Darline Graham debate comment raises red flags for Republican strategists
Republican Senator Darline Graham said that she is “not that informed on national security” during a South Carolina senatorial debate Tuesday night, telling voters that national security is “not my thing” as she campaigns for a full six-year term.
Graham made the remarks after moderator Greta Van Susteren asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States and, if so, why.
After asking Van Susteren to repeat the question, Graham said she wanted to be candid about her lack of expertise on the subject.
“I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security,” Graham said, drawing what appeared to be boos from some members of the audience.
“But I do support the military,” she continued, noting her brother and father’s service in the Air Force and Army, respectively.
“I’m not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise,” Graham said. “But I do support the military.”
Graham entered the race with two major advantages: President Donald Trump’s endorsement and name recognition, Republican strategist Doug Heye said on CNN. Trump’s endorsement “is not determinative, and debates are one of the reasons why,” he said on CNN’s election night coverage.
“The other is her name ID, but it’s her last name ID. They’re learning who Darline is,” he added. “And a moment like this can really spin out of control very quickly.”
Graham has previously sought to distinguish her foreign policy views from those of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, whose more than two decades in the Senate were marked by an outspoken approach to national security.
Her debate remarks quickly drew criticism from former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who has endorsed Graham’s runoff opponent, Representative Ralph Norman.
“Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security. Darline Graham admits she’s not,” Haley wrote on X. “This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate.”
Norman called Trump’s endorsement of Graham a “head scratcher” in an interview with the Associated Press published Tuesday. Following Graham’s debate remarks, Norman said South Carolina “deserves a Senator who UNDERSTANDS Foreign Policy.”
The congressman finished second behind Graham in the 10-candidate August 11 special primary, but neither won enough votes to avoid a runoff.
Graham was appointed to fill the seat held by her brother Lindsey following his sudden death in July. She has not previously held elected office. Trump encouraged her to seek a full term and endorsed her campaign.
The South Carolina Republican Senate runoff is August 25 and the winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.