One of two things has happen to LG. The first possibility is what you mention. The second possibility, and I lean towards this explanation due to the ridiculous speech he made with the gang of fourteen. "They" have something on Graham, something big. Careering ending info. The powers that be have been saving the Graham trump card until a consistent conservative voice was needed to pull down the leadership. Enter the compromised Graham. Years ago, I heard Trent Lott caught in a bad moment on tv saying that Lindsey Graham was "light in the loafers". Maybe this is well known on the Hill, but not to his constituents.