CNN chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny didn't let Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) off easy on Wednesday.
A day after the South Carolina Republican face-planted on a national security question during her primary runoff debate against Rep. Ralph Norman, Zeleny piled on during CNN's coverage, hammering the gaffe and drawing a stark contrast with her late brother.
Asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the U.S., Graham replied: "I'm just going to be honest here. I'm not that informed on national security... I'm not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military."
Zeleny called that "cringe-inducing for any Senate candidate to say." He pointed to the contrast with her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose seat she was appointed to fill.
"Sen. Lindsey Graham has been to Taiwan many times. Foreign policy was the hallmark of his candidacy," said Zeleny.
Graham, he said, was "really feeding into the impressions that she's not prepared for this position," calling it "clearly an unforced error."
It wasn't her only stumble. Graham also claimed "there's 50 million people in South Carolina," though the actual figure is about 5.5 million.
Her rivals pounced.
Norman jabbed that voters should "start by knowing" the real population. Former Gov. Nikki Haley, backing Norman, quipped, "You can't inherit national security knowledge." Democratic nominee Dr. Andy Andrews said, "South Carolina deserves better."
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Graham — citing her brother's memory — heads to Myrtle Beach on Friday.
When an anchor said it was a moment Graham likely wishes she could take back, Zeleny agreed: "There's no doubt."
