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Graham, Harrison both tout bipartisanship in 1st SC matchup

Graham, Harrison both tout bipartisanship in 1st SC matchup
PRIVATE SECTOR AND NOW I'M A CANDIDATE FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE. EXCUSE ME IF I PINCH MYSELF A BIT. I'VE LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM AND SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE FIGHTING FOR OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO THE SAME THING. WE'VE BEEN DIVIDED FOR TOO LONG. TOO MANY FOLKS HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA LACK THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM THEMSELVES TONIGHT YOU WILL PROBABLY HEAR FROM LINDSEY GRAHAM AND HE'LL SCARE YOU TO VOTE FOR HIM, BUT I HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU TO SUPPORT ME. >> THANK YOU. ONE MINUTE. >> YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF WITH ME. THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND THANKS TO ALLEN UNIVERSITY. YOU DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER 30. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO'S GOTTEN ME HERE. WE LIVE IN DIFFICULT TIMES. 2020 IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE YEAR. WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED LIKE NO OTHER TIME. CORONAVIRUS HAS TURNED OUR STATE AND NATION UPSIDE DOWN. MR. HARRISON LOST AN AUNT. THE PRESIDENT IS IN THE HOSPITAL AS WE SPEAK. WHEN I WAS 21 MY MOM DIED OF CANCER AND 15 MONTHS LATER MY DAD DIED AND I WAS IN CHARGE OF A 13-YEAR-OLD SISTER AND MY WHOLE WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN, BUT WE MADE IT. VACCINE IS AROUND THE CORNER AND THIS IS A BIG CHOICE ELECTION BETWEEN ME AND MR. HARRISON. CAPITALISM VERSES SOCIALISM? CONSERVATIVE JUDGES VERSES LIBERAL JUDGES. LAW AND ORDER VERSES CHAOS. >> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. IT'S OUR HOPE AND EXPECTATION TO GIVE OUR NATION AND OUR CHILDREN AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CIVIL DISCOURSE LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO ENGAGE IN PASSIONATE, BUT RESPECTFUL DEBATE SO THANK YOU FOR THAT IN ADVANCE. SENATOR GRAHAM THE FIRST QUESTION TO YOU AND WE'LL HAVE MR. HARRISON ANSWER AS WELL. THE LIST OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS INFECTED BY COVID-19 HAS GROWN. PEOPLE OF FAITH ARE PRAYING FOR EVERYONE INFECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY, BUT IT CAN'T BE IGNORED THAT MANY INFECTED ATTENDED LARGE GATHERINGS AND COMPLETELY DISREGARDED THE PROTOCOLS PUT OUT BY THE CDC. THE QUESTION IS HOW HAS POLITICIZATION OF THE VIRUS DAMAGED OUR RESPONSE FEDERALLY AND HERE IN OUR STATE? >> PRESIDENT WILSON GOT THE SPANISH FLU RIGHT AFTER WORLD WAR I AND WE LIVE IN SUCH UNUSUAL TIMES, I DOUBT ANYBODY ATTACKED HIM. ALL I CAN SAY IS THE VIE OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT CAME OUT OF TRI CHINA NOT TRUMP TOWER. WE'RE GETTING VACCINES ANY MONTH NOW. HOPEFULLY SOONER. THE DRUG THERAPIES ARE WORKING. THE ONE THING I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW IS THE VIRUS IS SEE ROUSE, BUT WE HAVE MOVE ON. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HEARING FOR THE NOMINEE TO THE SUPREME COURT AND IT WILL BE DONE SAFELY AND I HAVE A JOB TO DO AND I'M PRESSING ON. I FIND IT ODD, NOBODY ASKED HOW ARE YOU DOING SENATOR GRAHAM WHEN 200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT MY HOUSE AND BROKE MY WINDOW. MY LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS NEVER MENTION THAT WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE BURNING COP CARS AND BREAKING WINDOWS. I SASS PROBLEM FOR THE NATION. IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH, BUT I PROMISE YOU WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP DOING OUR JOB IN WASHINGTON AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WE'RE GOING TO GET JUDGE BARRETT ON THE COURT SAFELY. >> SAME QUESTION TO YOU. >> THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS, NOT JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT, AND THE SUPREME COURT. THIS IMPACTED ME PERSONALLY, JUDI, MY GRAND AUNT GLADYS PASSED AWAY THIS PAST JULY IN A NURSING HOME BY HERSELF. THAT'S THE STORY THAT SO MANY AMERICANS ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW. AND PART OF WHY WE'RE EXPERIENCING THIS, NO WE'RE NOT GOING TO BLAME THE PRESIDENT AND WE SHOULDN'T. WE SHOULDN'T BLAME ANYBODY FOR THE INCEPTION OF THE DISEASE. BUT WHERE BLAME SHOULD COME IS HOW WE HANDLE THE DISEASE. WHETHER OR NOT WE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. TONIGHT I AM TAKING IT SERIOUSLY AND THAT'S WHY I PUT THIS PLEXY GLASS UP BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF, AS WELL. MY TWO BOYS AND WIFE AND GRANDMOTHER. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE'VE HAD 750,000 PEOPLE HERE. 3,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND OVER 100 THOUSAND TO BE INFECTED. LET'S TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES, BUT EACH OTHER. >> I WANT TO ASK A FOLLOW UP, AND THE IMPACT SPECIFICALLY. GOVERNOR MCMASTER ASKED SCHOOLS TO RESUME 5-DAY FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION AT SCHOOLS AND MANY TEACHERS AND PARENTS WANT TO DO THE SAME IF IT'S DONE SAFELY. HERE'S THE CONCERN. I KNOW YOU HAD A CORONAVIRUS TEST TODAY OR YESTERDAY, AND THE OTHER OFFICIALS YOU ARE HEARING ABOUT. YOU GET YOUR RESULTS IN HOURS, BUT PEOPLE HERE ARE WAITING FOR DAYS, AND SOMETIMES MORE THAN A WEEK TO GET RESULTS AND WE KNOW HOW CRITICAL THAT IS IN TERMS OF CONTAINING THE VIRUS. THE QUESTION IS SHOULD WE ASK OUR TEACHERS TO RETURN TO CLASS FOR 5-DAY FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION WITHOUT HAVING WIDESPREAD ACCESS TO RAPID TESTING TO IDENTIFY THOSE CASES IN SCHOOLS. >> I THINK WE SHOULD ALLOW OUR PARENTS TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST TO THEIR CHILDREN, AND IF A TEACH DOESN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, I WON'T MAKE THEM. PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOB AT NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PPE, ALL OF THESE THINGS BACK TO AMERICA SO WE'RE NOT SO DEPENDENT, BUT THE ONE THING WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IF I'M YOUR SENATOR IS SHUT THE COUNTRY DOWN. WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP SAFELY. WE'RE NOW GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. SHUTTING THE COUNTY DOWN HAS AN AFFECT. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ALCOHOLISM UP. WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THIS VIRUS, BUT HOW TO REBUILD AMERICA. WHO DO YOU TRUST? DONALD TRUMP THAT GAVE YOU THE BEST ECONOMY. IF THEY KEEP THE HOUSE AND TAKE OVER THE SENATE AND JOE BIDEN'S PRESIDENT, GOD HELD UP US WHEN MR. HARRISON IS A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR THE MOST LIBERAL OF POLITICS IS COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE TO THE CENTER. MEDICARE FOR ALL TAKES AWAY YOUR PRIVATE HEALTHCARE. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE. >> MR. HARRISON, THE SAME FROM YOU. SHOULD WE ASK OUR TEACHERS TO RETURN TO 5-DAY FACE-TO-FACE TEACHING WITHOUT WIDESPREAD RAPID TESTING. >> AS A FATHER OF BOYS AND ONE THAT'S IN THE FIRST GRADE FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT'S THIRD TEACH YOUR KIDS FROM HOME. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT, AND IF NOBODY HAS AN APPRECIATION OF TEACHERS BEFORE THE CORONAVIRUS THEY BETTER RIGHT NOW. WE NEED A STRATEGY. 