GOP Sens. McCain, Graham endorse Dem Rep. Berman

Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) have endorsed Rep. Howard Berman's (D-Calif.) reelection campaign against fellow Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman (Calif.), the latest example of the strange-bedfellows game California's new all-party primary has created.

The GOP senators and their colleague Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) praised Berman, the ranking member on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, for his ability to work across the aisle on national-security issues.

"Howard Berman is a man of determination and honor. He works to keep America safe, and our country is stronger with him in Congress," McCain said in a statement released by Berman's campaign. "Howard and I have worked on a bipartisan basis on issues ranging from human rights to missile defense. He's smart, tenacious, and someone who has a record of bipartisan accomplishment and effectiveness."

"Howard Berman understands how to reach across the aisle to get things done on behalf of our nation," Graham said in a statement released by Berman's campaign. "He works hard every day to advance America's agenda and has been instrumental in passing laws to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, stop arms sales to nations that support terrorism, and keep our country safe. We need his effectiveness and bipartisan leadership in Congress."

The longtime congressman also has the backing of most of the state's big-name Democratic politicians, including California Gov. Jerry Brown and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (Calif.).

Berman and Sherman are facing off in a district that mostly comprises Sherman's current territory. Sherman, who has run to Berman's left, has a cash advantage heading into the general election and led in the first round of voting. Berman's promotion of these Republican endorsements shows he sees the need to win most Republicans and independents in the heavily Democratic district to pull off a victory.

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