By fitsnews – September 25, 2008
When he’s not supporting the costliest, most expansive government intervention in the U.S. economy since the Great Depression, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is shaking down Washington D.C. lobbyists to fund South Carolina’s left-leaning GOP legislative caucuses, according to documents obtained by FITSNews.
One of these lobbyists – who also happens to have a bit of a crush on our founding editor – forwarded us copies of these fundraising invitations, which were sent on Graham’s behalf to dozens of Beltway lobbyists Wednesday morning.
“Many of you have received a call from Senator Lindsey Graham, Richard Perry and/or Andrew King this past week regarding the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus and the South Carolina House Republican Caucus,” reads an e-mail sent by one of Graham’s Washington D.C. fundraisers. “I’ve attached reply forms for both with information about their mission and where contributions can be mailed.”
In case you’re not aware of the history behind the S.C. Senate Republican Caucus, let’s just say its “Republican” designation is up for debate.
The group spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in Republican primary races fighting against conservative candidates, draining money that many believe should have been withheld for Republican nominees in the general election.
For example, the Senate Caucus spent at least $100,000 attempting to defeat former S.C. gubernatorial Chief of Staff Tom Davis in a Republican primary race in Beaufort County, only to lose that contest by a dozen percentage points.
That election – which included numerous allegations of financial improprieties committed by the Caucus, – was widely viewed as a personal vendetta by Senators Harvey Peeler and Hugh Leatherman against S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, who has consistently called these legislative leaders out for their wasteful spending.
Also, the Caucus’ bias against conservative Republican candidates is extending into the general election, as well.
Conservative State Rep. Mick Mulvaney, for example, has not received any financial support from the Caucus in his Senate race in Lancaster and York counties, a key battleground district that you’d think Republicans would want to keep in their column.
Meanwhile, the House Republican Caucus is also in the midst of tremendous upheaval, as Speaker Bobby Harrell has launched an all-out war against his conservative members.
Just yesterday, Harrell blasted several conservative leaders in the House for their support of transparency reforms designed to cut wasteful spending.
Oh, and beyond the petty personal warfare, let’s not forget the big picture.
These so-called “Republican” leaders are not only responsible for growing government at record levels in South Carolina over the past three years (almost always in secret), but they have also endorsed a “Jobs Plan” that is built around … wait for it … growing government some more.
Of course, given the way things work up in Washington, Lindsey’s support of these big government enablers is probably going to be well-received by the lobbyists he’s shaking down …
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