During a South Carolina GOP Senate primary debate on Tuesday night, Sen. Darline Graham faced a direct question about global threats. Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren asked if Taiwan and the South China Sea were national security issues for the United States. Graham did not say yes or no. Instead, she told the room she was “not that informed on national security.” This comment came just days before the state’s runoff election against Rep. Ralph Norman.
The question was specific, but her answer was blunt. “I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security,” Graham said. She added that this topic is “not my area of expertise.” She noted that her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, served in the Air Force for 33 years. She promised to support the military despite her lack of knowledge on foreign policy details.
Her remarks drew quick criticism from former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Haley pointed out the difference between the late senator and his sister. National security matters in the United States were well understood by Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham admits she’s not, Haley wrote on X. She called the admission critical for anyone serving in the U.S. Senate. Haley posted a clip of Graham’s remarks alongside her written comment.
South Carolina talk-show host Tara Servatius also weighed in on the exchange. Servatius called the moment “devastating” for the senator’s campaign. Her own 16 year old child, she observed, responded with a stunned answer immediately from memory. The host suggested that a basic understanding of these issues should be expected of a candidate seeking a full term.
Rep. Ralph Norman offered a very different answer when asked the same question by Van Susteren. Norman called Taiwan a “definite ally” with whom the U.S. has a beneficial trading relationship. He argued that the current president is enabling Taiwan to defend itself against China. Norman stated that “peace through strength” is working to keep China from attacking Taiwan.
Norman went further to say that a “weak Democrat” in the White House would allow China to take Taiwan. Joe Biden and Barack Obama, both former Presidents, were cited by him as illustrations of that leadership. He insisted the U.S. “can’t let that happen” and that strength keeps the peace. While Norman spoke on defense, Graham also stumbled on economic questions during the debate.
When asked about rising costs, Graham claimed there are “50 million people here in South Carolina.” This number is far higher than the state’s actual population. She said half of them live paycheck to paycheck. According to reports, Graham later told reporters that voters worry more about their “pocketbooks” than the South China Sea.