Graham: I Won’t Be ‘Constant Critic’ Of Trump Because I Want Tax Cuts

United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina) questions the witnesses during the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing to examine the Foreign Agents Registration Act and attempt... United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina) questions the witnesses during the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing to examine the Foreign Agents Registration Act and attempts to influence United States elections, focusing on lessons learned from current and prior administrations on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Credit: Ron Sachs / CNP - NO'WIRE'SERVICE - Photo by: Ron Sachs/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS

While Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) once described President Donald Trump as a “jackass” and an “idiot,” the South Carolina senior senator has recently become rather chummy with Trump, bonding over their shared efforts to repeal Obamacare with the Graham-Cassidy bill. The pair even played golf together twice in the same week.

The newly forged friendship may have something to do with Graham’s lukewarm reaction to Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Bob Corker’s (R-TN) highly critical and public condemnation of Trump, his behavior and his policies in recent days.

Saying he likes Flake “a lot” and his impending retirement will be a “loss to the Senate,” Graham admitted he does share Flake’s “concerns about what the President said, about the way he behaves,” according to Vanity Fair’s Hive.

The election is over. I’m focused on results, and that’s why I’m here. I’d rather not be a constant critic. I’ll stand up when I need to, but I’m trying to get taxes cut,” he said.

Graham also said repealing Obamacare and “win(ning) a war we can’t afford to lose” are why he won’t take Flake’s advice on standing up to Trump.

Earlier this week, Graham told The Washington Post that it’s important to “keep talking” to Trump and “keep him close.”

Flake announced his retirement during a scathing speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, saying his party needs to stop “pretending” like Trump’s behavior is normal. Corker has been highly critical of Trump for weeks now — ever since announcing his retirement — saying he would not support Trump again and calling the White House an “adult day care.”  

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Notable Replies

  1. Shorter Graham: “I stand up to the president, because his behavior is reprehensible going to undercut our agenda of cutting tax for the rich…”

  2. Even shorter Graham: “I’d sell my mother to a white slaver for tax cuts.”

  3. If I recall, Lindsey’s BFF is John McCain.
    Speaking of John McCain
    ##This is great news for…

    ##Gloria Allred.
    And her fellow practitioners.
    “See ya in court, sucka!”

    Source WaPo

  4. Avatar for jtx jtx says:

    The integrity is overwhelming.

  5. Shorter still: OK, I’m a sell-out.

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