Do the Dems Want to Win on Iraq?

Jay Newton-Small
Time Magazine
Article Excerpt

With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threatening to keep the Senate in an all night session over Iraq, it’s worth considering what a Democrats’ win in the current legislative battle over Iraq would really mean — and whether they really even want one.

Republicans accuse the Democrats of overstepping the lines between the executive and legislative branches. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that such a scenario would result in “a mistake for the ages.”

“The worst thing we could do in this war of any other war is start micromanaging deployment of forces by Congress,” Graham said. “The operational control of the war residing in the Senate or House would be a nightmare. Politicians worry about the next election.”
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Graham Breaks $4 Million Cash-on-Hand Mark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Graham Campaign Office
(803) 748-0300

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s re-election campaign has now gone over the $4 million cash-on-hand mark.

Early reports suggest Graham’s $4.04 million will once again rank as the 3rd highest cash-on-hand figure among the twenty-one Republican Senators up for re-election in 2008. Graham trailed only the Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky ($5.7 million cash-on-hand) and Senator John Cornyn of Texas ($5.6 million cash-on-hand) who represents the nation’s second-largest state.

Graham raised $543,616.77 over the past three months and collected a total of $1.75 million since the beginning of the year. The quarterly financial report, covering receipts and expenditures from April 1 through June 30, was filed this weekend with the Secretary of the Senate.

“Senator Graham is deeply appreciative of the strong showing of support, financial and otherwise, and will continue to provide a leadership role in the United States Senate,” said campaign manager Scott Farmer. “Whether it is supporting the War on Terror, fighting to confirm conservative judges, securing our nation’s borders or any other difficult issue, Senator Graham has stepped up time and time again. South Carolinians have come to expect strong leadership from their Senators, and that’s exactly what they’ve received during Lindsey Graham’s first term in the Senate. We look forward to sharing Senator Graham’s conservative record of achievement and leadership with voters in South Carolina.”

In the second quarter, Vice President Dick Cheney was the Featured Guest at a reception in Washington benefiting the campaign. All Republican U.S. Senators endorsed Graham in his re-election bid and served as Co-Chairs for the event. At the reception the Vice President called Senator Graham “one of the outstanding members of the Senate.” He continued, “The President and I were delighted to help in his very first campaign for the Senate back in 2002… We are delighted to stand with him again to be certain he gets re-elected to the United States Senate.”

Conservative talk show host and television commentator Sean Hannity also headlined a May luncheon in Columbia for the campaign. During the luncheon Hannity remarked, “Senator Graham, you have been steadfast. You have never wavered. You have never vacillated. Your commitment has been one thousand percent.” Video of Hannity’s full remarks can be found at www.lindseygraham.com

Lindsey Graham for Senate Cash-on-Hand: $4,040,395.93

Total Receipts for the Second Quarter of 2007: $543,616.77

Total Disbursements for the Second Quarter of 2007: $185,195.57

Webb, Graham spar over Iraq war

UPI
Article Excerpt

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defended the U.S. military surge and countered that the war is “very much part of a global struggle” against al-Qaida and radical Islamic terrorism.

“The new strategy of getting more combat power where al-Qaida and others reside I think has been enormously successful,” Graham said. “Al-Qaida has come to Iraq. (Osama) bin Laden has said this is the equivalent of the third world war. So what’s going on in Iraq is not about us wanting to own Iraq; it’s about us supporting a form of moderation not known to the Mideast.”
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Meet The Press – July 15, 2007

Senator Graham appeared on Meet The Press, July 15, 2007 to discuss the importance of giving General Petraeus and our troops in Iraq a chance to succeed.

