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Sen. Lindsey Graham Tests Water for 2016 Run
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright
January 18, 2015
All Rights Reserved.
Weighing throwing his hat into the ring, 59-year-old
Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) threw another monkey wrench into an already
crowded Republican field considering a run for president in 2016. Speaking to Chuck Todd on NBC’s
“Meet the Press,” Graham said he had formed an exploratory committee to look
into the feasibility of running for president.
Considered among the leading GOP voices on foreign policy, Graham has the
moderate Republicans credentials apparently desirable for candidates in 2016. “Were not polling but we set up a
testing-the-waters committee . . that will allow me to look beyond South
Carolina to whether or not a guy like Graham has a viable path,” Graham told
Todd, a veiled reference to the fact that he’s still a “bachelor” at nearly
60-years-of age. Graham’s respected
in the GOP for his articulate command of domestic and foreign policy.
Graham’s political fortunes have paralleled those of Sen. John McCain
(R-Ariz.) whom he strongly backed in his 2008 run against President Barack
Obama. Traveling extensively
overseas, especially in the Mideast, Graham has the foreign policy chops not so
obvious with other possible GOP candidates with the exception of 67-year-old
former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
When Romney surprised an already crowded GOP field last week with his
interest in perhaps his third run for president, it rained on former Florida
Gov. Jeb Bush, who thought he’d leap ahead of his rivals in fund raising. Jeb has name-recognition as the son
of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W.
Bush but also the notoriety that goes with two unpopular presidents. Voters recall Bush-41’s recession
and Bush-43’s Great Recession inherited by Obama in 2009.
If the U.S. economy holds up between now and 2016, the election will
pivot on U.S. foreign policy, considered Barack’s Achilles Heel. With Russia threatening Eastern
Europe and menacing Ukraine, the next president will have to deal with a number
of foreign crises. If Graham
chooses to enter the fray in 2016, he’ll talk circles around most of the GOP on
national defense and foreign policy.
Second to McCain on the GOP side of the Senate Armed Services Committee,
Graham demonstrates strong command of U.S. foreign policy. Expected candidates like Jebb, Sen.
Rand Paul (R-Ky.), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen.
Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, etc., all have weak foreign
policy credentials. Only candidates that can talk the foreign-policy-walk will be considered ready to step
into the White House, not just publicly bashing Obama.
When all is said and done, Graham’s cryptic social life will keep him
from being
a serious candidate. While
some considered the equally cryptic Condoleezxa Rice, Bush-41’s former Secretary
of State and National Security Advisor, a viable GOP presidential candidate,
Condi took herself out of the running.
Graham’s apparent interest opens up some interesting possibilities but
probably doesn’t have much serious consideration. “I don’t know where this will go but
I’m definitely going to look at it. I think the world is falling apart and I’ve been right more than worn when it comes to
foreign policy, but we’ll see,” said Graham, flattered by the interest in his
candidacy but knowing his eventual drawbacks.
With Romney unsettling the GOP field, the only thing more unexpected
would be an announcement by McCain that he’s considering another shot at the
White House.
Despite McCain’s age [78], he’d have a better shot at capturing the GOP
nomination than an unknown bachelor like Graham.
Since losing to Obama in 2008, McCain’s been Barack’s fiercest critic,
primarily in foreign policy.
Judging by world events, Obama’s earned a lot of critics for his more
lazzez-faire foreign policy.
Obama’s GOP critics see his lack of foreign intervention as causing the multiple
foreign policy challenges around the globe.
When the Charlie Hebdo massacre took place Jan. 7 by Islamic terrorists,
it put global terrorism back in the news.
Romney raised eyebrows debating Obama Oct. 22, 2012 stating that Russia
represented the biggest threat to U.S. national security. While Islamic terrorism still grabs
the headlines, Russia’s March 1 invasion of Ukraine’s Crimea made Romney look
like a prophet, establishes his foreign policy credentials.
If Graham decides to enter the 2016 GOP fray, he could change the foreign
policy debate, raising the stakes for other candidates. Expected candidates like Texas Gov.
Rick Perry or former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker don’t have much time left to
beef up their foreign policy credentials.
“The good news is that I guess I’m in John’s will and can get part of the
estate,” said Graham, poking fun at McCain’s remark that Lindsey was his
“illegitimate son.” Seeing
eye-to-eye with Graham on defense and foreign policy, McCain would like nothing
more than to see Lindsey run for president.
If he were paired as a running mate with any other moderate candidate,
Graham would no doubt help the ticket with his strong foreign policy
credentials. Whether or not he decides to run, Graham continues to be, like McCain, a major foreign
policy voice, countering what they see as Obama’s mistakes.
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