Report: Stirrings in South Carolina to dump histrionic McCain crony
posted at 6:38 pm on June 17, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Ace is talking smack even though he knows full well 99% of the people vowing to sit out if the shamnesty passes will bite down and vote Republican in ‘08 anyway. So let’s stop talking about some Grand Boycott as a reaction to the Grand Bargain. It’s not going to happen. Let’s instead identify a single object of scorn on whom to focus, and then beat his ass red in a primary challenge. I’m still skeptical that the, ahem, “rightroots” will ever play a major role in defeating any candidates, particularly an incumbent senator, but the practice will be good for us.
And I know just the guy we can practice on.
Furious Republican loyalists lobby online for someone — anyone — to step forward and challenge Graham in the 2008 primary when he seeks re-election…
The names of possible GOP primary challengers to Graham fly across the Internet:
Gov. Mark Sanford and Rep. Gresham Barrett. Attorney General Henry McMaster. Charlie Condon, Mark McBride, Oscar Lovelace. Greg Ryberg and Buddy Witherspoon.
The name mentioned most often is State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel…
With Graham’s high national as well as statewide name recognition and his campaign war chest approaching $4 million, GOP political operatives say, any window for mounting a viable campaign against him is closing fast…
“Anyone who runs against me better get up early and stay late because I think I’ve been one heck of a good senator for my state and my party,” Graham said Thursday in an interview. “I intend to seek office on the basis that I am not afraid to do what needs to be done.“
Thank goodness we have legislators like him and St. John with the guts to dive headfirst off a cliff while lesser men stand there screaming for them to stop. Much better that than some enfeebled Democrat who, though perhaps inclined to vote for amnesty, would cower and shrink from doing so when he saw how enraged his constituents would be by his betrayal.
Mary K once spent a good 20 minutes singing Mark Sanford’s praises to me. He’d be ideal since he has the name recognition to drum up funds, but he’s also got a future in the party that he might not want to jeopardize by instigating a nasty primary fight. Serious exit question, then, presuming that Graham waltzes through to the general election: If the Democrats run a Blue Dog opposite him, should we think the unthinkable and consider donating to him?
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No. No money.
Martin on June 17, 2007 at 6:42 PM
We can not vote, but you can’t give actual dollars to Democrats.
Martin on June 17, 2007 at 6:43 PM
Maybe (Blue Dog), but I think it incumbent to take him out via primary because the core issue is his responsibility to the base.
Spirit of 1776 on June 17, 2007 at 6:43 PM
Serious exit answer: Hell, yes. (See: Pombo, Richard)
wccawa on June 17, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Frame it though, Martin, what about a race where a BD supported war on terror and opponent didn’t?
Spirit of 1776 on June 17, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Dump Lindsay, indeed!
Kid from Brooklyn on June 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Yep. I was going to vote for Sherrod Brown had I not moved before the election. Being in the GOP is no reason to throw away our votes for someone that has no respect for us.
Theworldisnotenough on June 17, 2007 at 7:01 PM
I’d donate to the Blue Dog.
Alex K on June 17, 2007 at 7:01 PM
HAHA!!
Lindsey is not going to make it out of the primary. It has already happened in the party. If Tom Osborne can get ousted in a primary, football god that he is, then so can “Shut the bigots up” Graham.
Theworldisnotenough on June 17, 2007 at 7:04 PM
I have all ready cut my money off. Now we should work on expelling these asses from the Party.
pat on June 17, 2007 at 7:12 PM
A SC Blue Dog is probably more conservative than a NE Republican.
INC on June 17, 2007 at 7:13 PM
And send a photocopy of the receipt to the state Republican headquarters.
To me it looks like Graham campaigning in public would be huge waste of eggs.
Speakup on June 17, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Rush Limbaugh has taken to calling him “Lindsey Grah-amnesty.”
Bloggers challenge his manhood, assault his patriotism, mock his intellect.
Still worse for where he comes from, they belittle his Southern bona-fides.
That dog might hunt Allah!
sonnyspats1 on June 17, 2007 at 7:40 PM
What an arrogant SOB.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2007 at 7:53 PM
Why can’t you find a candidate who supports and recognizes the war on Islamic extremeism and also will stand for strong immigration reform. Even if they they are pro choice?
Dems will allow an Islamic invasion and the Repubs seem content to allow a Hispanic one. Can’t we find candidates who will stand up to all invaders whether they be from Mars or right next door.
LakeRuins on June 17, 2007 at 8:00 PM
Somebody needs to be “scalped”, even if it means voting for a moderate Democrat. How else will these fools learn?