Click here to watch the video

Lindsey Graham Newsletter

Thursday, July 12, 2007

President Bush speaks about our Senator On June 28, President George W. Bush issued the following statement: “Senator Graham is a leader in the Senate and I appreciate his steadfast dedication to confronting important issues before the Congress on behalf of the American people. He has been a tireless advocate for reforming our broken immigration system and I thank him for his hard work. The people of South Carolina are fortunate to have Lindsey Graham as their United States Senator.” Sen. Graham to appear on ‘Meet the Press’ this Sunday (July 15) Sen. Graham will appear in NBC’s Meet the Press with Tim Russert this Sunday, July 15. For local listings for your area, go here. “It is not often…that so few have so quickly changed so much.” Lindsey Graham played a leading role in pushing through the confirmations of both Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. Ed Gillespie, the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee who served as a White House point man for the confirmations, called Graham a “hero” for his work. And how much of an impact have Roberts and Alito already had on the Supreme Court and the laws of our nation? Justice Steven Breyer, who often rules the opposite way from long-time conservative Justices Scalia and Thomas summed it up best when he said, “It is not often in the law that so few have so quickly changed so much.” There is no doubt that conservatives have won several major victories from upholding a ban on partial-birth abortions to limiting the impact of race in decisions by school districts. The New York Times even went so far as to say, “It was the Supreme Court that conservatives had long yearned for and that liberals feared.” Good news indeed. Go to the New York Times’ website to read the entire story. Sen. Graham spends 4th of July with troops in Iraq Sen. Graham spends 4th of July with troops in Iraq by James Rosen of The State, July 7, 2007 Excerpts from the article: While other Republican senators break with President Bush over Iraq, Sen. Lindsey Graham returned from his seventh wartime visit there with renewed hope that the U.S. troop surge is producing results. “The military part of the surge is working beyond my expectations,” Graham said. “We literally have the enemy on the run. The Sunni part of Iraq has really rejected al-Qaida all over the country. We’re getting more information about al-Qaida operations than we’ve ever received.” “Of all the things I’ve got to do as a member of Congress, that’s probably at the top of the list – being in Baghdad on the Fourth of July, in the middle of a war, surrounded by soldiers who are signing up to do it yet again, surrounded by another group of soldiers who are literally fighting to become citizens.” In Baghdad, Graham enjoyed lunch and dinner with two groups of troops from South Carolina, including a contingent that is anxious to return home in 30 days. “To a person, they could see progress on the military side,” Graham said. To read the complete story, click here. “Don’t pull the rug out from under the troops” Wait for Gen. Petraeus Editorial in The (Charleston) Post & Courier, July 12, 2007 Excerpts from the Editorial: The push by Senate Democrats and a small number of Republicans to repudiate the current U.S.-Iraqi military offensive and force a retreat makes no military sense, and has no prospect of immediate political success. But it should be a warning to the Iraqi government that time is running out for the political reforms that are an essential part of the strategy being pursued by President Bush. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., returned last week from a visit to Iraq. He says, “In the short term, the best thing we can do is strand behind General Petraeus. The demise of al-Qaida is possible and will occur if we keep the pressure on.” Sen. Graham was blunt: “The central dysfunction of the Iraqi government is real. I am in many ways more depressed about the political reconciliation in the short term.” Sen. Graham urged his Democratic colleagues, “Wait until September. Don’t be the cavalry for al-Qaida. Don’t pull the rug out from under the troops.” Click here to read the full editorial. National Review Says Graham a Member of the ‘No-Surrender Caucus’ The No-Surrender Caucus: A Senate Honor Roll by Kathryn Jean Lopez in National Review, July 12, 2007 Excerpts from the article: Republicans who have dramatically distanced themselves from the commander-in-chief on Iraq this summer are news. That’s in part because there are many other Republicans in the Senate – ones who are not blind to polls or bad news, but who believe it’s their role right now to trust the general they sent to Iraq, on the frontlines, and give the surge a chance. Senator Lindsey Graham on Wednesday gave an effective floor speech that ultimately blocked a Jim Webb amendment that would have required congressionally mandated R&R time for our deployed troops. Graham said, “The intent of the amendment is to take care of the troops. I don’t question anybody’s intent. If you want to take care of the troops, let them win.” Read the National Review column here

Wait for Gen. Petraeus

The push by Senate Democrats and a small number of Republicans to repudiate the current U.S.-Iraqi military offensive and force a retreat makes no military sense, and has no prospect of immediate political success. But it should be a warning to the Iraqi government that time is running out for the political reforms that are an essential part of the strategy being pursued by President Bush.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., returned last week from a visit to Iraq. He says, “In the short term, the best thing we can do is strand behind General Petraeus. The demise of al-Qaida is possible and will occur if we keep the pressure on.”

Sen. Graham was blunt: “The central dysfunction of the Iraqi government is real. I am in many ways more depressed about the political reconciliation in the short term.”

Sen. Graham urged his Democratic colleagues, “Wait until September. Don’t be the cavalry for al-Qaida. Don’t pull the rug out from under the troops.”

Click here to read the full story.

Graham Meets with President Bush to Discuss Iraq

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today traveled to the White House to meet with President Bush and discuss the current situation in Iraq. He made this statement after the Oval Office meeting.

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet with President Bush and brief him on my recent visit to Iraq.

“President Bush remains firm in his belief that we must give General Petraeus and our troops time to carry out the new strategy. He understands the new strategy has already greatly diminished Al Qaeda in Iraq. The military progress is undeniable, even if the Iraqi political reconciliation efforts have not been as successful.

“General Petraeus is making great progress in crushing Al Qaeda in Iraq. Al Qaeda overplayed their hand by engaging in incredible acts of brutality and barbarism against Iraqis living under their control. In turn, Iraqis are breaking free from them and joining forces with us. The only thing that would allow Al Qaeda in Iraq to make a comeback would be to prematurely stop the surge.

“The defeat of Al Qaeda in Iraq should be our Number 1 priority. It will lead to a more stable Iraq and a safer world.”

