{"id":2647761,"date":"2026-08-21T10:09:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/buttigieg-heads-to-south-carolina-after-graham-nordones-debate-slip-up\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T10:12:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:12:49","slug":"buttigieg-heads-to-south-carolina-after-graham-nordones-debate-slip-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/buttigieg-heads-to-south-carolina-after-graham-nordones-debate-slip-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Buttigieg heads to South Carolina after Graham Nordone&#8217;s debate slip-up"},"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%2Fbuttigieg-heads-to-south-carolina-after-graham-nordones-debate-slip-up%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=2647761&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>Pete Buttigieg, former Transportation Secretary, is actively campaigning in South Carolina to bolster Democratic prospects in an upcoming Senate special election, capitalizing on a recent Republican debate misstep by rival Darline Graham Nordone. Her controversial comment about lacking knowledge on Taiwan, China, and foreign policy has caused concern among Republicans and optimism among Democrats, especially with Trump&#8217;s endorsement helping her primary chances. Buttigieg aims to strengthen his influence among Black voters in South Carolina, an essential demographic in the state&#8217;s primary process, and is supporting Democratic candidates while also positioning himself as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-reject-newsoms-attempts-to-distance-from-the-party\/\" title=\"... reject Newsom&#039;s ... to distance from the party\">potential 2028 presidential contender<\/a>.Recent polls indicate he has a strong chance at the presidency, leading Republican frontrunners in some surveys. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Trump endorses nordone despite her debate gaffe, which she attempts to downplay by claiming she\u2019s not a politician. Her early endorsement from Trump has been less impactful then usual, and she faces questions about her competitiveness in the upcoming primary. Buttigieg continues to build his political profile ahead of future elections while supporting Democratic efforts in the current cycle.  <\/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\">Former Transportation Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-buttigieg\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"410\">Pete Buttigieg<\/a> is headed to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a> to shore up the Democrats\u2019 chances in the Senate special election, as the party sees an opening following <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>\u2018s debate gaffe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nordone\u2019s live admission that she didn\u2019t know much about Taiwan, China, or foreign policy \u2014 her late brother\u2019s expertise \u2014 has triggered panic among Republicans and hope among Democrats. Graham Nordone won 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>endorsement, which her supporters believe will propel her through the primary. The president will stump for her as Buttigieg hopes to boost energy for the Democratic ticket, a contrast that puts the former transportation secretary in the spotlight.<\/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\/4695838\/buttigieg-south-carolina-trump-tries-to-patch-up-graham-nordones-debate-slip\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Buttigieg heads to South Carolina as Trump tries to patch up Graham Nordone\u2019s debate gaffe<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4692828\/trump-96-percent-endorsement-success-rate-republicans-he-backed-who-lost\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump has a 96% endorsement success rate. Here are the Republicans he\u2019s backed who have lost<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4692436\/five-takeaway-florida-alaska-wyoming-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Five takeaways from Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming primary elections<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buttigieg has been gunning for the nation\u2019s highest office for the better part of the past decade, seeing early progress in the crowded 2020 Democratic primary. While getting thoroughly routed, he\u2019s remained a favorite within some Democratic circles as a possible future president.<\/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\">Unlike other Democrats viewed as 2028 frontrunners, Buttigieg hasn\u2019t been as subtle in his designs. Earlier this month, he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mF6uk7UOHBM&#038;t=514s\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mF6uk7UOHBM&#038;t=514s\">told<\/a> The Diary of a CEO that he was \u201cmore inclined than not\u201d to run for president in 2028.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His trip to South Carolina, whether ultimately successful in rallying enough support for Democrat Annie Andrews\u2019s long-shot effort to flip the Senate seat or not, can help sow the seeds of victory for his potential 2028 bid. In particular, it gives him a chance to win over the state\u2019s influential bloc of black voters, who often serve as kingmakers because South Carolina begins the Democratic presidential primary process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s going to do better with Black voters,\u201d\u00a0former Democratic South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers told <em>Politico<\/em> Playbook. \u201cHe\u2019s just a freak political athlete. But can he ever win the big one?\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\">During this weekend\u2019s trip, Buttigieg will be stumping for Retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, who is running for a House seat Democrats hope to flip, speaking at an NAACP event, and the state party\u2019s issues conference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buttigieg has been shoring up his black support through an effective political tour of swing states, trying to win over the key demographic he has struggled most with in the past. Sellers claimed he has made real headway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think his experience, his White House experience, has definitely helped him in that regard,\u201d he said.<\/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\">Buttigieg received <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4694337\/buttigieg-performs-best-democrats-rubio-or-vance-potential-2028-contest-poll\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4694337\/buttigieg-performs-best-democrats-rubio-or-vance-potential-2028-contest-poll\/\">particularly good news<\/a> this week when an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/august-2026-national-poll\/\">Emerson College survey<\/a> gave him his best chances yet at the top office. In polls facing the two Republican front-runners, Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"7658\">JD Vance<\/a> and Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"51\">Marco Rubio<\/a>, he won 49% of the vote, to their 44%, in both polls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Republican side, meanwhile, Trump is leading the procession of heavy hitters to secure Graham Nordone\u2019s chances. Many Republicans are confident that she can pull through despite her gaffe, with Trump\u2019s help. Trump will speak in her support at a Friday rally in Myrtle Beach, alongside Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), John Barrasso (R-WY), Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republican insiders told <em>Politico<\/em> they were confident her Wednesday appearance on Fox News\u2019s <em>Hannity<\/em> allowed her to recover, spinning her slip-up as a relatable moment.<\/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\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4694527\/darline-graham-nordone-quell-backlash-taiwan\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4694527\">DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE ATTEMPTS TO QUELL BACKLASH OVER TAIWAN QUESTION: \u2018I DON\u2019T SPEAK POLITICIAN\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI tripped up one question,\u201d she 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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Trump\u2019s endorsement has repeatedly proven decisive throughout, his early endorsement of Nordone was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4684089\/mike-lindell-darline-graham-nordone-show-limits-trump-endorsement-power\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4684089\/mike-lindell-darline-graham-nordone-show-limits-trump-endorsement-power\/\">less decisive<\/a> than usual, failing to bring her over the threshold in the Republican special primary, and that was before her debate gaffe.<\/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<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buttigieg visits SC to boost Dems after Graham Nordone\u2019s debate slip<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2647762,"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\/AP26220019228227.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4943,84499,82872,32603,41960],"class_list":["post-2647761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-buttigieg","tag-debate-slip-up","tag-graham-nordone","tag-political-news","tag-south-carolina"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26220019228227.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647761","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\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647761"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647765,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647761\/revisions\/2647765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}