Carolina to be against him one way or the other. He has demonstrated himself to be a man who should not be trusted with legislative power.
Yep. One, not six who will allow “divide and conquer” to re-elect Linda.
The biggest disappointment I have is Sen. Tim Scott. I really thought he would be a good Conservative for South Carolina.
Unfortunately he decided to take part in the TV ads with Graham, which are saturating the airwaves, both claiming to be solid Conservatives.
I voted for Graham the first time he ran and have regretted it to this day but I won’t make that same mistake with Scott.
We can defeat Graham if we:
(1) thoroughly “vet” his six (SIX!) opponents to try to reduce that number
(2) select the best speaker/debater of the remaining candidates
(3) get all (ALL!) of the original six not selected to contribute their funds and organizations to the ONE remaing opponent facing Graham.
(4) Aggressively raise funds for the ONE.
(5) OUT CAMPAIGN!
(6) WIN!
As Franklin said: “Unite or die!”
We can defeat Graham if we:
(1) thoroughly “vet” his six (SIX!) opponents to try to reduce that number
(2) select the best speaker/debater of the remaining candidates
(3) get all (ALL!) of the original six not selected to contribute their funds and organizations to the ONE remaing opponent facing Graham.
(4) Aggressively raise funds for the ONE.
(5) OUT CAMPAIGN!
(6) WIN!
As Franklin said: “Unite or die!”
Another completely unbelievable article. The neo-cons are seeding these fake stories all over the net. Where does this stupid article back up its implausibe assertions that Graham is leading on anything? Oh, Graham is backed by the we-love-illegal-aliens Chamber of Commerce. Establishment Republicans also love themselves Lindsey. That’s certainly proof-positive that Graham will win.
Here’s the facts, FReepers. Graham has been polling somewhere between 37% and 42% approval ratings for a year or more, with both Republicans and democrats polled.
These articles are pure garbage designed to depress conservatives.
“These articles are pure garbage designed to depress conservatives.”
I hope you are right. And I usually don’t post puff pieces or positive articles on Graham. I just wanted people to be aware of the possible lay of the land.
If we can build some momentum with some victories in May and early June, we can certainly force a runoff.
Brannon on Tuesday (and put a dent into Boehner’s election numbers), Sasse the following Tuesday, Georgia, Kentucky, and Oregon on 5/20, Texas on 5/27 and MS on 6/3.
If we take out Cochran on June 3rd, we can take out Graham on June 10th.
Oh, I agree. I was just saying that momentum would help.
Bushlips.
Hmmm...
“Not the way it works in S.C.”
So are you saying that one candidate NEVER gives his/her support to another candidate as voting day approaches? NEVER?
Are you saying that Conservative S.C. Republicans have NO choice but to allow their primaries to be “hi-jacked” by dirty-trickster cross-over Democrat voters?
“But Davis said he could do more for his libertarian-leaning causes in the state Senate, and that to run against Graham, he would need to raise a lot of money.”
On that at least I agree with Davis, if we are to reclaim our liberty the bulk of the work must be done from the State Houses and Senates.
We need to control education, we need to start teaching the central important of economic liberty again.
Furthermore our States must be a the center of the movement to take power back from Washington. They must be made into the weapon that can not only push Washington back into its box but keep it there.
It is thou their strength that we the people gain our power to vote with not only our stronger ballots but as free people with our feet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.