Graham: 'I want my time to count'

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) talks as much about why he supports a climate bill as he does about what the bill should actually look like. And, given the response in some circles back home, it’s no wonder.

He went over his reasons again at a news conference on Thursday. Here’s Graham, uncensored, if not un-censured:

“How many politicians over the last two to four years have run on the theme that it's unacceptable for America to send $1 billion a day overseas to buy foreign oil from countries that do not like us very much? Almost everyone, right? Well, now’s the chance to do something about it.

“How many politicians have gotten up in front of their constituents and said that the green economy is where the future is at? Well, now is the time to do something about it.

“How many politicians talk about cleaning up the environment? Almost all of us. Now’s the time to do something about it.

“You’ll never convince me that America cannot have the cleanest air and cleanest water of anyplace on the planet. You’ll never convince me that America cannot break it’s cycle of dependence on foreign oil by exploring here at home for oil and gas that we own in a responsible way. And you’ll never convince me that we can’t innovate and lead the green economy if we choose to.

“But if Congress does not act soon the world will leave us behind. In the 70s when you had long lines waiting for gas, we are more dependent now on foreign oil than we were during the Jimmy Carter years.

“Why did I do this? I want my time to count. I want to be seen as someone who can solve a hard problem by working with my colleagues across the aisle. I want to do something that matters. I can’t think of a better use of my time than to work with Democrats and Republicans to break our dependency on foreign oil, to create jobs for our next generation of Americans that will never go to China. And yes, leave behind a cleaner planet.”