{"id":2647077,"date":"2026-08-19T16:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T20:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-nordones-debate-fumble-spotlights-questions-over-policy-stances\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T16:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T20:55:45","slug":"graham-nordones-debate-fumble-spotlights-questions-over-policy-stances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/graham-nordones-debate-fumble-spotlights-questions-over-policy-stances\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham Nordone\u2019s debate fumble spotlights questions over policy stances"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgraham-nordones-debate-fumble-spotlights-questions-over-policy-stances%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647077&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Darline Graham Nordone from South Carolina is preparing for her upcoming primary runoff, but a viral mistake during a debate may harm her campaign. The incident involved her unclear response to a question about U.S. support for Taiwan,were she admitted she was &#8220;not that informed on national security&#8221; adn emphasized her support for Trump\u2019s defense policies,despite saying she was not well-versed in security issues. This response drew boos and critics argued it highlighted her lack of foreign policy expertise. Norman, her rival, seized the moment, emphasizing his concern about China and Taiwan and criticizing her for not demonstrating strong foreign policy knowledge. The race is urgent, wiht just five weeks until the August 25 runoff, after her appointment in July to fill Lindsey Graham\u2019s Senate seat. While she aims to focus more on domestic policy, her foreign policy weakness remains a concern.Norman is expected to win in this deep-red state, where early voting has commenced, and will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November election.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\/\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC) is racing to define herself ahead of next week\u2019s primary runoff, but a viral gaffe during a Tuesday debate likely doesn\u2019t do her any favors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4692180\/darline-graham-national-security-south-carolina-senate\/\">viral moment<\/a>, which occurred Tuesday while debating runoff rival Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4654515\/ralph-norman-announce-run-senate\/\">Ralph Norman<\/a> (R-SC) after a moderator\u2019s question about U.S. support for Taiwan, breathes new fire into criticism that the Trump-backed candidate is riding the coattails of the president and her brother, the late Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\">Lindsey Graham<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693319\/abdul-el-sayed-outperforms-mike-rogers-michigan-senate-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Abdul el Sayed outperforms Mike Rogers in latest Michigan Senate poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693496\/darline-graham-nordone-debate-fumble-spotlights-policy-views\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Darline Graham Nordone debate fumble spotlights questions on policy views<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693342\/sherrill-campaigning-new-hampshire-massachusetts-seth-moulton-fellow-veterans\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mikie Sherrill stumps in New Hampshire and Massachusetts for Seth Moulton and others<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone was asked if tensions between China and Taiwan were a national security concern, to which she said national security was \u201cnot my thing.\u201d She went on to tout President Donald Trump\u2019s defense agenda.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m just gonna be honest here. I\u2019m not on national security that \u2014 I\u2019m not that informed on national security, so,\u201d Graham Nordone said, followed by a pause. \u201cBut I do support the military.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even before the awkward answer that prompted boos from the crowd, Norman and his allies have painted the contest as a choice between a fifth-term \u201cproven conservative\u201d in the Freedom Caucus and a largely undefined Republican with a famous last name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if Darline Graham had any other last name?\u201d said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S6cukwjDp8o\">an ad<\/a>, released just hours before the debate, from the pro-Norman Palmetto First PAC. \u201cDo we really know where she stands? Darline won\u2019t tell us. Ralph Norman has a proven conservative record.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone\u2019s answer also prompted a response from a notable South Carolina foreign policy hawk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Trump official and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who endorsed Norman, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NikkiHaley\/status\/2089882589918019869?s=20\">said<\/a> being informed on national security is \u201cnot something you inherit\u201d and is \u201ccritical in the U.S. Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman used the moment to detail his own concerns about China\u2019s aggression toward Taiwan, a major computer chip manufacturer, and praise Trump\u2019s \u201cpeace through strength\u201d approach. He did not directly criticize Graham Nordone, but his campaign did post a clip of her answer and said the state \u201cdeserves a Senator who UNDERSTANDS Foreign Policy.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He told MS NOW on Wednesday that he \u201ccouldn\u2019t believe\u201d Graham Nordone\u2019s answer, but would not say if the response was disqualifying, instead saying \u201cthe voters will disqualify her if that\u2019s what they see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candidates often have upward of six months or more to define themselves to voters. But Thursday marks just one month in the race for Graham Nordone, and the Aug. 25 runoff will come after just five weeks. She was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) on July 13 to serve out the remainder of Graham\u2019s term that ends in early January 2027.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t think that anyone could do that in 20 days,\u201d said Maggie Knox, a South Carolina GOP official who is neutral but predicted Graham Nordone holds an edge. \u201cWe definitely saw that Darline needs to work on foreign policy \u2026 but [Norman] was not able to maybe distance himself from some concerns that people have had about decisions in Washington and the powers that be.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">From left, Emilie Boggs Roberts, Larry Nordone and Nicole Nordone listen as Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters after advancing to a special GOP Senate primary runoff to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo\/Meg Kinnard)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26224084816406.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, Emilie Boggs Roberts, Larry Nordone and Nicole Nordone listen as Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters after advancing to a special GOP Senate primary runoff to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo\/Meg Kinnard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In terms of defining herself, foreign policy appears to remain a weak spot for Graham Nordone, who has expressed a desire to follow less in her brother\u2019s footsteps as a national security hawk and focus more on domestic policies. She touted her support for the GOP\u2019s SAVE America Act voter ID bill, anti-abortion measures, confirming Attorney General Todd Blanche, and a bipartisan Russia sanctions package signed into law by Trump that was championed by Graham before his death.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of her bungled Taiwan response, Graham Nordone noted she was \u201cnot a polished politician\u201d in an attempt to contrast with Norman, who was first elected to political office in 2004. At another point, when asked about the Iran war and failed ceasefire agreements, she echoed Trump, in part saying: \u201cI trust President Trump and everything he\u2019s doing. I think he\u2019s got this, and I trust him on it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4692180\/darline-graham-national-security-south-carolina-senate\/\">GRAHAM SAYS NATIONAL SECURITY \u2018NOT MY THING\u2019 BUT VOWS TO BACK TRUMP\u2019S DEFENSE AGENDA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By contrast, Norman condemned \u201cendless wars\u201d and said Trump should \u201ctell the American people what\u2019s it going to take\u201d to win against Tehran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early voting for the runoff began Wednesday. The Republican victor will go on to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election but is expected to prevail in the deep-red state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gaffe hampers Graham Nordone\u2019s bid before SC runoff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2647078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26224084816406.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50410,3896,82872,4326,37043],"class_list":["post-2647077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-controversy-2","tag-debate","tag-graham-nordone","tag-policy","tag-political-debate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26224084816406.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647077"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647080,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647077\/revisions\/2647080"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}