Don't worry Senator Lindsey Graham (R. SC), your old buddy George W. Bush is here to save you from the Tea Party:
http://www.thestate.com/...
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s campaign contributors include former U.S. President George W. Bush.
Bush contributed $5,000 to Graham’s campaign, according to his most recent campaign finance report filed Oct. 15 for July through September.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to have President George W. Bush’s support. With every passing day, Americans appreciate more and more President Bush’s clarity on the War on Terror and his strong support of the private sector,” Graham said in a statement.
“It was a privilege to work with him during his two terms to cut taxes, confirm conservative judges, build a strong military, and grow the Republican Party,” Graham continued. “One thing I appreciate most about President Bush is that he was a bold leader willing to tackle the most important and difficult issues of our time. This type of bold leadership is missing in Washington today.”
“President and Mrs. Bush are tremendously respected and admired by South Carolina Republicans. South Carolina is – and always will be – Bush Country.” - The State, 10/24/13
I'll be interested to see how Graham's Tea Party challengers will respond to this. Graham, a hardcore Neo-Con war hawk, is going up against a more bigoted but Libertarian Republican party. We'll see. Meanwhile, Graham's Democratic opponent, Jay Stamper (D. SC), has come out for marriage equality:
http://www.fitsnews.com/...
In an op-ed posted on his campaign website today, Stamper wrote in part:
“The issue of marriage equality is one that politicians everywhere are eager to avoid. In South Carolina, where gay marriage is banned by the State Constitution, the issue is even more politically problematic, especially for Democrats.”
“I fundamentally believe marriage equality is not a minor issue to be minimized, ignored or treated as a political inconvenience. It is a civil rights issue affecting millions of people who are our neighbors, friends and family.”
“…the U.S. Constitution requires equal protection under the law… rights given to one group by law should not be denied another. In my view then, it’s simple: gay couples must not be denied the right to marry.” - FITS News, 10/23/13
By the way, Stamper knows his position and his past will be attacked by Graham but is ready to fight tooth, nail and claw:
http://www.fitsnews.com/...
Stamper received probation and more than $10,000 in fines related to his former business – Federal Savings. According to prosecutors, Stamper’s company was misleading investors and selling unregistered securities.
Stamper disputes that characterization.
“I received very bad advice from lawyers, acted on that bad advice and ended up paying a heavy price for it,” Stamper told FITS. “I never lied, cheated or stole. No one lost any money except for me. I took responsibility early on and made it my continuing priority to make sure my investors received the promised return on their investment – even contributing $600,000 of my own money to make sure that happened.”
“The bottom line is that we all make mistakes,” he said. “I have my issues, Lindsey Graham has his issues and then there are the real issues: jobs, education, infrastructure, tax reform, the budget crisis.”
“I expect to be hit hard on this by Lindsey Graham, who sees scandals everywhere, from Benghazi to the IRS Tea Party scandal,” Stamper added. “Of course the real scandal is that Graham voted to authorize over $1.4 trillion in spending for overseas engagements and nation building when we desperately need nation building right here in the US for infrastructure.” - FITS News, 10/24/13
If you would like to learn more about Jay's campaign, you can do so here:
http://jaystamper.com/