Posted on 04/16/2015 12:53:07 PM PDT by VinL
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz's argument that the Second Amendment provides the "ultimate check against government tyranny" is a bit too extreme for potential 2016 rival and fellow Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
"Well, we tried that once in South Carolina. I wouldn't go down that road again," Graham said, in an apparent reference to the Civil War. "I think an informed electorate is probably a better check than, you know, guns in the streets."
Speaking to a few reporters near the Senate floor Thursday, Graham was answering questions from TPM about the Texas firebrand and presidential candidate's argument made in a fundraising email that the Second Amendment confers a right to revolt against the government.
"The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution isn't for just protecting hunting rights, and it's not only to safeguard your right to target practice. It is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny -- for the protection of liberty," Cruz wrote in the email Thursday, with the subject line "2nd Amendment against tyranny."
Graham demurred. "I'm not looking for an insurrection. I'm looking to defeat Hillary," he said. "We're not going to out-gun her."
While a consistent supporter of gun rights, Graham voiced a more mainstream legal view of the Second Amendment, as the Supreme Court first articulated in the landmark 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, that individuals have a right to possess a firearm for lawful self-defense.
"I think the Second Amendment allows people to protect their homes and their property and be secure in their persons," the senator said. "I think in a democracy the best check on government is voter participation. I think the First Amendment probably protects us more there."
I think a box of Preparation H suppositories in McCain's medicine cabinet would be more accurate.
Way to miss the point entirely, Linseed. That’s a Saul Alinsky response to Cruz’ statement if I’ve ever heard one.
Spoken like the pantywaist lawyer Linda Grahamnesty is.
Graham’s momentary nitpicking of Cruz’s political speech is irrelevant, BTW. By and large, neither the minor hyperbole nor nitpicking will be noticed.
“”I think in a democracy the best check on government is voter participation. I think the First Amendment probably protects us more there.””
Only when the voting process is not corrupted can this possibly apply. Fortunately the Fathers figured this into the equation and is why the second amendment is written how it is.
True he isn’t looking for an insurrection. Regular erections however are something he is always looking out for.
Ummm. Twice, but who's counting? The first time is what gave us our new country.
Yep, the proverbial bad penny.
Sen. Cruz is appealing to a constituency that belonged to Gov. Palin in 2009; but regrettably, her first move was the Alfafa Dinner and buddying up with the Gop-e. As I believe Sen. Paul and others will find, the GOP-e doesn’t seek an alliance with a conservative— if the establishment doesn’t own you, it doesn’t want you.
I very much like your idea about the delegates, and will do whatever I can to support you. But, as for here, blue state Ct.— forget it. This is Bush country. Bush Ambassador Foley got beat for Governor in 2011; but one defeat wasn’t enough- he ran again in 2015, and got beat worse- to a governor with a 53% disapproval. Hopeless.
I read the same article on the Conservative Convention- and I don’t know much more than that. Facing the socialist abyss, I really think Sen. Cruz is the final hope. While Walker, Paul, Rubio and others are better than the McCains and McConnells, they will not seek to aggressively reverse the socialism supported by the Establishment...Cruz will.
As for myself, I’m semi-retired now- but today was a terrific day. My niece gave birth to her 3rd child, my great niece!
Anyway, I certainly will be happy to assist in giving voice to your efforts to organize for Sen. Cruz- I think its a great idea- and though, as you might recall, I won’t troll the other candidates, I look forward to working with you again in smacking down those who would troll Cruz threads. -:)
An informedcelectorate is a better way than guns to make change in a civilized society. However, when the elections are rigged and voting doesn’t matter...
This is an intentional undermining of Cruz, this is Linda’s mission, he’s not really running for President. He’s one of Jeb’s blockers, he’s there to soak up whatever votes he can in SC and attack Ted Cruz.
Right you are, A12.
There you go again! ;)
Thank you for pinging me to your comments.
Or vice versa. I’m on board with that depiction.
Cruz is in 2nd place in New Hampshire, Linda isn’t even mentioned. He’s 3rd in South Carolina, at 16% in North Carolina and doing well in Iowa.
I have felt my vote has been meaningless for some time. I do it anyway, but it has a feeling of futility to it.
Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
"Republican by day, Democrat by night."
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h/t to martin_fierro for the graphic
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