November 16, 2009
Posted: November 16th, 2009 10:02 AM ET

From
Lindsey Graham is taking heat in a new ad.
Lindsey Graham is taking heat in a new ad.

Washington (CNN) - An energy advocacy group is launching another television ad in South Carolina taking aim at Sen. Lindsey Graham for his support of energy legislation that would include a cap-and-trade program.

The 30-second spot is the latest salvo in an ongoing campaign against the Republican by the American Energy Alliance, a group funded in part by oil and gas companies that has spent roughly $375,000 over the last month knocking Graham on South Carolina's radio and TV airwaves.

The newest ad comes one week after Graham was censured by the Charleston County Republican Party for supporting the legislation, the latest indicator of the senator's difficult relationship with grassroots conservatives in his home state.

"Energy is the lifeblood of our economy, from home to work to play," a narrator says in the ad, as viewers are shown images of basic everyday tasks that require electricity, oil and gas. "Energy fuels us.

"So why would Senator Lindsey Graham support a new national energy tax called cap and trade, which could sign increase electricity bills, gas prices, and cost American jobs? Call Senator Lindsey Graham. Tell him you're turned off by his support for cap and trade."

Patrick Creighton, a spokesman for the American Energy Alliance, said the group is spending $75,000 to air the ad across the state.

"We're not going to let up," Creighton said. "As long as we have the resources we're going to continue campaigning in South Carolina. We just think the senator is offering a way forward that's just smoke and mirrors."

A spokesman for Graham did not respond to a request for comment on the ad. Graham has said he would only support cap-and-trade legislation as part of a bipartisan compromise that would include provisions to expand nuclear energy and offshore oil and gas drilling.

Filed under: Lindsey Graham


Wes B.   November 16th, 2009 12:13 pm ET

I don't get these whacko people out there that act like Cap and Trade is some super-liberal idea. As a moderate liberal, I see Cap and Trade as a compromise between the left and the right.

It just seems that the Conservative wing of the GOP just refuses to budge on ANYthing. And they put up a big, loud stink about any sort of legislation that differs from their stance.

I'm sure the Left is just as unhappy with the middle ground on issues, but they don't whine and cry about it at the top of their lungs. They are willing to compromise.

Does anyone else ever see that?

Frozone   November 16th, 2009 12:12 pm ET

Another soon to be ex-Republican Senator driven out by his own party. Thank you right wing extremists! Even though the Dems are doing their best to ruin their majority, you so-called conservatives are ensuring a Democratic reign for the long haul.

Fitz in Texas   November 16th, 2009 12:07 pm ET

If this Cap-and-Trade passes it's going to destroy us here in Texas.....but perhaps that's exactly what this administration wants...Pay back time for the South.

Republicans is smart in the head area   November 16th, 2009 12:05 pm ET

Love watching the Republicans eat their young.

Kevin Schuder   November 16th, 2009 11:53 am ET

Thank You Lindsey Graham for supporting this legislation! We need to begin the work that will reduce carbon emissions, and cap and trade is an important part. The tax raise is so small, it's essentially a few coins a day... the halfwits who can't support this will go down in history for being as wrong as those who supported slavery, the salem witch trials, or the theory of the world being flat... energy companies and the majority of republicans can only ignore good science for so long.

Melissa   November 16th, 2009 11:51 am ET

More childishness from the GOP. They will never grow up.

gary davis Harbor Oregon proud american   November 16th, 2009 11:49 am ET

he is in a pickle he just wants to be re elected . kind of acts like McCain flip flopping from demo to repub :)

Wmscot   November 16th, 2009 11:47 am ET

WOW ! A republican who is not in lock step with the big oil congressmen. I might not agree with his other policies but congrats on helping getting rid of our dependance on foriegn oil and helping the environment !

Greg, MN   November 16th, 2009 11:44 am ET

The "energy" act will cripple the United States. It will make us incredibly uncompetitive in the global economy, increase or energy costs, and double our food costs.

Is any news organization catching on to the huge cost it will put on food????? From gowing it to processing it?????

Forget about energy costs, we all know they will skyrocket. What about the costs of our other staples?

Marry   November 16th, 2009 11:42 am ET

It is amazing that they do not get it: You do not solve problems of today with failed solutions from the past. If they cannot tolerate a moderate Republican, the GOP will end with nobody that tries new solutions. Well, they are not modern and are not working for the better anyway.

DJ in TX   November 16th, 2009 11:39 am ET

The far right so called 'conservatives', are going to hurt the GOP. It is the GOP likeGraham who are willing to compromise that will carry the party back to some prominence. Not the Extreme right.

Bluebonnet   November 16th, 2009 11:38 am ET

This moron needs to be "un"elected!

Reformed Republican   November 16th, 2009 11:38 am ET

These rethugs once again prove they have no courage or conscience when it comes to dealing with the real issues that face America's future.

