Graham's Great Compromise: Nuclear Options and Judicial Filibusters

Last night Senator Lindsey Graham assisted 13 colleagues in brokering a compromise to move the Senate forward from the debate on judicial nominations and be able to do America's business. He would have been a "yes" vote if the vote to change the rules occured. However, we have averted the vote for now.

This move by Sen. Graham infuriated groups like Focus on the Family and their affiliates. They wanted all the judges and no compromise. They called the compromise disaterous. However, Graham felt that it was important so we could get back to the business of the Senate. He acknowledged that people back home would be upset for a while and then would be happy about what gets done.

There is anger at the base. Callers to call-in shows such as C-Span's Washington Journal are saying that they will not forget and that they beleive he is a different man than he was during the impeachment of President Clinton. I would contend however that he has changed only a little to fit his new role as senator which requires more bipartisan compromise.

During the impeachment he was not as mean as the other managers. He also would have preferred a censure to the trial. Graham also got one of the Articles of Impeachment thrown out becasue ethically and legally, evidence that could not be used in the court should not be used in a Cogressional trial proceeding. He was perfectly reasonable although slightly more partisan because the House of Representatives is designed to operate by absolute majority.

However, in his two years in the Senate he has grown and therefore I beleive that he is a wonderful Senator. He works with colleagues to get the business of the people done. He has been part of bipartisan groups on many issues: Social Security reform, health care issue, and now judicial nominations and filibusters.

The request I have for my fellow Republicans in Illinois and South Carolina is that we accept and honor his independent decision although we may not agree. I know he will keep standing up to the pressure groups and doing what is right for all of America. I feel strongly that if we cannot except his independence and respect his feelings about what is best for the country than we do not deserve to have him as one of our leaders.