Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), a staunch conservative who regularly mocks fears about global warming, has equated such a plan to the biggest tax hike in American history.
“I think he’s dead wrong on the issue, and obviously he doesn’t agree,” said Inhofe, who added that McCain might switch course and oppose the bill awaiting floor debate.
Other issues on which he has broken with the base, including opposing tax breaks for certain energy companies and supporting legal status for undocumented immigrants, could also revive conservatives’ wariness about McCain — something that Democrats seem to recognize.
“Any time you want to run, you’re going to have to face the reality of your rhetoric versus your record,” said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), an Obama supporter.
But Graham said switching course on these issues would be a bigger risk for McCain.
“It would be a risk not to do it because it’s what you believe,” Graham said.
Graham knows he will have to play a key role in helping determine how to approach politically volatile measures that Democrats bring to the floor throughout the year. Earlier this month, Graham and McCain both opposed a measure that would apply the Army Field Manual to intelligence agencies, saying it would inappropriately set a one-size-fits-all approach to interrogation tactics. The manual prohibits waterboarding and other tactics considered torture.
But Democrats accused McCain of pandering to the conservative base by flip-flopping on the issue of torture, where he has repeatedly broken with his party’s leadership in the past. Still, Republicans maneuvered to allow the bill to clear Congress, a move seen as an attempt to avoid a backlash on a politically tough issue.
Graham says he’ll help McCain escape those sticky situations or throw a punch if necessary. As a case in point, he accused Obama last year of pushing an amendment to derail a carefully negotiated compromise to rewrite immigration laws.
“This amendment in the name of making the bill better means that bipartisanship doesn’t have the ‘bi’ in it,” Graham said last summer, his voice rising as he paced back and forth on the floor. “So when you’re out on the campaign trail, my friend, telling about why we can’t come together, this is why.”
Obama accused Graham of being “simply disingenuous and engaging in the sort of histrionics that is entirely inappropriate for this debate.”
The situation helps Graham make the argument that his service to McCain is much more valuable on Capitol Hill than as a running mate.
“I don’t think I bring much value to the ticket,” Graham said.
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