Graham Talks Politics While In The Upstate

Over the past few months, Washington, D.C., has been an interesting place to watch.

Many voters and lawmakers have been left shaking their heads after multiple votes over the nation's mounting debt, the downgrade of the nation's credit rating and mounting concerns over unemployment.

And, there's still not a balanced budget.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was a guest Tuesday of Upstate Alliance, the public/private economic development group whose focus is to stimulate jobs and investment in the 10 counties in the Upstate, which asked Graham to speak during the organization's annual mid-year meeting at Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research.

After a brief press conference , Graham fielded questions from reporters about almost everything government-related.

When asked about Congressional ratings being at a historic low and if he accepted responsibility:

"You can't get $14.5 trillion in debt without both parties being part of the problem. We created Medicare part D under Bush's term. We expanded Medicare under President Bush. We spent far more in inflation when we (the Republicans) had the Congress, but we are trying to change. The Tea Party in many ways has been a good wake up call."

What he said about his party:

"We are trying to focus on budget issues. I think the Republican Party has changed its behavior by putting everything on the table -- revenues without raising tax rates, lower tax rates that generate more revenue to pay off debt, and entitlement reform.

What he said about President Barack Obama:

"At the end of day, the President hasn't led."

Job creation:

"The decisions we make are going to decide if we create jobs. And at the end of the day, that's what it's about. And if raise taxes, you are going to have a hard time creating jobs."

What would Graham do about tax reform?

"I would flatten the tax code."

Graham said that any additional revenue would go to pay off debt and to keep rates lower. He said by having lower tax rates, the country could pay off debt in a "responsible way."

About Medicare and Social Security:

"We have to extend the retirement age for Medicare and Social Security, if we don't, we are an aging population with a 57 percent of all spending is on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, if we don't reform these programs, to make sure they are there for future genrations. If we don't the country will go bankrupt."

On extending unemployment insurance:

"We need to stop talking about unemployment insurance and we need to create jobs and talk about how to do that."

On being complimentary of The Tea Party:

"Count me in when it comes to balancing budget. They say we shouldn't raise the debt ceiling...  cut dollars out of defense spending. The Tea Party has been good to work with... They've pushed in the right direction... They've been far more positive than any other group."

On himself:

"I'm a Ronald Reagan Republican. We believe in limited government and strong defense."

On Rick Perry's announcement in Charleston on Saturday:

"If he does run he will be a strong candidate in South Carolina. He's had a great record as Governor of Texas. He speaks our language culturally and economically. He would be a Hell of a candidate in South Carolina."

Will Graham endorse him?

"No, the candidates have to prove to people in South Carolina that they are conservative and electable."

He went on to add that if Republicans lose the Presidential election, they have "no one to blame. It's our election to lose."

On cuts to the Pentagon and Department of Defense:

"Over my dead body.... With threats in Iran and Yemin materializing, now is not time to weaken the strongest military in the world."

He said it, "bummed Lindsey Graham out."

He said such decimation of the defense department would not have happened under Reagan's administration.

"The number one priority is a strong national defense. Economic has overtaken the defense side. I'm very upset with my party for allowing military to be subjected to cuts. ... Our leadership party has drifted away from peace through strength."

Prediction:

"The chance of passing a balanced budget is at all-time high."