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

[Maverick80229]

First it was Graham vs. Webb, then Graham vs. Biden. I don't know why the Repubs keep feeding this lamb to the lions, but I hope they continue! :-)

I'd like to see Graham vs. Boxer next.

Oh, the humanity!! *S*

[AfzaalKhan]

To be honest I dun like Republicans politics, but you gotta give it to them to sticking to their guns and most times American will vote for someone who can stick to their guns compare to whiny wimpy democrates. Right or wrong Republicans have conviction of their ideas and will go to any length to fullfill it, where as democrates when pressed will crumble, take FISA bill and immunity for telecom companies, to Iraq war funding. Republicans shut down the govt and democrates crumbled. Truth is bitter pill but it must be stated.
Colin Powell advised Mr, Bush regarding Iraq war, if u break it you own it, America has to see through Iraq, Mr. Bush & co went to Iraq war with full backing of American Public. American Public can't complaint abt being decieved as it was thier responsibility to ensure that thier govt was honest. Is it surprise that politicians lie?

[tdpubs]

I would spend a little time watching CSPAN for a week to get the real scoop on current politics. The American public cannot intelligently vote based on Corporate media information. There is so much manipulation in the media and from the politicians and their surrogates that it's impossible to make an educated decision. Fox News and other broadcasting and cable channels have a vested interest in keeping the public uninformed and under-educated.
Unfortunately, politics is not as simple as good vs bad. The FISA bill is not a single statement or motion on the floor. There are too many options, amendments and compromises to judge it on its surface merits.

The TV shows never covers an issue to the point where we the people can actually understand the pros and cons as well as the options. Keith Olbermann's show seems to be one of the few shows that actually covers a topic without the Republican MSM talking points.

[going2ireland]

What country do you live in? I ask, because your logic is not of one who has lived through the last 8 years of h*ll with the Boosh Admin.

[bobdob]

Lindsay needs to practice crying on cue. This could have been perfect if he'd just laid his head on the desk and broken down, sobbing: "Oh, dear Lord! I had such high hopes for our country! And now our young Senator Obama has turned out to be just like all the rest!" (Rips jacket to shreds, tears eyes out with fingers.) "Dear Lord, have mercy on us, for our hopes were raised so high, only to fall into this Hades of hopelessness and despair!"

Grandma Graham is just looking out for what's best for the country.

[springsm]

Maybe he ought to have dinner with Boehner and learn how to cry on cue. Why is it that any picture of this man causes my gag reflex to become active. Does "all the rest" include himself.

[Dannydel]

Please, just let it all be over with...soon. If I have to watch much more of these lying, right wing fruit loops, I'm gonna shoot the t.v.

[Genisa]

I'm right behind you. I had to change the channel otherwise I was going to smash my t.v.

[TXFreedomFighter]

I was shouting at the TV again Sunday morning! Do the Repubs think we are all too stupid to see through their continued bullshit? Let's throw the bums out!

[SeriousBlack]

Absolutely - the Repubs are so desperate and they got nothin'. It is at once incredibly irritating AND embarrassing to watch them going through their "last throes" (except in THIS context, unlike Cheney referring to Iraq, the phrase "last throes" is apropos).

For my mental and physical health I am coming to the conclusion that I am just going to have to not watch any news from now until Nov 4 and then go out and vote...

[lvogt]

Graham was playing the role of the rival attack dog. With Obama's switch on campaign financing, he had something to work with. He was however quite obnoxious about it.

[greginwva]

The GOP can complain about Obama fundraising prowess all they want but the people dont care and probably wonder how its a bad thing to turn down 82 Mil from the government.They may be more worried about the new fad of female suiciders(for you bushies) and American soldiers being sitting ducks for roadside bombs waiting to take a leg or life.Im guessing that they'll think raising money 25 bucks a clip from regular folk as a pretty reasonable alternative to pblic financing.I sure do.I just hope he does better than he did in May,or that 82 mil may look pretty good.

[lwaxanatroi]

make that attack puppy. cocker spaniel puppy.

[win2kpro]

A pre-civil war legislator James Louis Petigru once stated; "South Carolina is too small for a republic, and too large to be an insane asylum."

Lindsay Graham just reinforces the fact that this statement is as true today as it was almost 150 years ago.

[futurefile]

Who left that closet door open? Could somebody PLEASE close that closet door! We are trying to have a reasoned debate about Lindsey Graham and it is really hard to do with that closet door open! It creaks, too.

[PopulistPagan]

Too Funny and Too True.

[Gretchoid]

Isn't Lindsey Graham an ordained minister (too)? Remember his sanctimonious questions and statements during Clinton's impeachment hearings? The RNC brings him on when they need someone to preach and talk over the other panelist as if he is not there...the guy never takes a breath. He's a 'toon from Toontown. Spare us.

[Passenger57]

My kingdom for some DIP....

[RoloTomassi]

Jeez, maybe I'm confused or just missing something here, but IIRC, Olbermann read all of Obama's response originally written on his campaign financing pledge [seems there was a word count limit], and it sounded to me as though he's been conditional about this finance issue from the beginning.

