Concerned Sue and Sad Lisa have BS all sewn up

From Dahlia Lithwick at SLATE:

Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski Think Donald Trump Is No Longer a Danger

On Wednesday, the Senate [voted] to acquit President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress following a marathon few days of speeches, half of which came from Republican senators justifying their votes to acquit. Having listened through the hodgepodge of whataboutism, process complaints, and occasional outright fascism, one hesitates to focus on Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins because their reputations as GOP “moderates” have always been more a stylist’s branding choice than reality, and because holding Republican women in power to a higher standard than men has never redounded to the benefit of anyone, including women. But when powerful women who should see through the gaslighting instead pick up the proffered gaslighting torch and set small brushfires, it’s worth taking note.

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Flop Go the Weasels

From The New York Times:

For 24 hours last week, Trey Gowdy, the former South Carolina congressman best known for leading congressional investigations of Hillary Clinton, was the new face of President Trump’s outside legal defense and a symbol of a streamlined effort to respond to a fast-moving impeachment inquiry.

A day later, the arrangement fell apart, with lobbying rules prohibiting Mr. Gowdy from starting until January, possibly after the inquiry is over. Now, according to two people familiar with events, Mr. Gowdy is never expected to join the team. And Trump advisers are back to square one, searching for a different lawyer.

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Hopelessly Devoted

From The Post and Courier:

BLUFFTON — South Carolina’s two Republican senators sought to discredit the whistleblower complaint that has spurred an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott separately came to the same conclusion Friday, calling the complaint “hearsay” and questioning the validity of the claims.

“It’s over the top,” Graham told The Post and Courier on Friday night moments before he was set to give the keynote address at a Beaufort County Republican Party dinner.

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That’s gonna leave a stain

From THE HILL:

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday dismissed criticism from MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, stating in an interview on Fox News Radio that one thing he’s “not going to worry about is pleasing Joe Scarborough.”

The push back comes after Scarborough, who left the Republican Party last year after saying he could not be in a party that backed President Trump, said Graham had “sold his soul” by supporting the president on a number of issues.

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Cruz Control

From USA TODAY (January 21, 2016):

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham lambasted his Republican Party’s presidential front-runners Thursday, telling reporters at the Capitol that nominating Donald Trump or Ted Cruz could prove fatal for his party.

“It’s like being shot or poisoned. What does it really matter?” Graham said.

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From CNN (March 18, 2016):

In a sign of just how much the Republican presidential primary has turned the party on its head, Sen. Lindsey Graham will headline a fundraiser on Monday in support of Ted Cruz.

Hello?

From The State:

Gov. Nikki Haley wants state workers to answer their phones, saying, “It’s a great day in South Carolina. How can I help you?”

Tuesday, Haley instructed the directors of Cabinet agencies, which report to her, to change the way their employees answer the phones.

Haley said the change will boost the morale of state workers, remind them they work for the callers on the other end of the line and help her sell the state to employers.

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Haley’s Vomit

From scnow (editorial):

Four hundred thirty bucks a night (each!) for hotel rooms.

Fifteen hundred in airfare.

A $25,000 party.

Rooftop dining on a balmy June night in old Paree.

Bill Gates’ most recent business trip?

The new Real Housewives of Europe reality show?

Nope.

Those are all items from S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s trip to Paris earlier this summer, where she and her entourage, which included State Senator Hugh Leatherman of Florence, racked up $127,000 (and counting) in bills, some of which will be paid by the taxpayer, according to some dogged reporting by the Charleston Post & Courier.

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Drowning Government in a Teacup

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Columbia, S.C. —
The leading Republican presidential candidates spent Labor Day declaring their fealty to limited government as they sought to demonstrate credibility with a Tea Party movement that has seized the political energy of their party.

…snip…

Grim economic news has framed the Republican presidential campaign as a referendum on Obama’s fiscal leadership and a contest about which of the Republican rivals is best positioned to turn the country’s fortunes around.

But the president’s would-be replacements are also preparing for months of political combat among themselves as they seek the Republican nomination. At a wonkish policy forum Monday, five of the Republican candidates offered a preview of the intraparty fight for support from evangelical and Tea Party voters.

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