Lindsey Graham South Carolina

Shocking, Sudden Passing Of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham!

Ronald 15 Comments

The shocking, sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham at the age of 71 is a reminder that all of us are living in an uncertain circumstance, never knowing what our lifespan is.

An extremely controversial member of the US Senate for 24 years, and before that for 8 years in the US House of Representatives, Graham engendered both scorn and admiration for his engagement in both domestic and foreign policy controversies under five Presidents.

Graham was a close associate of Arizona Senator John McCain and a major critic of Donald Trump, telling America the harsh truth about Trump during the Presidential Election campaign of 2016.

But then, Graham “sold his soul” to Trump, and became what was regarded by many as being Trump’s “lapdog”.

Graham first became controversial when he was one of the leaders pursuing the impeachment of President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the late 1990s.

But Graham also promoted immigration reform until Donald Trump came along and became the worst possible nativist bigot.

So Graham leaves a very mixed and controversial record, as a supporter of Ukraine against Russia, but also a massive supporter of Israel, even during the US-Gaza War that began after the October 7, 2023 Massacre.

Graham also was a major supporter of the present Iran War, which has led to great turmoil in both domestic and international affairs.

Whatever one thought of Graham’s views and policies, everyone could agree that he was an engaging, warm personality, but he faced great criticism over bowing down to Donald Trump, which would have angered his close friend, Senator McCain, who had been constantly attacked by Donald Trump.

Medical Doctors Running For Senate And Governorship

Ronald 2 Comments

Three medical doctors are running for public office, two for the US Senate, and one for a governorship, who have a good opportunity for possible success.

Abdul El-Sayed seems to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Michigan, with the primary occurring on August 4. Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen have endorsed him. Congresswoman Haley Stevens is his primary opponent, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Former Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers will be the Republican nominee.

Annie Andrews is the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in South Carolina, challenging Lindsey Graham, who has been in the Senate for 24 years.

Amy Action is the Democratic nominee for Governor in Ohio, challenging billionaire and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to replace Republican Governor Mike DeWine.

All three have a tough race ahead, but if they won, it would represent a challenge to the looney health leadership of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Secretary of Health and Human Services.

US Senators 70 And Over: Most Ever!

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The US Senate has 16 members over 75, more than ever before in US History.

They include:

Chuck Grassley (R) Iowa—92
Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont—84
Jim Risch (R) Idaho—83
Angus King (I) Maine—82
Richard Blumenthal (D) Connecticut—80
Ed Markey (D) Massachusetts—79
Peter Welch (D) Vermont—78
Mazie Hirono (D) Hawaii—78
Jack Reed (D) Rhode Island—76
Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts (76)
Ron Wyden (D) Oregon—76
Patty Murray (D) Washington—75
Chuck Schumer (D) New York—75
John Boozman (R) Arkansas—75
Deb Fischer (R) Nebraska—75
Jim Justice (R) West Virginia—75

Risch, Markey, and Reed are running for reelection this fall, which means they would be in their early to late 80s over the next six years term.

This list does not include the following, who are retiring at the end of this year:

Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky—84
Dick Durbin (D) Illinois—81
Jeanne Shaheen (D) New Hampshire—79

And there are four US Senators who range from age 70-75, and will be in the high 70s during their term if reelected this fall.

Susan Collins (R) Maine
John Cornyn (R) Texas
Shelley Moore Capito (R) West Virginia
Lindsey Graham (R) South Carolina

So one fifth of the US Senate (20), not counting the three Senators who are retiring, fit the definition of “senior citizens”, over the age of 70!

Nine are Republicans, nine are Democrats, and there are two Independents (Sanders and King)

Clearly, there is a dire need for a “youth movement” in the US Senate, as well as in the House of Representatives!

Republican Senate Critics Of Trump “Big, Beautiful” House Bill!

Ronald 32 Comments

Now that the “Big, Beautiful” Donald Trump House bill has passed by the bare margin of 215-214, it is up to the US Senate and Republican majority to have its role in the process.

This bill is so horrendous, that it is hoped that the Republican Senate will balk at it, but hard to imagine that it can be stopped.

Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Josh Hawley of Missouri all have registered problems with the bill, for different reasons.

To count on these four objectionable legislators to, somehow, save the day, and prevent the horrors of this proposed legislation, causes a sense of despair.