50 STATE STRATEGY, AND THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP. WE'RE NOT BLAMING ANYBODY, BUT THE INCEPTION, BUT THE FAILURE OF THE LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS THE SENATE FAILED ACT. THE WHITE HOUSE FAILED ACT. THE GOVERNORS FAILED ACT. WE NEED LEADERS TO STEP UP AND ACT. WE NEED TESTING HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A MANDATE THAT SAYS, FOLKS, PLEASE JUST WEAR YOUR MASK SO WE CAN BRING DOWN THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VIRUS AND THEN OPEN OUR ECONOMY BACK UP. RIGHT NOW, SO MANY FAMILIES HAVE SO MANY ISSUES THEY'RE DEALING WITH, JUDI. 750,000 PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED AND SENATOR GRAHAM SAID, OVER OUR DEAD BODIES WILL WE ALLOW FEDERAL EXTENSION OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT. THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE NEED THAT MONEY, BUT WE NEED LEADERSHIP TO GET THE THINGS THAT ARE SO NECESSARY FOR OUR FAMILIES TO OPEN BACK UP. >> THANK YOU, SIR. HE DID MENTION YOUR NAME AND YOU HAVE 45 SECOND FOR A REBUTTAL. >> NUMBER ONE, I SUPPORTED PHASE THREE, BUT IF YOU PAY PEOPLE MORE NOT TO WORK THAN TO WORK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM AND THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM. JOE CUNNINGHAM UNDERSTANDS. IT'S BEEN HARD ON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS TO GET BACK IN BUSINESS WHEN YOU PAY PEOPLE MORE MONEY TO BE UNEMPLOYED. I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE AND HELP PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND GO BACK TO SCHOOL. BUT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS VIRUS IS GOING TO PASS. WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE IF LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RUN THE HOUSE, SENATE AND TAKE OVER THE WHITE HOUSE THEY'LL DO IT WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND PACK THE SUPREME COURT WITH LIBERALS. THAT'S WHAT'S AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION. DON'T BE FOOLED. >> LET ME ASK YOU A QUICK FOLLOW UP. THE ISSUE IS ABOUT PAYING PEOPLE MORE WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING VERSES GOING INTO THEIR JOB, BUT GOVERNOR MCMASTER SAID THERE'S PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE BENEFITS ARE TERMINATED FOR ANYONE THAT REFUSES TO RETURN TO WORK SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY ARE YOU TAKING THAT POSITION IF WE HAVE PROTOCOLS IN POSITION? >> IT HELPS TO RUN A BUSINESS. MY FAMILY RAN A RESTAURANT, BAR AND LIQUOR STORE AND WHEN YOU PAY $23 AN HOUR NOT TO WORK, IT'S PRETTY HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO COME BACK AND THEY GET MAD WHEN YOU ASK THEM TO COME BACK FOR $18 AN HOUR. JOE CUNNINGHAM SAID IF YOU PAY PEOPLE MORE TO NOT WORK THAN TO WORK. I RUN A BUSINESS. THE ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, WE HAVE TO BEAN BE GENEROUS TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, BUT I'M FOR MAKING YOU WHOLE AND NOT GIVING YOU A PAY RAISE IN UNEMPLOYMENT. MY FAMILY RAN A BUSINESS. I UNDERSTAND THAT. >> JUDI? >> HE DIDN'T MENTION YOU, BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND WE CAN COME BACK. I NEED TO GET TO PANELISTS. HEAD ANCHOR IN CHARLES: BILL? >> THANK YOU. GENTLEMEN, GOOD TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU WITH US HERE LIVE ACROSS THE STATE. MR. HARRISON AND SENATOR GRAHAM. GOOD TO SEE BOTH OF YOU AGAIN. YOUR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL HOLD HEARINGS ON AMY CONEY BARRETT, JUDGE BARRETT THE PRESIDENT'S NOMINEE FOR THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT AND THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE SHE'LL BE CONFIRMED ON THE HIGH COURT WHICH WOULD GIVE THE SUPREME COURT A DEFINITE TILT TOWARD THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE IF SHE'S CONFIRMED AND IT SEEMS SHE WILL BE THAT CONSERVATIVE TILT, THERE IS TALK, COULD DO AWAY WITH ROE VERSUS WADE THE 1973 LAW THAT GAVE WOMAN A RIGHT TO ABORTION AND IT MIGHT CHIP AWAY AT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION SO MR. HARRISON AND SENATOR GRAHAM, MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS, DOUSE WOMAN IN THIS COUNTRY RAV THE RIGHT TO CONTROL HER OWN BODY EVEN IF SHE WANTS AN ABORTION? >> I BELIEVE SHE DOES. MEN HAVE RIGHTS TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES AND WOMAN SHOULD HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES, AS WELL. AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS A HARD ISSUE. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT'S BETWEEN A WOMAN, HER DOCTOR AND HER GOD. POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT BE IN IT. YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ABORTION SHOULD BE RARE. WE SHOULD LOOK AT EXPANDING ADOPTION AND CONTRACEPTION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT SHOULD BE SAFE. IF IT IS THE LAW OF LAND AND WHICH IT IS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT HEALTHCARE FOR WOMEN. HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST INFANT MORTALITY RATES IN THE COUNTRY. TWO YEARS AGO HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA 14 OF OUR 46 COUNTIES HAD 0 OB-GYN'S. MANY HOSPITALS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE CLOSING RIGHT NOW. WHAT DO WE DO TO TACKLE DISPARITIES THAT WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR MINORITY WOMEN ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW. SENATOR GRAHAM HAS FAILED ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. >> WELL AMY CONEY BARRETT IS ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY TO BE NOMINATED FOR THE SUPREME COURT. SHE'S GOING TO BE ON THE COURT. I'VE TRIED TO BE FAIR WHEN IT COMES TO JUDGES. WHEN OBAMA WON I VOTED FOR OTHERS KNOWING THEY WOULD BE LIBERAL JUSTICE BUT I UNDERSTAND THEY WERE QUALIFIED AND THIS IS WHAT BOTHERS ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MY OPPONENT SUPPORTED FILIBUSTER OF ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED CONSERVATIVES ANY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT COULD PICK AND HE CHEERED ON THE CROWD THAT TRIED TO DESTROY JUDGE KAVANAUGH'S LIFE. AMY CONEY BARRETT WILL BE THERE AND I'M PROUD THAT ELIMINATION OF ABORTION ON-DEMAND. WE'RE ONE OF THE ONLY NATIONS THAT ALLOWS A BABY TO BE A BOARDED IN THE FIFTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY. THIS IS A RADICAL DEMOCRAT PARTY WE'RE DEALING WITH. AMY CONEY BARRETT WILL BE A BUFFER TALIBURALISM AND DECIDE CASES BASED ON THE STATUTE, AND THE CONSTITUTION AND SHE WON'T MAKE THINGS UP IF YOU WANT CONSERVATIVE JUDGES I'M YOU'RE ONLY BET IN THIS RACE. >> NOW THE STATE AND GOVERNMENT POLITICS REPORT. JOE? >> GOOD EVENING GENTLEMEN. SENATOR GRAHAM YOU SAY YOU'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH AMY CONEY BARRETT'S CONFIRMATION BECAUSE OF HOW DEMOCRATS TREATED JUDGE KAVANAUGH, MR. HARRISON YOU SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE RUSHED. NOW THAT IS THERE WHAT'S THE N RULES FOR FULFILLING THE SUPREME COURT SEAT? >> FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION WHEN THE VACANCY IS AVAILABLE. YOU GET A FOUR YEAR TERM. 1 JUDGES HAVE BEEN CONFIRM WHERE DID THE PRESIDENT OF ONE PARTY WAS OF THE SAME PARTY AS THE SENATE AND THAT'S NOTHING UNUSUAL. WE'LL HAVE A HEARING BEGINNING OCTOBER 12TH AND IT WILL BE SAFE. NO DEMOCRAT SEEMS TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A MOB COMING UP INTO MY YARD OR ATTACKING REPUBLICANS AFTER PRESIDENT OBAMA ACCEPTED THE NOMINATION IN WASHINGTON. IT SEEMS LIKE A RIOT CAN'T SPREAD THE VIRUS SO AMY CONEY BARRETT WILL BE TREATED RESPECTFULLY I HOPE. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT PRESIDENT TRUMP UP FOR SENDING OVER THIS FINE WOMAN AND I HOPE SHE'S NOT TREATED LIKE CAV NEW. YES SHE'S DEVOUT CATHOLIC AND HAS SEVEN CHILDREN AND ALL OF THAT TO ONE OF MY LEGACIES AS A UNITED STATES SENATOR IS I'VE TRIED TO BE FAIR NOT ONLY TO DEMOCRAT BUT I'VE BEEN A LEADER ON GETTING CONSERVATIVE JUDGES ON THE SUPREME COURT, AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME IN AMY CONEY BARRETT. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> SOMETIMES LISTENING TO SENATOR GRAHAM REMINDS ME OF PLAYING MONOPOLY WITH MY SON. YOU CHANGE THE RULES EVERY TIME HE GETS. SENATOR YOU SAID USE MY WORDS AGAINST ME AND YOU SAID IT OFF THE CAV NEW MEETINGS, NOT BEFORE. AFTER THE CAV NEW HEARINGS IN YOUR WORD YOUR PROMISE WAS THAT NO JUDICIAL NOMINEE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OR APPROVED OR WHAT HAVE YOU, IN THE LAST ELECTION AND NAMED PRESIDENT TRUMP WHEN YOU SAID IT. MY GRANDFATHER SAID A MAN IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HIS WORD. SO HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORD WHEN YOU MADE A PROMISE TO THE FOLKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE DOING MATT WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM I HAVE RIGHT NOW. I THINK THE GREATEST HERESY YOU CAN DO AS A PUBLICER IS ADVANTAGE IS BETRAY THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE YOU TOOK AN OATH TO SERVE AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE DONE. JUST BE A MAN AND SAY I CHANGED MY MIND. I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, BUT DON'T BLAME IT ON SOMEBODY ELSE FOR CHANGING YOUR MIND. >> SO IF I MAY I SAID IN AUGUST IF AN OPENING COMES ABOUT WE'LL SEE WHAT THE MARK LET BEAR. MRS. AMY CONEY BARRETT WILL GET CON I REMEMBER IFFED BECAUSE PRESIDENT HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO DO IT. WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS PRESIDENT I HONORED THAT HE WON THE ELECTION AND VOTED FOR TWO PEOPLE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN AND I WATCH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TRY TO DESTROY ONE REPUBLICAN JUDGE AFTER ANOTHER. THE FIRST FILL BUSER IN THE HISTORY. HE CHEERED ON THE DESTRUCTION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH AND I ALL I CAN SAY IS AMY CONEY BARRETT IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND TIME CHAIRMAN, AND THE PRESIDENT HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DO THIS, AND IF YOU ARE COUNTING ON MR. HARRISON TO VOTE FOR A CONSERVATIVE JUDGE, YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE OF HIGH PROPORTION. CAN COUNT ON ME FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDGES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> 45 SECONDS, SIR. GO AHEAD. >> LISTEN. LISTEN. THIS IS ABOUT RIGHT VERSES WRONG. IF YOU ESTABLISH A PRESIDENT AND STANDARD THEN YOU SHOULD STICK TO IT. THE ONE THING WE HAVE NOT SEEN WITH SENATOR GRAHAM IS THIS TYPE OF URGENCY TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS. COVID-19. