Lindsey Graham All But Confirms Presidential Run

'I'm running because I think the world is falling apart'
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 18, 2015 8:38 AM CDT
Lindsey Graham All But Confirms Presidential Run
In this April 18, 2015, file photo, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, speaks in Nashua, NH.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

Sounds like Sen. Lindsey Graham is pretty much in for Election 2016, but you'll have to wait until June 1 to find out for sure. The hosts of CBS This Morning noted that the senator, a guest today, has said there's a "99.9% chance" he'll run for president, and Graham said he'll announce June 1 in South Carolina. He was then asked if he's running because he thinks he's bringing foreign policy experience to the table, and he responded: "I'm running because of what you see on television. I'm running because I think the world is falling apart. I've been more right than wrong on foreign policy. It's not the fault of others, or their lack of this or that, that makes me want to run; it's my ability in my own mind to be a good commander in chief and to make Washington work."

As for that "99.9%" comment, Graham made it to South Carolina House Republicans last week, the State reported. "And I'm going to run about what I'm going to do, not what I'm against," he told a caucus meeting. The week prior, Graham told BuzzFeed he was "98.6% sure" he would run. And Politico reported earlier this month that Graham was likely to announce a presidential run June 1 from South Carolina, noting that the location "would enable the GOP senator to highlight a compelling personal story not widely known outside his home state." (His parents, who ran a pool hall where he was raised, died young, and he helped bring up his sister while also attending college and serving in the Air Force.) MSNBC notes that Graham emailed supporters yesterday with this line: "As an announcement draws near, I need to know you stand with me," as well as an invitation to donate money. (More Election 2016 stories.)

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