Nat'l Security Question Trips Up Graham08/19 06:17

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Darline Graham, who is competing in next week's 
runoff election in South Carolina, stumbled over a question about foreign 
policy in a debate on Tuesday night.

   "Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United 
States and if so, why or how?" asked one of the moderators.

   Graham started her answer by saying, "I'm just going to be honest here."

   "I'm not that informed on national security," she said, then paused. "But I 
do support the military."

   Graham's brother, Lindsey, died unexpectedly on July 11. She was appointed 
to fill his seat temporarily, and now she's running in a special election for 
her own term. Her opponent is Rep. Ralph Norman.

   Her answer was noteworthy because her late brother was known for his 
involvement in foreign policy, something that Graham mentioned in her answer.

   "My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years so I will do everything I can 
to support the military," she said. "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."

   Graham was endorsed by President Donald Trump. She and Norman advanced to 
the runoff in last week's primary.