charles r. davis

The Abdul El Sayed campaign is freaking me out. His hidden tax returns, foggy qualifications, condescension to women, Fight Agency ties, and deeper disinterest in policy about a true and peaceful Palestinian state beyond Israel Bad arms embargoes are red flags piling up.

It was a shock this morning to find out that my friend Lindsey Graham has died. He was a man who loved his work, his country, and his family. He didn’t have an easy life growing up and to me that explained a lot about him as well as his devotion to his remaining family members including his sister. It also explained his almost kid-like exuberance about his job and the responsibilities he was given (even in his sixties he would get off a plane in a foreign land with a twinkle in his eye and look at me as if to say, can you believe we are actually here and doing this?). Lindsey was loyal to friends and causes. He was willing to work on gnarly issues and take on (at times) political risks for the right reasons. It is fitting that he died shortly after visiting Ukraine, one of those causes he would stand up for through thick and thin. Much will be said in the coming days about his relationships with others—President Trump and John McCain for instance—but what can’t be forgotten is the reason why so many people he worked with—from senators to staff—will mourn his loss: Lindsey had a zest for life and the Senate that made you want to get to work on a bill with him or at least debate him. He brought joy to his job. Lindsey Graham was the one who was willing to work with me (when so few would) on helping the Afghan refugees. I remember standing outside of a little phone booth in the Republican cloakroom last year as he spoke with the Vice President, holding up a sign that said “Save the Afghans” and he put the phone on hold and said “OK OK I will go on your bill even if it gets me in trouble.” Or his early willingness to lead on big tech bills, including repealing the provision that protects them from consumer suits. But mostly my fond memories of spending time with Lindsey (and we travelled the world with John McCain) was not about the ups and downs of his policy positions. It was about his love for the world, his loyalty to hard causes and his friends, and the pure joy he brought to life. I will miss him.

John McCain never understood why Graham was so smitten with Trump, and mocked his pal for courting a man both once dismissed as a disgrace and a fraud. When Graham marveled at Trump's golf score -- McCain, near the end of his life, exploded. “My ass he shot a 70!” he shouted.

Trying to imagine how sanctimonious Abdul would be if Haley had secret foreign investments she was trying to hide from voters.

If Abdul El-Sayed beats Stevens I actually think he's very likely to be the next president. I suspect he'll trounce the Republican. His criticisms of Dem elites will appeal to those who liked Bernie & Trump. And if he wins MI he'll silence centrists & be ideal Dem 2028 contender.