When one of their own speaks with statemanship what do these fear mongering, pee-in-your-pants Talibangelicals do – Deny science, spread lies, gin up fear, then eat one of their own.

Hey GOP, ever heard of "Home of the brave"? What do you have against creating green jobs for working class Americans?

GI Joe   November 16th, 2009 11:37 am ET

oops – Lindsey should have gone hiking. The family values christians would like him more.

Lee in Raleigh   November 16th, 2009 11:35 am ET

What has happened to the once-proud Republican Party?
The Democrats do not need to be concerned with defeating Republican candidates. The Republicans themselves are doing it! Any Republican with a sense of duty in doing the right thing for the country instead of goose-stepping to the Party tune, will be taken-down for lack of obedience and hung-out-to-dry by the Masters Limbaugh and Glen Beck. They have truly lost their way.

RAG   November 16th, 2009 11:34 am ET

The more I hear about Linsey Graham, it becomes clearer that he is the only adult in the Republican Party.

Oleg   November 16th, 2009 11:34 am ET

As GOP leadership expands their mandatory platform, a set of positions that members will be punished for disagreeing with, how do they expect to find the talent or the voters that happen to hold such a narrow set of opinions. War, economy, abortion, gay marriage, health care and environment are all totally different issues. Graham, who is normally very conservative, seems to be concerned about us wracking the globe. If you drive him out, who do you hope to get elected in your state? Sarah Palin?

Danny   November 16th, 2009 11:32 am ET

Never – NEVER – underestimate the stupidity of republicans.

Tom in FL   November 16th, 2009 11:26 am ET

Why do Republicans, who claim to be so frightened and distrustful of the government, trust these oil and gas people who are so obviously crooks? What's good for the country, or the world, is the last thing they care about. As global warming denial has become the mindless dogma of the Republican party, these crooks are milking their ignorance. And there's no shortage of that in South Carolina.

Palin/Bachmann 2012   November 16th, 2009 11:26 am ET

I think Lindsay Graham should be thrown out of the party. He is just a RINO anyway. We need to purify the party.

Bill from GA   November 16th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Go, Lindsey. Wish my Senators had some guts!

We can lead the world in clean energy or we can buy it from smarter countries.

Jay Mac   November 16th, 2009 11:20 am ET

Neo Con Republicans are not going to let up even if the deceived people of SC who believe everything they say all get sick with cancer from the dense cloud of pollutants in the air that are sanctioned by these liars who are also voting to speed up their suffering and eventual death by denying them access to any health care.
Hey the good people of SC have spoken they want the government to leave everybody alone....even though they don't realize that when they mean everyone, they're also talking about their employers who lay them off so they can ship their jobs overseas to make more money leaving them starving and unemployed.
My other favorite hypocrisy: "the democrats are taking away my freedom...but gays shouldn't have any rights and women need to be denied choice over their bodies.
Oh and add the fact that most of these people wanting the gov't out are more than likely surviving on a government run program.

Texas Doc   November 16th, 2009 11:19 am ET

Graham is a good senator, one of the best they have, and for them to go after him on his ideological purity is crazy. Good luck with that teabaggers, hope you enjoy your purified minority for a long time.

diridi   November 16th, 2009 11:18 am ET

another idiot, with no morale, no ethics, nothing...just an idiot..

mjm   November 16th, 2009 11:10 am ET

Cap-and-Trade is just like the Pelosi bill. The government is favoring one type of industry over another. Public option against private insurance, "green jobs" (whatever that means) over coal and oil.

They want to replace what works for something that MAY work, regardless of what it will cost in jobs and freedom.

Dems really know how to destroy industry and liberty at the same time.

katiec   November 16th, 2009 11:10 am ET

Although not a supporter of Graham, he deserves credit for voting for what he feels is good for our country.
The republican party continues to try and destroy their own if they do not have a primary goal of destroying our president, consequently our country. Have never before witnessed such destruction coming from a political party. Regardless of what benefits, improvements for our country they vote against it.
They are truly on the path of becoming our countries most dangerous domestic terrorists.

g   November 16th, 2009 11:05 am ET

nuclearenergy,off shore drilling,gas drilling, same old same old ,21st century needs renewable energy not same old same old

Bed time for Raygun   November 16th, 2009 11:04 am ET

This poor guy will be thrown under the Rush Limburger bus soon.hahaha

Death Panel Sarah   November 16th, 2009 10:58 am ET

I guess the Senator just doesn't want the world to burn up, which is a "little" more important then people having 'fun'!!!
We do need to expand nuclear energy, but more oil drilling will not help. OPEC will lower production and the price(and supply) will be steady.
People need to know that the oil produced here doesn't stay here. It goes on the open market to anyone who pays for it. It will NOT mean energy independence here, unless the govt. requires any new production has to stay in this country, which the 'cons' will say is socialism!!

