Berkeley GOP holds off on Graham censure

GOOSE CREEK - U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham escaped another censure Monday after his chief of staff promised to meet with disgruntled Berkeley County Republicans.

Last week, the Charleston County Republican Party's executive committee censured Graham for departing from their values. They were unhappy that Graham is siding with Democrats who believe in global warming for an energy bill, that he supported the federal bank bailout, and that he favors granting amnesty for illegal immigrants and called those who disagree with him bigots.

Berkeley County Republicans showed up at their executive committee meeting Monday night with a similar resolution, changing the name of the county from Charleston to Berkeley.

Linda Riney of Cross urged the approximately 30 committee members present to pass it.

"How can we defend being conservatives if we just sit by with our mouth shut?" she said.

Chairman Tim Callanan of Daniel Island urged the motion be tabled, saying Graham's chief of staff called him Monday afternoon and offered to set up a meeting next week.

"It seems to be a reasonable request," said Callanan, adding he believes Graham has some serious explaining to do.

Joe Kaplinger of Jamestown, who made the motion, said Graham was too late. "He's had plenty of time to answer our questions.

State Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Goose Creek, said he disagrees with Graham on the energy bill but urged the committee to give him a chance to speak for himself.

http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/1031552.html

I simply cannot believe that, after their party has been dragged facedown through the manure by Sanford, Joe Wilson, etc. etc., they lash out at one of their own who actually says something reasonable.

I'm not a constituent, but I still called Graham's office last week after the censure announcement and passed along a message: ignore the censure and keep being reasonable.