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Lindsey Graham takes the limelight in first-round Republican debate Lindsey Graham takes the limelight in first-round Republican debate
(34 minutes later)
Lindsey Graham stole the limelight at the undercard Republican presidential debate on Wednesday with a punchy and at times humorous advocacy of immigration reform, a hawkish foreign policy – and more boozing in the White House.Lindsey Graham stole the limelight at the undercard Republican presidential debate on Wednesday with a punchy and at times humorous advocacy of immigration reform, a hawkish foreign policy – and more boozing in the White House.
The South Carolina senator outshone three fellow candidates in the lower-tier debate with a mix of irreverence and bluntness in a substantive and combative session at the Ronald Reagan library in California’s Simi Valley.The South Carolina senator outshone three fellow candidates in the lower-tier debate with a mix of irreverence and bluntness in a substantive and combative session at the Ronald Reagan library in California’s Simi Valley.
Graham clashed with Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, George Pataki, the former governor of New York, and Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, in a forum for lower-polling candidates before 11 higher-polling rivals took the stage.Graham clashed with Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, George Pataki, the former governor of New York, and Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, in a forum for lower-polling candidates before 11 higher-polling rivals took the stage.
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Graham, a third-term Republican senator who served more than three decades in the air force, said the first thing he would as president was “drink more” and cooperate with Democrats, putting the country ahead of his party. The line instantly became an internet meme.Graham, a third-term Republican senator who served more than three decades in the air force, said the first thing he would as president was “drink more” and cooperate with Democrats, putting the country ahead of his party. The line instantly became an internet meme.
He made a passionate rebuttal of Santorum’s desire to deport many of the US’s estimated 11 million undocumented people. “In my world, Hispanics are Americans,” he declared.He made a passionate rebuttal of Santorum’s desire to deport many of the US’s estimated 11 million undocumented people. “In my world, Hispanics are Americans,” he declared.
Leon Krauze, a prominent Hispanic commentator, called it “a moment of uncommon courage for this GOP field”.Leon Krauze, a prominent Hispanic commentator, called it “a moment of uncommon courage for this GOP field”.
A pillar of the establishment wing of the party, Graham has long been a controversial figure among some in the GOP, who dub him “Lindsey Grahamnesty”.A pillar of the establishment wing of the party, Graham has long been a controversial figure among some in the GOP, who dub him “Lindsey Grahamnesty”.
Considered one of the funniest men in Washington, he injected wit into the debate, telling his rivals that former South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond had four children after age 67. “If you’re not willing to do that, we need to come up with a new immigration system,” Graham cracked.Considered one of the funniest men in Washington, he injected wit into the debate, telling his rivals that former South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond had four children after age 67. “If you’re not willing to do that, we need to come up with a new immigration system,” Graham cracked.
Ronald Reagan’s Air Force One plane formed the backdrop as the candidates debated in front of a rapt audience, with hundreds of journalists in an adjacent media centre and “spin room” and a balmy sun setting over the valley.Ronald Reagan’s Air Force One plane formed the backdrop as the candidates debated in front of a rapt audience, with hundreds of journalists in an adjacent media centre and “spin room” and a balmy sun setting over the valley.
In the first debate in Cleveland last month, Graham was stilted, but in California, fortified with a pre-debate meal of Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and coleslaw, he let loose one-liners while promoting himself as a would-be warrior commander-in-chief who would confront and defeat radical Islam, and lambasting Barack Obama as a “weak, unqualified commander” who mishandled Syria.In the first debate in Cleveland last month, Graham was stilted, but in California, fortified with a pre-debate meal of Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and coleslaw, he let loose one-liners while promoting himself as a would-be warrior commander-in-chief who would confront and defeat radical Islam, and lambasting Barack Obama as a “weak, unqualified commander” who mishandled Syria.
If Islamic State was not destroyed, militants would flock to the US, he warned, calling for 10,000 more US troops in Iraq, a regional army to attack Isis, paid for by Middle Eastern allies, to “pull up these bastards by the roots”. If the Islamic State was not destroyed, militants would flock to the US, he warned, calling for 10,000 more US troops in Iraq, a regional army to attack Isis, paid for by Middle Eastern allies, to “pull up these bastards by the roots”.
Santorum clashed heatedly with Pataki over Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licences.Santorum clashed heatedly with Pataki over Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licences.
Santorum said he would defy the supreme court if it made unjust laws, prompting the former New York governor to exclaim that that would abandon the rule of law.Santorum said he would defy the supreme court if it made unjust laws, prompting the former New York governor to exclaim that that would abandon the rule of law.