Scott defends Graham before South Carolina Senate runoff

Sen. Tim Scott defended appointed Sen. Darline Graham on Sunday after a debate answer in which the South Carolina Republican said she was “not that informed on national security,” arguing that she is ready to serve as voters prepare to decide Tuesday’s special GOP primary runoff.

“Darline Graham is the real deal,” Scott said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” calling her “highly qualified, incredibly competent, ready for prime time.” Asked how confident he was that Graham would defeat Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Scott replied, “Very confident.”

Graham, who was appointed in July to serve the rest of the term of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is running for a full Senate term. She faces Norman in Tuesday’s runoff after both advanced from the special Republican primary. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham soon after she entered the race, and Scott endorsed her after the primary.

The scrutiny followed a debate last week, when Graham was asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are important national security issues for the United States.

“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,” Graham said. “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 raised concerns among some Republicans about whether Graham is prepared to handle national security and foreign policy issues in the Senate. The Guardian reported that Graham held various public policy jobs in South Carolina but had not previously run for or held public office before her appointment.

Asked Sunday whether a U.S. senator should understand national security issues, Scott said, “Well, the answer is yes. And she does.” He did not detail specific national security experience, The Guardian reported.

“The question we’re asking ourselves today is whether or not she is prepared to serve in the United States Senate and represent the people of South Carolina on the issues that are germane to the moment, with all the issues of the moment,” Scott said. “And is she prepared to hit those issues? She hits those issues spot-on.”

Scott said he waited several weeks before endorsing Graham “to make sure that I felt like she was ready.” He added, “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. Easy choice.”

Trump and Scott rallied for Graham in South Carolina on Friday. Trump told voters, “She only knows how to put America first…. You vote for her, you’re going to be very proud of that vote.” The Guardian reported that Trump also addressed her debate answer, saying, “I watched that. I thought it was a very honest answer, actually.”

Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, also discussed other competitive Senate races on NBC. He defended the NRSC’s rhetoric about Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim senator if elected. The NRSC has referred to El-Sayed’s faith in social media posts and alleged he has “terrorist ties” despite a lack of evidence, drawing criticism from Democrats that Republicans are inciting Islamophobia.

Scott pointed to El-Sayed campaigning in the primary with Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who once apologized for comments about the U.S. deserving the Sept. 11 attacks. “Birds of a feather flock together,” Scott said. “The company you keep does matter.”

Scott also denounced Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, who is running against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton, as “weird” and “radical.” Asked about Paxton’s character, Scott did not answer directly and instead said Talarico “does not have the character to serve in the United States Senate.”