First it was Mitt Romney, next it was Lindsey Graham
Republicans making sense: For the good of the country and the party, I hope the trend continues.
Here’s part of what Graham, a close friend of John McCain and GOP senator from South Carolina, had to say at the “First Draft of History” conference sponsored by The Atlantic:
“As for the fringe elements of the right (the birthers, for example) Graham said Republicans have to call them out — have to police their own ranks.
“We have to say that’s crazy,” Graham said when The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg asked him about the conspiracy theories that have sprung up on the right.
“So I’m here to tell you that those who think the president was born somewhere other than Hawaii are crazy. He’s not a Muslim. He’s a good man,” Graham said.
When asked how he communicates that sentiment to the conspiracy theorists themselves, Graham was blunt: “When I go to town-hall meetings, say, ‘You’re crazy.’ In a respectful way”–a comment the audience seemed to enjoy….
Talk radio contributes to the right’s less constructive tones, Graham suggested, drawing a parallel between the conservative airwaves and the left’s MoveOn.org. When asked about Glenn Beck, the newest conservative-commentary phenom (though, as Graham noted, Beck isn’t necessarily a voice of the conservative clique, but rather his own beast), Graham said:
“Only in America can you make that much money crying…I mean, you know, what [do] I think about Rush Limbaugh? Well, I think he makes hundreds of millions of dollars being able to talk on the radio.”
But the real question, according to Graham, is: “how many people in my business are going to be controlled by what’s said on the radio or in a TV commercial … Glenn Beck is not aligned with any party as far as I can tell. He’s aligned with cynicism, and there’s always been a market for cynicism.”
According to CBS, “Graham lauded Mr. Obama for energizing young people and also engaging Hispanic voters, which he said Republicans had turned off with rhetoric on immigration ‘coming out of certain quarters of our party.’”
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244 comments Add your comment
Mrs. Godzilla
October 2nd, 2009
8:16 am
Thanks Senator Graham.
Peadawg
October 2nd, 2009
8:19 am
Happy Friday everyone! My vacation officially starts in 8 hours!
GEORGE AMERICAN
October 2nd, 2009
8:20 am
WELL THERE GOES ANOTHER RINO SELL-OUT!!!
I SUPPORT THE REAL REPUBLICANS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: JIM WILSON – WHOSE WILLING TO CALL IT LIKE IT IS: LIES!!!!
LIMBAUGH AND BECK ARE SUPPORTERS OF FREEDOM, LIBERTY AND CAPITALISM. LISTEN TO THEM. GRAHAM SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING DOWN THESE REAL AMERICAN VALUES ARE FINDING THEIR FINAL GROUND IN TALK-RADIO!!!
Normal
October 2nd, 2009
8:20 am
It’s too soon to get my hopes up, but I do hope change is coming to the GOP. I want it to be like my fathers party again…
Taxpayer
October 2nd, 2009
8:27 am
We’ll see if reason and sanity previal within the GOP. Right now, they’re two very lonely voices in a sea of deranged.
Darrell Davis
October 2nd, 2009
8:28 am
So sad. Your father’s GOP was cored in “go along and get along”. The liberals loved Republicans who played the role of the tolerated uncle.
Berty
October 2nd, 2009
8:29 am
Enter your comments here
stands for decibels
October 2nd, 2009
8:30 am
Here’s hoping the distinguished gentleman brings forward still more sensible opinions from his closet.
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:31 am
When the Huffington Post, Salon.com and The Daily Koss starts acting civilly, democrats will have a right to demand that the further right starts playing nice.
The hypocrisy of the left is sometimes staggering.
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:34 am
Why is it happening now?
Why are we losing a “won war” in Afghanistan? Why is the world on the brink of a world war over nuclear arms? Could it be that our enemies understand that cowboys pull triggers, but lawyers just want to talk?
Scooter
October 2nd, 2009
8:37 am
Dang, is Jay really saying there is a good Repub out there! Whew!
Finn McCool
October 2nd, 2009
8:37 am
David Brooks has a similar line of thought on these “little men behind curtains”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/opinion/02brooks.html?_r=1
jt
October 2nd, 2009
8:37 am
Senator Graham,
Go join your colleague Spector on the dark side. And take Jay’s boyfriend Romney with you.
Normal
October 2nd, 2009
8:39 am
NIF: cowboys pull triggers? Wow, are you at the Recruiting Office?
Finn McCool
October 2nd, 2009
8:39 am
For every Graham there is a nutjob like DeMint, also from SC.
Joey
October 2nd, 2009
8:40 am
It would be really nice if all Republicans were like Lindsey Graham.
Nice for Democrats.
righty
October 2nd, 2009
8:40 am
Yet another sellout. Do these guys in the Republican party honestly think they’re going to gain more votes by trying to appease the Democrats and act more like them? Did they not learn anything from Bush when he tried it?
