An American life in public service

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina died Saturday night at the age of 71. Had his untimely death not occurred, one imagines his passion for service (and for politics) as well as his wily survival skills might have carried him into the ranks of the longest serving Senate members in the history of the republic. He was heavily favored to win election to a fifth term in office in this year’s election cycle.

Graham first came to national attention as one of the House impeachment managers in the trial of President Bill Clinton’s misdeeds in the beginning of his second term. The congressman was young but memorable. His colleague Jim Rogan recalls him uttering lines that seemed regularly to end up on the evening news. While impeachment would ultimately sink Rogan’s re-election, Graham gained strength in the increasingly Republican South Carolina of the time. Like Richard Nixon, he would ride a prosecutorial role in a national scandal all the way to the U.S. Senate.

But there was far more to Graham than being a Clinton impeachment celebrity. In 2002, he won a Republican primary race to succeed Strom Thurmond, alternately famous and infamous as a former “Dixiecrat” and segregationist turned conservative Republican who retired from the U.S. Senate at the age of 100 and was one of the longest tenured senators in American history.

Although he replaced one of the Senate’s most notable figures, Graham quickly made a reputation of his own. Graham, a strong John McCain ally, initially opposed Donald Trump with vigor, but he became a staunch Trump supporter. President Trump, clearly moved at the news of Graham’s death, described him as almost “a member of the family.” For Trump, that is really saying something,

In the Senate, Graham demonstrated an intense desire to operate as a practical politician making contributions to the judiciary nomination process and to American foreign policy. Many will recall his impassioned defense of Brett Kavanaugh during the judge’s confirmation process as a candidate for the Supreme Court. Some believe his vocal intervention helped turn the tide in the contentious process.

In more recent years, Graham had been a globe-trotting senator with both great interest in and influence over foreign policy. In contrast to some senators who just seem to look for viral moments, Graham became one of the real veterans of the institution and a legitimate expert. He was a strong advocate for Israel, a relationship builder with Saudi Arabia, and a determined opponent of the Iranian regime.

Although he worked on a global scale, Sen. Graham was also a consummate South Carolina politician. He was a familiar figure at pastoral luncheons, pro-life banquets, and the many events where a leader can demonstrate to his constituents that he is with them and supports their priorities. Graham was a retail politician par excellence, who backed up his promises with action and constituent service that was sometimes legendary. While he was a lifelong bachelor, the people of South Carolina remember Graham as a devoted young man who become the legal guardian of his 13-year-old sister when their parents died early.

At the time of his death, Sen. Graham had just easily won the Republican primary and, as noted, was expected to prevail in the November general election. He is well remembered for his strong advocacy, his willingness to both fight and forgive, and his tremendous sense of humor. Graham loved his work and was fundamentally interested in its impact.

Graham’s story was a classic American tale. He came from humble circumstances but would eventually rise to a leading role in the most august deliberative body in the world. Along the way, he found the military provided education, discipline, and early credibility to find a way to succeed at the highest levels. What he wanted to do with his success was to serve and lead in the Senate. Lindsey Graham did serve his country, and he made a difference. Sunday, when his death became known, the senator was already being credited with playing a decisive role in increasing U.S. military support of Ukraine. He had just returned from meeting with Ukrainian leaders and American allies. He died doing what he thought was truly important and making a genuine contribution to his nation’s cause. As the old saying goes, he died with his boots on.