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Graham Knocks Cruz On Guns And Tyranny: 'We Tried That Once... I'm Not Looking For An Insurrection'
Talking Points Memo ^ | 4/16/2015 | Sahil Kapor

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."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: South Carolina; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: 2016election; 2ndamendment; banglist; cruz; election2016; lindseygraham; secondamendment; southcarolina; tedcruz; texas
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To: VinL

If Graham can keep from wetting himself, I think that’s some sort of a victory right there.

Isn’t he a charm on McCain’s charm bracelet?


61 posted on 04/16/2015 1:24:12 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (The question, Jeb Bush? The answer: NO! Rove, is a devious propagandist & enemy of Conservatives!)
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To: All

SC what the hell is wrong with you? And Arizona?

Tar and feathers are too good for these scumbags.


62 posted on 04/16/2015 1:25:26 PM PDT by QuisCustodiet1776 (Live free or die.)
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To: VinL

“”I think an informed electorate is probably a better check than, you know, guns in the streets.” “

An “informed” electorate is a virtual impossibility.


63 posted on 04/16/2015 1:26:57 PM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: Regulator

Defending one’s self and family against savages isn’t all that different whether the savages are war parties out on the frontier or prowling shopping malls in packs. We can’t all live in gated communities under Capital police guard, Linda.


64 posted on 04/16/2015 1:27:11 PM PDT by katana (Just my opinions)
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To: VinL

Lindsay Graham is a [ insert common name for a cat here].


65 posted on 04/16/2015 1:27:58 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (When you are inclined to to buy storage boxes, but contractor bags instead.)
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To: gov_bean_ counter

Graham is such a jerk.


66 posted on 04/16/2015 1:28:54 PM PDT by b4its2late (A Liberal is a person who will give away everything he doesn't own.)
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To: VinL
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,

The people have the perfect right to overthrow a tyrannical government and replace it with one that recognizes natural rights.Why does he want to forfeit that perfect right?

67 posted on 04/16/2015 1:29:21 PM PDT by mjp ((pro-{God, reality, reason, egoism, individualism, natural rights, limited government, capitalism}))
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To: SWAMPSNIPER
The vote assures nothing.

Especially since it has been watered down, bastardized and flat out corrupted.

To me, an "insurrection" ain't necessarily a bad thing and may be the only option left to 'We The People' by boobs like Graham.

68 posted on 04/16/2015 1:30:38 PM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts (Those too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.)
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To: VinL

Graham showing his RINO-ness..again... nothing new here..


69 posted on 04/16/2015 1:32:18 PM PDT by laffnatu
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To: VinL
So, Graham must be OK with government tyranny, not that this surprises me. Boy, does the GOP need a cleansing.
70 posted on 04/16/2015 1:32:25 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason ("Journalism is dead. All news is suspect." - Noamie)
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To: no-to-illegals

I’ve long held the opinion that conservative people are pretty much the same all across the country for the most part.

Funny thing is that whites in Detroit tend to be very hillbilly.


71 posted on 04/16/2015 1:32:32 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: VinL

“R. Lee Ermey says he’s gonna vote for TED CRUZ”

Read more: http://therightscoop.com/r-lee-ermey-says-hes-gonna-vote-for-ted-cruz/#ixzz3XVN3AkEA


72 posted on 04/16/2015 1:33:00 PM PDT by VinL (It is better to suffer every wrong, than to consent to wrong.)
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To: VinL


73 posted on 04/16/2015 1:34:33 PM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: VinL

“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).”

I am so sick of this little pansy I can hardly stand it. I can’t believe we have to put up with him another 5 1/2 years.


74 posted on 04/16/2015 1:35:26 PM PDT by SharpRightTurn (White, black, and red all over--America's affirmative action, metrosexual president.)
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To: cripplecreek

I agree Creek ... that is why Conservatives are feared (imho)


75 posted on 04/16/2015 1:37:05 PM PDT by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our Government ... Lead!!!!)
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To: GraceG

I hear he plays squat tag in the cumberpatch


76 posted on 04/16/2015 1:40:48 PM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: VinL

graham = loser. He has nothing to contribute, disregard him.


77 posted on 04/16/2015 1:43:26 PM PDT by ThePatriotsFlag ($$$$$ Don't Defund the Government...Defund Obama and his illegal policies $$$$$)
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To: VinL

Who cares what she thinks?


78 posted on 04/16/2015 1:48:38 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: VinL

Very cool.


79 posted on 04/16/2015 1:53:51 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: VinL

Can we even imagine how small the national constituency must be that supports a run by prima donna, Lindsay Graham. LOL!

It’s obvious Graham is in this thing for one simple reason—to cause nothing but mischief, bark for war, until he is too unfunded to function. As it is, he isn’t even on a campaign trail.


80 posted on 04/16/2015 1:59:23 PM PDT by RitaOK ( VIVA CRISTO REY / Public education is the farm team for more Marxists coming)
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