Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) went straight for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in his announcement that he’s running for president on Monday.
Graham, speaking in South Carolina, didn’t just ding the Democratic frontrunner on favorite national security topics like Benghazi, he said he’s just flat-out far more qualified than she is.
“I have a simple message. I have more experience with our national security than any other candidate in this race. That includes you, Hillary,” Graham said in his speech.
The comment underscores a key theme of Graham’s candidacy: his hope to, at the very least, be an influential force on national security issues. As he moved toward running for president, Graham made sure most of the major steps he took had a defense or national security theme. Graham’s exploratory committee, for instance, was named “Security Through Strength.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a close ally of Graham’s, threw his support behind his friend even before the South Carolina senator announced.
“He has my all-out complete support,” McCain said according to Bloomberg Politics. “That’s not just friendship. It’s got to do with national security and what I believe are grave threats to this nation.”
Graham, in his speech, also attacked President Barack Obama on national security.
“It is sad for me to report to you that Barack Obama has made us less safe,” Graham said.
