Issue date: 1/24/10 Section: News and Opinion

But in Graham's eyes, the process "stunk" almost more than the actual bill, which is a "joke". The whole bill process was "absolutely outrageous," Graham said. He went on the tell the audience that it was not right to put the burden of paying for expanded health care coverage on 49 states because Senate Democrats needed one vote, in reference to the last-minute deal Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska got in exchange for his support. "It's a bad idea to make any state pay for Nebraska's Medicaid," said Graham.

But for all his good stances on health care, the town hall attendees continued to berate the senator for being too friendly with Democrats. But Graham held his own, saying, "If you can't call someone a friend because you disagree- that's sad… [but I will] do everything I can to build my party."

Overall the attendees were civil, with the exception of one man who stood in the middle of the auditorium calling Graham a "liar". He was quickly removed, and the meeting continued. There were occasional shouts of "Ron Paul" throughout the night, to which Graham chuckled and said that it is more likely he [Graham] would be playing in the NBA than it is for Paul to get the GOP nomination in 2012. But, if he does, Graham said he would vote for him.

Among the attendees was 3rd Congressional district candidate, Richard Cash. "When it comes to cap and trade, it seems that Graham is driving off the ditch, doesn't it?" said Cash. But for Cash, the reality is that cap and trade is "socialistic in nature."

Dean Allen, candidate for Adjutant General, was also in attendance. "Senator Graham doesn't grasp the fact that this is a battle," said Allen. "He said at one point tonight he didn't go up there just to do battle with the Democrats. Well, that's what we sent him up there for."

Graham ended the town hall talking about Iraq, Afghanistan, and the prospect of a nuclear Iran. In retrospect, the senator said he still supports the war in Iraq, although "going into Iraq without enough troops was wrong." As for the costs of the war, in terms of both casualties and dollar figures, Graham said "I am heartbroken it has cost us so much unnecessarily."



Although Graham seemed sincere in acknowledging failures along the way in both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he remained steadfast in his position that continued U.S. involvement is necessary. "I can't promise things will end well, but I can promise that if we don't try at all, we'll lose," said Graham.

The next step, according to Graham, is to leave Iraq in an orderly fashion, negotiate with Iran, and encourage the people of Iran to take back their country. "The biggest challenge the world faces is a nuclear-armed Iran," warned Graham. On the question of whether Iran should be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, Graham said, "It is better to use military force before Iran gets the bomb, then after." In a more somber tone he added, "Don't underestimate the power of that statement." After that, nobody did.

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