D. Tree   November 16th, 2009 10:57 am ET

Republican culture of extremism.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   November 16th, 2009 10:50 am ET

I think that the fact that people don't understand the need shows that they are either not fully informed or don't care/ don't believe about the way we are changing our planet's environment.

Dean   November 16th, 2009 10:48 am ET

It's so fun to watch them beat up on their own people when they don't fall in lockstep with the Party.

Mark   November 16th, 2009 10:48 am ET

Good! Clean energy is good but don't force it too early raising energy cost on the middle class!!

Randolph Carter, I'm no expert but.....   November 16th, 2009 10:44 am ET

Ruh roh! Here come the global cooling crazies. Take a look at who funds these "scientists" who say global warming is bunk. Do you think maybe it's the coal, gas and oil industries? But most Americans are too stupid to do any sort of analysis of the motives behind the various viewpoints they are presented with. They just figure if they see it on TV or the interwebs, or if Rush or Sarah say it, it must be true. Have a nice day!

Jack   November 16th, 2009 10:41 am ET

Mr. Graham,
Get out from the party of "NO" and join the movment of healthcare reform,energy and education with Democrats and bring some moderate with you to to support Mr. President agenda and show American people that you are in for Heathcare and not in the pocket of Insurance Co.

Liz   November 16th, 2009 10:40 am ET

If people don't soon wake up to the fact that we need to start addressing climate change now, the human species will not have much of a future. the oil companies will say and do anything to protect their profits. And the republican party is in their pockets. One republican does something decent and sensible and the rest persecute him. That says everything about the party of big business. They don't care about the people or the planet, and it's time we stopped caring about them. They need to be marginalized for the sake of the survival of life on this planet.

Terry from West Texas   November 16th, 2009 10:38 am ET

There is nothing Conservatives hate more than a party member who stands up for his principles. A Conservative is expected to toe the party line at all times, no matter what. If his conscience tells him he should do this and the Republican Party tells him otherwise, then he should ignore his conscience and obey his party. He should speak only the Approved Party Talking Points and nothing else. He should use exactly the same words that appear on the Morning Party Talking Points Fax. If the Party says Obama is a traitor because he had Russian dressing on his salad, you may not substitute the word "treason" for the word "traitor." Synonyms are FORBIDDEN.

Say what you're told to say. Think what you're told to think. Otherwise, you will be called a Liberal-Socialist and Big Corporate Money will disappear from your campaign fund.

chill   November 16th, 2009 10:35 am ET

A national energy tax sure beats Dollars for Dictators. You want to dump carbon and other greenhouse gases or pollutants into the commonly owned atmosphere, then you have to pay the piper or find ways to reduce your impact. Seems fair to me.

Matt is sane!   November 16th, 2009 10:35 am ET

Cap and trade isn't the answer to "global warming". Not only is it a tax, but the policy will result in less US manufacturing jobs and US-based companies/plants. It also increases the costs of goods AND energy bills. It failed in Europe and it will fail here (see Spain).

Cap and trade is also the most hypocritical policy (you can only 'pollute' if you are wealthy OR you can only pollute in poor countries (they're not under the same rules).

Why would any business pay more to create the same product in the US, when they can take it to China or India or another country that doesn't have the same restrictions. Obama is wrong on this one.

George   November 16th, 2009 10:33 am ET

More proof. The wackos are alive and well.

Tayo, NY   November 16th, 2009 10:32 am ET

I wonder what he will do now!

Randy, San Francisco   November 16th, 2009 10:24 am ET

The GOP inquisiton continues with the purge of anyone who strays from the party line. It is amazing that a staunch conservative like Graham is a target. The GOP extreme far right has the same characteristics of the Taliban.

Change_Has_Begun   November 16th, 2009 10:19 am ET

here comes corporate america spewing false information by catering to uneducated people and creating brouhaha to maintain their grasp on resources that should be shared by all...shame on you...there is something called humanity – oh well all that matters to you is green $$$...

Brant   November 16th, 2009 10:18 am ET

The idea that every politician must identify with every single issue of his party is ludicrous. Do the Republicans want robots or people?

GT Hill   November 16th, 2009 10:17 am ET

Good! That guy has a real "weirdo" factor to him.

Bob in Pa   November 16th, 2009 10:16 am ET

Take the hint members of Congress – No tax increases, no new taxes.

Enough   November 16th, 2009 10:15 am ET

This cap and tax bill is a BAD idea and anyone who supports it needs to be voted out. CNN let's fact check this and Obamas lies about the cost and even more loss of jobs this would create. Very bad for America, especially at a time we cannot afford it.

gary   November 16th, 2009 10:11 am ET

As the Republicans continue to attack each other, it creats more openings for Democrats.

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