{"id":2647422,"date":"2026-08-20T14:07:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/darline-graham-nordone-attempts-to-quell-backlash-over-taiwan-question\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:11:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:11:16","slug":"darline-graham-nordone-attempts-to-quell-backlash-over-taiwan-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/darline-graham-nordone-attempts-to-quell-backlash-over-taiwan-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Darline Graham Nordone attempts to quell backlash over Taiwan question"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fdarline-graham-nordone-attempts-to-quell-backlash-over-taiwan-question%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=2647422&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 (R-SC) sought to defuse criticism after admitting she is &#8220;not that informed&#8221; on national security issues, during a debate wiht her opponent Ralph Norman. She emphasized that she is not a career politician and highlighted her honesty,claiming South Carolinians appreciate her straightforwardness. When questioned about her knowledge of tensions between China and Taiwan, she acknowledged her lack of expertise but committed to learning. Critics, including Norman and former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, argued that her admission raises concerns about her suitability for the Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, known for his foreign policy expertise. Despite the backlash, Graham Nordone received support from prominent Republicans including Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and former President Trump, with a Republican primary runoff scheduled for Tuesday. She defended her honesty on Fox News&#8217;s &#8220;Hannity,&#8221; stating she intends to become more informed and differentiate herself from her brother&#8217;s approach, focusing more on domestic issues.  <\/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\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23139\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC) is trying to turn down the temperature after being ridiculed for saying she is \u201cnot that informed\u201d on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-security\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8754\">national security<\/a> during a debate, reminding voters that she is not a career politician.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a debate Tuesday night between Graham Nordone and her special Senate primary runoff opponent, Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ralph-norman\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4637\">Ralph Norman<\/a> (R-SC), the two candidates were asked if tensions between <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"232\">China<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/taiwan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1226\">Taiwan<\/a> were a national security concern for the United States. Graham Nordone said national security was not her forte, adding that she was not a \u201cpolished politician up here.\u201d<\/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\/4694527\/darline-graham-nordone-quell-backlash-taiwan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Darline Graham Nordone attempts to quell backlash over Taiwan question: \u2018I don\u2019t speak politician\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4694506\/ocasio-cortez-endorses-massachusetts-senate-incumbent-ed-markey-green-new-deal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ocasio-Cortez endorses Massachusetts Senate incumbent Ed Markey<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4692615\/rnc-touts-record-cash-on-hand\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>RNC raised $19 million in July and has $130 million for midterm elections<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On other points of national security and foreign policy, Graham Nordone said she would support President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> decisions.<\/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\">The senator\u2019s remarks were met with significant backlash, with critics saying she lacks the knowledge necessary to fill the seat formerly held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who was known as a foreign policy hawk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone appeared Wednesday night on Fox News\u2019s <em>Hannity<\/em>, where host Sean Hannity defended the senator, asking, \u201cI wonder how many people around the country, if I gave them a map, could pick out Taiwan.\u201d Graham agreed and stood by her response on the debate stage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI tripped up one question,\u201d Graham Nordone said. \u201cI\u2019ve said many times, I\u2019m not a politician. \u2026 I don\u2019t speak politician. I was just honest, and I think that\u2019s kind of a foreign concept.\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 said South Carolinians she spoke with appreciated her honesty, adding that she thinks voters in the state are more concerned about the SAVE America Act, transgender athletes, and their Second Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a campaign stop earlier on Wednesday, Graham Nordone was<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cspan\/status\/2090244115904557205?s=20\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cspan\/status\/2090244115904557205?s=20\"> asked about her credibility <\/a>after admitting ignorance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs national security important? Absolutely,\u201d she said. \u201cCan I learn? I\u2019m smart. Yes, I\u2019ll learn. I\u2019ll become informed.\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\">The senator has moved to define herself as a politician since being appointed to fill her brother\u2019s seat, expressing a desire to follow less in her brother\u2019s footsteps as a national security hawk and focus more on domestic policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite Graham Nordone championing her honesty and vowing to learn, Norman and his supporters started throwing punches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman said after the debate he \u201ccouldn\u2019t believe\u201d Graham Nordone\u2019s answer.<\/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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KellieMeyerNews\/status\/2090471085397454866?s=20\">told<\/a> NewsNation on Thursday that the comments were serious, and \u201cwhat is more serious is who she is getting supported by is everything I\u2019m against.\u201d Norman said his donors are all from South Carolina.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nikki-haley\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"810\">Nikki Haley<\/a>, who has endorsed Norman, chimed in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLindsey Graham was well informed on the United States\u2019 national security,\u201d Haley said. \u201cDarline Graham admits she\u2019s not. This is not something you inherit. And it\u2019s critical in the U.S. Senate.\u201d<\/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\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693496\/darline-graham-nordone-debate-fumble-spotlights-policy-views\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693496\/darline-graham-nordone-debate-fumble-spotlights-policy-views\/\">DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE DEBATE FUMBLE SPOTLIGHTS QUESTIONS ON POLICY VIEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone, however, has political heavyweights ready to stump for her in the Palmetto State. On Thursday, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) is also traveling to South Carolina. Trump is heading to Myrtle Beach on Friday to participate in a rally with the senator. She also has the endorsements from a slate of Senate Republicans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone and Norman will face off in a Republican primary runoff on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Graham Nordone downplays security knowledge after debate slip<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2647423,"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\/AP26230850535097.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[82672,32402,5894,9105],"class_list":["post-2647422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-darline-graham-nordone","tag-international-relations","tag-politics","tag-taiwan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26230850535097.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647422","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\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647422"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647425,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647422\/revisions\/2647425"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}