President Lindsey Graham?

[wyethwire]

Look who's visiting Iowa ...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040615/OPINION01/406150302/1035/OPINION

Des Moines Register
Controversial ideas don't scare off Graham

By DAVID YEPSEN
REGISTER POLITICAL COLUMNIST
June 15, 2004

Iowans are used to national politicians showing up years ahead of presidential elections to start building the groundwork for a caucus campaign. What they aren't used to are leaders who tell them things they may not want to hear.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was in Iowa for the state GOP convention last weekend, and instead of pandering, he talked about issues that can chafe an elephant's hide in this state.

So is Lindsey Graham wasting his time here or is he being a visionary? Time will tell. At a minimum, his views are worth considering because he's only 48 and may be a major contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

[cjbuchanan]

1. He is keeping his options open

If he wants to have a chance at this in 2008 or 2012, he needs to start working now. Kerry had similar tours of Iowa during the 90's. Building a network, even if you never use it for yourself, is always a smart idea.

That said, he will never be president.

[Kid_A]

2. Just in case America isn't ready for a woman to be President...

we can try a man with a woman's name, just to see how people like it.

[BeyondGeography]

3. He'll be running in 2008

Couldn't help but think that the new "reasonable" Lindsey, who was on display during the Abu Ghraib torture hearings, was distancing himself from the Imhofe/Allard/Sessions "we have no political future outside of our redneck base" wing of the Republican Party.

He was offering up a little compassionate conservatism for media consumption. A mostly empty gesture, to be sure, but politically smart.

[I thought so.]

4. He is gay.

How about that for a revolution. Ambition is the driver of politics. He does have it.

[Shopaholic]

5. He's got the ambition to run for president

but he's too vulnerable on the whole gay thing. I still can't figure him out--he'll saddle right on up with the Repugs on some issues and spout the Republican party line--the whole Christian fundamentalist pile of garbage-but then he'll turn right around and vote against them on other issues. I can't imagine that wins him any additional friends in the Republican party.

[wyethwire]

6. Lee Bandy picked up the story

in a column over the weekend

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/9075145.htm

[China_cat]

7. Just got a letter from Graham

in response to an email asking him to vote AGAINST the DOMA.

In more flowery language, his answer was 'you don't count for anything and I'll vote to keep queers in the closet if I feel like it'.

[alteredstate]

8. He makes my skin crawl

n/t