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FOR THE JOURNAL
David Woodard, political scientist at Clemson University
CLEMSON — While political supporters of Sen. Lindsey Graham continue to be widespread, the criticism he’s facing now may only get worse down the line, especially in 2014 when he’s up for re-election.
David Woodard, a political scientist at Clemson University, said times now are different, and voters aren’t crazy about moderates.
“Moderates generally don’t do well in S.C.,” Woodard said. “The electorate here likes people who are more ideological and willing to ‘take a stand.’ Look at Jim DeMint, he is waltzing to re-election without any opponent, and is likely to win overwhelmingly. He is perceived as ‘strong’ while Graham is perceived as ‘compromising.’
The last presidential election compares to the current situation as well, Woodard said.
“Look what happened in 2008 with the “moderate” McCain, he was destroyed. Now Graham still thinks the “moderate” label works, but most of the GOP base likes conservatives ... especially when Obama is so liberal,” he added.
And while Graham said he believes in working with both parties to solve key issues such as energy independence and immigration, Woodard said a new technological era may make him regret that.
“Lindsey has always had a history of independence from the GOP party line. He bucked Newt Gingrich, President Bush and now the remaining conservative Republicans. He doesn’t run until 2014, and he hopes voters have short memories, but YouTube, Facebook and phones with cameras make for lasting images now. It’s not the way it used to be.
“Politicians hoped that voters had short memories, and would forget about their past voting record in the year before re-election. Fritz Hollings, former U.S. Senator, used to do outrageous things, but then come home to be conservative the year before his term ended. I think the game has changed now, and “voters remember in November.”
And in the end, Woodard said Graham could be a new face on the democratic side of things if he keeps up his moderate run.
“Lindsey has no abiding political philosophy, unlike DeMint who writes books on what the country needs,” he said. “Look at races in Florida, New York and Virginia, and you’ll see that the conservatives are ascendant. Lindsey Graham is the next Arlen Specter, the GOP senator from (Pennsylvania) who went over to the Democrats.”
jsibley@dailyjm.com | (864) 882-2375
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November 12, 2009
11:29 p.m.Report inappropriate content
That's kind of a low blow for the democratic party, even in SC. I'm sure they can do better than Lindsey Graham.
November 13, 2009
6:58 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Dream on, Dave.
November 13, 2009
8:17 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Jim Demint is perceived as "strong"? In whose book? In my perception he is perceived as rather weak, and ignorant. And thank goodness my vote counts. Why not ask a different political scientist at Clemson? I know for a fact there are more varied choices than this guy.
November 13, 2009
9:05 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Many opinions & PERCEPTIONS out there and one opinion (when it's just an opinion) carries no more weight than another even. Ignorant????
November 13, 2009
9:54 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Mr. (Dr?) Woodward, your bias is showing.
"The remaining conservatives in Congress," "With Obama so liberal," DeMint percieved as strong" How far down the looking glass have we fallen that Graham could be considered a Democrat? It's obvious this guy is using Democrat as a negative and is doing nothing more than laying talking points for whatever idealogue Teabagger wing-nut that ends up challenging Graham next year.
Great news story. This stuff needs to be saved for the editorial page.
November 13, 2009
9:59 a.m.Report inappropriate content
openup, I value your opinion on Jim DeMint, if you're against him that means he must be good. LOL He's got my vote.
Lindsey Graham is a putz, always has been.
November 13, 2009
10:06 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I also don't like the "Can't we all just get along?", middle of the road, conservative today and liberal tomorrow record of Graham. If there's anything that liberals and conservatives alike have to credit former senators Jesse Helms and Edward Kennedy with, it's consistency. We always knew where they stood on issues. Helms was always conservative, Kennedy was always liberal, and the voters in Raleigh and Boston knew what they were getting in both. Not so with Graham. During the 2008 campaign, he glued himself to the moderate McCain, and has aligned himself with Kennedy and now John Kerry on liberal issues. Jumping back and forth across the fence doesn't cut it with me. Now he's riding in the global warming panic wagon with other hard core liberals, on a bill that will skyrocket our energy bills. I'll continue to vote for conservatives, even if it means third party, and not accept the lesser of two evils. I'll also be expecting an election year conservative conversion by Lindsey Rodham Graham, but I'll also "remember in November".
November 13, 2009
4:10 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Well said Sparrow and llinsin
November 15, 2009
6:53 p.m.Report inappropriate content
A known Democrat is better than a phony RINO & taht is all Graham is. He consistently is a fence sitter who tries to have it both ways. His vote on the tax & cap bill was ridiculous, he support Sotomayor & I am almost willing to bet he is the one that supports this ridiculous healthcare bill in Senate
November 16, 2009
8:29 a.m.Report inappropriate content
L Graham lost my vote when he voted FOR the new Supreme Court Judge. I emailed him and told him so. (Like he actually knows or would even care).
November 16, 2009
9:45 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Funny to consider that Teddy Rosevelt, Eisenhower, and even Nixon would be considered RINOs and raging liberals by today's Republican Party standards.
November 16, 2009
10 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I didn't care for the man when he was a practicing attorney in the county...and he was supposed to be MY attorney. He did nothing but talk down to me and treat me without any respect, so his talk of his "working class roots" makes me ill!! He made a total jacka_ _ out of himself during the whole Clinton impeachment deal(and I'm a registered Republican!!)He's the last person in the world who should judge anyone's morals.
And yes, I voted against him in the last election and plan to do so again if it comes down to it.