Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. Interim GOP Sen. Darline Graham, who’s running for a full term in the Senate in South Carolina, had a bit of a rough moment during a debate on Tuesday night. When asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea, she said national security is “not my thing.” I mean, I get it, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, but national security is kind of a big deal for a Senator, don’t you think?
Graham was debating her opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman, and the moderator, journalist Greta Van Susteren, asked her about Taiwan and the South China Sea. Graham asked Van Susteren to repeat the question, and then said she was “just going to be honest here” and admitted she wasn’t informed on national security. She did say she supports the military, though, which is nice, I guess. Her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, was a big deal in the Senate, and now she’s trying to fill his shoes.
The debate was hosted by South Carolina ETV and Public Radio, and Graham’s opponent, Norman, seemed to handle the question a lot better. He said Taiwan is a “definite ally” and praised Trump for helping them defend themselves against China. Graham, on the other hand, has said she wants to focus on domestic issues, which is fair, but you’d think she’d at least have some basic knowledge of national security.
Graham has never held elected office before, and this little flub on the debate stage might make people wonder if she’s ready for the big leagues. I mean, Taiwan is a pretty important issue, and China’s been making some big moves in the region. You’d think a Senator would want to be informed about that kind of thing. Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor, even tweeted about it, saying that national security is critical in the Senate and you can’t just inherit it.
Trump is actually hosting a rally for Graham on Friday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, so we’ll see if that gives her a boost. The runoff election is next Tuesday, so it’s going to be interesting to see how this all plays out.
In the end, it’s just another day in politics, folks. You’ve got to be ready for anything, and sometimes that means being informed about national security. Graham might want to brush up on that before the election, just saying. And who knows, maybe she’ll surprise us all and turn out to be a national security expert – but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
