Well, flip-flopping U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is flipping again. Or perhaps he’s flopping. It’s whatever way you want to say it really. Although Graham is notorious for playing both sides of the aisle and supporting or condemning 45th President Donald Trump, he is currently seeing the writing on the wall.
It’s clear to Republicans, and scaring Democrats, that Donald Trump still has a “power hold” on the Republican party. To make matters worse for Democrats and “RINOs”, while Trump holds his popularity that many hoped he would have lost due to impeachments and January 6th, Democrats are losing popularity.
This is probably due to, in part, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ low poll numbers and the lack of accountability for border security. Inflation is also hurting the left, despite their defense that it may not be their fault.
Graham’s recent visit on Fox News’s Sean Hannity was reported on by The Hill in part:
“If you want to be a Republican leader in the House or the Senate, you have to have a working relationship with President Donald Trump. He’s the most consequential Republican since Ronald Reagan,” Graham, a close ally of Trump’s, said on Fox News’s “Hannity.” “It’s his nomination if he wants it, and I think he’ll get reelected in 2024.”
“I like Sen. McConnell,” Graham added. “Can Sen. McConnell effectively work with the leader of the Republican Party, Donald Trump? I’m not going to vote for anybody that can’t have a working relationship with President Trump.”
“If you can’t do that, you will fail,” Graham also said.
Clearly, Graham has signaled he may not support Minority U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for another go at possibly becoming the leader of the Senate once again. He has mentioned that Mitch needs to make amends with Donald Trump. It’s hard for us to imaging seeing this happen, but in the world of politics, almost anything is possible.
While the GOP may have some short-term tailwinds though, the long-term trends are still not in their favor. They will have to get stronger and more creative if they plan to be the party in charge of preserving the Unites States’ traditional values.
South Carolina and Kentucky, the homes of Graham and McConnell respectively, have a history of being solid red states that continue to elect middle-of-the-road Republicans. Republicans in other states have been confused and concerned that easy Republican win states don’t push for more conservative leaders.