WisCon on June 17, 2007 at 8:08 PM
Crony of John McCain is one thing; crony of Ted Kennedy makes extreme measures essential. It’s a matter of trust broken and then consequences…
Lamonte Thomas on June 17, 2007 at 8:15 PM
Should no primary challenger arise, I’m going to look for an independent to support in South Carolina, especially if Graham faces a serious Democratic challenge.
Why? An independent running on an “anti-amnesty” only platform could probably pull 5% directly out of Graham’s column, which would be enough in a tight race to defeat him. It’s a hell of a lot easier to defeat Lindsey when you only have to garner votes in the single digits than it is to stage a successful primary challenge against him.
Jack M. on June 17, 2007 at 8:18 PM
As a resident South Carolinian I have heard T-Rav for Senate numerous times. There was an effort to get him on the record saying he would not challenge Graham in 08 if he was elected Treasurer, so I don’t know how that will work out. He did beat the incumbent Patterson who had many years in office, but he was getting on up there in age. I am in Spratt’s district so a lot of people vote D, but Bush carried it in 2004.
SCGOPgirl on June 17, 2007 at 8:20 PM
John and Ken tried something like this in LA with their Political Human Sacrifice. It’s time to make an example of someone.
Coyote D. on June 17, 2007 at 8:28 PM
I have no problem with making an example of Grahamnesty in theory, but isn’t this kind of thinking what got us to a Democratic majority in the first place?
If the majority of the Democratic majority were actually blue dogs, how would that change the leadership? Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi enjoy the perks of office virtually by birthright, anymore. Not to mention the fact that they don’t even respresent their entire states (just the population centers).
That is precisely what I find so frustrating about this — Grahamnesty knows that the people of South Carolina, when it comes down to brass tacks, simply don’t have any other more appealing choices, and I’d be surprised if he didn’t make it through the primaries (even though if I lived in SC, I wouldn’t vote for him).
gryphon202 on June 17, 2007 at 8:35 PM
Don’t know about that, AP. I think 2006 was just the tip of the iceberg.
PRCalDude on June 17, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Charlie Condon’s the man. Accept no substitutes.
Ali-Bubba on June 17, 2007 at 8:45 PM
Once Grahamnesty’s out, Mel will be next.
Kid from Brooklyn on June 17, 2007 at 8:46 PM
I said before…run Strom Thurmond, Jr against him. THAT’s name recognition!
SouthernGent on June 17, 2007 at 8:55 PM
Well, even if that were true, 1% is a pretty big slice in what will likely be a fight for only a couple of percent in the middle.
I think probably a bad idea. Are the Blue Dogs having much influence on the leadership? There will likely be at least two SCOTUS vacancies before 2012. Bush will likely have a hard time getting much of anyone decent through Judiciary. And if any significant number of Republicans sit home, I say they both lose the Presidency and lose more in the Senate – neither a good scenario for SCOTUS (or, by the way, for the WOT). Remember, if Shrillary wins, she’ll be nominating advocates, not justices (my money would be on Kim Gandy first).
eeyore on June 17, 2007 at 9:03 PM
From your keyboard, to God’s ears. Please. Make it so.
CrimsonFisted on June 17, 2007 at 9:36 PM
That’s hillarious! I didn’t have my glasses on the first time I read it and thought it said “drive headfirst”. If that were the case then any thing related to driving would have to include Ted Kennedy and he wouldn’t be driving off a cliff, I think he prefers bridges.
repvoter on June 17, 2007 at 10:08 PM
That’s a tough one AP. I’m glad I don’t live in SC and have to make that choice. If the blue dog was like Leiberman…????
csdeven on June 17, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Yes.
Griz on June 17, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Amen. Get some practice in with Graham, because when 2010 comes around, I want to see Martinez packing his bags. I know just the guy to run against him – Adam Putnam.
raz0r on June 17, 2007 at 10:49 PM
If only there was as much enthusiasm and outrage to hold Ted Kennedy responsible for what he’s done to this country. Graham, McCain, good riddance, but never a peep about the Democrats who keep forcing these things.
naliaka on June 17, 2007 at 10:56 PM
He is shaking in the knees quite rapidly now. Expect him to come out a dimocrat any day now.
NEMETI IN SYRACUSE on June 17, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Good point. Of course with Ted and his ilk, it goes way beyond that – conspiring with commies and such. In a rational world, both of my senators would be in jail for treason. Ted – let’s conspire with the Kremlin Kennedy and John, let’s meet with the enemy in France Kerry.
reaganaut on June 17, 2007 at 11:11 PM
It would be a grand demonstration of the will of the people for this douchebag to get sent packing in the primary. Clearly our Lords and Masters do not think it possible.
Jaibones on June 17, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Graham couldn’t get early enough to head off his looming political necktie party.
