National security question trips up Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina debate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Sen.

Key points

• Darline Graham stumbled in a Tuesday night debate over an elementary question regarding foreign policy, a signature problem of her late brother.
• By her choice, she's running for the United States Senate.
• Her rival in next week's runoff for the GOP nomination, Rep.
• Graham, a political novice, was asked whether the U.S.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Sen. Darline Graham stumbled in a Tuesday night debate over an elementary question regarding foreign policy, a signature problem of her late brother. It was a high-profile misstep a week before she faces a runoff election in her bid to hold onto the South Carolina seat to which she was appointed last month.

Graham, a political novice, was asked whether the U.S. Has a national security interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea – a longstanding contention of both Democratic and Republican administrations. She struggled to answer before admitting "national security is not my thing." "I'm not that informed on national security, " she continued.

Her rival in next week's runoff for the GOP nomination, Rep. Ralph Norman, suggested the answer indicated Graham was unqualified for the role.

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

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