Sen. Graham on health care: “It has become a big “f-ing” mess for the Democratic Party and the country as a whole.”
Today on CNN’s State of the Union with Candy Crowley, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke with CNN’s Candy Crowley about upcoming Supreme Court decision on health care, the 2012 GOP presidential race, Afghanistan and more. Highlighted excerpts are after the jump.
MANDATORY CREDIT: CNN’s “State of the Union”
Highlighted Excerpts
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
On Afghanistan
CROWLEY: Somewhat of a split issue, as the country is on many things, at this point. Let me move you on to a couple of overseas issues. One of them is Afghanistan. We heard two of the Republican candidates out there, Santorum and Gingrich, saying, look, it may be time to just get out of there. This was after the massacre by…
GRAHAM: And I shot back very hard at Newt. I like Newt. He’s a smart guy, but listen to the general. We don’t need a punch of politicians trying to create a military exit strategy. We’re withdrawing from Afghanistan. The question is how. Do we listen to General Allen or do we listen to politicians who are trying to get a sound bite?
Rick Santorum has never said that. Romney would listen to General Allen. And here is my hope that President Obama will too. It is my hope that President Obama will follow General Allen’s withdrawal plan in a strategic partnership agreement between us and Afghanistan. It’s the last card to play.
I wish the president would do an Oval Office address and tell us why Afghanistan is important. It is the center of gravity in the battle in the war on terror. It’s the place we were attacked from, where the 9/11 attackers had safe haven. It really matters that we get it right. And General Allen has a plan to bring us home with security honor.
And this counterterrorism that would be left behind in 2014 would be an insurance policy against the Taliban ever taking over Afghanistan. It would be a signal to the Pakistanis, quit betting on the Taliban. It would be telling the Iranians, America doesn’t abandon its allies.
So I would like to, in a bipartisan way, support General Allen as he withdraws our forces, and support a strategic partnership agreement being negotiated by the Obama administration, which I think is the trump card to be played, the way to end the war with security and honor.
On 2012 campaign
GRAHAM: Oh, I think when the primaries are over Romney will be the nominee. Fiscal and social conservatives will unite and form a bond with libertarians and independents. And we’ll win the White House if we can run a good fall campaign. Won’t be easy, but I like our chances.
The president’s three-and-a-half years haven’t produced a whole lot in terms of good policy, “Obama-care,” the stimulus package. None of his big issues have seemed to work very well and gas prices going through the roof. And so I like our chances, but it will be Romney. The elephant hasn’t sung yet, but she’s warming up.
CROWLEY: So and he’s your guy and you’re happy?
GRAHAM: Well, you know, I haven’t endorsed anybody but I think — yes, I’m very comfortable with him. The other two candidates have run phenomenal races. Rick keeps exceeding expectations, but, you know, Romney won five delegates in Louisiana. He will get to 1,144.
The last thing I want is a brokered convention. I want us to come out of Tampa united behind Romney, conservative socially and fiscally working together with libertarians and independents to take back the White House before it’s too late.
You know, “Obama-care” is going to the Supreme Court. If for some reason there’s an Obama second term, this thing becomes etched in stone, “Obama-care” does, and the only way you can repeal it is to get back the White House.
On Health Care
CROWLEY: How does this affect the debate in 2012 if the Supreme Court says, listen, this individual mandate forcing people to buy health insurance for themselves or face a fine is OK with us. What if it’s — the whole law stands?
GRAHAM: Well, you know, I think a lot of Democrats hope that the law gets stricken down, that the mandate is ruled unconstitutional because the political issue sort of is watered down.
I don’t know what the court is going to do. From a political point of view, this is a — this is probably the centerpiece of the debate in the fall, the proper role of government. Did the “Obama-care” live up to its billing the way it was passed in the dark of night behind the 60th vote, behind closed doors. The process was bad. The substance is going over like a lead balloon.
You know, the vice president whispered to the president when they signed the bill two years ago, this is a big “f-ing” deal. Well, now it has become a big “f-ing” mess for the Democratic Party and the country as a whole.
So the court could say that the power to tax, defined as a tax, and Obama would be — could actually win the argument that the fine is really just a tax and we’re going to tax you to create a centralized health care system.
I think the public will not like the substance anymore if the Supreme Court agrees with the Obama administration on the tax.
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