Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is at it again.
At a press conference today, he wasn’t sure if bloggers deserved First Amendment protections:
“Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves,” he said. “Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”
After backlash on Twitter, Graham tweeted a correction, saying: “Just to be clear, every blogger is entitled to constitutionally-protected Freedom of Speech.”
Graham, who is well-known for making outrageous statements, is the co-sponsor of the federal media shield law, which was revived after the Associated Press revealed that the Department of Justice recorded phone data from its reporters.
Graham loves the media spotlight, and often uses it to criticize his Republican colleagues, as he did early this week when he attacked Darrell Issa for calling Jay Carney a paid liar. Such comments have drawn heat from his constituents, and he is expected to face a strong primary fight next year.
A few candidates’ names have been brought up repeatedly, the most notable of which is Rep. Trey Gowdy, from South Carolina’s 4th district. Gowdy is well-known for being a conservative bulldog in the House and has highlighted his political skills recently during his grilling of Lois Lerner. In a fight between Gowdy and Graham, Gowdy might be a good bet.