If all four, along with Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine, and were to ally together, it could possibly occur, assuming no Democrat would join the majority.

But that is even assuming that Murkowski and Collins would not disappoint which is no certainty!

Donald Trump Abuses Worsen Every Day: The Controversy Over The Qatar Luxury Jumbo Jet “Gift” To Trump For Air Force One!

Ronald 13 Comments

Donald Trump Abuses get worse every day!

Now, the nation of Qatar, which has bankrolled the Hamas terrorist group that attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, is offering Donald Trump a $400 million luxury jumbo jet that could be used, possibly, as a newer Air Force One, and then be a gift to the future Donald Trump Presidential Library and Museum!

It is good to see, at least, that a number of Republican Senators are challenging this “gift”, which is against the Emoluments Clause (Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8) in the Constitution.

This includes Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Whether their concerns are about the appropriateness of such a gift, the multitude of security issues involved, or the cost to make this jet totally up to par if it is to be used as Air Force One, finally there is stated opposition to the growing autocracy and corruption of Donald Trump.

But it seems as if Trump will likely get his way, no matter what the constitutionality of the matter!

Passing Of Russian Critic Alexei Navalny Should Lead To Widespread Condemnation Of Trump And Maga Republican Support Of Putin, And Expanded Aid To Ukraine!

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The tragic death of Russian critic Alexei Navalny in a Russian penal colony, another indication of the brutality of the Russian government under Vladimir Putin, is a clarion call for Putin supporters in the Republican Party (Donald Trump and most Republicans in Congress, and hangers on who are MAGA supporters) to be held accountable in speeches and debates over the next nine months!

The idea that Donald Trump and his crazy minions, who bow to him, can back and support such a monster as Putin, needs to be a top issue constantly over the coming months!

ANY decent person should be outraged, and ready to hold Trump and his seditionists and traitors accountable in every way and means possible!

Notice that neither Donald Trump nor any of his seditionist, treasonous Republicans have condemned the death of Navalny, and in particular, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama is a disgrace to his state! This moron football coach defeated the best Alabama Senator in Doug Jones in 2020, a crime against common decency!

But where is Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, and all of those who in the past believed in a hard line against Putin and Russia, including the now two year old war against Ukraine?

Now than ever before, more military aid to Ukraine is urgent, as they are the first line of defense for NATO!

Nikki Haley Emerges As Only Possible Alternative To Donald Trump

Ronald 1 Comment

Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has emerged as the only possible alternative to Donald Trump for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2024.

But the question is whether, even with growing business support, Haley can manage to overcome Trump in the upcoming Presidential caucus in Iowa and the Presidential primaries in New Hampshire, Nevada, and most significantly, her home state of South Carolina.

The decision of fellow South Carolinian, Senator Tim Scott, to drop out of the race certainly helps Haley’s bid, but leading South Carolina Republican figures, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham, have endorsed Trump.

Also, can a woman of South Asian ancestry from India overcome those barriers?

The next few months will answer these questions!

Only One Republican Senator And Many Republican Governors In Presidential Race Of 2024!

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With the Presidential Election campaign beginning with the announcement of numerous Republicans having declared their candidacy or about to announce, an odd point to make is that ONLY one Republican Senator, Tim Scott of South Carolina, has announced his candidacy, and it is highly unlikely any other Republican Senators will join the fray.

Instead, the bulk of candidates are those who have served as Governors in the past or the present.

This includes Ron DeSantis (Florida), Nikki Haley (South Carolina), Mike Pence (Indiana), Asa Hutchinson (Arkansas), Doug Burgum (North Dakota), Kristi Noem (South Dakota), Chris Christie (New Jersey), Chris Sununu (New Hampshire), Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), and Greg Abbott (Texas).

In 2016, the following US Senators ran for the Republican Presidential nomination: Ted Cruz (Texas), Marco Rubio (Florida), Rand Paul (Kentucky), Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania), and Lindsey Graham (South Carolina). All except Santorum are still in the Senate, but not choosing to run this cycle!

There are also other Republican Senators rumored to have Presidential ambitions, including Rick Scott (Florida), Josh Hawley (Missouri), and Tom Cotton (Arkansas), but they have chosen to stay out of the race.