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Some remembrances of others shared upon reflection in the wake of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s passing…
“…remember that Graham voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan; Graham cast those votes in the closing days of the era when senators believed that if a judicial nominee was sufficiently qualified, a senator should vote to confirm… even if the senator disagreed with the nominee’s philosophy.”
In announcing his vote for Kagan, Graham said Obama “chose someone who is qualified to serve on this court and understands the difference between being a liberal judge and a politician. At the end of the day, it wasn’t a hard decision [. . .] She would not have been someone I would have chosen, but the person who did choose, President Obama, chose wisely.”
@jimgeraghty
“…South Carolina's Lindsey Graham was the only question mark going into the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan; the six other Republicans voted no, with all 12 Democrats voting yes. Graham sided with the Democrats this morning, using his remarks to ruminate on Congress' current crisis of partisanship.”
"No one spent more time trying to beat President Obama than I did, except Sen. McCain," said Graham:
I missed my own election -- I voted absentee. But I understood we lost. President Obama won. I've got a lot of opportunity to disagree, but the Constitution, in my view, puts an obligation on me not to replace my judgment for his, not to think of the hundred reasons I would pick someone different. ... I view my duty as to protect the Judiciary and to ensure that hard-fought elections have meaning in our system.
—quoted excerpt(s) from article by Nicole Allan, former senior editor at The Atlantic
President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement of condolence on Sunday following the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11 at the age of 71.
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Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.
He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia's full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.
A staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, in recent weeks, he had been working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders.
America and the world have lost a determined leader.
Our condolences go out to Lindsey’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
…elected Democrats who worked with Graham are remembering him with genuine affection and grief.
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota wrote:
It was a shock this morning to find out that my friend Lindsey Graham has died. He was a man who loved his work, his country, and his family. He didn’t have an easy life growing up and to me that explained a lot about him as well as his devotion to his remaining family members including his sister. It also explained his almost kid-like exuberance about his job and the responsibilities he was given (even in his sixties he would get off a plane in a foreign land with a twinkle in his eye and look at me as if to say, can you believe we are actually here and doing this?).
Lindsey was loyal to friends and causes. He was willing to work on gnarly issues and take on (at times) political risks for the right reasons. It is fitting that he died shortly after visiting Ukraine, one of those causes he would stand up for through thick and thin.
Much will be said in the coming days about his relationships with others—President Trump and John McCain for instance—but what can’t be forgotten is the reason why so many people he worked with—from senators to staff—will mourn his loss: Lindsey had a zest for life and the Senate that made you want to get to work on a bill with him or at least debate him. He brought joy to his job.
Lindsey Graham was the one who was willing to work with me (when so few would) on helping the Afghan refugees. I remember standing outside of a little phone booth in the Republican cloakroom last year as he spoke with the Vice President, holding up a sign that said “Save the Afghans” and he put the phone on hold and said “OK OK I will go on your bill even if it gets me in trouble.” Or his early willingness to lead on big tech bills, including repealing the provision that protects them from consumer suits.
But mostly my fond memories of spending time with Lindsey (and we travelled the world with John McCain) was not about the ups and downs of his policy positions. It was about his love for the world, his loyalty to hard causes and his friends, and the pure joy he brought to life. I will miss him.
@amyklobuchar
