The news that Sen. Lindsey Graham is a bachelor has emerged in the news, right along with his announcement that he’s running for president - the ninth in an ever-expanding Republican field. Indeed, the South Carolina lawmaker’s single status garnered over 500 press mentions on Monday, with much coverage devoted to historic significance - he would be the first bachelor president since James Buchanan, elected in 1856. Grover Cleveland also rated mention; he was a widower who married in office exactly 129 years ago, as of Tuesday. Journalists appear almost as fascinated with the idea of Mr. Graham, single president, as they are over Bill Clinton’s potential status as First Gentleman.
The discussion could veer in multiple directions, however. Fox News Sunday moderator Chris Wallace recently advised Mr. Graham that he should retreat to a “psychiatrist couch” to explain why he’d never married. Mr. Graham, 59, is defining himself as a fearless hawk in the meantime - as bold with his warning to terrorists as George Pataki and Rep. Peter King, a pair of New York Republicans who don’t hold back on such things either.
“I want to be president to defeat the enemies that are trying to kill us. Not just paralyze them, or criticize them, or contain them, but defeat them. I’ve come to conclude that we will never enjoy peaceful coexistence with radical Islam, because its followers intend to destroy our way of life,” Mr. Graham said during his campaign announcement on Monday. The candidate will be in New Hampshire on Tuesday.
His pro-life fans, however, have not forgotten he was the lead sponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.
“We need more people who put action behind their convictions. Senator Graham continually backs up his words with concrete action. He has been a true and consistent champion for life in the U.S. Senate and, thanks to his strategic leadership, we are closer than ever before to getting every Senator on record when it comes to protecting innocent children after the fifth month of pregnancy,” says Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life interest group.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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