Greeting 2% Claims 10% Positioning 25% Thanks 10% Anecdote 53% Procedure 0%
Structure · 14 steps
Claims · 4
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Greeting · 20 words I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend and colleague Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Greeting Claims · 35 words Before he ever set foot on this floor, he wore the uniform of the U.S. Air Force, serving 33 years between the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard, 1 and the Air Force Reserve. Positioning · 65 words That service and his upbringing in the back of his parents’ South Carolina bar shaped everything about how he approached his work here in the Senate.2 He understood, in a way too few in Washington, DC, do, what it costs to defend freedom. He was one of the loudest, most persistent voices this institution has seen on the importance of American leadership in this world. Positioning Claims · 13 words And before I joined the Senate, Lindsey was one of my earliest supporters. Thanks · 13 words I am so grateful for his mentorship and his friendship throughout the years. Thanks Anecdote · 343 words Lindsey was really dear to my family. My mother’s birthday was just a few days before Lindsey’s, and through the years, he would call her on her birthday and wish her the happiest of birthdays. As my daughter entered the U.S. Army, he would call her and just give her words of encouragement--in the hilarious way that only Lindsey Graham could. He was such a good and decent man. One thing we all knew about Lindsey was his great sense of humor. I will never forget the gift he gave me after I won Iowa’s Senate seat. In fact, I may be the only Senator in history to be handed a mounted castration clamp with a plaque engraved ``Make `Em Squeal, Joni!’’ just off the floor of this Chamber, courtesy of Lindsey Graham. And I think he is probably still laughing about that one. Earlier this year, we were talking about Lindsey, doing dinner with Lindsey, as many of us did, and we were talking about this year’s race because he was running for another term in the Senate. And my mother, again, being very close to Lindsey and his No. 1 fan in Iowa--in fact, she had a screen saver on her computer. It was her and Lindsey Graham. If you asked my mother who her favorite Senator was, it wouldn’t be Senator Chuck Grassley or even her own daughter; it would be Senator Lindsey Graham. She was agonizing: Should I send Lindsey a donation for his campaign? And I was laughing about this with Lindsey. So he was like: Give me your phone. He said: Let’s shoot a video for your mom. And so he took my phone, and he made this cute little 10-second video. And it went something like this: Marilyn, we love you. We love Joni. I know times are hard, but send money anyway. Lindseygraham.com. He did that all the time, and he was always so funny. And I can’t tell you how many times I have watched that video, over and over again, and just laughed. Anecdote Positioning · 128 words He was certainly a very funny man, even when times were difficult, but behind the jokes was one of the most serious and effective legislators this body has ever known. He didn’t care whose name was on a bill if the policy was right. He brokered friendships and alliances that many in this town said were no longer possible. He fought hard, and then he would sit down and crack a joke with the people that he had just been arguing with. All of us here on this floor know that Lindsey was always moving. The man never stood still. He was always working the phones--phone call after phone call--whether it was President Trump or my mom back in Iowa. He was always certain that presence was power. Positioning Anecdote · 118 words I had the privilege of traveling many times over with Lindsey. The very first codel, which is a congressional delegation trip, that I took in the U.S. Senate was with Lindsey. It was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany.3 The other Senators on that trip were former Senator Joe Lieberman, a dear friend of his; Senator John McCain, who was his deepest and truest friend; and Senator Kelly Ayotte. We had a wonderful trip together. And it was such a great experience for me to see him on the world stage, easily moving from conversation to conversation with some of the world’s most important and powerful leaders, and to see how much they deeply respected Senator Graham. Anecdote Positioning · 11 words His contributions to conflict resolution went well beyond the United States. Positioning Claims · 36 words Just days ago, Lindsey was in Ukraine meeting with President Zelenskyy and standing with a nation fighting for its survival because he believed at his core that American leadership was the difference between peace and oppression.4 Positioning · 12 words Lindsey Graham was tough, he was funny, and he loved this country. Positioning Thanks · 77 words To the people of South Carolina and to Lindsey’s family and, most especially, to his sister Darline and all who loved him, we are all mourning together. As a Christian like Lindsey, I know God will bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is shock, and hope where there is loss. Lindsey, we miss you, and this Chamber will never be the same without you. Godspeed, my dear friend, and thank you for your service. Thanks Procedure · 4 words I yield the floor. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Anecdote ×45 Positioning ×16 Thanks ×8 Greeting Procedure Little substance Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 9
71 of 71 deductions are Signal
Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend and colleague Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “That service and his upbringing in the back of his parents’ South Carolina bar shaped everything about how he approached his work here in the Senate.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He understood, in a way too few in Washington, DC, do, what it costs to defend freedom.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He was one of the loudest, most persistent voices this institution has seen on the importance of American leadership in this world.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I am so grateful for his mentorship and his friendship throughout the years.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Lindsey was really dear to my family.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “My mother’s birthday was just a few days before Lindsey’s,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and through the years, he would call her on her birthday and wish her the happiest of birthdays.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “As my daughter entered the U.S. Army, he would call her and just give her words of encouragement--in the hilarious way that only Lindsey Graham could.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “He was such a good and decent man.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “One thing we all knew about Lindsey was his great sense of humor.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I will never forget the gift he gave me after I won Iowa’s Senate seat.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “In fact, I may be the only Senator in history to be handed a mounted castration clamp with a plaque engraved ``Make `Em Squeal, Joni!’’ just off the floor of this Chamber, courtesy of Lindsey Graham.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And I think he is probably still laughing about that one.