Lindsey Graham: Marco Rubio Too 'Afraid of the Right' to Back in 2016

Lindsey Graham: Marco Rubio Too 'Afraid of the Right' to Back in 2016

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said his experience passing an immigration bill with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) left him convinced his younger colleague isn’t up to the presidency, in part because he’s “so afraid of the right.”

Graham made the comments to the Weekly Standard’s Steven Hayes, and in the interview declared that he may run for president himself, saying he would want to inject his hawkish national security views into the debate.

But his remarks about Rubio were perhaps more notable. Graham, for instance, compared Rubio’s level of experience to President Obama’s before taking offfice – albeit just before saying Rubio is “no Obama.”

“He’s a good guy, but after doing immigration with him–we don’t need another young guy not quite ready,” said Graham. “He’s no Obama by any means, but he’s so afraid of the right, and I’ve let that go.”

Rubio helped pass the Senate Gang of Eight bill through the Senate last year, drawing loud criticism from the right. In August he said he’s decided that “comprehensive” immigration bills aren’t possible and that the border must be secured before further reforms could be enacted.

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