Washington Post profile of Bob Graham

[GBD4]

<<Bob Graham balanced the book in his left hand and considered it. He clamped his back teeth, jaw muscles working side to side, grinding out a thought. He read the title aloud: "Team Bush: Leadership Lessons from the Bush White House."

"Hmm," he deadpanned. "Must be a short book, must have large print."

He moved on to a table of paperbacks at the Waterstone's in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport but soon drifted back to the Bush book, this time with his credit card out. Buying a gag gift pleased the senior Democratic senator from Florida so much that he flipped open his cell phone and called an aide. "I've got something for you," he said, repeating the title. Then he started to laugh.

"No," Graham said. "It doesn't come with crayons.">>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49604-2003Jul26.html

[tpub]

1. "No," Graham said. "It doesn't come with crayons."

LOL!

[JNelson6563]

2. heh heh I DO like Graham

He's not my candidate but I like him.

Julie

[lkinsale]

3. While you're sleeping...

Right on cue, his press secretary, Jamal Simmons, calls out, "Give 'em hell, Bob." Inspired by a line from Harry S. Truman, Graham calls back: "I just tell the truth and the truth will give 'em hell." Graham talks a lot about Truman. He likes the underdog metaphor; plus his daughter Cissy is married to Bill McCullough, the son of Truman biographer David McCullough.

Like Truman, Graham is accustomed to being underestimated. "He's a plodder," said Paula Hawkins, the Republican former senator whom Graham unseated in 1986. "He's stepping-one-two, one-two-while you're sleeping. That's why I think he'll do better than people are thinking."

Hawkins attacked Graham fiercely during the campaign but now tells her grandchildren to emulate him.

[GBD4]

4. Yeah, what a nice statement from a former foe

Paula Hawkins: the first incumbent Republican defeated by Bob Graham
Dubya: the second incumbent Republican defeated by Bob Graham :)

[Aaron]

5. Graham seems like a decent guy to me

Kind of mysterious, but I suppose that's because I have not read much on him. If he gets the nomination I think it'd be interesting to see him run with Cleland. They could rip Bush et al. on 9/11 and terrorism real well.

[lkinsale]

7. What kind of thing would you like to read on Graham?

I've got lots of links--what topics would interest you? Economy? Iraq and Terrorism? His appeal to rural "lost" voters?

Of course the easy place to find stuff is his site,

http://www.grahamforpresident.com/

And lots of interesting info on his positions and statements in the Senate at his senate page at http://graham.senate.gov/

So many things going for him in terms of beating Bush.

********

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[Aaron]

13. Ty for the links

I think I can find most of his positinos on major issues on his website. Some that can be a little slippery for candidates that I like to get clarity on are drugs, guns, DMCA/Copyright/Internet, and civil unions. I'm pretty sure if I dig through his site and his voting record I'll learn more about him :) I just have not yet had the time.

[madfloridian]

8. Not mysterious to Floridians.

He has been around as long as I remember, well-respected. He will come out near the top because he is just a steady guy, not flashy.
He was into little theatre for years, so he does have a dramatic streak.

[GBD4]

9. Yup

Bob's been in FL politics since 1966, just four years out of law school.

1966-1970 FL State Rep
1970-1978 FL State Sen
1978-1986 FL Gov
1986- US Sen

So we know him quite well!

He won his 1978 race by being steady indeed, and by simply staying in the race all the way to the end, repeating his message. I predict it'll be the same this time. Even if critics are dissatisfied with his campaign, he'll keep campaigning, and in then end he'll be right there with all the top tier candidates. As he said, he's in this to win, and I really do believe him when he says that. Passion for the office!

Read more about Sen. Graham's electoral history on this page of my website:

http://hometown.aol.com/gbd4/page4.html

[JasonBerry]

6. 'Ya gotta love this....

"He charges that Bush neglected terrorist enclaves in Afghanistan in favor of war with Iraq, allowing "Osama bin Forgotten," his nickname for the architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and al Qaeda to reconstitute."

Osama bin Forgotten - that's good and just too true for comfort.

[GBD4]

14. And what's great is

he started these accusations so far before his decision to run for President while he was Intel Chair, so no one can accuse him of being overly political on this issue.

[ShaneGR]

10. LOL!!!!!

He was funny on Bill Maher last night too!

[GBD4]

11. Question for you

I don't get HBO, do you know if there are transcripts available? I could not find any on the HBO website. Otherwise, I'd be very curious to hear what was discussed. Thanks!

[lkinsale]

12. Off topic for GBD4 and other Graham supporters

Chat seemed to go down, I didn't desert ya!

It's back up now. I plan to hang there this evening. Stop by and say hello!

Bob Graham campaign chat room