Sen. Graham reaches out to Tea Party

[babylonsister]

Sen. Graham reaches out to Tea Party
By Michael O'Brien - 09/03/10 11:46 AM ET


Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is playing defense against conservatives in his state angry with his record.

Graham has reached out to the Tea Party movement in the Palmetto State this week and appeared on conservative radio in a bid to explain his record to right-leaning voters.

Some grassroots conservatives are frustrated with Graham for partnering too often with President Obama and congressional Democrats. Graham was the lead Senate GOP negotiator on climate change and immigration legislation, though neither package moved forward in the Senate.

Graham met with the Tea Party group in Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday in a closed-door meeting. The Charleston County Republican Party has been among several county chapters and Tea Party groups to censure Graham, citing concerns about the second-term senator's stances on immigration, Supreme Court nominees and energy and climate legislation, among other issues.

The Tea Party appearance was paired with appearances on conservative radio in the state, where Graham faced tough questions about whether he was adequately conservative.

Graham defended himself as a mainstream conservative, and expressed worry that public officials like himself were being effectively prohibited from expressing disagreement with the party.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/117119-graham-defends-record-to-south-carolina-conservatives

[mike r]

1. The GOP is just using the teabaggers

like they used the evangelicals.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Goober Graham

is not going to sway any tea partiers. They despise him for his vote for Elena Kagan, his support for amnesty, and his suspected sexual orientation.

[gratuitous]

2. NOW Lindsey is worried about dissent being prohibited?

I believe a freshet of crocodile tears is in order. The Republicans did so well squelching debate and dissent during the Bush administration, it seemed like their political fortunes were on a perpetual rise. Lindsay Graham did as well as any of his fellow Republicans until the bottom dropped out. Still, he was well-positioned as a Republican in South Carolina to keep his sinecure. Maybe his Tea Bagger friends will set aside a First Amendment Zone for him to talk to himself in.

Yes, Lindsay, I cry for you and your effective prohibition from expressing disagreement with your party. Sob, sob!