Graham Was For “Cap And Trade” Before He Was Against It

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was in favor of a massive new energy tax before he was opposed to it, according to the White House’s Director of Energy and Climate Change Policy, Carol Browner.

The proposal – called “Cap and Trade” – is sponsored by another notorious D.C. flip-flopper, former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

The legislation seeks to establish a so-called “emissions marketplace” for U.S companies, although there’s no guarantee it would actually reduce global emissions.  Also, according to estimates from President Barack Obama’s own Treasury Department, the proposal could end up costing the average American family as much as $4,000 a year in additional energy costs.

In response to a wave of criticism, Graham has staked out confusing positions on the legislation, most recently saying that he would oppose the legislation in its current form.

But that’s not what Graham told Browner in a phone conversation that took place two-and-a-half months ago.

Specifically, Graham pledged to Browner that he was “going to be there” for the Obama administration on the Cap and Trade legislation, at least according to her remarks before a conference held by the American Council on Renewable Energy in Washington D.C. two weeks ago.

“Senator Graham called me about two months ago and he said, ‘Carol I’m not going to be able to be with your administration on a lot of things, but I’m going to be there on this,’ and it was a surprising phone call, and then he said ‘and when I say this, I mean cap and trade,’” Brower said.

Here’s a link to the video of Browner’s remarks, with her reference to Graham’s promise starting at the 57:49 mark and ending at the 58:08 mark.

Again, here’s the quote she attributes to Graham:

Carol I’m not going to be able to be with your administration on a lot of things, but I’m going to be there on this, and when I say this, I mean cap and trade.

Those may very well be the most dangerous nineteen seconds of video Lindsey Graham has ever been confronted with in his entire political career … at least that we know about.  Although amazingly, as of this writing, only 108 people have watched the clip … further evidence that nobody pays attention to C-SPAN.

Anyway, the video is deeply problematic for Graham because he was obviously either lying to the White House in September or he’s lying to South Carolinians now – there’s just not much room to finesse the issue in either direction.

Of course we’re sure Graham’s supporters will try to “finesse” it – as they always do.

In fact, shortly after we exposed the various left-leaning bedfellows attempting to provide Graham with political cover on this issue (click here, here, here and here if you want to read the meticulously-documented stories exposing the scam), a story was posted on a website with ties to Graham’s consultant with the headline “Graham Would Vote Against Climate Change Bill.”

But will he?

Graham has clearly pledged the White House’s “Climate Czar” his support on Cap and Trade.  He’s also regurgitated the White House’s carbon tax talking points ad nauseum in spite of growing evidence that the whole climate change issue is nothing but an elaborate government growth scheme built around admittedly fuzzy science.

Bottom line?

It’s time for Lindsey Graham to stop talking out of both sides of his mouth and make it clear whether that’s something he supports or opposes.

UPDATE: We contacted Graham’s office seeking comment prior to publishing this story.  We’ve heard nothing back, but we’ll let you know what – if any – response we receive.

UPDATE II: Graham’s office has responded by forwarding us two articles on the Senator’s website. Those articles are here and here, in case you’re interested in reading them.

Comments