Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) is trying to turn down the temperature after being ridiculed for saying she is “not that informed” on national security during a debate, reminding voters that she is not a career politician.
During a debate Tuesday night between Graham Nordone and her special Senate primary runoff opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), the two candidates were asked if tensions between China and Taiwan were a national security concern for the United States. Graham Nordone said national security was not her forte, adding that she was not a “polished politician up here.”
On other points of national security and foreign policy, Graham Nordone said she would support President Donald Trump’s decisions.
The senator’s remarks were met with significant backlash, with critics saying she lacks the knowledge necessary to fill the seat formerly held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who was known as a foreign policy hawk.
Graham Nordone appeared Wednesday night on Fox News’s Hannity, where host Sean Hannity defended the senator, asking, “I wonder how many people around the country, if I gave them a map, could pick out Taiwan.” Graham agreed and stood by her response on the debate stage.
“I tripped up one question,” Graham Nordone said. “I’ve said many times, I’m not a politician. … I don’t speak politician. I was just honest, and I think that’s kind of a foreign concept.”
Graham Nordone said South Carolinians she spoke with appreciated her honesty, adding that she thinks voters in the state are more concerned about the SAVE America Act, transgender athletes, and their Second Amendment rights.
During a campaign stop earlier on Wednesday, Graham Nordone was asked about her credibility after admitting ignorance.
“Is national security important? Absolutely,” she said. “Can I learn? I’m smart. Yes, I’ll learn. I’ll become informed.”
The senator has moved to define herself as a politician since being appointed to fill her brother’s seat, expressing a desire to follow less in her brother’s footsteps as a national security hawk and focus more on domestic policies.
Despite Graham Nordone championing her honesty and vowing to learn, Norman and his supporters started throwing punches.
Norman said after the debate he “couldn’t believe” Graham Nordone’s answer.
Norman told NewsNation on Thursday that the comments were serious, and “what is more serious is who she is getting supported by is everything I’m against.” Norman said his donors are all from South Carolina.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who has endorsed Norman, chimed in.
“Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security,” Haley said. “Darline Graham admits she’s not. This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate.”
DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE DEBATE FUMBLE SPOTLIGHTS QUESTIONS ON POLICY VIEWS
Graham Nordone, however, has political heavyweights ready to stump for her in the Palmetto State. On Thursday, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) is also traveling to South Carolina. Trump is heading to Myrtle Beach on Friday to participate in a rally with the senator. She also has the endorsements from a slate of Senate Republicans.
Graham Nordone and Norman will face off in a Republican primary runoff on Tuesday.