Sen. Lindsey Graham’s clever legislative tactics could end up costing U.S. taxpayers a lot of money, especially if he succeeds in advancing a “cap and trade” bill that is loathed by the public. The New York Times is disappointed Graham backed out of a compromise on global warming legislation, but that doesn’t mean liberal reporters are ready to write him off just yet…
Is Sen. Lindsey Graham still the new Republican media darling of the New York Times and other liberal publications? This gets complicated. He scored points in progressive circles for helping to resurrect a global warming bill that would otherwise be dead in the U.S. Senate. But Graham is now backpeddling and must be closely monitored.
With his close colleague Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) running to the right in response to a tough primary challenge, the NYT needed a new enlightened spoiler well positioned to complicate conservative ambitions. In fact, the paper acknowledges as much in a report that appears in the national news section.
“As a rare member of his party who is consistently willing to cross the aisle, he has filled a niche once occupied by his close friend and mentor, Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican,” The Times observes. “No though, Mr. Graham’s position as the go-to Republican for Obama in the White House is in doubt.”
Graham has been working in close concert with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) to cobble together a compromise on the anti-emissions regulatory scheme that passed the House last year. They do not use the term “cap and trade” but this is more about marketing gimmicks than it is about any substantive change. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) has released a video lampooning this public relations strategy.
The debate over immigration policy has derailed any attempt to steer through a compromised version of “cap and trade,” at least for now. Sen. Graham claims he has backed out of supporting the energy bill because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is now prioritizing immigration reform in response to action taken in Arizona; McCain’s home state.
A nearby article discusses the state’s new immigration legislation, which gives local officials greater latitude and authority to identify and detain illegal aliens. The article claims that a boycott organized by left wing activists against the state is having an impact. Gov. Jane Brewer, a Republican, says the new bill will improve public safety and supply the police with additional tools.
The profile piece on Sen. Graham maintains a mostly positive tone, even as The Times attempts to nudge him back in the direction of The White House.
“Some Democrats whisper that he must be trying to spare Mr. McCain, who is facing a tough primary challenge from the right, an uncomfortable vote on immigration,” the report says. “Others openly surmise that Mr. Graham must have caved in to his Republican critics.”
Even so, The Times is not ready to give up on its man. The article later points out that Sen. Graham has been censured by three chapters of The South Carolina Republican party and attracted criticism from the right. At the same time, he continues to earn praise from leading Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
“For Mr. Obama, who has struggled to keep his campaign promises to change the tone in Washington, Mr. Graham has been something of a godsend,” the report notes.
With opinion shows showing the public has little patience or legislation that will increase energy prices and stifle industry, it will be difficult to navigate the “cap and trade” bill through the Senate in election year. But it’s important for readers to know that media darlings like Sen. Graham continue to scheme and plot against the free market with the encouragement and support of The New York Times.
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