The Atlantic posted the transcript of a conversation Kinzinger gave to its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. Their chat took place at a public conference held last month by Karsh Institute.Kinzinger was asked which lawmakers disappointed him the most.
He highlighted two: South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and former speaker Kevin McCarthy.Graham famously spoke out against Trump becoming the Republican nominee in 2016.
However, once Trump won the nomination, and later the White House, Graham became something of a lapdog to him.“To watch him so closely adopt and closely support Donald Trump, when Trump was doing exactly what Graham was preaching against just prior to Trump’s arrival on the scene, was apretty disappointing moment,” Kinzinger said.He went on to suggest Graham may not have performed his political about-face if Sen.
John McCain (R-Ariz.) remained alive.“I think Lindsey Graham needs a strong person to mentor him or carry him, and it was John McCain.