What Lindsey Graham did while the other candidates debated
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham was standing up in a waiting room, wearing black shoes, a grey suit and a patterned deep red tie. There was not a speck of silver hair out of place. He was getting ready to go on television.
He would be live from Manchester, New Hampshire - while most of his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination were preparing to step onto the stage at the Milwaukee Theater in Wisconsin for their fourth debate.
Graham was a man on an island. Because of his low poll numbers, he has never been invited to the presidential campaign equivalent of the Cool Kids Table - the main stage at a GOP debate. But Tuesday's debate added more insult to injury. He wasn't even invited to the other debate for the low-polling candidates. Graham wasn't the only candidate displaced, however. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee found themselves dropped into the undercard from the top-tier debate.
"Surprised," Graham said when he was asked what his initial reaction was to his exclusion. "The whole debate process has been absurd. They're going to look back on this whole process and say it was ridiculous from the get-go. What you're doing by looking at national polls is rewarding celebrity name ID."
But Graham is a fighter. He's not one to take his ball and go home, a result, he often says, of being a veteran. Instead, Graham spent Tuesday's debate trying to be heard on a recently released -- but little-known app dedicated to politics -- called Sidewire.
"I expect to hear Republican talking points," Graham said beforehand. "What I hope to hear is leadership."
It debuted two months ago - it's a cross between Facebook's commenting system and Twitter, but the content is created by what the company deems "newsmakers." A little more than 300 people have received that designation, including journalists, analysts and candidates, who all weigh in on the day's politics news.
"It's simply showcases a newsmaker on the platform so that they can provide analysis and responses to breaking news or important political news," co-founder Tucker Bounds said. "It's growing literally every single day."
Graham's Sidewire debate commentary was a coup for the start-up, even though the tech-shy Graham, who never even sends emails, might be an unusual fit to team up with a new technology company.
"Technology has enhanced our lives and improved the quality of the human experience," Graham said. "My decision-making process is not chatter. My staff knows how to get a hold of me. If you get overly involved in the chatter of the day, I don't think you can make as good a decision if you stand back from it."
That is exactly what Sidewire tries to do: cut through the chatter and foster smart conversations about politics. Sidewire posts are limited to 250 characters, as opposed to the 140 that Twitter users are used to. Users can share posts with on Twitter.
For now, Sidewire's focus isn't on the audience but increasing its newsmaker community. Bounds wouldn't reveal its download numbers.
Beforehand, Graham was asked what issue he would spotlight most.
"I'm going to be incredibly funny," Graham said, "but the bar is incredibly low."
Graham's first post of the night:
"My advice to the candidates tonight: no matter what, don't win the debate, they'll kick you off the stage."
As the debate started, Fox Business flashed a graphic saying that nine million users were talking about the debate. Five minutes into the debate, only two people had responded to any of Graham's posts.
When asked where he was watching the debate, Graham responded, "Undisclosed location. Live free or die."
The rest of the debate featured Graham weighing in on real-time, as reporters and analysts alike peppered him with questions.
During the debate over whether to raise the minimum wage, Graham answered a question from a CBS News reporter as to whether he would be in favor.
"No. It would knock people out of the workforce. Best way to help the middle class is to create more jobs."
The rest of the debate featured Graham weighing in on substantive policy issues with his characteristic flair. On illegal immigration, Graham wrote, "Amnesty is coming up with a plan that has no chance of passing."
His good friend and frequent campaign sidekick, 2008 nominee Sen. John McCain, weighed in and said, "Glad to see my friend Lindsey giving some Straight Talk on Sidewire tonight - as usual, not holding back..."
Graham quipped, "Can't believe you're still up..."
Working with a brand new product comes with its risks, and Sidewire certainly hasn't worked out all its kinks. Graham saw this first-hand. Sidewire, in the first hour of the debate, went down briefly and the site would not load.
No numbers were made available by Sidewire to judge engagement.
However, it was certainly an unprecedented approach to the debate tonight. There were 56 posts on Graham's Sidewire page and throughout the night, Graham's Twitter page had a steady stream of links to his posts.
If anyone thinks that Graham is beginning to feel weary of his presidential run, he had a direct message. He's not going anywhere, even if the Cool Kids Party continues to exclude him.
"Being fifth in a four person doesn't mean you're out," Graham said. "A strong message and a determination to meet as many voters as possible can overcome a lot of obstacles."