If the Republicans want to be legitimate again, they’ll focus on conservative principles. Why else would so many people these days be identifying themselves as “conservative” rather than “Republican”? It’s also the reason people like Beck and Limbaugh have become increasingly more popular; people are tired of all the wishy-woshy attitudes in Washington as well as politicians from both sides of the aisle wasting our money and then asking for more.
It’s a shame that Graham has decided to “play nice” with Obama and the rest of the people in Washington without a clue. Remember this Lindsay Graham: we don’t want ILLEGAL Hispanics in this country and if you don’t get your act together, we won’t want you either. And you would be easier to remove.
AmVet
October 2nd, 2009
8:40 am
The GOP has been a slow motion train wreck forty years in the making. A litany of disasters from Tricky Dick and Spiro, to Ronnie the Thespian, to the flood of religious nutjobs, to Newt the Nut, culminating with the worst of the worst of the worst – George of the Bungle and DickHead.
Like the Titanic they are not going to be able to turn this thing around quickly. Especially with the morons who currently “lead” and speak for them.
I portend more dark days ahead for the fake conservatives…
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:41 am
Normal
Why is it happening? Why is Obama having the problems he is having with our enemies and now, even our friends?
Gale
October 2nd, 2009
8:42 am
I would just love the GOP to show a few good moderate candidates for the next election.
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:43 am
David Brooks slobbering over a few problems with the Republicans while the House and the Senate have huge dim majorities, but can’t even get a vote to the floor.
One again:
Hypocrisy:
Staggering.
Taxpayer
October 2nd, 2009
8:43 am
NIF,
Don’t forget to take your bullet out of your pocket but don’t put it in your gun until Andy tells you to.
Normal
October 2nd, 2009
8:44 am
NIF, The problems with our enemies have always been there, but what are the problems with our friennds or which friends, I should say?
@@
October 2nd, 2009
8:46 am
He’s aligned with cynicism
And the government hasn’t given us all good reason to become cynics? Heck! cynicism towards one thing or another comes from both sides of the political spectrum.
1. cynic: an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence
2: a faultfinding captious critic; especially: one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest
Break it down everyone. We all fit the bill.
I like think of myself as a Skeptical Optimist.
Skeptic: One who weighs the evidence before deciding, and after.
Optimist: One who believes that humans, on net balance, are builders rather than destroyers.
There was a retired military officer on Hannity’s “great, great, great” American panel last night (the only segment of the show I care to watch). He made a comment “When we walk past a mistake, we lower our standards.”
I’m a believer in that.
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:46 am
AMVet starts the day crying about Bush while our economy continues to go down the toilet, our Allies are laughing at us and our enemies are making demands and unanswered threats.
jconservative
October 2nd, 2009
8:47 am
Nothing is Free
“Why are we losing a “won war” in Afghanistan? ”
A “won war”? You are kidding right? President Bush sent troops into Afghanistan to get Osama bin Laden. Please show us a picture of his dead body or a picture of him in handcuffs.
A “won war”? Sir our butts have been kicked for 8 straight years.
Osama bin Laden is still out there. He is in Pakistan but we have troops in Afghanistan.
stands for decibels
October 2nd, 2009
8:47 am
And take Jay’s boyfriend Romney with you.
It’s not very nice to speak of your party’s 2012 Presidential nominee that way. (And for the record, Mittens is the only guy in the GOP I’m even mildly worried about as Obama’s opponent. Otherwise they’ve got Pawlenty of nothin’.)
stands for decibels
October 2nd, 2009
8:48 am
When the Huffington Post, Salon.com and The Daily Koss starts acting civilly
Are these some double-secret representative bodies in the US that nobody told me about?
stands for decibels
October 2nd, 2009
8:51 am
My vacation officially starts in 8 hours!
In case I neglect to say this later, bon voyage, PD!
Where’re you off to, if you don’t mind narrowing it down to a general-vicinity here on the Internets?
jokerman
October 2nd, 2009
8:51 am
Joey……”It would be really nice if all Republicans were like Lindsey Graham.” “Nice for Democrats.”
No need to worry Joey, Graham is only slightly more sane then most republicans!
RW-(the original)
October 2nd, 2009
8:51 am
Enter your comments here–
Meanwhile we lost another quarter million jobs and the unemployment rate that would not get above 8% if we rushed through Porkulous has hit 9.8%
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:52 am
Normal
No. They haven’t always been there. Our enemies have always been there but they weren’t al that happy to face us. The Iraq military leaders asked for more troops, they got them and we were almost done when Obama took office. Now they need the troops in Afghanistan and Obama can’t make a decision. Don’t you understand that the entire world sees his weakness? We try to be civil and modern here, but most of the rest of the world doesn’t have that burden.
Our friends? I would start with our closest ally dealing with Libya, resulting in them releasing one of the most important terrorist of the 20th century.
Taxpayer
October 2nd, 2009
8:52 am
Before I forget, you Republicans are doing a great job getting your message out. Don’t change a thing. It’s perfect in every way, except for maybe folks like Mitt and Lindsey. You might want to sit them down and ask them what they think they’re doing. Then again, they’re too much like that Snowe person — weak and willing to compromise with those people. Just toss ‘em under the bus. That way there will be fewer to split the bounty with too. hehehe
AmVet
October 2nd, 2009
8:52 am
Nowhere Man, quit sticking that Republican pole up your ___ because it feels good.
