Work with Dems turns former ally into political foeBy Robert Behre (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
In 2002, Lexington orthodontist and high-ranking GOP official Buddy Witherspoon followed the party line and backed Lindsey Graham for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Strom Thurmond's retirement. Today, Witherspoon hopes to limit Graham to one term. 
MCT Sen. Lindsey Graham Graham says he is proud of his record, particularly his joining with fellow senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain to urge changes in President Bush's Iraq policy, which resulted in a troop surge the administration says has lessened the violence there. He also is proud of being one of the most sought-after senators for Sunday talk shows and for his record of reaching across the aisle to try to make progress on veterans' health care and spending issues. But for Witherspoon — a Republican National Committeeman for more than 11 years —that last part is the rub: the reaching across the aisle. "He's shifted somewhat off center," Witherspoon said, explaining why he chose to run against Graham in the June 10 GOP primary. "Some people tell me, 'I didn't know we elected the third senator from New York or Massachusetts.' " Witherspoon also cited Graham's participation as one of the "Gang of 14" that reached a bipartisan compromise over handling judicial nominations. Then, there was Graham's support of Bush's immigration bill — a bill also backed by Democratic senators. "It sounded like amnesty (for those who have entered the country illegally). It walked like amnesty. We thought it was amnesty," Witherspoon said. "That was another nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned." Graham said he is running on his record. "Following Senator Thurmond is a tough act, and I think I've tried to be the best senator I can be as Lindsey Graham. I think I've earned a reputation in Washington as someone you can work with, a valued ally and a worthy opponent." "The longer you do something, generally speaking, the better you are at it. In year five, I'm a better senator than in year one because I understand the body better. I know where the pressure points are," he added. Graham said he wants to be re-elected to continue his support for the global war on terror and to work on the most challenging issues of the day, such as entitlement reform and immigration reform. 
Melissa Haneline Buddy Witherspoon Witherspoon said he would work on ending frivolous lawsuits, ensuring that trade agreements don't cost American jobs and working on energy, including drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "We've got to get our house in order. We can't wait forever," he said. Graham said he also is proud of the work he has done to bolster the Savannah River Site's role in pursuing alternative fuels. While he was disappointed that the nation couldn't find bipartisan ground on Social Security reform or immigration reform, he said he hopes to work on that during the next six years. "We can't expect perfect Republican or Democratic bill to be passed. I'm a realist when it comes to that." While Witherspoon didn't back a GOP candidate during the state's January presidential primary, Graham was one of McCain's most visible supporters here. "I would work well, as best I can, with whoever becomes president, but I don't have a closer friend in the world than John McCain," Graham said. Few observers give Witherspoon much of a chance — and not only because Graham has raised more than 10 times as much money and has endorsements from most of the state's most-prominent Republicans. Clemson political science professor Dave Woodard, who worked on Graham's U.S. House campaigns in the 1990s, said Graham appears to be in the catbird's seat. "There are some who really don't like him, but by and large, I don't think the majority of GOP primary voters are going to reject a senator who has been as visible and generally successful as he's been," he said. Witherspoon, who has donated $220,500 to his own bid, said he considers himself an optimistic underdog. "You would have to call it a David-and-Goliath race, but I've been there and done that before," he said. "I'm very encouraged." While they might talk about different issues, the paramount choice before state Republicans is whether they want a senator who follows a harder party line. "As a South Carolina senator, I would reach across the aisle, but I wouldn't give up on my principles," Witherspoon said. "I'm not going to move across the aisle to join with the other side." Graham said his counsel for Witherspoon is this: "There are 51 Democrats up here, and they're not going to go away." The Candidates LINDSEY GRAHAM WEB: lgraham.senate.gov/public/ WEB: lindseygraham.com/proven/ RAISED: $3.52 million SPENT: $1.28 million CASH ON HAND: $4.78 million DEBT: $0 BUDDY WITHERSPOON RAISED: $351,163 SPENT: $93,612 CASH ON HAND: $257,911 DEBT: $10,158 |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by SCVOTER on May 6, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bigot:
"A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own."
