America's First Freedom: For readers who may not be familiar with you, could you tell us about yourself, your achievements and vision for South Carolina?
Graham: I grew up in the town of Central, South Carolina, where my parents owned and operated several small businesses and where I attended D.W. Daniel High School. I was the first person in my family to attend college and received my undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina. While there, I was a member of Air Force rotc.
After law school, I entered the U.S. Air Force, where I served as a defense attorney and prosecutor on active duty for over six years, including four years at Rhein Mein Air Base in Germany. I served as a Staff Judge Advocate at McEntire National Guard Base during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and maintain my status as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
After leaving the Air Force in 1988, I opened a private law practice and served as attorney for the town of Central and assistant county attorney for Oconee County. In 1992, I became involved in politics and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 1994, I decided to run for Congress and became the first Republican to represent South Carolina`s Third Congressional District since 1877. I`m now serving my fourth term in Congress.
As far as my voting record, I`ve voted for conservative government including lower taxes and eliminating wasteful spending. I`m also a strong supporter of the military, the Second Amendment, and an advocate for education reform.
In other words, I opposed Bill Clinton`s big government agenda virtually all the time and vote with President Bush on a regular basis. I`m an avid hunter, particularly enjoying duck and quail hunting. I`m new to turkey hunting and find it an exciting sport. In fact, the district I represent is home to the National Wild Turkey Federation and the national office of Quail Unlimited. I was elected as a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms and have stayed true to my beliefs.
AFF: South Carolina has a long, proud tradition of gun ownership dating back to the American Revolution. Today, the state boasts some of the best quail, deer and turkey hunting in the South. Where do you stand on the rights and traditions of American gun owners and hunters?
Graham: I`m a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms and believe hunting is a great family sport. I want to ensure it is passed on to the next generation.
I`m a strong believer in enforcing existing gun laws, particularly those involving violent felony violations. As long as I`m in politics, I will continue to support the Second Amendment. Protecting the right to keep and bear arms is a continual struggle, and we must remain ever vigilant.
The idea that we need new gun laws misses the mark. We need to enforce the current laws and make people realize the Second Amendment is part of the Constitution.
AFF: You were called to active duty and served stateside during the Gulf War. In Congress, you serve on the Armed Services Committee. With U.S. forces engaged in a war on terrorism and some Democrats calling for cuts in defense spending, how do you view America`s strength and military readiness?
Graham: Under the Clinton administration we had shortages of parts, low morale, poor pay for soldiers, and were spread too thin around the globe with no clear definition of protecting American interests. President Bush has come in with a new attitude and plan. He`s committed to rebuilding the military, and I fully support him in this effort. It`s going to take time to rebuild to the strength we had in the Reagan and Bush years, but we`re on the right track. I think President Bush has been a terrific commander in chief since taking office.
At the end of the day, our freedom will be secured. Our brave young men and women are sacrificing in every conceivable way. The least we can do is pay them well and support them with the best equipment and training possible.
Sept. 11 and the war in Afghanistan have shown us how important it is to have a strong military that can protect our national interests and security. We`re rooting out al Qaeda terrorists now, but there remain other targets we`re going to have to go after to be successful in the war on terrorism.
Eventually, we`re going to have to deal with Saddam Hussein, who remains a threat. He has a thirst for nuclear weapons. We can`t allow him to quench that thirst. The only way we can totally prevent him from acquiring these weapons of mass destruction is to remove him from power. I have no problems with us taking Saddam out, even if we have to do it by ourselves.
AFF: Sen. Strom Thurmond, who`s retiring after serving longer in the Senate than any American in history, personally endorsed your candidacy to succeed him, saying, "Lindsey Graham is respected by his colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike . . . Lindsey`s seven years` service in the House will allow for a smooth transition to the Senate." How does that make you feel?
Graham: To be endorsed by Sen. Thurmond, a living legend, is truly an amazing and humbling experience. He was elected to the Senate before I was even born!
During World War ii, Sen. Thurmond participated in the D-Day invasion in a glider assault. He`s truly an American hero and one of South Carolina`s most distinguished sons.
Sen. Thurmond has been South Carolina`s conservative voice for my entire life. I want to continue his tradition of conservative voting and user-friendly government.
AFF: It`s been 70 years since the political parties have been so evenly matched in Congress. With control of the Senate riding on a razor-thin majority, the Democrats have made this race a top priority. In broad terms, what do you think is at stake in the 2002 elections for American gun owners and for the country as a whole?
Graham: There`s no doubt that the South Carolina race is going to be one of the most hard-fought races in the country. If the Democrats can strike a blow in what has been considered one of the most friendly states to Republicans and President Bush, it would be quite a coup.
It is vitally important Republicans retake the Senate to help the Bush agenda, which has come to a virtual standstill. Over 40 bills have been sent from the House to the Senate and have not been heard from again, including tax cuts and health care reform.
One of the most vital issues facing our nation is the appointment of judges nominated by President Bush. That process has been totally stonewalled by Democrats in the Senate.
Project Exile, where violent criminals who use a gun in the commission of a crime face an automatic prison sentence, is another important program I support. I don`t think it will ever see the light of day with Democrats in charge of the Senate.
AFF: In the South Carolina state legislature and in the U.S. Congress, you`ve fought a lot of battles in the political arena. What do you think are the most important things American gun owners can do to help them protect freedom for future Americans?
Graham: Don`t take for granted the hard fought battles we`ve won. We`ve had some success in the past stopping additional gun control legislation during Clinton`s second term. But just because we`ve been successful in the past doesn`t mean the fight is over.
Politics is very competitive, and the opposition will always
come back for more. I don`t think the gun control lobby has been
defeated. They`re just gathering strength and gearing up for the
next opportunity to curb our Second Amendment rights. We must
remain ever vigilant and be prepared for the next
assault.
POSTED: Monday, October 07, 2002
