Donald Trump hand-picked Darline Graham to fill and then run for the vacancy left by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. It may stand as one of his most glaring miscalculations.
What should have been a somewhat seamless transition for the GOP in South Carolina instead exposed the deep risks of prioritizing personal loyalty to Trump over basic, even minimal competence.
For those who spent years frustrated and infuriated by Lindsey Graham’s political waffling — that would be me — the prospect of a "Senator Graham" dynasty ending is a welcome relief.
As of writing, CNN has just announced Annie Andrews is now the Democratic senator for the state.
That is stunning.
The blame for this electoral unmitigated disaster falls squarely on Lindsey’s golfing buddy Donald. His rallies might whip up a dim-witted crowd and command media attention for his whack-o commentary, but they cannot create a competent Senator out of thin air.
By thrusting Darline Graham into the national spotlight, Trump bet that his bluster and bravado could carry her and her complete lack of governing experience. South Carolina voters — those outside the dimwitted rally attendees — quickly learned that a famous surname and a Trump endorsement aren’t a qualification for higher office.
From the outset, Graham’s campaign was defined by undisciplined, erratic messaging and her inability to answer basic policy questions.
In the end, Darline Graham was rendered unelectable not by her opponents, but by her own evident lack of preparation. South Carolinians — and people like me — can breathe a sigh of relief that a new "Senator Graham" will not be representing them in Washington.