How does anything in this article make him a bigot? I would say he is guilty of being too tolerant of other views.
No wonder you are a Republican Mr. 1776.
Posted by theronce on May 6, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SC elected a dem to take out Beasley and get the lottery. Could happen here too.
Posted by CNN_10 on May 6, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr Witherspoon has a snowball chance of winning. So i am going to put my money on Graham.
Posted by carolinadude on May 6, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good morning all! Graham has blown it with most conservatives in SC for a number of reasons not the least of which was his support for "shamnesty for illegals" in the immigration bill last year. But he blew it with many more when in a speech before La Raza last year, he referred opponents of amnesty as "bigots". That's not to even mention that he's become known as "light in the loafers Lindsey" across the state and in Washington.
Posted by icbmman on May 6, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CNN_10, it's complete morons like you that give us imbeciles for political office like Graham and McCain. Instead of actually believing in the underdog and rooting for him, you will mindlessly follow the crowd, like another cow joining the herd.
Graham has destroyed his reputation as a true conservative and true Repub with his many legislative actions and his words. He is no better than some liberals, which is why he needs to be removed.
Witherspoon may not have much of a chance, but I will vote for him regardless.
Posted by zoomru on May 6, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Troops!
Carolinadude....DEAD-ON! Once people realize he bent over just like Clyburn to Senator BYRD of W Virginia in letting the PEE DEE region get the SHAFT with that COAL-FIRED PLANT being built!! Not to mention "other" issues coming to a boiling point!! Get ready for FIREWORKS!!! Buddy should have him on the COBURG COW!!!! HA!
Posted by CNN_10 on May 6, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a matter of fact i am voting for McCain and Graham in the primaries. But as always i enjoy the name calling it is fun. So again Buddy better stick to being a Republican committee member.
Posted by mac0cm4 on May 6, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Imagine that, an elected official that actually works for the common good instead of sticking to party lines and he's being forced out by the party.
When will people realize the bipartisan crap doesn't get anything done?
Posted by zoomru on May 6, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TROOPS!
The Gov is starting to steal the THUNDER of all other officials combined!!! LINDSEY GRAHAM has had no voice on moving OUR STATE Forward on ANY ...ANY ISSUE!!!
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps
/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20080506
/NEWS01/305060004/1001
/NEWS&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL
The TABLE IS BEING SET FOR BUDDY TO EAT...WELL!!!!!
www.startech.net
Posted by crankyyankee on May 6, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer I think you set your expectations to low and you're to willing to accept mediocrity in your leadership. Lindsey will be re-elected by a landslide as he is the embodiment of South Carolina leadership. His condescending attitude and inability to compromise lends itself well to the local political climate.
Posted by amylrod on May 6, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is still another candidate to consider : Mark McBride.
His website is markmcbride.us
He is running as an independent.
Posted by KidYendor on May 6, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem with Republicans is they only want to "reform" bad policies. They will not get rid of or abolish anything. They will not reduce spending. How do you spell wussies? Voting out Lindsey might bring "change" and be a warning to the rest of the Republicrats come primary season. We must sacrifice Lindsey to save our country. It may already be too late though.
Posted by greyrider on May 6, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reaching across the aisle is one thing, but Republicans should be fair and consistent, not hypocrites. Graham is every bit the "flipper" that John Kerry was. If you oppose one for that reason, you should oppose the other. Graham cannot be trusted.
Posted by greyrider on May 6, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, ColdBeer, Buddy Witherspoon looks like he could be pro wrestler-turned-slasher film actor Kane's dad.
Posted by zoomru on May 6, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TROOPS!
Need an all out BLITZ on DHEC as per this article
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps
/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20080506/NEWS01
/305060004/1001/
NEWS&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL
Quote:
"
MRR Southern wants to build a construction and demolition landfill on 140 acres that border Interstate 385 on one side and Lake Martin, a water supply for Laurens County.
