Graham: GOP 'not going to be the party of angry white guys'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/12/art.graham.gi.jpg caption="Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke at a town hall in South Carolina on Monday."](CNN) - South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has always enjoyed a little back-and-forth with belligerent audiences.
He was at it again on Monday night as he faced down an angry town hall crowd in Greenville packed with libertarians and Tea Party activists who accused at the Republican senator of ditching conservative principles by working with Democrats on issues like climate change and voting to send Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.
But Graham stressed a mantra he's repeated many times since his friend John McCain lost the presidential election last November - that the GOP must reach out to different constituencies, or face extinction.
"I'm not going to leave the Republican Party," Graham said when one questioned asked him why he hasn't yet joined the Democrats. "I'm going to grow it. We're not going to be the party of angry white guys."
His comments were met with a salvo of boos and shouts of "Ron Paul!"
"I love this party," he responded. "I'm not going to be let it be hijacked by Ron Paul."
Graham emphasized his conservative bona fides - particularly his record of opposing abortion rights and support of gun rights - but said GOP needs to build a broader coalition. Otherwise, he warned, those trying to purify the party will turn Congress over "to the most liberal people in the world because somebody disagrees with you."
"I'm going to find people in Maine, Delaware, Illinois and other places that can win," he said. "And I'm going to help them, and we're going to move this party and this country forward. If you don't like it, you can leave."
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Too bad Graham, it already has!
Ummmmmmmmmmmm too late Lindsey – way too late.
Say what?
Has Graham heard the rantsand ravings of the lunatic right? Why did Van Jones resign? In the past what was the Republican stand on civil rights, voting rights, and fair housing? Hasn't the Republican party consistenty tried to prevent African-Americans from voting? Look at the last election?
Actions seak louder than words, regardless of what Graham says, the Repulican act like bunch of "old, angry white guys." If the shoe fits, wear it.
"We're not going to be the party of angry white guys." So you will be a party of none then?
Sorry Lindsey – too late.
Amen to Lindsey Graham Amen! Do not let your party be hijacked by the likes of Rush and Co!
As long as Rush Limbaugh is at the helm it will be!~
Hey Linsey if you want to really do something start with this:
GOP or DEM, political corruption and the lack of trust it creates is what hurts our country as much as anything. I'm not very politically savy, but you don't have to be to know that America could really cut down on political corruption with 2 changes. Term limits and campaign finance reform.
1. Limit every politician to a 6 or 8 year term.
2. No corporation, group or individual may give over 100.00 to any campaign.
Concerning political tv shows: Because so much of the media is politically biased they should be forced to read a disclaimer before each politcally based show, right after each commercial and at the end of every show, saying that everything that is being shown is just an opinion. Most of us know this already but there are some young voters out there that don't..or is this what you rascals are counting on?
South Carolina is like a cauldron of boiling oil. Any droplet from that is likely to cause severe burns. But, if the source of boiling is removed, it can become manageable, and it will retain its greasy nature.
Good for you Senator Graham. I am not a fan but it is nice to see a real Republican stand up to the nut ball wing of the party.
Sorry Senator but it already is.
You seem to be a reasonably decent guy. Maybe it's time to cut your losses.
Let's see, How many glaring sins does the RNC have, hmmm?
1. The 2000 Presidential Election- STOLEN.
2. 9/11- MISMANAGED AND HANDLED WITH SHEER INCOMPETINCE.
3. The war in Iraq- FABRICATED ON LIES, GREED AND REVENGE.
4. Hurricane Katrina- NEED I SAY MORE?
5. The economy- AGAIN, NEED I SAY MORE?
6. The attacks made on the 2008 Presidential Campaign AND the tatics being used in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY against the Obama Administration.
That is all the Republican Party amounts to.
Oh those Greedy Republicans, think they should keep their money and not share it with the rest of us.
Apparently theRepublican partys own people don't realize that they are becoming not just "The party of No" but irrelevant. They have brought themselves close to oblivion and it is going to take a lot of work to bring them back to where they will have a strong showing in future elections. People are like elephants, they don't forget.
Are the republicans growing their brains and hearts back???? I really would like to see another sensible, thoughtful and inclusive second political party. The GOP has lost it all and has become a party of fear, hate and NO. They will be extinct unless they change themselves.
Wow, can you say that again Mr. Graham ! Is that a tiny bit of light in the very very dark GOP?
The Republicans don’t seem to get it yet. They can’t win a national election buy catering to the 20% of the -extreme end- of the right wing..
Go join the LIberals!
We're "not going to be" the party of angry white guys.
You got the tense wrong Lindsey. It is, was and for whatever amount of time is left for it, the party of fear, hate and angry white guys.
Tell em' Graham. " If you don't like it, you can leave." I love it!
Ah...hey Lindsay...it already is the party of angry white guys.....take a look around dude....
"We're not going to be the party of angry white guys."
Too late for that kind of talk. It's done.
And who does Lindsey Graham think put him in office in the first place?
well surprise.. But you forgot Old angry white guys
Until the Rethuglicans rid themselves of the fanatic evangelical wingnuts created by devotees of James Dobson we'll never be a viable political party again.
Moderates have fled the Republican Party by the millions, and it's time we completely divorce ourselves from the intolerant Rethuglican vermin that remain.
It's time for the moderates to combine, both Republican and Democrats, and create a third party.
Tell that to RL !!!!!!
It sure sounds like it to me! Just because you say it is so, doesn't make it so.