I Believed Lindsey (and the Rest) the First Time

A Postscript on Lindsey Graham and His Once Sensible Republican Party

by Mark M. Bello

Lindsey Graham’s sudden death made me stop and think—not just about Graham, but about what has happened to the Republican Party.

I wasn’t always reflexively anti-Republican. Quite the opposite, in fact. I once agreed with Republicans on taxes, limiting the size of government, fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, a strong national defense, and other important issues. I generally believed both parties were trying to move America forward in different ways.

Then came Donald Trump.

Graham’s sudden death has me remembering what the South Carolina Senator said about Trump before there was any political advantage in supporting the man.

And he wasn’t alone in his stark criticism.

Marco Rubio questioned Trump’s temperament and character.
Ted Cruz warned Republicans about the dangers Trump posed, even after enduring deeply personal attacks against his family.
Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, and others voiced serious concerns about whether Donald Trump possessed the character and judgment to be president.

Their critiques were correct. People of strong character, possessing good leadership skills, would have and should have stuck to their guns.

But then Trump won.

One by one, his harshest Republican critics became his strongest defenders. Some accepted positions in his administration. Others became political allies. Some decided that staying in the Republican Party meant standing behind its new leader. Blow up the debt and the deficit? Who cares? Turn our backs on our allies? Why not? Ignore the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Absolutely. Spurn Reagan-style free trade? Sure, tariffs are suddenly the way to go.

And that’s the part I have never understood.

I have a simple rule in life: When people speak, believe them the first time.

When someone tells me who they are and what they stand for—before ambition, party loyalty, or political survival enter the equation—I pay attention.

Lindsey Graham was sincere when he warned America about Donald Trump. So were Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, and the rest.

History will judge whether they changed their minds because of the politicalcost of standing by their convictions. I’ve made my judgment on this issue—I’m sure you have, too. But not every Republican made that choice. The Bush family has largely refused to embrace Trumpism. So did Mitt Romney (although he waffled when he thought he might get a cabinet post). Organizations like The Lincoln Project have remained steadfast in their opposition, holding onto their traditional conservative principles.

We can respect that. We don’t have to agree politically to admire consistency and courage.

Donald Trump not only changed Republican Party policies but also what many of its leaders were willing to overlook. And that’s the real legacy of Lindsey Graham.

He might have been a Republican hero had he remained steadfast. What he said about Donald Trump in 2015 and 2016 was true. It is even truer today, and the promise of America is suffering for it. When I reflect on Graham’s legacy now and in the future, what will always come to mind is this:

I believed him the first time.