That's just a guess, of course. I don't know the guy, so I can only speak to what I see on the TV.
It was Lindsey's choice to back McCain, but I just can't help feel a little bit sorry for him. Not a lot, but some. As one of John McCain's top surrogates, he doesn't have much to work with, and that has to be pretty tough. And he's got to try to defend some really unpopular positions; like continuing the war in Iraq indefinitely, subsidies for big oil, tax cuts for the rich and the fact that McCain supports Bush 95% of the time.
No, it can't be easy being Lindsey Graham these days, hitting the talk shows to defend Sen. McCain. He has practice, though. He did coach Sam Alito before his Senate confirmation hearing (which got Lindsey into a bit of hot water ethics-wise), so he's used to working up a defense for people who don't really have one.
I wonder if Sen. Graham really enjoys being McCain's #2 apologist (we're giving Lieberman top billing, and from the looks of the most recent CT Presidential polls, that's not working out too well). There's really no advantage in being on the wrong side of every issue, but he's going to risk it again anyway. After being bested by Sen. Kerry recently on This Week, Graham will go up against the Senator again tomorrow on Face the Nation. You've got to give Graham credit for wading into that.
Video Credit: neonmauve
I love the end of that clip. Poor Lindsey, getting interrupted by Sen. Kerry when he's trying to spin the facts. Now, was that nice, Senator? Lindsey had a talking point to push, and you didn't let him have it. Tsk, tsk.
I'm guessing last week's General Clark interview is going to come up. I really hope it does, because the traditional media has made a big fuss over something the General didn't say, and it needs to be cleared up. And Schieffer will want to give himself a chance to redeem himself from his over-the-top conflation of McCain's POW experience and qualifications for the Presidency. It made him look a little silly, and he'll probably want to work on his credibility. These guys are supposed to at least give the appearance of impartiality. And I want to hear Graham try to defend McCain's use of a Swift Boat Liar in his 'truth squad'. Now that'll be something to pity if Sen. Kerry gets hold of it. He doesn't seem to like those guys much.
Poor Lindsey. It can't be easy for him.
On second thought, Lindsey voted against the GI Bill.
Video Credit: frickprogress
Wow. I think I've just gotten over my little bout of empathy for Sen. Graham. He's also backing Bush's Columbia trade deal, as is McCain, which can't play well with the victims of NAFTA here at home, and just like McCain, he recently flipped on oil drilling. The Middle Class.org has given Senator Graham a failing grade on issues important to middle class America three years running, and he's on track to make it four straight. Interesting. McCain's record isn't much better, although he's working on improving his failing grades of the past two years. Sen. Obama got an A+ last year, and right now he's at 83% for 2008. Sen. Kerry's looking at a perfect score to go with his honor roll-like grades from previous years. Wonder why these stats don't come up on the Sunday shows?
There's got to be a reason Graham is putting so much time into McCain's campaign other than their unified position against middle class America. Is he just after the AG spot, or is he aiming a little higher?
