Mange!
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/01/graham_censured.phpGraham Censured By 3rd County GOP
January 4, 2010 10:15 PM
By Reid Wilson
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) got a 3rd slap on the wrist from a local county party Monday for his votes in favor of some key Dem initiatives.
Graham was censured by the Lexington Co. GOP, the 3rd-largest county party in the state. He has been censured in the past by the Greenville Co. and the Charleston Co. GOPs.
Members who voiced opposition to Graham's stances on illegal immigration, the TARP bailout and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor's nomination. Graham voted in favor of the first TARP measure and for Sotomayor.
Graham takes a stance on immigration reform closer to that of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who has advocated for a comprehensive reform approach, than to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and other conservatives who favor an enforcement-first approach.
Party officials also cited his work with Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), with whom he is said to be negotiating a compromise on cap and trade legislation.
13 Lexington Co. GOP leaders voted to censure Graham, while 7 voted against the motion and 4 abstained.
Graham has long had a problem with loyal conservatives who view him as too moderate for the party, but he has a largely positive relationship with the state's voters. He earned a challenge from the state's RNC national committeeman in the '08 primary, and Graham won by a 67%-33% margin. Graham won a 2nd term over his Dem challenger with 57.5% of the vote.