Lindsey Graham Dies; Neo-Cons Across The Country Are In Mourning

Sen. Lindsey Graham Dies at 71:The senator died from a 'brief and sudden illness,' his office said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died from a “brief and sudden illness” Saturday evening, his office said in a statement.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement shared on X read. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at the time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

The 71-year-old was elected to the Senate in 2002. During President Donald Trump’s second term, Graham was a close ally, supporting the president’s military actions against the Iranian regime.

A longtime hawk on Iran, Graham leaves a legacy of backing policies aimed at isolating the country and limiting its missile and nuclear programs, among his many other achievements.

Left unsaid is Graham's unbridled excitement at anything that could possibly lead to military intervention anywhere on the planet! And two failed wars in 20 years, and military involvement almost literally everywhere didn't dampen his enthusiasm for spilling American blood and spending American treasure in foreign lands. His excitement at any expansion of the Ukraine border dispute is legendary, although his 10 trips to Ukraine seem a bit over the top, even for a senator. His savage hatred for Putin seemed personal! His recent change in tone with respect to Islamist Turkey getting F-35s was troubling, and doesn't make logical sense when contrasted to his solid and unwavering support for Israel. Although it might have been as simple as supporting his friends in the defense industry with expanded sales, and geopolitical considerations be damned!

Senator Graham seemed to put on the mantle of "maverick" that sadly didn't disappear with John McCain's death. At times he seemed to be running his personal foreign policy that was sometimes at odds with the President.

But the people of South Carolina kept reelecting him, because whatever his quixotic behavior as a senator, he understood local politics very well and took care of his constituents! The big question is what happens now? The governor will appoint a replacement, and the people of South Carolina elect a replacement Republican nominee in a special election in August to contest the general election in November 2026. The Democrat challenger is Dr. Annie Andrews, who last ran against Nancy Mace...and lost.

Is South Carolina in play for the Democrats? Probably not, but the good people of the Palmetto State have been electing Graham for quite a while, so their judgement when it comes to the proper conduct of a United States Senator is just a bit suspect.

posted by CBD at 12:00 PM

| Access Comments