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Sen. Graham Takes Heat at SC Convention

By Paul Chesser on 5.18.09 @ 10:10AM

The South Carolina Republican Party held its convention Saturday, where it elected its next leader with an eye towards the 2010 elections. The State reports that the current intraparty debate over big-tent vs. conservative principle burst forth, as illustrated in speeches by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint.

But U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham followed with a fiery speech that drew jeers from the crowd.

Graham told the crowd there was nothing wrong with any conservative, and he wanted to build an open party that could win in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, as well as South Carolina.

“You’re a hypocrite!” one man yelled.

“I’m a winner, pal,” Graham shot back. “Winning matters to me. If it doesn’t matter to you, there’s the exit sign.”

“Ron Paul is not the leader of this party,” Graham said, prompting a few jeers. Some people yelled, “Yes, he is!”

“I’m not going to give this party over to people who can’t win,” Graham finished, drawing most of the crowd to its feet.

But U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, who followed Graham, said he’d rather have 30 senators who stand on principle than 60 who have none.

Hat tip to Jeff Taylor, who asks, "Who else thinks Lindsey just painted a huge, national bulls-eye on his back?"

topics:
Republican Party

View all comments (16) | Leave a comment

jim rice| 5.18.09 @ 10:25AM

Ron Paul SHOULD be the leader of the party...

Old Texican| 5.18.09 @ 10:36AM

Heh! Senators are expendable.

Conservative Senators with ethics are to be preserved and promoted.

JP| 5.18.09 @ 11:05AM

Linday Graham's boast about being a winner (because he is moderate)would be more plausible if one just ignores the past 4 years. President Bush, a Moderate if there ever was one, became the most unpopular President since Truman; Moderates either were defeated or are retiring (Sen Hegel, Sen Gordon Smith, Sen Norm Coleman,Sen Hutchinson) or jumping parties (Sen Specter). Senator McCain, a Moderate, failed not only to wn battleground states in 2008, but lost to a liberal in conservative states like Indiana and Florida. The 2 Moderates from Maine (Snowe and Collins) were the deciding votes (along with Spectre) in quickly backing the Porkulus Bill.

Again, not trying to nit-pick, but I'm not sure that correlating "Moderate Republican" and "Winning" has much basis in reality.

On the other hand, a staunch and up front old style conservative like Dick Cheney, appears to have the liberals in both goverment and the media, on the defensive, and he may just help bring down Nancy Pelosi. One true conservative appears to be more effective than 9 Moderates.

Mikecampbelly2k| 5.18.09 @ 11:21AM

Very true JP - It's alot of fun watching Dick Cheney torment the Democrats - now let's see if any idiot RINO's throw him under the bus. Hang in there Mr. Vice President (Cheney, that is).

Michelle| 5.18.09 @ 12:19PM

This is a typical attitude of people who have been in power too long. How does he have the right to give or take the party away? It is just like Specter, who wasn't willing to take his chances with the Republican primary voters. I am reminded of his chastising the "bigots" who are tired of seeing our schools and communities suffer because of illegal immigration. Too bad his being such a winner didn't rub off on McCain, my friends. Now whenever anyone talks about being inclusive or open minded it means forget your principles but keep the WINNERS in Washington!

Sean| 5.18.09 @ 12:21PM

Graham is just saying what we knew all along. Nothing matters to him except getting reelected. That is why we have so many moderate Republicans that are hard to distinguish from the Democrats. Fiscal discipline doesn't matter, the Constitution doesn't matter, all that matters is getting elected. They are there to serve themselves and not anyone else.

Adam| 5.18.09 @ 12:24PM

Mark my words, if Graham gets a serious primary challenger, he'll jump ship, just like his buddy Specter. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Stan Redmond| 5.18.09 @ 1:23PM

HEY GRAHAM!!! Look what moderates got us. A terrible presidential candidate the LOST. Minority status in the house and senate. AND soon to be 3 or more supreme court nominations that will be filled by a marxist radical. Moderates like YOU and McCain destroyed the party with immigration and allowing Bush to get his way with big government entitlement programs. If this is what we get with republican moderates we may as well vote for democrat liberals. you can take your moderation and pound sand.