Graham Statement on Earle Bedenbaugh Appointment

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he was pleased with the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to appoint Earle Joiner Bedenbaugh of Newberry County to serve on the Farm Service Agency’s state committee in South Carolina.

“I’m very pleased President Bush has decided to appoint Earle to this most important position,” said Graham. “Earle has been a successful agri-businessman and is one of the finest individuals you will ever meet. He understands our state’s agricultural community and will represent us well in this important position.”

FSA state committees are responsible for the general direction and supervision of state FSA programs. Committees keep farmers informed of agency program activities while resolving appeals and complaints. Members also maintain cooperative relationships with the agribusiness community.

Bedenbaugh has farmed for 32 years specializing in seed production, beef cattle and forestry. As part of the farming operation, he conditioned and processed seed for wholesale and retail sales.

Bedenbaugh was deputy administrator for state and county operations under the former Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in Washington, D.C. He also was the ASCS state executive director and a member of the ASCS state committee in South Carolina.

Bedenbaugh is very active in many agricultural, government and civic organizations. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry from Clemson University in South Carolina and served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War.

Graham Statement on Immigration Reform Bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the Senate immigration bill.

“Several months ago, I met with President Bush at the White House to discuss our out-of-control problems with illegal immigration. He asked me if I would help him push immigration reform through Congress and I gave him my word I would. I support President Bush and admire his leadership. I will be forever grateful for his work to try and solve this difficult problem.

“President Bush and I made it clear we would not compromise on our guiding principle that securing our nation’s borders must be our first priority. Our plan made unprecedented efforts and provided over $4.4 billion in funding to secure our nation’s borders and deal with immigration in a comprehensive manner.

“The legislation first and foremost secured our border. It also established a new comprehensive employee verification system for all workers to ensure people are in the country legally and eligible to work. We were going to break the cycle of chain migration and institute a new merit-based immigration system to attract the best and brightest from around the world. And we were instituting a temporary guest worker program to meet our nation’s labor needs.

“If the bill’s failing leads to Congress finding a better solution, then the American people will have won. If the status quo and broken immigration system continue to go unaddressed, then the American people lost. I do fear our failure to act will only allow the problem of illegal immigration to grow worse and the anger felt by some Americans will grow more intense.

“I worry that local and state governments will begin to act more aggressively and create a hodge-podge of laws. While the President’s legislation was not perfect, it was honest, realistic and an improvement over current law. Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff, who is responsible for enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, made it clear that in some cases the tools he needs to control illegal immigration are either non-existent or very weak. I’m disappointed some of the tools he wanted and desperately needed to control illegal immigration were left on the Senate floor.

“The American people have a historically low view of Congress. We seem unable to do the public’s business and find consensus on difficult issues.

“Finally, I want to say a few words about my friend and colleague Jim DeMint. We found ourselves in an unusual situation. While we usually agree, President Bush and I have very different views from Jim on the best way to address this contentious issue. Jim held firm to his beliefs and was a very strong advocate for his position.”

Graham Amendment Institutes Mandatory Prison Sentences for Illegal Aliens Who Re-enter the U.S.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced and passed an amendment to the Senate immigration bill which institutes mandatory minimum prison sentences for illegal immigrants who cross our nations’ borders.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that between 20 and 30 percent of all of the illegal immigrants physically removed from the United States try to return. In 2004, 169,000 illegal immigrants were removed and nearly 65,000 returned. In 2006, there were 195,000 removals and 37,000 returns.

“One of the biggest flaws in our current immigration system is that repeated, illegal border crossings are not considered criminal events,” said Graham. “The Graham amendment requires mandatory jail time for those who continue to violate our border. This is a major, long overdue and much-needed change in our immigration policies.”

Illegal aliens deported from the United States who return will face stiff penalties.

• The first reentry offense is a mandatory minimum of 60 days to a maximum of 1 year in jail before again being deported.
• The second offense is a minimum of 60 days to a maximum of 2 years in jail before again being deported.
• For the third and subsequent offenses, the illegal alien would serve at least 2 years to a maximum of 10 years in prison before being deported again.

“The amendment will allow our Border Patrol agents and courts to forcefully deal with illegal reentry,” said Graham. “After 9-11, we must show the world we are serious and have the national will to impose prison sentences on those who illegally enter our country.”

Graham noted the amendment contains even stiffer penalties for illegal aliens who have committed serious crimes, served their time, been deported, and then reentered the United States.

• An illegal alien who has spent 5 years in prison or an illegal alien with 3 or more felonies would serve a minimum of 4 years to a maximum of 20 for illegal reentry.
• An illegal alien convicted of a violent crime such as murder, rape, or terrorism would serve a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 20 years for illegal reentry.

“There have been thousands of illegal immigrants prosecuted for serious crimes, served their time in jail, been deported and then illegally returned,” said Graham. “We are serious about the violations of our immigration laws and this amendment helps makes clear protection of the border is the first order of business in immigration reform.”