LIVE VIDEO: Sen. Lindsey Graham

UPDATE: Sen. Graham has left the stage.

Sen. John McCain's good friend South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham opened his speech with an Iraq-based theme.

"Barack Obama's campaign is built around us losing in Iraq," Graham said. He went on to talk about the unpopularity of McCain's support of the troop surge.

"It was the right thing to do," because losing in Iraq would have been a nightmare for America, he said. He added, "It was John McCain's voice and credibility," that stopped us from losing in Iraq.

Watch Sen. Graham now.

Photo: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

Comments

[Louie]

America lost in Iraq when we invaded the country without justification. It's cost us credibility and treasure. There were no weapons of mass destruction. Why doesn't anybody in the Republican party seem to remember this fact,.

How many Iraqi' and Americans have perished for no justifiable reason. Pro life, yeah right.

[Jody]

I agree with you.....I think that the whole getting into the war was a Republican/Bush move to try and control oil and make money for them. Forget the country. But to get out of the war I know there are things that need to be done right. I don't really know what the Surge was but Hockey mom's interpretation of Obama's agenda in this area didn't really do it for me either because she was just using negative campaigning.......How about that bridge and how she really initially accepted the Federal money and then when she found out the state would need to come up with some money too......she learned more AND THAN said no thanks......but was the Federal money returned?........I reallly don't like the half truth communication......it's too bad. The War issue is really the Biggest issue and it has costed US millions as a country; we can't afford this. Mccain did say something tonight about not continueing to give money to countries who don't like us any way..........We need to FIX AMERICA NOW!!! I think these are the really issues and it amazes me how some people think the Roe vs Wade is the biggest issue. I believe in strong family values, but really wake up people.

[sam]

America should be tried for war crime and crime against humanity for the death of innocent iraqi civilians. Oh and lindsay grham is an idiot. Every time I hear him talk i just want to chock him . he sound stupid with his southern accent

[opnmndd]

As you are certainly aware, the Republicans and the Democrats have created an organization called the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) for the purpose of excluding third party and independent candidates from the political process. Every four years, the two major parties negotiate a complex contract which excludes other presidential candidates from the national debates.

This year, the two negotiators for the secret contract were Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). In order to protect the the Obama and McCain campaigns from public criticism, the Commission on Presidential Debates has refused to release this back-room contract for public inspection.

In order for all minority party voices to be heard in this important presidential election, it is critical that this contract is made available to the general public before the debates.

Call the Commission on Presidential Debates at 202-872-1020.
Please ask the CPD representative (or leave message) to "please make the debate contract between John McCain and Barack Obama available to the public."
Then ask the representative to please "include Bob Barr & Ralph Nader (and other 3rd party candidates you believe should be included) in the presidential debates."

Note, in 1992, Ross Perot was polling at 7% before the first presidential debate . Mr. Perot was included in all three debates not because of a ruling by the debate sponsor or host; Ross Perot was included in the presidential debates because George H.W. Bush demanded that he be included.

Today, if Bob Barr or any minority party candidate is going to be included in the debates, it will be because John McCain or Barack Obama demanded it. Of the two, Obama should most likely be the one to listen to minority groups hoping for representation.

Pick up the phone and call the Obama campaign at 866-675-2008.
Hit 6 to speak with a campaign volunteer.
Once connected, politely deliver the following message:

"Hi my name is __________ and I'm calling to request that Senator Obama invite minority party candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader (and any other 3rd parties you believe should be represented) participate in the upcoming presidential debates. Could you please leave this message with your campaign manager, David Plouffe?

Please make the debates better by petitioning for 3rd party inclusion.