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A BILL SITTING ON MITCH MCCONNELL'S DESK. THIS STATE IS SUFFERING. OUR BUSINESSES ARE SHUTTING AND PEOPLE ARE DYING. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TESTS BUT URGENCY IS TO PUSH THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WHEN THEY HAVE TWO MEMBERS THAT HAVE COVID-19, BUT THEY HAVE NOT MOVED ON ADDRESSING COVID-19 WHICH IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE RIGHT NOW. >> THANK YOU, SIR. NOW ERIC RYE PRAYER AN CHAR FROM MYRTLE BEACH. >> GOOD EVENING. YOU RISK COUNCILMEMBER A NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY I'M FROM. MYRTLE BEACH, AND THE GRAND STRAND AND WE'RE COMING OFF A BLEAK SUMMER SEASON AND GOING INTO WHAT LOOKS TO BE WEAK SEASONS TO COME. COVID-19 HAS PARALYZED OUR COMMUNITIES. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS AS SENATOR, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BRING BACK OUR NUMBER ONE MONEY MONEY-MAKER? >> WELL, ONE, WE CAN'T TAKE A PIECE MILL APPROACH NEW ZEALAND IS ALMOST COVID-19 FREE AND THAT'S BECAUSE LEADER THERE TOOK A DIRECT APPROACH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND THEY MADE SURE, YES THERE WAS A DIFFICULTY INITIALLY, BUT WHAT THEY HAVE NOW YOU DON'T SEE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND IN ADDITION WHEN WE THINK OF THE SITUATION WE'RE IN BECAUSE WE HAVE LEADERSHIP SO HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THE ISSUES FOLKS ARE DEALING WITH IN MYRTLE BEACH. WELL YOU DON'T DO IT BY BLOCKING UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. THERE'S A DIGNITY OF WORK IN THIS THING. PEOPLE ARE NOT SITTING ON THEIR BUTTS WAITING FOR FEDERAL BENEFITS TO COME. WHEN 750,000 OF THOSE FOLKS LOST THEIR JOBS, JUDI, 400,000 OF THEM ALSO LOST THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY HAD EMPLOYER BASED HEALTH INSURANCE SO NOW NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR INTERNET AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDD BUT THEY HAVE TO DIG DEEPER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY THE RENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE SO WE NEED A SENATOR THAT WILL FIGHT FOR US IN HARD TIMES AND NOT FIGHT AGAINST US. >> SENATOR GRAHAM? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A SENATOR WHO'S FAMILY RAN A RESTAURANT AND BAR. I UNDERSTAND THE SERVICE INDUSTRY. I WAS IN MYRTLE BEACH YESTERDAY. I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO LOST A JOB OF NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, BUT WE'LL COME UP WITH A BENEFIT PACKAGE THAT DOESN'T PAY YOU MORE NOT TO WORK THAN WORK. WE'LL MAKE YOU WHOLE, BUT NOT GIVE YOU A PAY RAISE. THERE'S A 2.2 TRILLION DOLLAR BILL COMING THAT HAS 900 BM TO BAIL-OUT ALL THE BLUE STATES. I WANT TO HELP THEM OUT. WE NEED ANOTHER ROUND OF PPE. 67 THOUSAND BUSINESSES RECEIVE PPE LOAN. LET'S DO IT FOR BUSINESSES 308 TO AND UNDER THAT HAVE LOST 25% OF THEIR REVENUE. THE BEST WAY TO GET BACK TO WORK AND A GOOD LIFE IS TO GET A VACCINE AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DOING WARP SPEED VACCINES ARE COMING FORWARD AT A LIGHTNING RATE, AND THE WORLD HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19. THE DRUGS ARE WORKING AND THE BEST WAY TO GET MYRTLE BEACH BACK UP AND RUNNING IS TO HAVE A PRESIDENT AND SENATE THAT WON'T TAX THEM AND REGULATE THEM TO DEATH. >> THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION? >> PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DEFERRING PAYROLL TAXES FOR AMERICANS EARNING LESS THAN $100,000 A YEAR UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR AND HE WANTS TO MAKE IT PERMANENT IF RE-ELECTED. THE PAYROLL TAX PAYS FOR MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY. THAT WOULD MEAN SOCIAL SECURITY WOULD BE DEPLETEED IF THAT WENT FORTH THREE YEARS FROM NOW. THESE ARE CALLED ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS. PEOPLE FEEL THEY DESERVE THESE PROGRAMS WITHOUT WORKING FOR IT, BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE PAID INTO THESE PROGRAMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LIFETIME. WHAT YOUR PLAN MOVING FORWARD? >> SENATOR GRAHAM? >> LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ME AND SOCIAL SECURITY. TIME FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE. MR. HARRISON HAS A GREAT STORY, NEITHER ONE OF MY PARENTS FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL. YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO GET SICK. GO TO WORK EVERY DAY BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T OPEN UP YOU DON'T GET PAID. MY MOM HAD LODGE KIJED AND 15 MONTHS LATER MY DAD DIES AND IT WEREN'T FOR SURVIVOR BENEFITS, ME AND MY SISTER WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT. WE MOVED IN WITH AN AUNT AND SHE GOT PELL GRANTS. WE'RE ALL ONE CAR WRECK AWAY FROM NEEDING HELP. I'M A REPUBLICAN, BUT I GET THAT. WHAT WOULD I DO TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY? WHATEVER IT TAKES. I MAKE $175,000 A YEAR AND HAVE A MILITARY RETIREMENT AND CONGRESSIONAL RETIREMENT. I'LL TAKE LESS TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY THAT MATT WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GET LESS, I THINK COLA FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE. SHOULDN'T GET THE SAME AS SOMEBODY ON A FIXED INCOME. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU HAVE TO AFFORD TO TAKE LESS. WHEN I WAS 21 I COULDN'T. I WOULD NEVER ASK ANYBODY TO GIVE UP BENEFITS THEY COULDN'T AFFORD. >> ONE WAY YOU SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT BY ELIMINATING THE PAYROLL TAX DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. AS THE ACTUARY MENTIONED, IT WOULD WRECK THIS PROGRAM AND AGAIN SOCIAL SECURITY IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I REMEMBER WHEN MY GRANDFATHER PASSED AWAY IN 2004. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PENSION OR A 401 K. THEY ONLY HAD SOCIAL SECURITY. I REMEMBER SITTING THERE BECAUSE OUR THOUGHT WAS THAT SHE WOULD GET BOTH HER CHECK AND MY GRANDFATHER'S CHECK, AND THE WOMAN SAID YOU'LL GET A DEATH BENEFIT THAT WAS $200 OR $300 AND MY GRANDMOTHER SAID WHEN WILL I GET WILLY'S CHECK AND SHE SAID YOU WILL ONLY GET THE HIGHER OF THE TWO. IT WAS LIKE SOMEBODY PUNCH MIGHT GRANDMOTHER IN THE NECK. FOLKS DESERVE THE MONEY THEY HAVE PUT INTO THE SYSTEM. LINDSEY GRAHAM SAID THAT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WERE PROMISES THAT WE CAN'T KEEP. I'M SORRY, BUT THEY ARE NOT PROMISES. PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY PAID IN AND THEY DESERVE TO GET THE MONEY BACK THEY PAID IN BECAUSE THAT'S THE LIVELIHOOD THEY HAVE. >> NEXT? