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

[markusmarkus]

I was disappointed that Sen. Obama wasn't true to his pledge to meet with Sen. McCain as a means of reaching an agreement on financing their campaigns. I think he stumbled on this - made the wrong decision. That's not what I or other supporters expected of Sen. Obama. Yeah, yeah, yeah - wake up, he's a pol. But I am still disappointed.

Obama08

[richardgordon]

I think its worth keeping in mind that Barrack Obama is not Jesus Christ. He is a politician. And politics is a sneaky Machiavellian game in which the object is to appeal to as many voters as possible. If you are too idealistic, as Gore was in 2000 you are going to lose some key states. So the objective is to find somebody who has the best combination of toughness, intelligence, integrity, as well the darker abilities of manipulation and deviousness.

[MetryJen]

Yep. The key word is "pragmatic."

[smoo]

I wouldn't use the term politician when pragmatic might be a little more appropriate. I don't think he should have waited time playing cat and mouse on this. This was just a way for Republicans to pull him into a 3 - 4 week distraction that would eventually end just where we started, with them equivocating. Republican Strategist don't give a hoot about what this means to the people. So Obama bit the bullet, took some leadership, and made a decision. Let the Grahms "do what they do".

The only Americans really disappointed are the ones who will not be voting for Obama under any circumstances. Period. The only problem is these people will now be more outraged. Why? Because Obama is beginning to make it clear to them that, "I can't please everyone" and "if you don't want to be pleased by me...then you want be - now let's keep it moving."

This attitude scares the s@*t out them because they know he might actually win. The sad part is that they are alienating themselves from a guy who wanted to work them.

I am nice guy. I like to please. Sometimes to much. But I have learned somethings about some opponents. Under no circumstance can you please them. None.

[rollingdivision]

They didn't have a single meeting before he broke his pledge.

[Tommygun264]

He gave an opinion on a questionaire, not a "pledge". Stop parroting the 'pub party line.

[spqesq]

Lie.

[BLinCincinnati]

It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that a meeting would be pointless. John McCain is hurting for money, he has no option but to take the public financing. He's also made it clear he has no desire to stop the 527's. He's made it very clear he intends to use this to score political points.

There was zero point to the meeting because nothing would be accomplished other than McCain trying to handicap Obama, by limiting his money and then swiftboating him, or playing this "broke his word" line.

A meeting was pointless. John McCain had zero intent of playing a high road race.

[ldjfm]

It is my understanding that a meeting did take place. See below:

Bauer's version: A meeting, and 'no basis' for more talks

Obama counsel Bob Bauer e-mails that, contrary to McCain counsel Trevor Potter's account, he and Potter had an extended discussion of public financing options, which he left convinced that they left "no basis for further exchange."

Trevor and I met at my office on June 6, and we discussed the June 18 panel and then, for 45 minutes, the public funding issue.

I asked him to address a serious of issues of concern to the Obama campaign — such as the McCain campaign's active raising and spending of private money since February for a general election campaign, including for media, while we were still in the middle of a primary contest. He gave me his perspectives — the best arguments he could offer for an agreement on both sides to accept public financing — and it was clear to me that these offered no basis for any further exchange.

Not too long thereafter, John McCain announced he could not and would not "referee" 527 activity.

I am sure Trevor will clarify that I did not at any time counsel him on what choice the McCain campaign would make about accepting or not accepting the public grant.

[Halsey]

Marcus...I too am disappointed..but..have to say...in spite of the broken promise...Obama did the smart thing..my gawd!...you think McNuts would take public funds IF he had a $400 mil war chest...no way..

and..come one..it's not like anyone DIED over this 'reversal" (or...if you want to call it a white lie..go ahead...)....it's not like "WMD's" in Iraq!..for chriisakes..gonsalesgate or Cheney's secret meetings..I mean..let's put this in perspective..yes..it's too bad...but..not worthy of all this talk (yup..I'm taking about it..my bad).... so...slap Barack's hands...make him promise to think before checking a box next time...and MOVEON.org :-)...

[Americanium]

Damn !!! You can see the contempt that Graham has for Obama. Sneering and curling of the lips as if he cannot bear the thought that Obama actually has a strong shot at becoming President.

One thing we know is that there never will be a President Lindsay Graham. Thank God!!

[tombollocks]

You're right. The last thing we need is a monarchy or Queen Lindsey.

[Lautenberg]

Did Linsey look stupid or DID BIDEN JUST STRIP HIM DOWN TO SIZE.

Give credit where credit is due. If Biden was VP he could make anyone look as clueless as Graham. He is that smart, I rarely see a politician willing to speak his mid in the way Joe Biden does. He would protect Obama and bring the independents and left leaning republicans. This will bring more votes than simply an advantage in one state.

