Graham's Climate Change Courage
Instead of criticizing Senator Lindsey Graham for working across the aisle on comprehensive climate change legislation, the GOP should be applauding his efforts to push for conservative solutions to our energy crisis.
The American Conservative Union rated GOP Senator Lindsey Graham 88 percent conservative based on his voting record in 2009, with a lifetime rating of 89.68. Utilizing a separate rating system, National Journal considers him the 26th most conservative member of the Senate that year. Why, then, did his home state Charleston County Republican Party pass a resolution condemning him for undermining “Republican leadership and party solidarity for his own benefit” late last year?
The censure came at the heels of a public commitment to work with Senator John Kerry on comprehensive climate change legislation. “The cap-and-trade issue put it over the edge for our members,” Charleston County GOP Chair Lin Bennett remarked at the time. In a multitude of forums – both online and in the real world – since then, Graham has faced no small amount of ridicule and vitriol for his willingness to work across the aisle on energy and environmental policy. “Why do you think it’s necessary to get into bed with people like John Kerry?” a constituent asked him at a townhall meeting, a question which was met with thunderous applause. “I have a very difficult time with your concept of principled compromise.”
The fact is Democrats control both houses of Congress and the White House. While the time will come when Republicans regain a governing majority, until then, Republicans should not simply take a time-out from governing. Disregarding the contention over the cause, effect, and magnitude of climate change, moving America towards a cleaner and more efficient energy economy is of the utmost importance to the nation’s health, competitiveness, and security. Reform cannot wait until the next successful election for the GOP.
As hard as it may be to believe, good ideas can be developed through dialogue, debate, and yes, principled compromise. It is ludicrous to think that Senator Graham decided to work on tripartisan (Senator Joe Lieberman came on later) legislation with a mind of simply capitulating to his colleagues on every point. By all accounts, Senators Graham, Kerry, and Lieberman are working at a feverish pace to unveil a bill within the next couple months, and I for one am glad there is someone in the room to articulate conservative principles. I look forward to judging the fruits of Senator Graham’s labor on its merits when the time comes.