Our allies aren’t laughing at “us”. They’re laughing at you – the neo-con cowards, the flat-earthers, the BushCo Crusaders and the fascist coddlers.
So enjoy the attention, you’ve worked hard to get it.
Just keep on getting decimated every other November, fake conservatives, and you can get even more…
Bosch
October 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
Graham, like Romney, are trying to distance themselves from the lunatic fringe only to get the support of voters, but when the time comes and they are in full swing campaign mode, they’ll be frothing at the mouth loonies just like the rest of them.
Huh?
October 2nd, 2009
8:55 am
If you socialist libs would open your ears you would hear more “making sense” comments coming from politicians with an (R) follwing their names.
Jay, what is this, the third “birther” article in a week. I sure wish you had the capacity to address a wide range of topics that made “sense”. Expand your horizons. Get out of your cubicle. Quit spending hours scanning The Huffington Post and The Daily Kos. Originality, Jay, originality. I think you may actually have some in you.
AmVet
October 2nd, 2009
8:55 am
Alas, the poor conned.
NOW they seem oh so interested in the economy and jobs and the plight of the average American family and economic justice.
Riiight…Sure…
You dupes had your heads up your “conservative” _____ for so long you don’t even recognize the results your heroes left you.
A giant stinking cesspool…
Taxpayer
October 2nd, 2009
8:56 am
When we walk past a mistake, we lower our standards.
I could not afford the medical bills if I tried to kick that many Republicans.
Jack
October 2nd, 2009
8:56 am
I’m not worried about where he was born, I’m worried about where this Chicago community organizer is taking this country. And I’m worried about his advisors who seem to be as out of touch with reality as he is. The barely concealed delusions & disappointment of those that support him are really cold comfort since so much damage has already taken place.
Bosch
October 2nd, 2009
8:56 am
Huh?
Oh we know there are sensible GOPers out there – like – sigh – Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Maybe I should move to Maine.
TnGelding
October 2nd, 2009
8:57 am
What planet are you living on?
@@
October 2nd, 2009
8:58 am
And NiF nailed it at 8:31.
Notice how jay, a liberal, gets all a tizzy when a Republican speaks out against their own while ignoring the dissent within his own party of Democrats.
It’s a liberal ploy folks. Always has been, always will be.
Subservience. Liberals love it and they want conservatives to as well.
No thanks!
News Hound
October 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Interesting headlines of the day
“THE NUMBER: Unemployment rate to rise…” (hmm, how can this be blamed on Bush)
“Half of babies born in rich world will live to 100…” (this will no longer be the case if Obamacare is passed)
“David Letterman Confession: I Had Sex With Staffers… (so Dave really DOES like Bush)
$2M EXTORTION PLOT…
CBS Man Arrested… ” (looks like Dan Rather needs money to continue his lawsuit)
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
AmVet
**NOW they seem oh so interested in the economy and jobs and the plight of the average American family and economic justice.**
You got it Einstein. Before the dims convinced the country that a $400 Billion deficit was reason to throw out a WORKING Congress, we didn’t need to worry. The economy was roaring.
I hear a lot of crowing about the dims winning elections, but not so much crowing about what they are doing to my country.
david wayne osedach
October 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
How much time and money have already been wasted on this birther nonsense?
TnGelding
October 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
I’ve always liked Graham’s candor. McCain should have picked him as his running mate. And he certainly isn’t a RINO, just an independent thinker.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 2nd, 2009
9:01 am
1. We got a illegal President that was born in Kenya.
2. We need to get rid of these Equal Rights laws.
3. It’s a jungle out there and it’s every man for hisself. The guvmint shouldn’t help nobody.
4. Get rid of all taxes.
5. Secede from this Socialist country and form our own country made up of godly Conservatives.
6. We don’t need no health care reform. If they need help burying their own I reckon we can chip in a little at church.
7. Keep your hands off of my guns.
8. Lock women up if they try to get an abortion.
9. Make Christianity the guvmint religion.
10. No gays anywhere–in the military or in the country.
I reckon that about covers it. Have a good day everybody.
Taxpayer
October 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
The economy was roaring
That was not the sound of the economy roaring. That was the sound of screams from people being pushed over the cliff by the GOP.
TnGelding
October 2nd, 2009
9:04 am
Nothing is Free
October 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
On borrowed money and time. Big business goes wild with a Republican in the WH. Reagan left the S&L debacle. Bush wasn’t as lucky and the subprime lending scheme caught him as he was going out the door.
Turd Ferguson
October 2nd, 2009
9:04 am
It doesnt matter. OboboCare, unemployment and Obobo’s continuing silly campaigning, he is a one-term president. YES!!
More good news…
Jobless Rate Climbs to 9.8 Percent in September
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/02/jobless-rate-climbs-percent-september/
PS…HA HA!