DHEC denied MRR Southern a permit for the site in 2006 after Laurens County Council changed a law. MRR Southern filed suit, and Laurens County settled and repealed the changed law. The company now is seeking a DHEC permit.
DHEC spokesman Adam Myrick said a decision could be make in two weeks.
This is UNBELIEVABLE!!! visit www.startech.net
OUR TRASH IS WORTH MONEY!!!
NO MORE DUMPING!!!!
Posted by greyrider on May 6, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Our political system is broken, quite possibly beyond repair."
The answer is simple, but highly unlikely. If we paid attention to the tenth amendment, that would solve 90% of the problem. The Feds, democrat, republican, liberal conservative, doesn't matter, are better left with as little responsibility as possible. Too many of our problems are nationwide, there's nowhere to go. If the 50 governors and state legislatures ran the country, we would be fine. If a state didn't properly serve its people, they would move to a neighboring state - translation - the tax base would leave - thus holding the politicians' feet to the fire. As thing stand now, where can you go? Canada?
Posted by WhoCares on May 6, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Supposedly the worst-kept secret in Washington is that Lindsey Graham is gay. Sure bet old Strom is rolling over in his grave knowing he was replaced by a homosexual!!! Now we know why the Democrats like him so much!
Posted by icbmman on May 6, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
<<TP wrote: "Our political system is broken, quite possibly beyond repair.">>
I actually find myself agreeing with TP here. It is broken, and I'm afraid that the only viable way to fix this country sounds extreme, but necessary: another revolution. The Declaration of Independence even points out that when a government fails to protect the liberties of its people, it is necessary for the people to abolish such government.
I know, it sounds over the top and extremist, but if we follow what our forefathers pronounced, the solution makes sense.
CNN, I'm very disappointed that you are nothing but a party hack. If anything, you McCain and Graham supporters are basically toeing the party line: do anything to stay in power and look good in the media. "Reaching across the aisle" is not good leadership...its appeasement. Bush is guilty of this idiocy as well with the No Child Left Behind Act, the amnesty bill, and the energy bill. Leaders actually stand above the crowd with their ideas and principles; they don't compromise, especially with absurd ideas of liberalism.
Posted by greyrider on May 6, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
icbmman, I "support" McCain, but only as the lesser of three evils. But I don't think the revolution idea is so far-fetched. I don't think we are quite there yet, but I can't say as far as 4-5 years from now. I wonder how many people here saw, or remember the militia hearings in Washington that were televised in the mid-90's. Some of those guys were a little goofy, but a lot of what they said made sense. We've lost a lot of freedoms....from both parties. They key is getting good candidates to actually run for office. The "freshman class of 94" was great but they soon grew tired of the corruption in Washington. We need another group like that to get in and stick it out.
Posted by greyrider on May 6, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As soon as I hit "send" I remembered Graham was part of that freshman class of '94. Oh well, every class has a class clown.
Posted by CNN_10 on May 6, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lindsey Graham and John McCain work with the Democratic Party and that is what politics is about. As for this Buddy guy hell he will not work with the moderate Republicans or Democratic. Also he does not even have the money or resources to even beat Lindsey. Expect for Lindsey Graham to win another term because there is nobody else who can beat him right now.
P.S. I am loving the name calling keep it coming because i am LAMO with these comments. I like the last comment calling me a party hack first time ever called that.
Posted by icbmman on May 7, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CNN, I'm sorry about that. Yesterday was a VERY stressful day for me, and I was out of line. I do apologize. I still am disappointed that you have such allegiance to McCain and Graham, but I understand that McCain is the only lesser of the other evils that are running. As for Graham, he has a tendency to follow McCain frequently, which, IMO, makes him unsuitable for office...he's a follower, not a leader. I hope Witherspoon can pull it off...