In a less-than enthusiastic speech, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham just announced he’s officially running for president. What are people saying?
Two weeks ago, saying “the world is falling apart,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced he is running for president, but as is the fashion these days, he waiting until today to make the official announcement.
In a lengthy and some might say less than impassioned speech, the 59-year old South Carolina native and dedicated neocon war hawk spoke of “security through strength” several times, pointing to GOP hero Ronald Reagan.
Nate Silver charted just how pro-war the top 15 candidates are:
Graham tried to gin up the crowd through scare tactics, and his usual warnings about just how unsafe America is, from radical Islam. Of course, he attacked President Barack Obama, and even aid he was a more experienced leader than Democrat Hillary Clinton.
LOOK:Â Here Are GOP Presidential Candidate Lindsey Graham’s 10 Worst Anti-Gay Comments
Albeit a war-mongering neocon hawk, Graham does offer a taste of conservatism from decades past.Â
Unlike the 2012 election’s meme about whether or not successful people “built that,” Graham admitted he is “not a self-made man,” offering thanks to those who supported him though good times and bad, including friends, family, and also his faith.
He also warned seniors and seniors-to-be that Social Security and Medicare are in trouble and may not be there in the future.
“I intend to be president not of a single party, but of a nation,” he told the small-ish crowd. “I want to do more than make big government smaller. I want to help make a great nation greater.”
Graham won’t be able to claim Washington outside status. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 – 2003, and  has served in the U.S. Senate ever since. He also has served in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and Reserves going back as far as 1988.
Like almost every Republican in D.C., Graham is virulently anti-gay.
Some reactions, via Twitter:
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Related:
Lindsey Graham Accuses Al Gore Of Making Climate Change A ‘Religion’
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham: White Men Will ‘Do Great In My Presidency’
Polygamy? Murder? Lindsey Graham’s Anti-Gay Marriage ‘Debate’ Deserves Rebuke
Image: Screenshot via NBC News