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> YOU WANT A SENATOR THAT CAN FIX A PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM FIRST IN 1950 THERE WERE 16 WORKS FOR EVERY SOCIAL RECIPIENT. WE'RE DOWN TO THREE AND IN 20 YEARS IT WILL BE. TWO MOST OF MY FAMILY WORKED IN THE COTTON MILLS AND I'M OF AN INCOME LEVEL WHERE I COULD TAKE MORE TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY SO IT WILL TAKE BIPARTISAN SHIP AND REAGAN WORKED WITH TIP O'NEAL TO SAVE IT. SOMETHING LIKE SIMPSON BOWLS, I'M READY TO WORK WITH DEMOCRATS AND I'M WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR MY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BECAUSE I CAN. I'M NOT GOING TO TURN AMERICA INTO A SOCIALIST NATION AND THAT'S THEIR AGENDA FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE. >> CAMPAIGN ADDS. >> KARL OUIMETTE IT'S SAFE TO SEE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAMMERED BY NEGATIVE ADVERTISEMENTS. WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO GO NEGATIVE AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE A FALSE CLAIM FROM THE ADVERTISEMENTS. >> I HAVEN'T GONE NEGATIVE, BUT I'M JUST EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT SENATOR GRAHAM'S RECORD IN TERMS OF NEGATIVE AND NOT TRUE, SENATOR GRAHAM IS RUNNING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW THAT TALKS ABOUT ME WORKING FOR A COMPANY AT THE FOR CLOSED ON FOLKS IN KATRINA AND IMPLIES I DID THAT WHEN HURRICANE KATRINA HIT THAT WAS 2005. I WORKED MR. CLYBURN UNTIL 2008 IN 2006 I PUT TOGETHER DELEGATION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO GO TO NEW ORLEANS AND MISSISSIPPI IN ORDER TO WORK AND REBUILD THE AREAS BECAUSE THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION FAILED PROPERLY HELP THE REBUILDING EFFORT AND THAT WAS A PART OF THE AGENDA THAT JIM CLYBURN AND OTHERS HAD TO GET THE MAJORITY BACK IN THE 2006 ELECTION. THEN AS SOMEONE WHO HAS PERSONALLY BEEN HOMELESS FOR A WHILE I TOOK OFFENSE TO THIS IDEA. SENATOR GRAHAM WANTS TO TALK ABOUT FOR CLOSURES HE VOTED FOR KING OF FOR CLOSURES. HE FORECLOSED OVER 17 THOUSAND HOMES. >> YOUR QUESTION WAS ABOUT ADVERTISEMENTS AND MONEY. WHERE THE HELL IS ALL THIS MONEY COMING FROM? WHAT IS IT ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA THAT'S ATTRACTED ALMOST 100 MILLION DOLLARS INTO JAIME HARRISON'S COFFERS. THEY HATE ME. THIS IS NOT ABOUT MR. HARRISON, BUT LIBERALS HATING MY GUTS BECAUSE I STOOD UP FROM KAVANAUGH WHEN THEY TRIED TO DESTROY HIS LIFE AND THIS IS ABOUT ME HELPING PRESIDENT TRUMP. THE ONLY GOOD REPUBLICAN IS ONE THAT TRIES TO UNDERCUT TRUMP. IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. I ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT HE WON. HE'S REBUILT THE MILITARY AND CUT OUR TAXES AND HE'S GETTING TRADE DEALS AND SECURING THE BORDER SO TO BOTTOM LINE, AND THE REASON YOU'RE SEEING INDICTMENTS IS THEY'RE TRYING TAKE ME OUT. THEY WANT THE HOUSE. THEY WANT THE SENATE. THEY WANT PELOSI AND HARRISON IN THE SENATE. THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE WELCOME TO RECALL COLLEGE AND DO AWAY WITH PRIVATE HEALTHCARE AND MEDICARE FOR ALL TAKES YOUR HEALTH CARE AWAY FROM. THEY ARE GOING TO DECRIMINALIZE COMING THE COUNTRY AND GIVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FREE HEALTHCARE. THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT TAKEING ME OUT BECAUSE I STAND IN THEIR WAY. >> NEXT QUESTION. ADAM? >> THANK YOU BOTH. MANY OF THE PROTESTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA HAVE BEEN IGNITEED BY CALLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONFRONT SYSTEMATIC RACISM IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. BELIEVE THERE'S SYSTEMATIC RACISM AND WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THAT? >> NO I DO NOT BELIEVE OUR POLICE ARE SYSTEMATICALLY RACIST. MY DESK MATE SENATOR SCOTT HAD A REFORM FOR POLICING. MORE TRANSPARENCY AND MORE PEOPLE FROM MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN THE POLICE FORCE. IT WAS BLOCKED BY MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY WANT THE ISSUE AND NOT A SOLUTION. THE COPS NEED OUR SUPPORT NOW MORE THAN EVER. YESTERDAY THE PATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE IN SOUTH CAROLINA ENDORSE MIGHT CANDIDACY BECAUSE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE I'VE HAD THE COP'S BACKS. HE WAS ASKED, MR. HARRISON TWICE, WOULD YOU DEFUND THE POLICE AND HE DODGED IT AND NOW HE'S FOR NOT DEFUNDING THE POLICE. MOST SOUTH CAROLINIANS WANT POLICE REFORM, BUT WE RESPECT THE COPS. COPS ARE UNDER SIEGE AND BEING ASSASSINATED. I WILL NEVER EVER DEFUND THE POLICE IF YOU NEED MORE MONEY FOR SOCIAL FUNDING I'LL WORK WITH YOU, BUT CUTTING POLICE FUNDING PUTS POOR PEOPLE AT RISK MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE AND TIM SCOTT HAS TRIED HIS BEST TO FIND A SOLUTION AND UNFORTUNATELY MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES STOPPED HIM BECAUSE THEY WANT THE ISSUE AND NOT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. >> LET ME BE CLEAR ON THIS. SENATOR GRAHAM SOMETIMES EXAGGERATES. I HAVE SAID CLEARLY HERE, I DO NOT BELIEVE IN DEFUNDING THE POLICE. WHY DO I NOT BELIEVE THAT? MY GRANDPA RON SERVED IN HOMICIDES RISKS HIS LIFE DAY IN AND DAY OUT, SO I UNDERSTAND THERE'S GOOD POLICE OUT THERE WORKING IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND SERVE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME BAD APPLES BECAUSE THERE'S AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT'S FEARFUL WHEN SOMETIMES A BLUE LIGHT COMES BEHIND THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THEIR LIVES OFF THE INTERACTION SO WE HAVE TO ADMIT THERE'S PROBLEMS IN SOME OF OUR POLICING AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR POLICE, AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMBERS TO BRING FOLKS TOGETHER TO DO THAT. NOT TO DIVIDE OR SCARE THEM, BUT TO WORK ON ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS. NOW ONE QUESTION I HAVE SENATOR AND YOU SAID YOU'RE NOT FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE BUT IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET OF F.Y. 2021 IT CUTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICING BY ALMOST $500 MILLION. DO YOU SUPPORT THAT? >> YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN A GOOD SUPPORTER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICING AND I WOULD SAY SENATOR SCOTT, ABOVE ALL OTHERS UNDERSTANDS THIS ISSUE IN THE SENATE. HE'S AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICAN AND HE GOES THROUGH GREAT GRIEF. MR. HARRISON'S CAMPAIGN IS COMING FROM LIBERAL PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY. MOVE ON.ORG WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE. PLANNED PARENTHOOD WANTS THE POLICE TO APOLOGIZE TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND I WANT TO MAKE POLICING BETTER AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE NATION THAT NEED GOOD COPS IT'S POOR PEOPLE IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOOD, SO I'M WITH THE COPS IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, I'M GOING TO BE WITH THE COPS. >> OUR NEXT QUESTION. >> HE DID. HE DID. YOU CAN ASK HIM, HE DID. >> QUICKLY. >> WELL, LISTEN. SENATOR GRAHAM LOVES TO TALK ABOUT ALL THIS MONEY WHEN HE WAS RAISING A TON OF MONEY IT WAS OKAY BUT ANY TIME ANYBODY ELSE RAISING MONEY THAT'S PROBLEMATIC. LET ME SAY THIS. SENATOR SCOTT IS NOT THE ONLY BLACK PERSON THAT UNDERSTANDS INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE. I'VE HAD MINE, AS WELL AND I'VE TRIED MY BEST TO FOLLOW THE LAW. THAT'S WHAT MY GRANDPA TAUGHT ME TO DO SO THERE'S PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW. THERE'S FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES AS A RESULT OF IT. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD AND YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD, YOU WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, A HEARING, BUT YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THAT. >> ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SENATOR SCOTT HAS A PROPOSAL THAT HE TRIED TO TAKE BEFORE THE SENATE AND I DO CARE. THE FIRST STEP ACT. THIS IS AN EFFORT TO GET AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES AND HISPANIC MALES OUTREACH BIBLES OF JAIL FOR NON VIOLENT OFFENSES. I WITH WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THAT. TIM SCOTT HAS TRIED TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND HIS EFFORTS WERE FILIBUSTERS. THIS WHOLE I SUE ABOUT THE COPS. LAW AND ORDER IS ON THE BALLOT. I TALKED TO THE COPS AND THEY FEEL ABANDONED LIKE PEOPLE DON'T CARE ANYMORE. IF YOU ARE A POLICE OFFICER I'LL HAVE YOUR BACK. >> THE NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM ALONZO JULIAN. THE PRESIDENT HERE AT ALLEN UNIVERSITY. ALONZO. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MR. HARRISON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ATTENDING ALLEN UNIVERSITY. WE WELCOME YOU HERE. ALLEN UNIVERSITY SIGNED AM OU WITH SAVANNAH NUCLEAR RIVER SOLUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY STUDENTS WITH THE COMPANY IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO CHAMPION QUALIFIED MINORITY HOME-GROWN TALENT EMERGING FROM INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN LARGE STATE SUPPORTED SCHOOL? >> THIS QUESTION IS FOR TO YOU MR. HARRISON. >> THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. IT'S SO GREAT TO MEET. I ANNOUNCED MY RURAL HOPE AGENDA TO REBUILD AND REVITALIZE RURAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND BRING HOPE BACK TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LOST HOPE. IT'S HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, IN STR FOR STRUCK SURE. PART OF THE INITIATIVE TALKS ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP WITH HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT FOCUSES ON CREATING NEW STREAM OF REVENUE FOR THOSE UNIVERSITIES, BUT ALSO HAVING THOSE PARTNER WITH RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE INCUBATORS FOR NEW BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHERE'S YOUNG FOLKS AND MINORITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REPRESENTED SO WE HAVE AN AGENDA. A ROBUST ONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REBUILD THE SCHOOLS AND THAT THERE'S A PIPELINE OF YOUNG TALENT. PARTICULARLY FROM OUR HBCUS LEFT OUT HISTORICALLY, BUT GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY SO THAT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY CAN SEE THEM SHINE. >> SENATOR GRAHAM? >> SO THESE ARE A PLUS TOGETHER OUR STATE. LOT OF THE STUDENT THAT GO TO THE HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES, I CAN RELATE THIS. