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Senator Darline Graham admits national security 'not my thing' in debate
🇺🇸 United States /Elections & Politics

Senator Darline Graham admits national security 'not my thing' in debate

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Senator Darline Graham struggled to answer a question about U.S. national security interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea during a debate.
  • Graham admitted that national security is "not my thing" and that she is "not that informed" on the issue.
  • Her opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman, criticized her response, suggesting she is unqualified for the Senate.

South Carolina Senate candidate Darline Graham stumbled during a debate Tuesday night when asked about U.S. national security interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea, a significant foreign policy area. The misstep comes just a week before she faces a runoff election for the seat she was appointed to last month.

national security is not my thing.

— Darline GrahamThe Senate candidate admitted her lack of knowledge on national security issues during a debate.

Graham, a political newcomer, struggled to answer the question before admitting, "national security is not my thing." She further stated, "I'm not that informed on national security." This response drew immediate criticism from her rival in the GOP nomination runoff, Rep. Ralph Norman.

I'm not that informed on national security.

— Darline GrahamGraham elaborated on her unfamiliarity with national security matters during the debate.

Norman argued that Graham's admission demonstrates she is unqualified for the U.S. Senate, emphasizing that the role requires a comprehensive understanding of critical issues. "By her choice, she's running for the United States Senate. It's a six-year term," Norman said. "You need to get fully versed in what issues you're going to be dealing with. This isn't a get training on the job, you can't do that."

By her choice, she's running for the United States Senate. It's a six-year term. You need to get fully versed in what issues you're going to be dealing with. This isn't a get training on the job, you can't do that.

— Rep. Ralph NormanGraham's opponent criticized her admission, stating the role requires immediate expertise.

The moment starkly contrasted with the legacy of Graham's late brother, Lindsey Graham, who was known for his deep involvement in foreign policy during his decades in the Senate. Darline Graham, who often referred to her brother's extensive experience, stated her intention to support the military, drawing on her father's Army service and her brother's Air Force career. She also noted that she is "not a polished politician" and that national security is not her area of expertise, while assuring her support for the military.

My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years, so I will do everything I can to support the military. My dad was in the Army. I'm not a polished politician up here; national security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military.

— Darline GrahamGraham explained her background and commitment to supporting the military despite her lack of foreign policy expertise.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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