Senator Graham Admits Lack of National Security Knowledge During Debate.
South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham said Tuesday she is 'not that informed on national security' when a debate moderator asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are U.S. security threats. She was appointed to the Senate in July after her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, died suddenly.
- Graham asked the moderator to repeat the question before giving her answer.
- 50 million — the population Graham attributed to South Carolina; the actual figure is roughly 5.5 million.
- Graham repeatedly deferred to President Trump on foreign policy questions throughout the debate.
- Nikki Haley, who has endorsed Norman, said national security expertise 'is not something you inherit.'
Why it matters: Graham has no prior elected office experience and has said she will focus more on domestic policy than her late brother, who was one of the Senate's most prominent foreign policy voices.
- Republican strategist Doug Heye said on CNN that the moment 'can really spin out of control very quickly,' noting that Trump's endorsement 'is not determinative.'
How 17 sources split on this story
Where they split: The disagreement is whether Graham's candor about her limits is disqualifying or simply reflects the kind of honesty voters claim to want from non-career politicians.
Center coverage, 4 sources: The center treats the episode as a notable stumble — a factual misstep on a core Senate responsibility — without rendering a verdict on her fitness for office.
Associated Press10hNational security question trips up Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina debate
Newsweek12hDarline Graham debate comment raises red flags for Republican strategists
The Hill4hDarline Graham pilloried for saying she’s ‘not that informed on national security’
USA Today23mNational security is not Darline Graham's 'thing', she saysLeft coverage, 6 sources: The left frames Graham's debate as an embarrassing implosion that should undermine Republican confidence in her and reflects the danger of appointing unqualified candidates based on family name.
Mediaite10mDarline Graham Pressed About Disastrous Debate Response After It Went Viral
Raw Story1hGOP Senate hopeful hounded by laughing critics for 'painful' fumble: 'Might be just dumb!'DKDaily Kos1hAugust 19: Oh no, Darline! … and more
MSNBC2h‘National security is not my thing’: Darline Graham struggles in key South Carolina debate
The New York Times12h‘I’m Not That Informed on National Security,’ Graham Says in South Carolina DebateRight coverage, 7 sources: The right covers the moment as a damaging gaffe that threatens her campaign, centering Republican strategist and Haley criticism while noting her anti-escalation contrast with Norman.
New York Post57mSen. Darline Graham fumbles basic national security question in debate flop: 'I'm not that informed'
Fox News2hLindsey Graham’s sister admits she’s ‘not that informed on national security’ while seeking full Senate term
Just the News2hDarline Graham flops on Taiwan question: 'I'm not that informed'
PJ Media5hDarline Graham’s Senate Campaign Is Now in a Death Spiral
The Daily Caller3h‘Not That Informed’: Host Asks NatSec Question During Debate, Darline Graham Faceplants
The Daily Signal58mDarline Graham Admits She Lacks National Security Knowledge During SC Debate
The Washington Times1hSen. Darline Graham blasted over foreign policy blunder during campaign debateWhat’s next: The Republican runoff between Graham and Norman is set for Aug. 25.
- Norman told reporters after the debate that Senate candidates need to 'get fully versed' in the issues they will face.
- Whether Trump's endorsement is enough to offset the debate performance among Republican primary voters.
- How Graham plans to address national security issues if she wins a full six-year term.