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST DON'T LEAVE THE STATE. NOBODY IS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF IT THAN I AM. IT'S THE CROWN JEWEL OF ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE. I HAVE DONE JOB FARES WITH THEM FOR GOING, AND THE MICHELIN AND THE FBI TO MAKE OUR THE TALENT DOES NOT LEAVE OUR STATE. THESE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN A BLESSING. THIS PROGRAM YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS VERY EXCITING. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HAS ONE OF THE BEST ASPHALT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. MY SISTER HAS A MASTERS DEGREE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA STATE. GO BULLDOGS, SO COUNT ME IN. I'M SO GLAD THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE HBCU FUNDING PERMANENT AND NOT TEMPORARY AND I CAN TELL EVERYBODY SOUTH CAROLINA THESE SCHOOLS ARE A BLESSING AND I WANT TO DO THIS AS A SENATOR AS I'VE DONE IN THE PAST, MAKE SURE THE GRADUATES DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE OUR STATE. THE BEST, AND THE BRIGHTEST STAY HERE AND I'M FILLY COMMITTED TO THAT. GOD BLESS YOU. >> THE NEXT QUESTION IS ONE FROM A NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS AND I PROMISED I WOULD ASK THIS. SENATOR GRAHAM, YOU FIRST. THEY WANT TO KNOW IF YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS AND WHAT'S AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR A SENATOR AND A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE. >> WELL I LEAVE THAT UP TO THE VOTERS. YOU CAN LIMIT MY TERM NOVEMBER 3RD IF YOU LIKE. WE HAVE A HISTORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA. STROM THURMOND WAS AROUND FOR A WELL. JIM CLYBURN. I THINK I'M ON THE TOP OF MY GAME. I THINK MY VOICE AS STRONG AS IT'S EVER BEEN. I'VE BEEN TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN 56 TIMES TO MAKE SURE THE WAR STAYS THERE AND NEVER COMES HERE. I HAVE THE MILITARY MEMBERS BACK AND I THINK I KNOW MORE ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY THAN MOST PEOPLE IN THE SENATE. WE HAVE A STRONG DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. AND I WANT THE NEEDS AND BASIS TO GROW. I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MILITARY NEEDS IN TERMS OF MODERN WEAPONS SO QUITE FRANKLY I THINK I'M IN A GOOD POSITION TO HELP OUR STATE AND'S UP TO YOU TO SEE IF YOU WANT ME. I WILL ALWAYS BE CONSERVATIVE BUT I WILL REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO FIX A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, BUT I'M NOT FOR OPEN BORDERS AND FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THAT WOULD RUIN OUR COUNTRY. I'VE BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE FOR 250 CONSERVATIVE JUDGES AND WHEN IT COMES TO LINDSEY GRAHAM THE BEST IS YET TO COME. >> I THINK THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT TERM LIMITS. I MENTIONED WHAT MY GRANDFATHER SAID A MAN IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HIS WORD. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SENATOR GRAHAM GOING BACK ON HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WHEN THE SENATOR WAS THEN A CONGRESSMAN AND HE RAN FOR CONGRESS, HE RAN ON A PLEDGE OF TERM LIMITS AND HE SAID HE WOULD TERM LIMIT HIMSELF, AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, GOOGLE IT. LINDSEY GRAHAM AND TERM LIMITS. HE SAID IT. IT IS NOW 13 YEARS LATER AND LINDSEY GRAHAM IS STILL RUNNING AND I BELIEVE THE ULTIMATE TERM LIMIT IS IN THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO KEEP OUR PROMISES AND WE CHANGE OUR MINDS, JUST ADMIT, I CHANGED MY MIND, DON'T DUCK AND DOING. THIS IS A THING I PROMISE THE FOLKS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. I WILL NEVER EVER LIE TO YOU. YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING I SAY ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS NOWHERE I STAND AND I'M NOT GOING BACK ON MY WORD. >> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BILL SHARP. >> GENTLEMEN, I THINK NEITHER OF YOU HALF HAS TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE. GOODNESS KNOWS SENATOR YOU HAVE THE CADILLAC OF HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AS A USA S SENATE AND MR. HARRISON I SUSPECT YOU DON'T WORRY ABOUT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE EITHER, BUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA DO AND GUESS WHAT THEY'RE ON? THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT CALLED AN INTO MA CARE AND THEY GET PREEXISTING CONDITIONS COVERED SENATOR MR. HARRISON WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOUTH CAROLINA TO EXPAND MEDICAID AS PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, BUT HAVE WE DONE IT? NO. WE'RE ONE OF 14 STATES IN COUNTRY THAT REFUSES TO EXPAND MEDICARE. SO MR. HARRISON, SENATOR GRAHAM, MY QUESTION SO YOU IS, IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WORTH IT? DO YOU WANT TO DO AWAY WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OR KEEP IT AND EXPAND MEDICAID TO HELP POOR PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION AND THIS IS YET ANOTHER PERSONAL ONE. MY GRANDFATHER WHO WORKED ALL OF HIS LIFE, ENDED UP 50 HOURS A WEEK WORKING A CONSTRUCTION JOB ON THE ROADS AND NEVER HAD HEALTHCARE UNTIL HE FOUND OUT HE HAD UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES. HE LOST HIS LEG AND SOME TOES AND EVENTUALLY HE DIED FROM COMPLICATION FROM DIABETES. THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA SUFFERING IN SILENCE. SOUTH CAROLINA IS NOW ONE OF THE 12 STATES THAT STILL HAVE REFUSED TO EXPAND MEDICAID AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE IT BECAUSE WE CAN'T PAY FOR IT. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO PAY FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS 100% AND THEN STATE WOULD PICK UP 10% AFTER THAT IT'S BECAUSE IT WAS TIED TO OBAMA. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. PART OF THE REASON WE'VE HAD FOUR RURAL HOSPITALS CLOSE IN SOUTH CAROLINA OVER THE FEW YEARS, AND IF YOU LIVED IN ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES AND YOU HAVE DIABETES OR COMPLICATION AND NOW INSTEAD OFTEN MINUTES TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL NOW IT TAKES YOU 50, THAT'S A DEATH SENTENCE. WE NEED A SENATOR THAT UNDERSTANDS. PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST. SENATOR GRAHAM HAS A HORRIBLE BILL THAT THE AARP CONDEMNED. >> SENATOR GRAHAM? >> WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD HEALTHCARE AND YOU HEAR A DEMOCRAT TALK ABOUT IT, THEY WANT TO PUT ALL HEALTHCARE UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL AND WANT TO ELIMINATE YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE HEALTHCARE AT THE WORK SIGHT. ABOUT 60% OF THE PEOPLE BELOW 65 GET HEALTHCARE AT WORK. THIS IS A PLACE HOLDER FOR BERNIE CARE. THEY BELIEVE IN SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. OBAMACARE IN SHORT WAS A DISEASE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA AND STARTED WITH FIVE CHOICES AND WE'RE DOWN TO ONE. PREMIUMS ARE UP 30% AND YOU'RE GETTING LESS COVERAGE AND YOUR COPAYMENTS AND PREMIUMS ARE GOING UP, IF YOU'RE WORKING SO SOMEBODY ELSE CAN GET IT FREE. THREE STATES GET ALL THE MONEY. THE GRAHAM CASSIDY BILL WOULD SEND THAT MONEY BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA WITH A FORMULA THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO GET 60% MORE THAN OBAMACARE WOULD GIVE US BECAUSE WE STOP SENDING MONEY TO NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA AND MARYLAND. LET'S GET HEALTHCARE IN THE HANDS OF DOCTORS THAT ARE CLOSE TO YOU AND OUT OF THE HANDS OF WASHINGTON AND HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE BALLOT BOX. THIS BUREAUCRAT RUN HEALTHCARE IS A DISASTER FOR YOU. >> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM JOE GUSTS. >> YOU AGREE THAT