The question often gets asked in Washington: What in the world happened to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)?
In 2015, Graham was an ardent anti-Trumper, remarking that then-candidate Trump was “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot,” and urging fellow Republicans to stay the hell away from the Donald.
Now, however, Graham cannot seem to heap enough praise on the president, leading some to speculate that perhaps the senator us being blackmailed by those faithful to Trump.
But in a new interview with Mark Liebovitch of the New York Times, Graham admits the real reason for his sycophancy is as craven and self-serving as you might expect: He wants to try to get re-elected in 2020, telling Liebovitch:
“In our business, you’re not defined by the 80 percent agreement. You’re defined by the 20 percent.
“If you don’t want to get re-elected, you’re in the wrong business.”
Graham added that his willingness to be Trump’s lapdog is merely an attempt to “try to be relevant.”
That sound you hear in the background is the late John McCain spinning in his grave.
Does Graham trust Trump? His response seemed less than enthusiastic:
“Do I trust him? I trust the president to want to be successful. He will change his mind in a New York minute. You never know where he’ll be. I mean, I woke up one day, and we’re pulling out of Syria.”
Yet on Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to build his border wall, Graham sees his support of Trump as little more than an exercise in being a good soldier:
“This is the defining moment of his presidency. It’s not just about a wall. It’s about him being treated different than any other president.”
Being treated different than any other president? Really?! How conveniently Senator Graham forgets that for eight years the current president suggested that his predecessor, Barack Obama, was an illegitimate head of state because he allegedly hadn’t been born in the United States. Yet Lindsey has the gall to suggest that Trump is being picked on?
Hey, Lindsey, how about giving us a call when you finally grow a set and recover your missing memory?
Featured Image Via CNN
