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."
(comment removed) **&&^%%&&!!!
So Graham wants government to be able to disarm the citizens under certain circumstances- duly noted.
Yes, you’re welcome. The ping was really an FYI for you, to the part about the Nat’l Jrnl story on the conservative convention. I for one, will be interested in learning more about that. Especially since they seem to have lined up conservative candidates to speak. I just wonder who this outfit is, exactly.
Linda is doing more for my Sen Ted Cruz’ behalf than he realizes!
Keep it up, Linda....you’re doing a fine job ;-)
Thank you for the compliment, dear Vin, but I’m not actually organizing anything, just want to drop the suggestion into my comments as it comes up. I hope you will do the same, as you go along and see fit.
As you already know, many, many FReepers would make loyal delegates for CRUZ. Heck, maybe a lot of them ARE delegates already. :)
Nice that you are retired and have a new baby niece! How precious! Congratulations. That’s just awesome.
I was thinking you worked in politics. I didn’t mean to sound snoopy. BTW, the reason I pinged several to my comment was a short cut for passing my inquiry along to others, about that private conservative convention. I am intrigued. Wondering who they are exactly. Thx, Vin
RitaOK, that’s a good question. I don’t know who is organizing this.
Graham has his panties in a bunch over the other important finding in the Winthrop study. A majority of South Carolina Republicans polled (54.9 percent) said they would not consider voting for him.
The poll was taken before Ted Cruz delivered his masterful response to a reporter's confrontational question on a 2nd Amendment issue and now Graham's snide reaction. I wonder if Graham will still be a fan of an informed electorate in SC after the next poll?
Graham doesn’t seem to understand the concept on which this country was founded-
GOVERNMENT IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
Don’t think you sounded “snoopy”, at all. And certainly, we’ll keep on top of the conservative convention— anything that helps Sen. Cruz.
bookmark
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.