HUMANS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOU APPOSE THE GREEN NEW DEAL. WHAT SHOULD U.S. POLICY DO TO CURB GREENHOUSE GASES. >> YOU'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE ALL CARBON FUELS AND THAT'S TRANSIT DOLLARS. YOU'RE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH CARS AND COWS IN THE NAME OF SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT YOU'RE GOING TO DESTROY THE ECONOMY. CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE HAVE LOWERED CARBON EMISSION BUT MY SOLUTION IS NOT TO DESTROY THE ECONOMY AND NOT THE SOLUTION FOR HEALTHCARE IS TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU AT WORK AND GIVE IT TO THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. THIS WILL BE A DISASTER FOR US. YOU'RE GOING TO CRUSH OUR ECONOMY BECAUSE THE GREEN NEW DEAL IS HUNDREDS OF TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SPENDING THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD. I THINK THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL BUT I WILL NEVER EVER DESTROY THE ECONOMY IN THE NAME OF HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS A PROBLEM, BUT NOT A RELIGION AND AN O C HAS A PLAN FOR THE NATION. THIS WILL NOT SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT. >> THE GREATEST GIFT THE LORD GAVE US IS THIS PLANET, AND THE LEGACY FOR OUR KIDS IS THE PLANET THAT WE HAND OVER TO THEM. SENATOR GRAHAM MENTIONED HE'S FOR, HE BELIEVES CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND THAT NOT GOOD ENOUGH IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE CLIMATE. I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR AND I BELIEVE THE GREEN NEW DEAL IS TOO PARTISAN AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE AWAY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS. THAT'S SOMETHING ALL SCIENTISTS HAVE SAID. WE'RE SEEING BIGGER STORMS AND WE KNOW A BIG STORM. WE'VE SEEN HURRICANE HUGO, AND THE STORMS THAT HAVE HIT IN OTHER PLACES AND WE KNOW THAT THE GREATEST THREAT TO CITIES LIKE CHARLES: AND HILTON HEAD IS THE SEA LEVEL RISE. WE CAN'T DO THE OFFSHORE DRILLING TO ALLOW DRILLING OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA. AGAIN THREATENING OUR ECONOMY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE TO BE A FIRMED OF IN TERMS OF FOCUSING ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AGAIN IT IS A LEGACY THAT WE PASS ON TO OUR KIDSS >> HAD THANK YOU. OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM ERIC. >> LET'S TALK ABOUT I 73. THIS IS AN IDEA THAT WOULD BRING A DIRECT LINK TO THE GRAND STRAND AND MANY BELIEVE THE BUSINESSES WOULD TRANSFORM OUR AREA, BUT THE PROBLEM IS, AT THIS POINT IT'S JUST AN IDEA. IT'S BEEN COINED THE ROAD TO NOWHERE. AS SENATOR, FIRST OF ALL, DO YOU SUPPORT AND UNDERSTAND SIGNIFICANCE OF I32? AND IF SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GIVE IT THE GREEN LIGHT? I 73. >> I SUPPORTIVE 37 AND INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. ONE OF THE THINGS, I HAVE FRIENDS THAT COME HERE BECAUSE THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE WITH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AND THEY SAY JAMIE I LOVE IT. THE FOOD IS AMAZING AND I LOVE MYRTLE BEACH AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR ROADS? OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS STATE, SUCKS. WE HAVE HAD LEADER THAT HAVE BEEN IN THIS FOR YEARS. SENATOR GRAHAM IS ONE OF THEM IN LISTENING TO DEBATES OVER THE YEARS, EVERY DEBATE SENATOR GRAHAM GETS THIS QUESTION ABOUT I 73 AND EVERY TIME HE SAYS I'M FOR IT. YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE'S SOMETHING THAT THE KIDS IN MY CLASSROOM USED TO SAY. MR. HARRISON THE MOST POWERFUL WAY TO DO IS TO SHOW AND NOT TELL. PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HEARING POLITICIANS TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND GO TO WASHINGTON AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THEY GET AM SNEEZE YOU. SENATOR GRAHAM I THINK IS SUFFERING FROM THAT. HE SAID HE WOULD BE FROMI 73. >> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IT. INTER STATE HIGHWAY THAT COMES OFF I-95 AND I'VE SECURED FUNDING FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THROUGH THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND PEOPLE HAVE INCREASED TAXES TO WIDEN 22 IN HORRY COUNTY. ME AND INFRASTRUCTURE? WHO CAME TO THE PORT SAYING WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE PORT OF CHARLESTON? I MADE SURE THE PORT OF CHARLESTON HAD THE FUNDING IT NEEDS TO GET TO 52 FEET TO BE THE PREMIER ON THE COAST. I WENT TO HARRY REID TO DO A STUDY TO NOT MISS A YEAR. I PUT MY RECORD UP AGAINST ANYBODY WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. GOT 35 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET THE PANTHERS HEADQUARTERS LOCATED IN YORK COUNTY. I 73 WORKING WITH TOM RICE, WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. IT'S A BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT SO STAY TUNED I'M FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL OF MULTIPLE TRILLIONS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE SENATOR GRAHAM HAS BEEN THERE AND WILL BE THERE FOR YOU. >> OUR NEXT PANEL SNIS >> BOTH OF YOU HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AS THE EXTENSIONS OF YOUR PARTY'S LEADERSHIPS AND YOU SAID YOU WILL REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. WHAT NATIONAL ISSUES WILL YOU DECENT WITH YOUR PARTY WHEN TAKING VOTE? >> HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE SO LINDSEY GRAHAM. I'VE WORKED WITH DEMOCRATS FOR OVER A DECADE TO GET A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION. TO GIVE THE SECURE OUR BORDER, INCREASE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO CHEAT. I'VE BEEN TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS CAUCUS. I VOTED FOR TWO JUDGES AND GOT THE CRAP BEAT OUT OF ME HERE AT HOME BY REPUBLICANS, BUT I THOUGHT THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IT. I WANT TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU TALK TO THE OTHER SIDE, IT'S NOT JUST TALK WITH ME AND I HAVE POLITICAL SCARS TO PROVE IT. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND YOUR GRANDPARENT'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NO LONGER AROUND. THE PEOPLE TODAY WANT TO GIVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FREE HEALTHCARE AND HAVE OPEN BORDERS AND THAT'S NOT SOLVING THE IMMIGRATION PARTY. THEY WANT SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. THEY WANT TO TAKE YOUR HEALTHCARE AWAY AT THE WORK SIGHT AND DO AWAY WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND EXSTAND SUPREME COURT BEYOND NINE JUDGES TO PACK WITH LIBERALS. THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE HERE. >> SO THE FIRST STEP IS NOT TO CALL THE OTHER SIDE NUTS. YOU KNOW THIS IS THE THING. I HAVE A 6-YEAR-OLD WHO I OFTEN ECHL TEACH IN TERMS OF HOW TO CONDUCT HIMSELF AND I SAID, SON, SOMETIMES PEOPLE COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND THEY SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY, BUT THEY DOES NOT MAKE THEM BAD BECAUSE OF IT. THOUGH PEOPLE MAY TAKE DIFFERENT PATHS HOPEFULLY OUR DESTINATION IS THE SAME. HOW DO WE MAKE IT BETTER ALL OF US. NOT JUST LIBERALS AND WHATEVER TERM. WE'RE SOUTH CAROLINIANS FIRST. WE'RE AMERICANS FIRST. HOW ARE WE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER? WHEN I WAS CHAIR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MY BEST FRIEND IN POLITICS IT WAS REPUBLICAN CHAIR, MATT MOORE AND MATT AND I, THERE WAS EVEN A STORY WHETHER HOW WE WERE THE ODD COUPLE BECAUSE WE WORKED AND RESPECTED EACH OTHER. THAT'S THE FOUNDATION FOR HOW YOU GET THINGS DONE. YOU'VE BEEN IN WASHINGTON FOR 25 YEARS. CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMMIGRATION ISSUES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. YOU ONLY SPONSORED THREE LAWS IN 25 YEARS. WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE LEADERSHIP TO DO SO. >> OUR QUESTION NOW FROM ALONZO. WE'RE RUNNING TIGHT SO LET ME GET THIS LAST ONE IN ALONZO? >> AS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS EXPOSED EDUCATIONAL EQUITY HAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN OUR STATE. