ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Sen. Lindsey Graham may have been slow to the pro-President Donald Trump game, angering many in the conservative camps who saw the South Carolinian as part and parcel of the establishment wing — as part and parcel of the problems confronting Washington.

But all that’s in the past. All’s forgiven.

In the stroke of one quick Brett Kavanaugh hearing, the angry senator — who went on an epic rant about Democrats destroying a good nominee’s life — has truly become the man of the hour. He has stepped forward among the devious political forces trying to stymy and stop Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, and spoken truths that need telling.

There was this, on the heels of over-the-top questioning by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin: “What you want to do,” Graham said, responding to the aggressive tone of Durbin’s queries, “is destroy this guy’s life, hold this seat open and hope you win in 2020.”

Bingo. That’s the game Democrats are playing here.

Kavanaugh’s nomination process has nothing to do with Kavanaugh and everything to do with Democrats’ seats — about inciting their base to donate, and donate big, so the left can win and keep power on Capitol Hill.

If it weren’t Kavanaugh, it’d be someone else. It’d be anyone else that Trump nominates. Or, as the mob might put it, while justifying the attacks on Kavanaugh: It’s not personal. It’s just business.

Graham turned to Kavanaugh and asked, “Are you a gang rapist?”

Kavanaugh: “No.”

Graham: “Would you say you’ve been through hell?”

Kavanaugh: “I’ve been through hell and then some.”

And later, this: “To my Republican colleagues,” Graham said, “if you vote ‘no,’ you’re legitimizing the most despicable thing that I have seen in my time in politics.”

Quite right.

The circus act the Democrats have put on has moved into hatchet act territory.

Kavanaugh’s the bloodied victim in the tank full of Democrat sharks.

“God help anybody else that gets nominated,” Graham said.

And that right there is the ultimate Democratic goal — to scare away any solid judicial candidates Republicans might bring forward. The Democrats can’t win on legislation; they rely on judicial activism to carry forth their agendas. Reputable judges get in the left’s way.

Good for Graham for having the courage, in these vicious political times, for pointing out these truths. He is truly the man of the hour — and we need about 50 more of them about now.

• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.