Some of those planning it never sleep, thanks to the web & cable, and will not -repeat WILL NOT- forget his smarmy betrayal and the reckless squandering of his supporters’ capital.
Sweet dreams, Lindsay.
(Is that The Tell-tale Heart I hear thumping beneath the florboards...?)
profitsbeard on June 17, 2007 at 11:35 PM
I’d take a Zell Miller type of Lyndsay Graham every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
birkel on June 17, 2007 at 11:39 PM
I mean c’mon he’s siding with LaRaza for Crissake!!
sonnyspats1 on June 18, 2007 at 12:18 AM
The thing that infuriated me the most about this clown wasn’t his ‘hissy fit’ as much as that arrogant picture with him yucking it up with Ted Kennedy and fake Republican Mel Martinez.
TonyR on June 18, 2007 at 2:24 AM
Please don’t forget about Amnesty Mel in FL….
BadBrad on June 18, 2007 at 5:51 AM
Blue Dog, shmoo dog……just get rid of the RINO and put a true conservative (preferably one that does not whine) in.
And yes, in 2010, we DO plan to fire Mel if he doesn’t leave on his own. The conservative contenders are lining up as we speak.
lynnv on June 18, 2007 at 7:32 AM
I understand your frustration (and share it), but what are we supposed to do, move to Mass and register as Democrats to try to vote him out in the primary?
James on June 18, 2007 at 7:50 AM
Any fool that continues to vote for a hack that simply has a (R) deserves the garbage that comes with it. Zell Miller (D) would be a better senator than Graham. Until people start voting on the person and stop voting the party, these type of fiascoes will continue.
jeffNWV on June 18, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I hope no one is seriously considering staying home when there is a presidential election with a Republican candidate who will be opposed to comprehensive immigration reform. I have absolutely no problem voting against any Republican senator that votes for this bill, but you can’t just sit it out when the presidency is on the line as well.
Dudley Smith on June 18, 2007 at 11:09 AM
I agree that Grahamnesty would be a fun punching bag, but there is another repub who wields more influence — primarily because he is lower-key, but also because of his position — that we really need to keep our eyes on. I’m talking about Mitch McConnell. I think he is playing games in the back rooms and he is secretly trying to get this insane piece of legislation passed. (I hope and pray that I am proven wrong.) If he does anything — anything — to aid and abet passage of this POS, I will do my best to campaign vigorously against him — even though I previously voted for him. Hopefully we can come up with someone here in this beautiful commonwealth that can run a decent campaign against him, if it comes down to that.
lan astaslem on June 18, 2007 at 11:17 AM
As a SC citizen, I leaned toward never voting for Graham again with the Gang of 14 crap, now after all this I am full fledge. I don’t care what goes on, I will never vote for Vice President Graham again.
I wish any of those others would run against him, but I haven’t heard much here among the party. The people are outraged (I would be interested in seeing Graham’s approval numbers now), but I don’t know if it is enough to convince someone to challenge him. They would have to do it apart from the state and national party. It could work, but I agree the time is now to get in and capitalize off the immigration controversy.
Ravenel would be the one to do it. He is independently wealthy. Everyone knew he was running for Treasurer to increase his name recognition. He was in the primary for the seat DeMint has now. When he dropped out, he threw his considerable influence (and voters) behind DeMint which gave him the win. He even said he would not have run for the office if he had known DeMint was the type of (conservative) man that he was. He has hinted or at least not been entirely honest about a run against Graham. He has been on talk radio a good bit in the last few years criticizing Graham.
I hope he runs against him and wins because the GOP will not get my vote if Lindsey Graham in the nominee. I’ll go third party or something, but I will never vote for him again.
wardrobedoor on June 18, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Take Grahamnesty down! Some nasty primary purges are just what the party needs to get back on track.
Iblis on June 18, 2007 at 2:15 PM
I will donate to anyone who runs against him. Same with that SOB from my state: Kyl
Tim Burton on June 18, 2007 at 6:47 PM
Amen.
Tim Burton on June 18, 2007 at 6:49 PM
How do you guys think Leiberman became a Senator?
A guy named William F. Buckley got fed up with one L. P. Weicker (R, Merck) and formented an open rebellion.
We had put up with the rantings of that lunatic through Watergate and beyond.
You don’t have to cashier the entire group of ‘em. Just get one or two of the more sanctimonious, self satisfied dons and the rest might just start paying attention.
And wouldn’t just this one be ever so much fun.
Just because we’re not in the majority doesn’t mean that we can’t concentrate on one elitist and send him back to the lockers.
Call me a bigot eh? After I’ve been carrying water for you clowns for the last HOW many years?
I’ll contribute money to your opposition Mr. G just to watch you twist in the wind.
Federalist on June 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM
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