I am in Chautauqua, New York for a book event this week and was shocked to wake up to find that Lindsey Graham has died at 71. I knew and worked with Lindsey since his time in the House of Representatives. We would correspond regularly on legal and constitutional issues. He was an extraordinary man with a deep and unshakable faith in this nation. His death is a great loss for our nation.
Lindsey was a true son of South Carolina. Born in the town of Central, South Carolina, he attended the University of South Carolina for both his undergraduate and law school degrees. He became a prosecutor with the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office. He held the rank of Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
His career is legendary and played a major role in military and foreign affairs. However, his greatest influence on the Senate was his practical thinking mixed with a disarming sense of humor. I would often receive texts or emails from Lindsey on ideas for resolving national problems. They were always bold and creative. He loved the law and enjoyed talking through such issues, often setting them aside after reflection on the political or legal complications.
We worked together on matters before the Judiciary Committee and I testified before him on issues ranging from investigations to impeachments. I would hear from him after I posted columns with praise or criticism of the underlying points. He was not only a skilled litigator but also had a keen sense of the practical. He was the ultimate problem solver, always looking for a way to navigate around barriers on the Hill.
What I will miss most was his humor. Lindsey had a puckish side and looked at much of the insanity on the Hill with a sense of exasperated levity. He was often frustrated by the lack of progress in the Senate and would joke about it being the “most deliberative body” with a certain irony. His jokes would often be self-deprecating, downplaying his considerable skills and gifts.
However, Lindsey’s aw-shucks style concealed one of the most penetrating minds in the Senate. He also had an iron core, unflinching in the face of withering criticism and attacks. A mob could surround Lindsey and not raise his pulse rate a tick. He was rock solid.
It was Lindsey’s voice that would often cut through the noise and nonsense of the Hill, with his signature Southern drawl. He was particularly effective in controversies such as the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings.
He was a major supporter of Israel and Ukraine. He recently returned from Kyiv, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address Ukraine’s air defense systems.
The left has already filled the web with vicious attacks on Lindsey. In an age of rage, even a period of mourning is considered intolerable.
People either loved or hated Lindsey, but few had the chance to know him. He was a warm and fascinating man. He stepped forward to enter the fray in defense of the values that he held most dear.
Thank you, my friend, and rest in peace.
A thoroughly odious and spineless little man. A political chameleon of the worst kind.
Completely bereft of any form of morality and personal principles.
He aligned himself with his good friend John McCain as a Never Trumper in 2015, and was one of Trump’s most vocal critics, calling him a kook among many other things. Then when Trump was elected he turned on dime, betrayed his friend, and installed himself permanently in Trump’s intestinal tract.
The McCain family cut off all ties with him, and for very good reasons.
A nasty little man.
His obituary will note that he was preceded in death by his reputation and sense of pride.
Survivors include irony and hate.
Is this satire? Asking for a friend.
And how have you served your country Anonymousely?
And how have you served your country thinkitthru?
My son lives in SC. He’s a Dem, but votes for Lindsay
A fine article, Professor, and a fitting tribute. It saddens me for our country to lose this man, who lived a life of accomplishment rarely equaled, and served both his constituents and his Nation to the best of his ability. It is not necessary to agree with everything he ever said or did to honor and mourn him. The anonymous pipsqueaks of the despicable Left will undoubtedly celebrate and compete with each other to see who can make the most vile comment, unable to restrain themselves. Graham would shrug them off, as he did before he passed, the meaningless comments of worthless individuals.
Let us not forget his bragging that members of a certain demographic “are dying.” Hardly a “value” to be admired. And the truth about Israel and Ukraine will come out. Truth always does, if too often too late.
Reality: What exact “truth” are you talking about?
The truth is that Hamas hides its rockets on the roofs of hospitals and schools and then when Israel attacks these launch sights the Hamas propaganda screams genocide. This is the real reality Mr. RealityCheck and like a little kitty cat you lick the saucer of milk clean.
And you irrefutable proof? So, where is it?
Lindsey Graham was a true American patriot and will be fondly remembered. 🙁
Fondly eh? What exactly for? His sexula tendencies?
I never expected to but certainly came to admire him too, what a loss. Sending love to those that loved him. The ignorant hate (really: is there any other kind?) is *not* unexpected, but is as always, and will always be, disappointing. Godspeed, Mr. Graham.
What a lovely tribute to the Senator!
RIP Senator.
He suffocated from being in the closet so long.
You are a dispicable troll filled with hate.
That was me. rcs
“dispicable” troll. So sez the despicable troll hiding behind an anon tag. Learn to spell.
You narrow-minded person! Is that all you can say about Lindsay Graham? He tried to work for a peaceful nation and evidently, died trying. What have you done but be a bigoted person. Whatever he was personally, that was his private business — not to be confused with the peoples’ work toward a better country and world. There is something so wrong when you insult people you don’t know when all you could say, “I think differently on this issue”. Be wary of what will unfold in your own life that you might not want to share — there is something very humbling about the future and what lies before us!
How exactly did he “work for a peaceful nation”.
He was a war hawk of the worst kind, constantly urging this country to bomb Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela, among others.
If he had his way, we would be engaged in armed conflicts all over the world in never ending wars.
I learned of the death of Lindsey Graham at about 4 this AM. When you have bouts of insomnia you realize that not much good happens in the wee hours of the morning. To my own detriment I follow politics like most others follow sports. Over the many years I held Graham in high regard. He was a visible and very vocal champion of policies I believe in. There were a few times when I was very frustrated with him for what I viewed was a betrayal of the team. But I knew that he made decisions and took positions not for personal reasons but for the good of his constituents and the country. There was some aspect or knowledge of the issue that I of which I wasn’t privy to. I learned a long time ago that you seldom if ever get every thing you want out of a politician (or a SCOTUS justice) but for the best of them trust that their motives are what they believe is right. I trusted Lindsey Graham whether I agreed with him or not. His presence will be missed.
Graham was a traitor and always put Israel first.
You’re a traitor and you put Russia and Iran first. Well after your hatred of Jews.
Are you drunk again. Heck, its a Sunday morning. Define traitor?
RIP Senator. Condolences to his family and friends.
It is sad to hear of the loss of a strong constitutional supporter these days. He was a good man with strong values. He could think.
We have too many in Congress who merely want to reimagine this and rethink that, which means they don’t have to think at all, just resist.
I hope the left does not trash his memory too soon.
I hope his replacement will be half as good. RIP Lindsey.
His civility shamed many people in the Senate.
He should have been ashamed for his constant priority of Israel over USA.
Truly sorry to hear of his passing. He represented South Carolina and the nation well.
In what way did he represent SC? Gay pride?
I’m in shock. While I didn’t care for his foreign policy, I certainly didn’t want to see him pass. Thank you for sharing the human side of Senator Graham. May he RIP 🙏
My family and I will miss him dearly. We always stopped to listen when he spoke Rest in Peace sir
Amen. 🙏
De mortuis nil nisi bonum.
American Patriot?
LOLOL
Is that what you want said of Bernie Sanders when it is his time to go?
Mr. Sanders will not die. He will bodily ascend into heaven and be seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
OR so he/you think!
Tasteless.
Grow up.
Shows how
Evil you are
Bet you do nothing but sit on the couch and pontificate! Get up and try public service — not an easy task!