Sen. Lindsey Graham Flacks McCain, Offers Hysterical Histrionics On Meet The Press

We took note of this on this morning's Sunday Morning liveblog, but Lindsey Graham's hilariously operatic, garment-rending performance on Meet The Press this morning deserves a special mention of its own. Pressed into duty to defame Obama for opting to continue his own fundraising process in lieu of the public financing he agreed to take way before he had any idea that his own superior method of public financing would prove itself to be far more effective, Graham came to show with a pocketful of woe and a story of Barack's broken promises. He quickly spun this into melodramatic gold, pretending to be stung and betrayed and emotionally out of tune over the matter.

It all culminated in this histrionic moment, where Graham appears to almost tear up and bemoan the waste of Obama's "talent" and "potential" over this issue. It's quite riveting! Mostly because it's so utterly, hopelessly, transparently fake! This is like watching some kid break down and weep, "Say it isn't so, Shoeless Joe!" because the White Sox fixed the 1919 World Series, except the kid is secretly a Reds fan and hates the White Sox and anyway wants to grow up to fix as many games for John McCain as possible. That's the level if disingenuousness.

Anyway, consider this Graham's audition reel for Days Of Our Lives, where he insists that "The reason John McCain is going to beat him is because John has put the country ahead of the desire to win for himself."

You want a quick shorthand for how to tell if the candidate has put your needs ahead of his desire to be President? It's really easy. You ask: Did the candidate offer us a gas tax holiday? If the answer is "Yes," then NO HE JUST WANTS TO WIN, THE END.

[WATCH.]

GRAHAM: That's news to everyone who listens to what he said and this is just really sad for the country. For somebody with this much ability, this much talent, to fall this far, this soon. The idea that we're going to change this country and do things that are hard and tough and keep one's word is music to the American people's ears. Well, let me tell you, what he did by breaking his promise, is reinforce every bad thing wrong with politics and he can talk about it, Joe, till the cows come home. This guy wants to win, he'll do anything to win. And the reason John McCain is going to beat him is because John has put the country ahead of the desire to win for himself and that's going to be the defining issue in this election.

Comments

[new logic]

this is that same Rove politics .....project your weaknesses, lies and hypocrisy on to your rivals, billary did it now mcsame and his minions are doing same

[isisdawnra]

Mcain is an elderly ,forgetful, inept old man...

Lindsey lost his calling as a "day time soap" actor

he is........ as they say.......

" an over done Virgina ham"

[Raymondf]

Non-Issue no comment.

[TheScarletPimpernel]

It is ironic indeed that the GOP is complaining about a "black man not being on the Govt dole "

It is hilarious to watch them squirm about someone refusing Govt money. LMAO, this is a losing argument for them I have no idea why Obama's reaction to this foolishness has been so tepid.

[musselmanm]

Is this guy a relative of Lou Dobbs?

[rubyrubyruby]

The reason McCain will win is because the electorate will vote for him.

[TLV]

They really are that dumb, aren't they? The headlines post election day about the stupid, thoughtless voting habits of some Americans won't just be on a British newspaper...they'll come from all around this entire globe.

[WFV]

It amazes me that people still consider voting Republican at all. Really.

[theone718]

Wow I was actually hoping an article would be made for that utter crap. I thought he was soooooooooooo damn fake, like Obama opting out personally and emotionally hurt his concious. Actually it might have since a whitewash is coming for McCain with that decision made.

[Chrys]

The funniest part of the whole of the MTP thing was the part that, Sen. Lindsay Graham said Barack Obama would do anything to win.
Oh my God....I wish I could lecture Sen. Lindsay and his likes in the Republican party on who would do anything to win. I was a little bit disappointed that Sen Biden could not list the things McCain has done so that he can win...
Gas tax free holiday, Rev. Hague and Parsley, Tax cut for the rich, Americans would stay in Iraq till 2013 as opposed to his 100yrs, Change election while his political umbilical cord is still tied to Bush and the Repugnant party, drilling offshore.... I would be asking Sen. Graham if I should continue with the list. Senator Obama has asked the American people to finance his Campaign and rightfully so, so that he would be answerable only to the American people.
Not Sen. McCain´s public finance gaming of taking money from the lobbyist and the Oil Companies as his twins Bush did. Answering only to the calls of Cheney and Harlliburton and big time Oil Companies and Wall Street.
The American people deserve better.

[UpstateNY]

I thought Biden looked great - sharp, reasoned, calm. He actually said things that made sense, he answered Brian Williams' questions. He was actually my favorite in the primaries. Now I'd love to see him as Vice President.

Brian Williams, on the other hand, didn't really do very well. No follow-ups - he let Graham say the same things over and over without answering any of the questions.

I guess I miss Tim - hope the heavenly MTP went well.

[bronceye]

Barack hasn't even been elected yet. However by turning down public funds, he has already saved the treasury $85M. Mccanes is on the public teat for the same amount. What does that say?

[BlueLogic]

Biden showed his usual class and savoir fare by wistfully recalling how wonderful Tim Russert was, while screeching Lindsay was too busy bristling at Obama to utter a kind word for the fallen moderator of MTP. No class, Lindsay, no class.

[mistlesuede]

I too noticed that he didn't bother to even mention Tim Russert, while the pain is still so strong across the country. Watching the show multiplied the pain for me. Brian Williams was not very good and I don't expect Brokaw to do any better. I sure hope I am wrong.

[pattio66]

When I sat down to watch MTP last night, I had no idea it would be so comedic. Graham's smirking reminded me of the boys I went to junior high school with in the '70s...maybe his mama should have named him Beavis!

[poeticjustice4all]

Lindsey Graham is the single best thing Democrats have going.

If the Dems were smart people -- which is in doubt -- they'd never say another nasty thing about him. In fact, if Dems want to secure a Presidential victory, they'd feature Senator Graham in blogs and op-ed pieces as one of the few Republicans truly worth listening to.

Whining that Mr. Graham is just another melodramatic "flak" and making similar complaints about McCain's best buddy, actually shields him from view by lumping him in with other Republican politicians.

[magggs]

I'm glad it wasn't just me. I had to mute him or my blood pressure would have made me black out. Great article and liveblog also--gave me some laughs out of a sad sad performance from Mr Graham. Hope all the voters in his state enjoy his proposal to drill off their beautiful beaches.