Senator Lindsey Graham Quits as Republican Candidate in 2016 US Presidential Race
Sen. Lindsey Graham, running as a Republican candidate for the 2016 US presidential race. has decided to quit his campaign.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican said Monday, Dec. 21, via a YouTube clip, that he has surmised that the 2016 US presidential election is not his time yet even though he has already made a difference during the campaign.
The South Carolina senator stated, "Since launching my campaign for president on June 1, I have offered a path to saving the American dream and working together on bold solutions to solve big problems," and continued, "Most importantly, the centerpiece of my campaign has been securing our nation. I have offered a detailed plan to win a war we cannot afford to lose and to turn back the tide of isolationism that has been rising in the Republican Party."
The good senator's decision to back down from the race coincided with the deadline for the removal of his name from his home state, South Carolina's ballot, for the primary.
Sen. Lindsey Graham began his campaign in his South Carolina hometown with a festive rally and frequently regaled voters with tales of his humble beginnings, helping to raise his sister and growing up above a pool hall. Nevertheless, the Republicans' fascination with presidential candidate front-runner Donald Trump as well as a fresher generation of senators has led to his failure in gaining traction even in his own home state.
According to The New York Times, despite his expertise on national security and belligerent stand on foreign policy, which seemed tailor-made to the present political climate, Sen. Graham has been stuck in the bottom of the polls and registered single digits.
In a report by Business Recorder, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was an initial and staunch advocate of utilizing U.S. ground troops versus Islamic State.
Despite his low percentage in the opinion polls, Sen. Graham maintained his fondness for incorporating lighthearted remarks with pronouncements of doom and gloom about the spreading terrorism threat while campaigning. He can also be frequently seen in the home state of political ally and close friend, Sen. John McCain, in New Hampshire.
In addition, during the summer, Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized his fellow Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, for his comments regarding the foreign policy views of former Pres. George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. In retaliation, the real estate developer read out loud the senator's personal cell phone number amid a large crowd in South Carolina while on a campaign rally. In effect, Sen. Graham was pressed to change his number.
Meanwhile, hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham announced his departure from the 2016 U.S. Republican presidential race, his rivals were scrambling to scoop up his support and his backers, as per Politico.
A former South Carolina House speaker and Sen. Lindsey Graham's finance team, David Wilkins, said he had a brief conversation with Jeb Bush but declined to answer if he's endorsing him.
Another former supporter of Sen. Lindsey Graham, Pam Patenaude, former Housing and Urban Development assistant secretary endorsed Bush last Monday.
On the other end, Democrats viewed Sen. Lindsey Graham's exit in the 2016 U.S. Republican presidential race as a sign that the party has gone astray.
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