What is troubling to me is that there seemed to be a concerted effort by the MSM [blatantly so on CNN] to IGNORE the complete statement, create more of an issue than there should be. It's one thing if all the facts lead to the conclusions being drawn, but when they exclude information / edit the story to be more controversial, that really pisses me off.

The fact that he decided to fight with a bigger financial arsenal in order to win--in a manner that is still avoiding major contributions by lobbyists--after he had been clearly conditional about public financing, is a plus IMO.

My take is this: the polls are skewed so much as lose their predictive qualities, and the MSM knows this. Obama will take this thing by a landslide, so they're doing their best to create fodder for coverage, regardless of facts. I had the distinct feeling yesterday, when watching the sunday talking heads, that all of the corporate big wigs had given them their marching orders on what to push and what to exclude in regard to Obama's campaign funding.

[wolfgirl]

a voice of reason!!!why is it called''reversel of stand''when we hear about mc cains filp flops??? didn't mc cain already tap into illegal money during the primary??and why do none of the talking heads report this?

[LibDrummer]

This "promise to AMerica" was a checked box on a questionair, nothing more. It followed by a lenghty explination that clariffeid a postion that I beleive Obama has not changed from at all. When Graham read the comment, he deliberatley edited out the explination part. Obama had only promised to discuss the financing, he never commited one way or the other. The same survey wes given to McCain and he simply left it blank. Is that to be called his "promise to America" too?

THey have nothing to run on and are scared to death, The beating is coming and it is going to be brutal and they know it. They are in damage control, full spin mode now. Like a desprite cornered animal, they have nothing to loose and that makes them dangerous. Ty will continue to try to create issues out of any misrepresentation they can create. People are tired of this BS style of politics and all we have to do is shine the light on them and let them do thier little dance, the people have longs since realized the emperor has no cloths.

[RoloTomassi]

"When Graham read the comment, he deliberatley edited out the explination part."

Yup, I noticed that too; I remembered hearing Olbermann read the entire statement, so I was waiting to see if he would read all of it. I was also hoping that Biden would call him on it, but that didn't happen.

[vjkaty]

Brian Williams must have known the MTP job went to Tom Brokaw thru the November election. He did not need to be aggresive with a strong Joe Biden.

Lindsay Graham , John McCain and Joe Lieberman = The best and the brightest ? NOT
They will all retire and hope for book contracts soon after the election.

I am voting for Obama/Biden

[rollingdivision]

Problem is when you make a signed promise to use the public financing system, when you base a large portion of your career supporting it and then walk away when it's politically advantageous it's extremely hard to defend. How many meetings, as he said the would have, have the candidates had about using the public finance system before breaking his word? None.

[RoloTomassi]

If you actually read the his full answer, there's nothing to defend; typical rethug manuver to exclude the parts they find inconvenient.

[rollingdivision]

Please post his full answer.

[BushBites]

Lindsey Graham is very "theatrical."

(If you know what I mean, and I think that you do.)

[spqesq]

Toe-tappingly theatrical.

[RoloTomassi]

A wide-stancer?

[ReasonableBill]

Lindsay as a good "born again" is going to use anything to get someone from their party into office. As time goes by the magic and important - read that as you have to be kidding - Conservative Evangelicals - will AGAIN use every dirty trick in the book to defeat Obama.
They have a problem this time, the subject of gays and abortion has been worn out, except for those 29% that still love Bush and think he is doing a great job.
My concern with McCain's age is his running mate. If McCain gets in the VP becomes VERY important and let us all pray it is not Romney or Graham. It would be like having Pat Robertson bringing back Jerry Falwell for a "Team Religious Right America".

[Forsetti]

So John McCain reversed his ideas, opinions and beliefs from 2000 "for the people", not to get the Republican nomination? I'm sure that he really wants to believe this but he sold out to win. Pure and simple.

[trackpad]

Lindsey Graham was so disrespectful of his opponent and of the opposing view in this interview. He sat there half the time making stupid sarcastic snarls, or looking bored, or making other ridiculous faces.

He needs to playback the tape and realize that if he'd behaved like Plugs his arguments would have seemed slightly more credible. That is to say, if he hadn't come across like a sarcastic, undisciplined teenager getting a lecture from his parents. (rolls eyes).

Politicians need to understand that it isn't the guy across the table they are facing off with, it's generally half the country you are taking on. Disagree, and argue passionately with them. But do it respectfully and you'll look much bigger. Don't condescend to them, or outright crap on them through the hole between your buttery jowls.

[Jinxykb]

His body language is very telling: He is fidgety, his eyes are darting all over the place, his body is turned away from Biden and he can hardly look Bri-Wi in the face. He KNOWS he is out of his league with Biden, he is clearly lying and extremely uncomfortable with what he is saying.

The bad news is that he is a lying, pandering, putz; The good news he probably isn't a sociopath! ;-) (or he would have done a better job at lying).