Lindsey Graham in 2002 on his campaign to replace Strom Thurmond in the Senate | 60 Minutes Archive
In a Nutshell
Lindsey Graham, a Republican congressman, is running to replace retiring Senator Strom Thurmond in South Carolina by emulating his legendary constituent service and personal outreach while tying himself to President Bush and the Iraq War. His Democratic opponent, Alex Sanders, struggles against the state's Republican advantage, attacking Graham on Social Security while fending off ads labeling him a liberal for opposing the flag-burning amendment and death penalty. The race highlights how fundraising demands, authenticity, and Thurmond's legacy of delivering federal benefits define the contest, with Republicans holding a structural edge.
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Senator Thurmond was elected in November of 1954. Lindsey Graham was born in July of 1955. Their graveyards are full of people in this state wanting to be Strom Thurmond's heir. The Republican contender for that title is Lindsey Graham, a four-term congressman who came to national prominence during the impeachment of Bill Clinton.
Graham's opponent, the Democrat, is 64-year-old Alex Sanders, a former state senator, chief judge of the state court of appeals, and most recently president of the College of Charleston.
Alex Sanders states he has to be very careful not to offend Strom Thurmond because he is so admired in South Carolina. If Sanders offended him, six years from now, Thurmond might run against him. Everyone in South Carolina jokes about Thurmond's age, but very gingerly. Down in South Carolina, he's a hero. Not because of his politics or his legislative record, but because he delivered federal dollars and federal projects. Over the years, he seems to have extended a favor or a courtesy to nearly everyone in the state, white or black, Republican or Democrat.
Lindsey Graham remembers campaigning with Thurmond a few years ago. They started into the crowd and didn't get ten feet before a guy came up and said, "Senator Thurmond, so good to see you." Thurmond responded, "Well, glad to be with you." The man said, "Thanks for getting me on social security." The guy was in his mid-60s. Then he said, "Thanks for getting mama in a nursing home and thanks for getting my grandson in the Air Force Academy." Graham was saying, "This is one guy, one family. Do I have a tough act to follow if I ever run for the Senate?"
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