‘God help us all’ if Democrats win Senate, SC’s Graham says as his race gets tighter
South Carolina’s U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott urged voters during a S.C. Chamber of Commerce forum on Tuesday to get involved to make sure Democrats don’t gain control of the U.S. Senate and White House after November.
Graham, who faces his own contentious battle for his Senate seat against challenger Jaime Harrison, said on the videoconference call that he was “scared” of the causes championed by House Democrats, calling the politicians on the other side of the aisle “radical.”
“It’s very important that President (Donald) Trump get reelected,” Graham said. “But it’s more important that we keep the Senate.”
In order to gain control of the Senate, Democrats would need to hold their current seats and win four more. Democrats also could aim to win three seats and the White House, leaving a Democratic vice president to break the tied votes.
“If we lose that majority, God help us all,” said Graham, R-Seneca.
On the call Tuesday, Graham also criticized the Green New Deal, an environmental and economic plan championed by several Democrats and rebuked by Republicans. Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden also supports parts of the program, which aim at tackling climate change and promoting jobs in the clean energy sector.
Graham said the plan would “destroy the economy in the name of helping the environment.”
Scott, meanwhile, warned that if Democrats gain control of the Senate they could try to get rid of the filibuster, a method of blocking or delaying a bill. Several Democrats have advocated getting rid of the filibuster, including former President Barack Obama.
Without the filibuster, Scott said it would be easier for the controlling party to pass legislation and the type of legislation passed would change dramatically as the Senate changes hands.
“The ability for a bipartisan coalition to transform this country will be gone,” Scott said. “What we really want is certainty and predictability. Good policy is helpful, certainty is necessary.”
Graham reiterated Tuesday that Republicans need to be reelected to the Senate to keep that control. But recent polling suggests Graham’s own standing might be changing.
On Monday, Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter that rates political races, shifted Graham’s seat from “likely Republican” to “leaning Republican.” And recent polls done have put Graham’s challenger within striking distance of the incumbent senator.
Harrison also has broken Democratic fundraising records in the state, outraising Graham in the last two quarters.
None of that has distracted Graham, who said Tuesday he “likes our chances.”
“We’re going to be competitive and we’re going to keep this seat,” Graham said.
“I’m reasonably optimistic, quite frankly, that things will break our way.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 1:49 PM.
