Why the media silence on Lindsey Graham’s vow to use the military to force vote in Congress?

[Octafish]

By Bill Van Auken
world socialist web site, 14 March 2015

The protracted 2016 presidential campaign cycle has already begun, and with it the close attention of the media to the statements made by prospective candidates in hopes of discovering even the slightest “gaffe” that can be turned into a political news item.

All the more odd then that the remarks made at a New Hampshire town hall meeting by one Republican presidential hopeful, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have been virtually blacked out by all of the major print and broadcast outlets.

Asked by a member of the audience what he would do about automatic cuts to the Pentagon budget that would go into effect because of sequestration, Graham responded that the problem had left him sick to his stomach.

[font color="green"]He continued: “And here is the first thing I would do if I were President of the United States: I wouldn’t let Congress leave town until we fix this. I would literally use the military to keep them in if I had to. We’re not leaving town until we restore these defense cuts. We’re not leaving town until we restore the intel cuts.”[/font color]

The statement is extraordinary. A candidate for the presidency of the United States vows that, once elected, he would use the military to impose his—and its—will upon a recalcitrant Congress. Presumably, troops would hold members of the House and Senate at gunpoint until they produced the results demanded.

CONTINUED...

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/03/14/medi-m14.html

Good thing some media don't worship the almighty dollar.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. Let me explain it to you

I
O
K
I
Y
R

[Octafish]

3. Absolutely. Considering Lindsey's big buddies with Rahm, surprising.

The Latest Rahmlinology

Published March 2, 2010 | By emptywheel

I wonder how Greg Craig–ousted from the Administration because he tried to do the right thing on Gitmo–feels about this.

In December 2008, Obama, Emanuel and Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) met in Obama’s transition headquarters in Chicago to discuss detainee policy. According to Graham, Obama turned to him at one point and said, ” ‘I’m going to need your help closing Guantanamo Bay. . . . I want you and Rahm to start talking.’ ” They did, and as the discussions progressed, Emanuel grew wary that closing the U.S. military prison in Cuba was possible without opening a slew of other politically sensitive national security problems ” ‘This stuff is like flypaper,’ ” Graham recalled Emanuel saying. ” ‘It will stick to you.’ ”

Graham said Emanuel was well aware that his and any other Republican support for closing Guantanamo Bay hinged on keeping alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed out of civilian court.

According to a person familiar with the conversations, who discussed the confidential deliberation on the condition of anonymity, Emanuel made his case to Obama, articulating the political dangers of a civilian trial to congressional Democrats. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. presented a counterargument rooted in principle, for civilian trials.

The implication, of course, is that Rahm met with the two Republicans on his own. If so, at the very time Rahm was letting Lindsey Graham demand the shredding of the Constitution, Greg Craig was executing the ham-handed report that, though transparently lame, managed to free Rahm of the taint of Rod Blagojevich.

CONTINUED...

https://www.emptywheel.net/tag/lindsey-graham/page/5/

[Gman]

2. Probably because

It's news to anyone that he's running (he's not) and this is to be expected from the hysterical senator who cried "We're all gonna die!" It's one instance where they didn't feed the troll. Not to mention the fact a president can't do that anyway. The military would rightly say, "I beg your pardon??"

[Octafish]

4. But, he did say it.

And no one in the press has followed up on his statement, even if just for the sake of clarity.

Call me paranoid, but things have changed since Lindsey Graham and the rest of the pukes foisted the USA PATRIOT Act on America.

[customerserviceguy]

5. I don't think anybody

pays any attention to Goober Graham anymore. He has less chance of winning the GOP nomination than even Christie, and that guy's toast. He's anathema to most GOPers on immigration, and would just split the pro-immigration vote with Jebbie or with Rubio, if the latter runs.

He might do well in the South Carolina primary, but he'll be blown out of the water in Iowa and New Hampshire first.

[Gman]

10. I doubt he'd make it to SC

After NH and IA.

[Volaris]

12. Not to mention the fact that,

The moment the doors were locked, the Congress would hold a vote for sure--to Impeach his dumb ass.

Can't interrupt their vacation time, after all..

[cali]

6. what media silence? It was widely reported and posted (more than once)

here.

[Octafish]

8. You're right. What police state?

Sending the military to round up wayward Congressmen at gunpoint would be something only a Texas Republican would do.

[Fred Sanders]

7. It might be a good thing no one much cared to spread the rantings of lunatics.

[sadoldgirl]

9. It may be a very good thing for

Graham that it was not taken seriously by
most media outlets.

How long has he been in the Senate and still
not know the constitution?

That would have been a total embarrassment for him.

[Gman]

11. As they say, he can wish in one hand

and....