Jul.27

electoral-vote.com

Dem 47

   

GOP 53

Is Darline SC's Darling?

Donald Trump wants the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Darline Graham (formerly Darline Graham Nordone), who is now an appointed senator, to run for a full term. She has agreed to file. But she is not a shoo-in, by any means. Trump's endorsement has not even cleared the field. South Carolina Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman are in, along with businessman Mark Lynch and attorney Duke Buckner. And, as of this weekend, famed Appalachian Trail hiker and former governor Mark Sanford is also in.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is not running, has questioned whether someone who has never held an elective office, or even run a hot dog stand, is qualified to be a U.S. senator. Mace also questioned whether Graham can legally run. South Carolina passed a law requiring candidates to have voted in two of the most recent primaries, but that law is probably unconstitutional, as the Constitution has only three requirements for being a senator: You need to be: (1) at least 30 years old, (2) a resident of the state you are running in, and (3) a U.S. citizen.

Mace is not the only one who is skeptical of Graham, even with Trump's endorsement. Among other problems are these.

• The Name: Lindsey Graham was well known in South Carolina but not universally liked, not even by Republicans. He was a chameleon and inveterate flip-flopper. He acted like he was always afraid of something. State conservatives never liked him. In the June primary, Graham didn't even get 60% of the vote against weak, unknown opponents. If Darling Darline's campaign is going to be: "I am the female Lindsey" that might not be enough. She will probably inherit his vote ceiling, but not his floor.
  
  
• She Is Unknown: No one knows anything about her or her views and so far she hasn't committed to any debates, Her job involved working with people who are blind. That doesn't scream "fire-breathing Republican." Maybe she is secretly a liberal pretending to be a conservative for 3½ months. Voters may think: "Why take a chance when the other candidates are well vetted?"
  
  
• The Handoff: South Carolina voters don't like having senators pushed down their throats. In both 1954 and 1966, they rejected giving appointed senators a full term. Also, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R-SC) didn't get a promotion, even though the governor and Trump urged voters to give it to her.
  

Another question is money. Lindsey Graham had $2 million in his campaign account. Does Darline inherit that for the fast-approaching primary? If not, she will have to raise money quickly. (V)