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS AND CREATE EQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 STUDENTS AND STUDENTS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO FURTHER ENSURE THAT COLLEGE IS A VIABLE OPTION FOR THEM SHOULD THEY CHOOSE IT. >> COLLEGE HAS TO BE AN AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. LISTEN. ONE OF THE JOBS I HAD WAS RUNNING NONPROFIT CALLED COLLEGE SUMMIT THAT WORKED TO HELP LOW-INCOME KIDS TO GO TO COLLEGE AND LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. I'M A TESTAMENT THAT IT WORKS. THAT'S POWERFUL. EDUCATION IS THE GATEWAY TO THE AMERICAN DREAM AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO DO THAT. FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE SEEING AND WITNESSING SOMETHING WE'VE NEVER WITNESSED HERE IN AMERICA BEFORE. YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE $1.6 TRILLION OF DEBT. THERE'S MORE STUDENT DEBT IN THIS COUNTRY THAN CREDIT CARD DEBT AND THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED. WHEN YOU'RE A YOUNG PERSON AND SADDLED WITH $250,000 TO START OFF LIFE, NO OTHER GENERATION HAD THAT BURDEN, BUT THIS GENERATION DOES. I'M STILL PAYING OFF OUR STUDENT LOANS AND THAT'S A BURDEN FOR YOUNG FOLK SO IS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REDUCE TUITION COSTS FOR OUR KIDD, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SETTLE AND WE WORK ON THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE BURDENED WITH SUCH DEBT TO START OFF LIFE. >> NUMBER ONE, PAY OFF YOUR STUDENT, SO SOMEBODY ELSE CAN GO TO SCHOOL. YOU'RE A MULTI MILLIONAIRE. YOU WORK FOR PELOSI AND YOU WORK FOR THE PODESTA GROUP. I'VE GIVEN YOU 11 YEARS OF MY TAX RETURNS AND THE LAST YEAR YOU MADE ALMOST A HALF MILLION. HOW MUCH DID YOU MAKES AN A LOBBYIST? WHY ARE YOU STILL PAYING ON YOUR STUDENT LOANS. YOU'RE A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE. YOU CASHED IN ON POLITIC, SO LET ME TALK ABOUT BROADBAND FOR RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA IF YOU ARE IN A HOAR OR RURAL AREA WE NEED HIGH SCHOOL INTERNET SO YOUR SCHOOLS CAN BEST AND BRIGHTEST MINDS OF OUR TIME. SENATOR WARNER PASSED A TEN BILLION DOLLAR GRANT TO WIRE UH RURAL AMERICA AND SOUTH CAROLINA WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET. LITTLE BIT ABOUT TONE HERE. HE'S RUNNING AN ADVERTISEMENT ACCUSING ME OF A RACIST. IT'S THE WORSE THING THAT'S EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT ME IN POLITICS. THAT'S NOT WHO WE ARE. AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE CAN BE A SENATOR. ASK TIM SCOTT, YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT IDEAS. DAUGHTER OF INDIA CAN BE OUR GOVERNOR. ASK NICKI HALEY. YOU CAN DO BETTER. >> SO WHAT YOU SAW THERE IS LINDSEY IS TAKING ALL OF HIS TALKING POINTS AND TRYING TO DUMP IT. LET ME SAY THIS. YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT EVERYBODY'S PAYCHECK, BUT YOUR OWN. WHEN YOU SAID OVER OUR BODIES FOR EXTENSION OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT FOR FOLKS DESPERATE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, WHAT ABOUT THE FACT YOU RAISED YOUR SALARY THREE TIMES, SENATOR? YOUR WORRIED ABOUT MY BILLS THAN I AM. YOU KNOW, SENATOR? IN ADDITION TO MY HOUSEHOLD WHICH I HAVE TWO BOYS TO TAKE CARE, BUT I HAVE A GRANDMOTHER WHO I HELP PAY BILLS AND A MOM WHO WAS FOR CLOSE ODDEN HER HOME AND I HELP HER, AS WELL. I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFUL NECESSARY THAT YOU'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT MY STUDENT LOANS, BUT I PAY THEM ON TIME. >> THANK YOU. SENATOR GRAHAM WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT SO YOU HAVE LESS THAN THAT TO RESPOND. >> I MAKE $175,000 PLUS, AS A SENATOR AND I NEVER THOUGHT I'D MAKE THIS MUCH MONEY. I HELP MY NIECE AND PAY MY AUNT'S HOUSE PAYMENT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO. >> SENATOR, I'M SORRY THAT CONCLUDES OUR TIME AND WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR PANELISTS AND ALLEN UNIVERSITY, AS WELL. WE'LL REMIND YOU IN-PERSON ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE STARTING ON THIS MONDAY I
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Graham, Harrison both tout bipartisanship in 1st SC matchup
In their first debate in a race that has shattered fundraising records and become among the more closely watched Senate contests of this cycle, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison drew multiple contrasts between their campaigns but also both portrayed themselves as willing to work across the aisle to achieve legislative progress.In his pursuit of a fourth term, Graham — chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee — also argued the case for his chief congressional goal at the moment: the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s latest Supreme Court nominee.After Harrison — an associate Democratic National Committee chairman and former lobbyist — said Saturday night that he and his wife were still paying off their student loans, Graham snapped back that, given what he’s seen of Harrison’s income from released tax returns, “You’re a multimillionaire, and you can’t pay off your student loans?”Harrison described himself as willing to work with Republicans on a variety of issues, describing when, as state Democratic chairman, he became close friends with his GOP counterpart. He also critiqued the longtime lawmaker’s previous support of 12-year term limits and added, “I do believe the ultimate term limit is in the power of the people here in South Carolina.”In response, Graham promoted himself as a conservative unafraid to work with Democrats, mentioning issues like immigration, and telling voters, “You can limit my term on Nov. 3 if you’d like.”From his opening statement and throughout nearly every answer of the hourlong debate, Graham worked in his support for a conservative judiciary and particularly Amy Coney Barrett, whom he called a “buffer to liberalism” he hoped “won’t be treated like Kavanaugh” in her upcoming confirmation hearings.It was Graham’s fiery 2018 defense of Brett Kavanaugh that helped cement his now-close relationship with Trump, as well as renew support with some who hadn’t seen Graham as conservative enough to represent South Carolina. That moment, Graham said Saturday, also riled up liberals he now says are pouring $100 million into Harrison’s campaign and groups supporting him, to try to oust Graham.“Where the hell is all this money coming from?” Graham asked. “This is about liberals hating my guts when I stood up for Kavanaugh. This is about me helping President Trump.”Harrison, 44, castigated Graham, 65, for what he characterized as contradictory positions on whether it’s appropriate to fill Supreme Court vacancies in a presidential election year.“Senator, you said ‘use my words against me,’” Harrison said, referencing Graham’s 2018 comments on the subject. “Your promise was that no judicial nominee should be approved during the last year of an election. ... How good is your word?”Graham, pointing several times to his support of two of President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominees, said Barrett “is going to be confirmed because the president has the constitutional authority to do it.”The ongoing pandemic also played a role, both on stage and in debate structuring. No members of the public were allowed to attend the event at Allen University, a historically Black institution in Columbia. Media and campaign staff inside were spread out and required to complete questionnaires declaring no exposure to or symptoms of coronavirus.After several senators announced testing positive for COVID-19, Republican leaders on Saturday announced a refrain from legislative work until Oct. 19 that leadership says won’t derail Barrett’s hearings, set to begin Oct. 12. With two committee members recently contracting the coronavirus, Graham said Friday that senators could attend virtually.The candidates spoke from podiums 13 feet apart. Harrison’s podium was shielded on the side closest to Graham by a plexiglass partition, something the campaign said was used in accordance with federal recommendations that anyone in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days.Both candidates say they tested negative Friday, but Graham has recently met with other Senate Republicans — several of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus — as well as with Trump, currently hospitalized with COVID-19.Of his partition, Harrison said he was taking every precaution to keep himself and his loved ones safe.“Its not just about me, it’s about the people in my life that I have to take care of, as well, my two boys, my wife, my grandma,” Harrison said.Asked later about the number of public officials recently contracting COVID, Graham reiterated a commitment to keep the economy and government working amid the pandemic and noting, “The virus is a problem that came out of China, not Trump Tower.”Officials with Harrison’s campaign said they raised $340,000 during the debate and the hour that followed it. Graham’s campaign said they “don’t discuss those numbers.” The two men are next scheduled to debate Oct. 9.

