Only his hairdresser knows for sure.
The (Pink) Elephant in the Room: Why the Whisper Campaign About Lindsey Graham’s Sex Life Matters
I worked in South Carolina talk radio in the early 2000s. (Shout out to 1250 WTMA, “Your news-talk leader in the Low Country.”) At the time, the sexual escapades of South Carolina politicians were fodder for gleeful gossip — especially our nonagenarian senior senator, Strom Thurmond. More than one Capitol Hill staffer told me his behind-the-scenes nickname was “Spermin’ Thurmond” — and his eye for (much younger) ladies was the stuff of legend.This was a few years before Lindsey Graham became a senator. Back then, he was still just a congressman, but everyone in South Carolina already knew who he was.
Rep. Graham was an ascending superstar; his political talents were obvious. From pressing the case in President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial to his (nonstop) visits to TV studios, Graham was inescapable.
As were the rumors that followed him.
Because I certainly heard them. WTMA’s reporters heard them. Our audience heard them.
It was an open secret: Lindsey Graham was gay, but he stayed in the closet to protect his political career.
Yet despite this rumor’s enduring popularity, it’s entirely possible it wasn’t true at all. Who knows for sure?
But Lindsey Graham stayed scandal-free. He never embarrassed his supporters.
Not even once.
His body is still warm, but some very nasty allegations are already being aired.
Of course, it’s also possible that these allegations are bull[expletive]. It’s easy to lie about someone when they’re not around to defend themselves.
Still, the contrast between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party is glaring. For all the talk of the GOP’s “homophobia” and “closed-minded Christian morality,” Sen. Graham was welcomed into the Republican Party with open arms. He was so welcomed that he confidently ran for president in 2016.
He was treated as an individual — instead of as a cardboard cutout for a preassigned special interest group.
Sen. Graham carved his own identity as a military hawk, an unapologetic interventionist, and a global champion of freedom. If you were an ally of America, Graham would defend you until his dying breath.
And now, he’s gone. But he won’t be forgotten.
That’s safe enough to say, I reckon. Gay or no, he was indeed one of a kind; there never was any sort of template or mold to force-fit him into. He went his own way always, which you gotta respect.
Update! Sen Graham’s fill-in replacement has been named.
We now know who will replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who suddenly passed away over the weekend. Gov. Henry McMaster (R-S.C.) appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the late senator’s younger sister, to take his place in the Senate until the election in November.
“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him,” Nordone told reporters at a press conference with McMaster on Monday afternoon. “It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States.”
“To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words,” she added. “But I’m going to do this. I got it.”
Of course, Nordone’s name came up when President Donald Trump suggested that McMaster nominate her in a post on Truth Social: “I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Pretty unequivocal endorsement, woontchasay?
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Whether he was or wasn’t or whatever, I didn’t think that made a difference in what stands he took.
HOWEVER, he perplexed me for the past 20 years on what did indeed inform his political stances.
Whether he was or wasn’t or whatever, I didn’t think that made a difference in what stands he took.
HOWEVER, he perplexed me for the past 20 years on what did indeed inform his political stances.