Two cheers for Lindsey Graham

Aside from Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) knee-jerk hawkish positions whenever military or war questions come up, he is one of the saner voices among Republican senators.  Yes, that is a very low bar these days.   But let's give him a little credit. Especially on the appointment of a replacement for Justice Scalia. 

Sen. Graham told Senate Judiciary colleagues that their refusal to even consider an Obama nominee is unprecedented;  and that, if they do go through with this obstruction, it will set a precedent for the future that both parties will take advantage of.   So he is warning fellow Republicans:  "there will be consequences." 

He then went further and made a rational argument for the Republicans to consider an Obama nominee now.  As he pointed out:  if the new president is a Democrat, we'll then wind up with an even more liberal justice than the one Obama would probably try to get confirmed now.

Graham went even one step beyond that.   He said that, if it turns out to be a liberal nominee from the next Democratic president -- and if that person is qualified -- he, Graham, will vote for the confirmation.  

"I voted for Sotomayor and Kagan, not because I would have picked them, but because I thought the president of the United States deserves the right to pick the judges of their philosophy. . . .  That goes with winning the White House."

That gets him two cheers.    Not three.

Because he does not have the courage of his convictions.  After this warning, after this rational argument, after this radical promise to vote for a qualified, liberal justice, he then buckles and says that, nevertheless, he will go along with the obstruction, even though it will make the divisiveness between the two parties even worse -- and even though he is distressed by that divisiveness. 

Ah, Lindsey.   That's great -- and so disappointing.  After saying all the right things, you're going along with doing the wrong thing.   Where is the courage of your convictions?   If you would take that one more step, I would give you three cheers.   Gladly.

Ralph