That is a correct assessment of Graham. And it’s the only one that explains how Graham went from an understudy to Sen. John McCain in the early part of this decade to a full-fledged Trumper by the end of it.
“What emerges from interviews with more than 60 people close to him, and with the senator himself, is a narrative less of transformation than of gyration — of an infinitely adaptable operator seeking validation in the proximity to power. It is that yearning for relevance, rooted in what he and others described as a childhood of privation and loss, that makes Mr. Graham’s story more than just a case study of political survival in the age of Trump.”
Put more simply: Graham likes to be close to power and influence — and will do (and say) whatever it takes to get there. His beliefs are, generally speaking, fungible.
While that’s not exactly the set of character traits that most of us expect (or at least hope for) in a leader, Graham’s willingness — and ability — to channel what and who is popular serves as a useful tool as we seek to understand the current state of the Republican Party.
And, as Sanford notes, there’s no question that Graham believes Trump is the present and future of the Republican Party.
Consider Graham’s behavior since the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.
“Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey,” said Graham. “I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view he’s been a consequential president. But today, first thing you’ll see. All I can say, is count me out, enough is enough.”
All of which makes Graham’s more recent proclamations about Trump and the future of the GOP even more telling
What Graham is doing — as Sanford rightly pointed out — is simply channeling the base of the party.
He is a reed blown by the wind of the beliefs of the Republican base.
Those beliefs? That Donald Trump is the unquestioned leader of the GOP — and that there is no room for any conflict with him if you want to prosper within the party.