For years, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was regarded as a meek, soft-spoken centrist Republican. Then, during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, something changed. So disgusted by the way Justice Kavanaugh was treated by the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, Graham was transformed, emerging as Lindsey Graham 2.0.
...the Ninth Circuit has often been the place where justice goes to die...
Hell
The new and improved Graham, a strong ally of President Donald Trump, is among the toughest and most outspoken politicians in America. In a recent interview on Fox New, he lambasted the Democrats for how in 2013 their Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), replaced the longstanding Senate tradition that Supreme Court appointments required a supermajority of 60 votes with a simple majority vote. The so-called “nuclear option” was designed to push through a leftist candidate. Graham said that the decision would come back to haunt them.
That time may be approaching. Progressive icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 86 and suffering declining health; odds favor another justice appointment during Trump’s presidency. Graham 2.0 told Chris Wallace he is ready to give the Democrats hell:
“I hope Justice Ginsburg serves for a long time, but if there’s an opening on this court, I’m going to be hellbent to put a conservative to replace whoever steps down for whatever reason.”
Wall
Graham is far less confident when it comes to the border wall. He does not see a real chance of the Democrats wanting to reach a compromise and has advised the president to declare a national security emergency, hoping such an order would not be held up in court.
Lindsay Graham
Graham’s lack of confidence indicates he is not optimistic about the prospect of success. The notorious United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has often been the place where justice goes to die, and legal activism is born. The odds are stacked against the president, so Graham’s pessimism may be warranted.
However, even this pessimism has a spike of Graham 2.0 in it. At least he is showing a willingness to fight, and that is something the Democrats are not used to. People who fight may not win, but those who give up are destined to lose, as Republicans have done for so long.
Spine
For a long time, conservatives have been invertebrates; Graham has proved that even they can grow a spine. Despite the gloomy national mood of a country in crisis – or perhaps because of it – unlikely heroes like Graham are emerging to fight for the future of America.
No one can accuse him of being a deplorable. He has spent his entire life as a gentleman with impeccable credentials. He is not radical but brings steadfast moral guidance from the center. America needs more politicians like him.
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