Event attendees weigh in on several other 2024 presidential contenders.
President Donald Trump defended Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after attendees booed the Republican senator at a campaign event in South Carolina.
Speaking to a crowd of several hundred at Sportsman Boats in Summerville, South Carolina on Sept. 25, President Trump was introduced by Gov. Henry McMaster, one of the earliest political figures to endorse President Trump’s re-election bid.
Before turning to his speech, President Trump opened with remarks about several well-known South Carolina figures—including Mr. Graham, a controversial figure among Republicans with some believing he is too left-wing.
“[A] man who’s always there, I tell you what, when I need help on the left, he’s great,” President Trump said. “And he’s my friend too—Lindsey Graham.”
At this, the crowd erupted into boos, indicative of the dissatisfaction many South Carolina Republicans have long expressed with Mr. Graham.
President Trump, however, defended Mr. Graham, an erstwhile critic turned ally to the president.
“No, no,” President Trump responded to the boos. “He helps me on the left. We need help sometimes. Republicans shouldn’t need help, but he helps them.”
At this, the crowd gave a mixed reaction, with some cheering while others maintained their jeers.
After the event, some rally-goers commented on Mr. Graham.
“Well, he’s a mixed bag, and everybody knows it,” Charles Hughes of Charleston said.
“The problem with him is we’re often voting against the lesser of two evils,” Mr. Hughes said. “And that’s the way a lot of people look at him. I mean, you want to have Republicans [in Congress] because sometimes he will vote that way.”
But Mr. Hughes added, “I think he goes with the flow of the day.”
Seth Hughes, his son, called Mr. Graham “a fear-monger,” citing past statements the senator made about foreign policy.
Kevin Martin called Mr. Graham “a little old-fashioned in some of his thinking.”
Mr. Martin said he believes in term limits, adding that Mr. Graham should have left office under such a restriction before now under an ideal regime.
By Joseph Lord