In their first debate in a race that has shattered fundraising records and become among the more closely watched Senate contests of this cycle, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison drew multiple contrasts between their campaigns but also both portrayed themselves as willing to work across the aisle to achieve legislative progress.

In his pursuit of a fourth term, Graham — chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee — also argued the case for his chief congressional goal at the moment: the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s latest Supreme Court nominee.

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After Harrison — an associate Democratic National Committee chairman and former lobbyist — said Saturday night that he and his wife were still paying off their student loans, Graham snapped back that, given what he’s seen of Harrison’s income from released tax returns, “You’re a multimillionaire, and you can’t pay off your student loans?”

Harrison described himself as willing to work with Republicans on a variety of issues, describing when, as state Democratic chairman, he became close friends with his GOP counterpart. He also critiqued the longtime lawmaker’s previous support of 12-year term limits and added, “I do believe the ultimate term limit is in the power of the people here in South Carolina.”

In response, Graham promoted himself as a conservative unafraid to work with Democrats, mentioning issues like immigration, and telling voters, “You can limit my term on Nov. 3 if you’d like.”

From his opening statement and throughout nearly every answer of the hourlong debate, Graham worked in his support for a conservative judiciary and particularly Amy Coney Barrett, whom he called a “buffer to liberalism” he hoped “won’t be treated like Kavanaugh” in her upcoming confirmation hearings.

It was Graham’s fiery 2018 defense of Brett Kavanaugh that helped cement his now-close relationship with Trump, as well as renew support with some who hadn’t seen Graham as conservative enough to represent South Carolina. That moment, Graham said Saturday, also riled up liberals he now says are pouring $100 million into Harrison’s campaign and groups supporting him, to try to oust Graham.

“Where the hell is all this money coming from?” Graham asked. “This is about liberals hating my guts when I stood up for Kavanaugh. This is about me helping President Trump.”

Harrison, 44, castigated Graham, 65, for what he characterized as contradictory positions on whether it’s appropriate to fill Supreme Court vacancies in a presidential election year.

“Senator, you said ‘use my words against me,’” Harrison said, referencing Graham’s 2018 comments on the subject. “Your promise was that no judicial nominee should be approved during the last year of an election. ... How good is your word?”

Graham, pointing several times to his support of two of President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominees, said Barrett “is going to be confirmed because the president has the constitutional authority to do it.”

The ongoing pandemic also played a role, both on stage and in debate structuring. No members of the public were allowed to attend the event at Allen University, a historically Black institution in Columbia. Media and campaign staff inside were spread out and required to complete questionnaires declaring no exposure to or symptoms of coronavirus.

After several senators announced testing positive for COVID-19, Republican leaders on Saturday announced a refrain from legislative work until Oct. 19 that leadership says won’t derail Barrett’s hearings, set to begin Oct. 12. With two committee members recently contracting the coronavirus, Graham said Friday that senators could attend virtually.

The candidates spoke from podiums 13 feet apart. Harrison’s podium was shielded on the side closest to Graham by a plexiglass partition, something the campaign said was used in accordance with federal recommendations that anyone in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days.

Both candidates say they tested negative Friday, but Graham has recently met with other Senate Republicans — several of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus — as well as with Trump, currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

Of his partition, Harrison said he was taking every precaution to keep himself and his loved ones safe.

“Its not just about me, it’s about the people in my life that I have to take care of, as well, my two boys, my wife, my grandma,” Harrison said.

Asked later about the number of public officials recently contracting COVID, Graham reiterated a commitment to keep the economy and government working amid the pandemic and noting, “The virus is a problem that came out of China, not Trump Tower.”

Officials with Harrison’s campaign said they raised $340,000 during the debate and the hour that followed it. Graham’s campaign said they “don’t discuss those numbers.” The two men are next scheduled to debate Oct. 9.