Senator Graham Lashes Out At Democrats Over Kavanaugh In Cincinnati

Bill Rinehart, WVXU

Lindsey Graham is still mad about Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation process. The South Carolina senator is betting other Republicans are still angry, too. And if they're not, he's on the campaign trail to remind them.

Late in the Supreme Court justice confirmation process this September,  allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Brett Kavanaugh, President  Donald Trump's pick to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was retiring. While Democrats insisted on investigations, Republicans said it was a witch hunt designed to smear Judge Kavanaugh. Graham was among  his most ardent defenders.

Graham was in Cincinnati Tuesday night to stump for Ohio Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine, and First District Congressman Steve Chabot. Both candidates are fighting off strong challenges from Democratic opponents.

Pointing to the Kavanaugh hearings, Graham says Democrats are playing by a different set of rules. "They want to win too much," he said. "I hope and pray they get punished at the ballot box. They wanted power and they would do anything to get it. And if you want to make sure this ends and never happens again, we need to win. We need to win in Ohio."

Graham says Supreme Court confirmation hearings have become political. He told the crowd Republican and Democratic senators alike used to judge nominees based on qualifications. Now he says Democrats vote based on whether they agree with the nominee's beliefs.

"You know how this has got to end. They gotta lose," he said. "I have never campaigned against a colleague in any meaningful way before, and I am going to every place where I can get a plane to go."

Graham did not specifically mention the senate race between incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Jim Renacci.