Sen. Tim Scott says Darline Graham is ‘ready for primetime’
Sen. Tim Scott defended Sen. Darline Graham, his fellow South Carolina Republican, on Sunday ahead of her special GOP primary runoff this week, dismissing concerns about her debate blunder on national security last week.
“Darline Graham is the real deal,” Scott told NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” adding that she is “highly qualified, incredibly competent, ready for primetime.”
Asked how confident he is that Graham will win Tuesday’s primary runoff, Scott said, “Very confident,” adding that he waited several weeks before he endorsed her “to make sure that I felt like she was ready.”
“I can tell you, as the senior senator for the great state of South Carolina, the person I want in the Senate with me, Darline Graham, representing the people of South Carolina,” he said. “Easy choice.”
Scott boosted Graham just days after her viral moment at a debate against Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., whom she faces in Tuesday’s runoff.
Asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are important national security issues facing the U.S., Graham answered: “I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not, on national security, I’m not that informed on national security, so, but I do support the military.”
She added: “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.”
The answer drew concerns from some Republicans about Graham’s readiness to govern on national security and foreign policy issues — which were of pre-eminent concern for her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. — if she’s elected to a full term.
Darline Graham was appointed last month to serve the rest of her brother’s term after he died unexpectedly. Several days after she was appointed, Graham decided to run in a special election to serve a full term and was quickly endorsed by President Donald Trump. After the special primary election, in which Graham and Norman advanced to a runoff, Scott endorsed her, as well.
Trump and Scott rallied in South Carolina in support of Graham’s campaign Friday, with Trump telling voters: “She only knows how to put America first. … You vote for her, you’re going to be very proud of that vote.”
On Sunday, Scott, who is chair of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, also spoke about competitive general election contests in states like Texas, Michigan and Iowa coming up in November.
He defended the NRSC’s rhetoric about Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim senator if he is elected.
The NRSC has repeatedly referred to El-Sayed’s faith in social media posts and alleged he has “terrorist ties” despite the lack of any evidence for the claim, drawing criticism from Democrats that Republicans are inciting Islamophobia.
In an interview on “Meet the Press” this month, El-Sayed responded to GOP attacks painting him as “too radical,” saying, “We always knew they were going to go here.”