Sen. Lindsey Graham once called Joe Biden “as good a man as God ever created.” Years later, he described Donald Trump — who derided and demeaned Biden — as “not far behind God.”

These were the two faces of Graham, a complex and contradictory figure who represented South Carolina in the Senate for 23 years before dying suddenly at age 71. He served as Trump’s enabler and coconspirator as the president polluted the Senate with his brutal brand of hyperpartisanship that excoriated Democrats and exiled Republicans who dared to waver in their loyalty.

Yet Graham also forged deep friendships with Democrats like Biden and worked regularly across the aisle on compromises and coalitions. His last act, hours before his death, was to announce an agreement with two Democrats on a bill to punish Russia economically for its invasion of Ukraine.

One of his Democratic partners, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, said of Graham, “We often differed, but he listened to me and others who might have opposing views and sought to bridge our differences.” That’s a rare tribute in a capital where mutual respect and civility have virtually disappeared. And Graham was an unusual........

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