Lindsey Graham Had Some of the Best Lines in Early Debate

'In my world, Hispanics are Americans,' he tells Santorum
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 16, 2015 7:25 PM CDT
Lindsey Graham Had Some of the Best Lines in Early Debate
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., answers a question during the CNN debate.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lindsey Graham is winning praise for mixing policy with what the Washington Post describes as his "corny comedy" during the first debate. A collection of some his more memorable lines, from the Post and Politico.

  • “Hispanics are Americans. In my world, Hispanics are Americans.” In a relatively tense exchange with Rick Santorum on immigration, after the latter said we "need to win fighting for Americans." (The Daily News says that's getting praise as the "line of the night.")
  • “That’s the first thing I’m gonna do as president: We’re gonna drink more.” Referring to Ronald Reagan's deal-making with Democrats.
  • “Strom Thurmond had four kids after he was 67. If you’re not willing to do that, maybe we need a better legal immigration system."
  • “You can stay, but you gotta learn our language. I don’t speak it very well, but look how long I’ve come.” Referring to a path to legal status for immigrants.

  • "I wasn't the best law student. By the end of this debate it'd be the most time I'd spent in any library." (The debate was in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.)
  • "I don’t say things bad about her all the time, just when she deserves it." Referring to Hillary Clinton.
(More Lindsey Graham 2016 stories.)

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