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Earlier this year, we were talking about Lindsey, doing dinner with Lindsey,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “as many of us did,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and we were talking about this year’s race because he was running for another term in the Senate.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And my mother, again, being very close to Lindsey and his No. 1 fan in Iowa--in fact, she had a screen saver on her computer.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “It was her and Lindsey Graham.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “If you asked my mother who her favorite Senator was, it wouldn’t be Senator Chuck Grassley or even her own daughter;” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “it would be Senator Lindsey Graham.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “She was agonizing:” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Should I send Lindsey a donation for his campaign?” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And I was laughing about this with Lindsey.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “So he was like:” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Give me your phone.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “He said:” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Let’s shoot a video for your mom.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And so he took my phone,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and he made this cute little 10-second video.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And it went something like this:” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Marilyn, we love you.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “We love Joni.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I know times are hard,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “but send money anyway.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Lindseygraham.com.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “He did that all the time,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and he was always so funny.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And I can’t tell you how many times I have watched that video, over and over again,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and just laughed.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He was certainly a very funny man, even when times were difficult,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “but behind the jokes was one of the most serious and effective legislators this body has ever known.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He didn’t care whose name was on a bill if the policy was right.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He brokered friendships and alliances that many in this town said were no longer possible.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He fought hard,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and then he would sit down and crack a joke with the people that he had just been arguing with.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “All of us here on this floor know that Lindsey was always moving.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “The man never stood still.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He was always working the phones--phone call after phone call--whether it was President Trump or my mom back in Iowa.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “He was always certain that presence was power.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I had the privilege of traveling many times over with Lindsey.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “The very first codel,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “which is a congressional delegation trip, that I took in the U.S. Senate was with Lindsey.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “It was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “The other Senators on that trip were former Senator Joe Lieberman, a dear friend of his;” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “Senator John McCain, who was his deepest and truest friend;” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and Senator Kelly Ayotte.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “We had a wonderful trip together.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “And it was such a great experience for me to see him on the world stage, easily moving from conversation to conversation with some of the world’s most important and powerful leaders,” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “and to see how much they deeply respected Senator Graham.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “His contributions to conflict resolution went well beyond the United States.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Lindsey Graham was tough, he was funny,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and he loved this country.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “To the people of South Carolina and to Lindsey’s family and, most especially, to his sister Darline and all who loved him, we are all mourning together.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “As a Christian like Lindsey, I know God will bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is shock,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and hope where there is loss.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “Lindsey, we miss you,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and this Chamber will never be the same without you.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “Godspeed, my dear friend,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and thank you for your service.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I yield the floor.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · no score
Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.
Reasoning · no score
No score: nothing is concluded. Excluded from the average.
Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.
Conclusions found · 0
None: nothing is concluded.
Respect · no score
Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.
Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.
Clarity · 100
0 of 71 deductions are Clarity
Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.
Nothing lost points.
Claims · 4
This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.
1 “he wore the uniform of the U.S. Air Force, serving 33 years between the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard,” Lindsey Graham served in the U.S. Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve for a total of 33 years before joining the Senate. search 2 “his upbringing in the back of his parents’ South Carolina bar” Lindsey Graham grew up in the back of his parents’ bar in South Carolina. search 3 “It was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany.” Joni Ernst’s first congressional delegation trip as a U.S. Senator was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany, and the delegation included Joe Lieberman, John McCain, and Kelly Ayotte. search 4 “Just days ago, Lindsey was in Ukraine meeting with President Zelenskyy” Days before this July 2026 speech, Lindsey Graham visited Ukraine and met with President Zelenskyy. search
