Public Program: Town Hall Meeting with Presidential Candidate US Senator Lindsey Graham

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke with Dartmouth students and members of the community on November 4th, 2015.

During the event, Senator Graham discussed his aspirations as a presidential candidate while also describing his upbringing and background. Graham spoke about his childhood living in a single room behind the family liquor store in South Carolina, his role as his family’s first college graduate, his experience in law school, and his 33 years of service in the Air Force JAG Corps. Graham argued that all of his past experiences contributed to his decision to run as a presidential candidate.

“I’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan 35 times in the last decade,” said Graham. “Now I’m in it to win it.”After discussing his own potential as a presidential candidate, Graham firmly stated his positions on several policy issues, including the United States’ current stance with Syria and immigration reform.“I’m running as a Republican, but you can’t fix these problems unless both parties work together,” said Graham. “There is no way to save America unless both parties work together.”

Graham referred back to this theme of moving past party affiliation several times throughout his lecture. “I’m running as a Republican,” said Graham. “But I promise you if I win, I will govern as an American.”

The Senator then opened the floor to the audience and fielded questions on a variety of topics. 

Noting that Nov 4 marked the 20thanniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, David Tramonte ’18 asked what the Senator’s policy toward Israel would be as president.