Graham says national security not her thing during debate

Senator Darline Graham acknowledged she is "not that informed on national security" during a Republican primary debate on Tuesday night, a striking admission from the interim senator seeking a full term in the seat held by her late brother. The debate, held in Newberry, South Carolina, and hosted by Newsmax and South Carolina ETV and Public Radio, focused on national security and foreign policy ahead of a runoff election on August 25.

Graham made the comment after moderator Greta Van Susteren asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea were national security issues for the United States. "I'm just going to be honest here. I'm not that informed on national security, so but I do support the military," Graham said, noting her brother's Air Force service and her father's Army service. She added, "National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military."

Her opponent, Representative Ralph Norman, responded more directly, calling Taiwan "a definite ally" and praising President Donald Trump for "enabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China." Norman, who has served in Congress for nearly a decade, argued that peace through strength demonstrated...