Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, has set up a committee to allow him to test the waters on a potential run for the White House, pitching national security and foreign policy as vital issues ahead of 2016.
The “Security Through Strength” committee plays off of the “peace through strength” adage of former President Reagan; Mr. Graham cites Mr. Reagan on the home page of the committee’s website.
“Ronald Reagan’s policy of ’Peace Through Strength’ kept America safe during the Cold War,” Mr. Graham said in a statement. “But we will never enjoy peaceful coexistence with radical Islam because its followers are committed to destroying us and our way of life. However, Americans can have ’Security Through Strength,’ and I will continue to lead in that critical fight.”
Mr. Graham has not been mentioned frequently among the top tier of potential 2016 hopefuls, but as one of the more hawkish voices in the GOP, even his possible entrance into the race could help push the debate within the party over foreign policy and national defense to the forefront. The “about” section on the committee’s site makes multiple mentions of the senator’s foreign policy bona fides.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, two others weighing bids in 2016, have also spoken recently of their foreign policy experience as a boon for their would-be campaigns.
On Wednesday, 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, over her “reset button” with Russia at an event in Mississippi as Mr. Romney weighs another run in 2016.
On his Facebook page, Mr. Graham does say that the adage is more than just military might, and requires “a sound and growing economy with a nation that becomes energy independent over time,” confronting major issues, and protecting and promoting American values.
Other contenders who have recently moved to form similar committees, which allow candidates to travel the country and gauge support for a run, include Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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