Here is what you do.
You keep the mental faith, certain that a bonafide thought leader like oneself, a regular attendee on the Sunday morning news shows, has something important to say.
And you keep the mental faith that there is a path to victory: 4% of the vote in New Hampshire, then 20% in your home state of South Carolina, leaving you one of the five people standing after the presumed-crazy people who have been elected to nothing, ever (Carson, Trump, Florina) fade away.
And you keep the mental faith that even though no one wants to see you that you can find people who will be impressed by your presence, your gentle graceful manner, your record.
So, you show up at a veterans celebration at a Middle School in Nashua, where there are some 75 veterans and some veteran day music, Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner, and nice comments from the Nashua mayor. And then the mayor graciously introduces you around.
And then you drive a mile to a downtown law firm and with one of the named partners as your guide/introducer you walk down Main Street stopping in to shake hands with merchants.
And one last thing. If you are Lindsey Graham you notice the 66 year old guy who you saw at the earlier Veterans gathering. That guy was me. Graham listened politely while I told him I respected the fact that he tells the simple truth that wars cost money and that there will need to be sacrifice. Graham suggested I hand my phone to an aide for a photo, and he smiled for the photo. He leaned forward and put his head down just a bit, like he did repeatedly at the Veterans gathering (see photos below), reflecting Southern graciousness, while hearing my words of encouragement. He thanked me warmly, then headed out the door. He doesn't need me. He needs Republican voters in New Hampshire.
You keep the mental faith, certain that a bonafide thought leader like oneself, a regular attendee on the Sunday morning news shows, has something important to say.
And you keep the mental faith that there is a path to victory: 4% of the vote in New Hampshire, then 20% in your home state of South Carolina, leaving you one of the five people standing after the presumed-crazy people who have been elected to nothing, ever (Carson, Trump, Florina) fade away.
And you keep the mental faith that even though no one wants to see you that you can find people who will be impressed by your presence, your gentle graceful manner, your record.
So, you show up at a veterans celebration at a Middle School in Nashua, where there are some 75 veterans and some veteran day music, Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner, and nice comments from the Nashua mayor. And then the mayor graciously introduces you around.
And then you drive a mile to a downtown law firm and with one of the named partners as your guide/introducer you walk down Main Street stopping in to shake hands with merchants.
And one last thing. If you are Lindsey Graham you notice the 66 year old guy who you saw at the earlier Veterans gathering. That guy was me. Graham listened politely while I told him I respected the fact that he tells the simple truth that wars cost money and that there will need to be sacrifice. Graham suggested I hand my phone to an aide for a photo, and he smiled for the photo. He leaned forward and put his head down just a bit, like he did repeatedly at the Veterans gathering (see photos below), reflecting Southern graciousness, while hearing my words of encouragement. He thanked me warmly, then headed out the door. He doesn't need me. He needs Republican voters in New Hampshire.
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| Senator Graham is behind the band leader, thanking the band that had played Souza marches and the Star Spangled Banner |
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| Military hawk, but very humble and gentle in retail politics |
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| The photo was his idea, but I was happy to have a photo of the guy I have seen on the TV frequently, going back to the Clinton impeachment trial. Just because I would never, ever vote for him doesn't mean I cannot respect his willingness to enter the fray and to soldier on. |
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| Graham is there behind the band leader, thanking the band for its music |
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| Note Graham's posture. He meets people in the opposite manner as Trump. Graham is humble in tone and manner |
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