Columbia, S.C. – In a televised debate held Tuesday night, interim U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to her brother’s seat last month, was unable to give a clear answer when asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea constitute U.S. national security interests.
Debate performance raises questions
When moderator “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States and if so, why or how?” was posed, Graham hesitated, then said, “National security is not my thing.” She added, “I’m not that informed on national security.” The moment highlighted a stark contrast with her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who spent decades shaping U.S. foreign policy and led multiple delegations to Taiwan.
Republican challenger attacks preparedness
Rep. Ralph Norman, a seasoned conservative and Graham’s opponent in next week’s Republican runoff, seized on the slip. “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‑trained‑on‑the‑job situation, you can’t do that.”
Norman, who has served in the House of Representatives, also noted President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Graham and suggested the debate performance could undermine that support.
Graham leans on family legacy and local concerns
Graham defended herself by invoking her family’s military background, noting her brother’s 33‑year Air Force service and her father’s Army career. She said she would “support the military” and emphasized her focus on South Carolinians’ everyday worries. “They’re worried about their pocketbooks more than they’re worried about the South China Sea, quite honestly,” she told the audience.
She also claimed to have mentioned China’s threat repeatedly during the debate, stating, “I probably said 10 times up there tonight how bad China is, how they’re a national threat to us.” Graham highlighted a recent Russia sanctions bill named for her brother as part of her legislative record.
Context of the race
The debate comes a week before the Republican runoff that will determine who faces the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat. Graham, a political newcomer, has relied heavily on staff who previously worked for Lindsey Graham. She has thanked them for helping her get up to speed on legislative matters and for assisting in passing the Russia sanctions legislation.
President Trump is scheduled to visit South Carolina on Friday to campaign for Graham, underscoring the national attention the race has attracted.
Broader national security backdrop
While the debate focused on Graham’s personal knowledge, the issues she was asked about remain central to U.S. foreign policy. Taiwan remains a flashpoint with China, and the South China Sea is a critical trade route contested by multiple nations. The United States maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding defense of Taiwan while continuing to bolster the island’s capabilities.
During a recent visit to Manila, Adm. Frank Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said American forces are ready to increase joint war‑fighting exercises with regional partners to deter conflict.
Graham’s performance in the debate will likely shape voter perceptions as the runoff approaches, with both candidates positioning themselves on issues of national security, economic concerns, and the legacy of the Graham family in South Carolina politics.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
