Sen. Lindsey Graham Endorses Democrat in California House Race
Howard Berman also gets support from John McCain and Joe Lieberman.
South Carolina’s senior Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham, has endorsed Democrat Howard Berman in Berman’s California House race.
Berman is locked in a tight contest to represent the Golden State’s 30th District with fellow House member and Democrat Brad Sherman.
As a result of re-districting, the two Democrats were forced into a run-off by a California election law that requires the two top finishers in a primary to advance to the general election, irrespective of party.*
The race in suburban Los Angeles is expected to be close and the endorsement from Graham could make the difference for Berman, who also received endorsements on Monday from Sens. John McCain (R – Arizona) and Joseph Lieberman (I – Connecticut).
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Berman is the senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In a statement, Graham said, "(Berman) works hard every day to advance America's agenda and has been instrumental in passing laws to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, stop arms sales to nations that support terrorism, and keep our country safe. We need his effectiveness and bipartisan leadership in Congress."
Graham is up for re-election in South Carolina in 2014 and is expected to face a challenge from his right, with the most oft-mentioned candidate being State Sen. Tom Davis (R - Beaufort).
McCain won re-election in 2010 and Lieberman has announced he’ll be retiring from the Senate when his term ends in Jan. 2013.
Graham did not make an official endorsement during the Republican Presidential Primaries, but has been harshly critical of Pres. Obama on everything from tax policy to his handling of the crisis in Syria.
* Note - This sentence originally said California law "allows" the to top two finishers to square off in a primary even if they are from the same party, when in fact it's more stringent than that--it's required. Thanks to a savvy reader for pointing that out.
Wade
8:34 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Graham is a traitor!
Robert Kelly
10:06 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Graham made his mark by making Bill Clinton's sexual affair a very big deal (impeachment). That did not further the needs of America, but it made him famous. If adultery were really so important (whose business is it?) he would have gone after Newt Gingrich as well...but no, that was not in his political interest. Graham is an opportunist and does not represent what is best about American politics.
stanley seigler
12:36 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
just in case some missed the fact there are no GOPs in CA district 30 race...
so guess graham choose to support who he considered the lesser of two evil DEMs...
from this thread article: '...a California election law that requires the two top finishers in a primary to advance to the general election, irrespective of party...[so] Berman is locked in a tight contest to represent the Golden State’s 30th District with fellow House member and Democrat Brad Sherman.'
my opine: both are good DEMs and better than any GOP...
BTW/FYI
there are few GOPs left in CA the 7th (well somewhere between 7th and 9th) largest economy in the world...no GOPs in state wide offices...and;
the CA house and senate have DEM majorities...but rules require 2/3 to pass tax legislation...so DEMs do not have control...
and there's gov moonbeam who challenged christy to a 3 mi race (and other events) after christy called him a retread...
Bear401
9:17 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Maybe this guy Berman will suddenly switch parties after the election & the reason why Graham & McCain are supporting him
Pete O
9:40 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Lindsey is pandering to the Neo-cons and I am happy to see Persona non grata Lieberman leave public office.What a weasel!
joe enos
9:43 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
got to love the misleading headline but then this is the obaba post
Pete O
9:50 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Lindsey as in the past is pandering to the Neo-Cons.As for Lieberman the Persona non grata I am pleased he is leaving public office he has sabotaged the Democratic party. Earlier he was given a helping hand to get re-elected when he needed it; he was put on the Ballot for VP.... then bit the gracious hand of the Party.Thank goodness he will leave!
Gerald Sutton
10:36 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
As far as I am concerned, if Graham endorses him, he must be a wolf in sheep's clothing, or a conservative running as a progressive.......(blue dog)!
Jay Smith
11:34 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Lets see, they may be friends??? Howard Berman may just possibly be a GOOD congressman who is not a partisan hack??? Just because he is a democrat does not make him any less deserving of an endorsement if he does his JOB PROPERLY. This flys in the face of the other side in the same scenario. Stand up for whats right, not for party lines!
Wallst
1:11 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
If Graham is supporting this guy, he must be an idiot. I would RUN to the other guy.
stanley seigler
5:40 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
puzzling why graham gets involved in CA politics...but CA requirement that top two in primary (regardless of party) run in the general is interesting...
in CA the support of a GOP may cost a candidate votes...
Ann Tagonized
11:42 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Maybe Graham is supporting Berman, because Berman is the more angry white man of the two candidates!