The pundits tell us that a politician must ONly look at the map for VP. Balance on a ticket is more important.

[RoloTomassi]

Biden owned Graham; all he could do was whine and talk crap.

[newunderground]

When Oh When will "confirmed bachelor" Lindsey Grahm come out??? Lindsey, Please shut the closet door!

[SonnyBono]

Listen if Lindsey Graham were half the man Ann Coulter is, you wouldn't be saying such nasty things about him (Her?) - oh, never mind.

[oncethere]

Funny. I think Lindsey is also a bit confused.

[Witchitalineman]

Lindsay Graham is such a little weasel.

[Tommygun264]

He's in a snit because Obama is wiping the floor with his man-crush McSame.

[nyboomer]

sleazy little weasel is more descriptive.

[MPeter]

You could just see the hate in his eyes. He is indeed MCSame's little Chihuahua. He is pathetic to watch.

[oncethere]

Recently, there was a report of Sen. Mitch McConnel throwing a "hissy fit" over something in the Congress. Now, we have Sen. Graham becoming "hysterical" over Obama and public financing. I'd much prefer to watch re-runs of "Queen for a Day."

[elmoor]

Please be aware that if the Oil Companies are allowed to purchases leases offshore that are currently banned, it will be the Oil Companies that will be leasing that land to the windmills and solar panels that could be used offshore instead.

How smart of the Oil Companies and the Bush/McCain administration! This way theyy can continue to rape us even after oil is obsolete.

[missette]

I only saw Graham's cheesy performance this morning and found it quite amusing. Imagine. Obama refuses to be a good little Democrat and lose as a matter of principle! How dare he! My of my. What goes unsaid and as many posters have pointed out. (but the MSM largely won't) is that Obama's funds are in the true spirit of public financing. What the Republicans are REALLY mad about is that real people will have the ear of Obama should he be victorious, not the hedge fund managers, not BIg Oil, not oil speculators, not the predatory lenders, not the war profiteers...need I go on? Not only that, but we all know we've only begun to understand the full extent of the corruption of the above. Just wait till the full story comes out post-Jan. 2009

[dawlishgal]

Graham is such a petulant little whiner with a pathetic case to make. Bider was fabulous in putting him down. Graham was like one of those pesky wasps that refuse to go away, and Biden just kind of toyed with them, and then basically called him a liar.

So Obama decided to not take taxpayers' money, and the Republicans are trying to paint this as BAD!

Lots of luck with that case for that group.

[JDHART]

I hear that he's having a lot of trouble with his own campaigning. It's because he's a Bushie. And because Lindsey is a girl's name. I hope he losses BIG.

[Lautenberg]

Biden wiped the floor with him. He should be VP.

Obama/Biden '08

[harriscrl3]

I'm starting to think there is nothing more frightening to the GOP and McCain than Obama opting out of public financing. I'm sure they are going to get as much mileage as they can out of that one but its motivated by nothing but fear and this is one of the reasons why they did NOT want Obama in the general election why they would have prefer Hilary its because the amount of money that he can raised dwarfs the amount that McCain can raise significantly and that means he can spend money to bleed McCain and force him to spend money in areas where he never would have even bothered spending money. Obama financial advantage can also upset some of these congressional races. If he can get more people coming to the polls democrats could have a bigger advantage in congress.

I wish that Obama's surrogates would be more forceful when they attack. I was kind of surprise by Biden usually he is more aggressive than he was yesterday maybe he is missing Tim Russert like I was.

Carol

[Fritch]

I posted this last night as a reply by mistake so I am posting it again.

Wow! I guess if Joe Biden had schooled me on facts, I'd flip him the bird too. Take a look at the 1:22 mark and see if you agree with me. Notice Graham's facial expression and how he tilts his head to the right as he scratches his temple with his middle left finger. Graham knew exactly what he was doing. I see juvenile behavior quite frequently in my junior high school; I didn't think I would see it from a legislator in the United States on national TV.

Please expain to me why Congress can't get anything done? Oh, that's right, it's the Democrats who are blocking legislation. It has nothing to do with the juvenile behaviors of those compassionate conservatives like Lindsay Graham and Mitch McConnell.

[Tommygun264]

"My boyfriend can beat up your boyfriend!"

Pathetic.

[LizM]

These Sunday talk shows are really worth your attention. You just need to use your own good judgement and common sense to cut through the crap and focus on the individuals who really know what the real deal is and who are not afraid to articulate it forcefully with eloquence.

[SkelDaddy]

Lindsey for Shrub's Wingman's er...Wingman