The Transformation Of Lindsey Graham

on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters after a cloture vote for the nomination of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, at the U.S. Capitol, October... WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters after a cloture vote for the nomination of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, at the U.S. Capitol, October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted 51-49 in a procedural vote to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

In one of the most dramatic transformations under President Donald Trump, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has gone from Trump critic to the President’s most ardent friend and supporter in the Senate.

And his loyalty seems to have paid off — per CNN, his approval rating with Republicans currently hovers at 59% and he has become a much-desired surrogate on the midterm campaign trail.

Graham says that he talks to Trump more than he did to “any other President combined,” access that is paying off in speaking roles before raucous crowds on the campaign trail, the likes of which he has rarely experienced in his multi-decade career.

Per CNN, Graham also says he attributes some of his newfound celebrity to his performance at the hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, where his vehement defense of the soon-to-be-justice won him the approval of the scads of Trump fans who felt that Kavanaugh was being maligned.

“I don’t think there’s any room in the party for wanting him to fail,” Graham told CNN. “If they see your criticism is designed to want him to fail or not support him, then you’re in trouble.”

Latest News
83
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. He is a vain chameleon shifting colors to match the decor of the strong man he ihas attached himself to.

  2. Lindsey is the archetypal story of having sold your soul and last vestiges of integrity and humanity directly to the Devil. But beware, there is always a steep price to pay; and I, for one, will enjoy watching him pay it.

  3. Performance at the hearings is what it was. It was appalling.

  4. Avatar for imkmu3 imkmu3 says:

    He sell his daughters to Trump if he thought it would benefit him.

  5. Avatar for jinnj jinnj says:

    ??? Lindsay Graham has daughters ?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

77 more replies

Participants

Avatar for mikeinmadison Avatar for old_curmudgeon Avatar for imkmu3 Avatar for cervantes Avatar for bluinmaine Avatar for egyptsteve Avatar for tacoma Avatar for ignoreland Avatar for esva Avatar for jeffrey Avatar for thomasmatthew Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for jinnj Avatar for kuhwaver Avatar for dommyluc Avatar for originalbob Avatar for kathya Avatar for centralasiaexpat Avatar for justruss Avatar for evave2 Avatar for zillacop Avatar for forcryinoutloud Avatar for thisisourcountry Avatar for haddockbranzini

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: