Lindsey Graham to Democrats after Clemson win: 'I'm in a good mood, give me a call'

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham. — (Image credit: Screenshot/TMZ Sports)

Football could end the government shutdown, and that's not entirely a joke.

After the Clemson Tigers beat Alabama to earn the college football championship Monday night, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was understandably thrilled with his home state's team. So thrilled, he said he might work with Democrats to end the ongoing government shutdown.

TMZ ran into Graham on Tuesday and asked him about the shutdown and Clemson's win. The "stunning performance" only happened because the Tigers worked as a team, Graham said, adding that he'd "take that attitude ... to Congress" to end the shutdown. Graham mentioned he'd support a "deal" that involves protecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and those with Temporary Protected Status in exchange for the wall. "And after the football game, I'm in a good mood, so if you're a Democrat, give me a call," Graham added.

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Graham went on to congratulate the Tigers on the Senate floor on Tuesday, but didn't extend his offer to the Democrats already in the room.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.