Thread by @Taniel

Lindsey Graham & Jaime Harrison are debating in 5 minutes (& both are wearing a mask while the debate starts on stage — would Graham have a few days ago?). #scsen

People can watch! wistv.com/2020/10/02/how…

Graham’s introductory statement invokes “conservative judges and liberal judges, order and chaos.”

That was quick: the first question was about people breaking health guidelines at the White House & COVID-19.

Graham’s answer: “the virus started in China, not Trump tower.”

And then pivots to vowing that Barrett will be confirmed. As part of the same answer. One goal.

Second question? Graham asked about COVID, again, and specifically about schools & delay in test results.

Graham’s answer? Liberal agenda, Biden, Medicare-for-all, SCOTUS.

Harrison has talked about COVID.

Candidates asked about Roe v. Wade & potential of its overturning.

Harrison says women should have the right to control their own body; men do, he says.

Graham does not answer about Roe specifically but talks about Amy Barrett a lot.

Aha: Harrison, while hitting Graham for flip-flopping on SCOTUS timing, specifically points out Graham’s most grotesque lie — that he changed his mind on timing due to Kavanaugh hearings, when Graham made his viral statement AFTER that!

Graham doesn’t bother rebutting that.

Folks, Graham keeps talking about how bipartisan he is on judges because he voted for Kagan and Sotomayor & respects that presidents have the constitutional authority to appoint a justice for their full 4 years, not 3.5.

Guess what name has gone unmentioned.

The candidates haven’t interrupted each other a single time!

There’s 90-seconds answer blocs!

Who knew this was possible!

(Also if you care about SC politics read about why Charleston’s prosecutor race is one of year’s most intriguing: theappeal.org/politicalrepor…)

Graham says the way to “save Social Security” is for some people to (volontarily?) be willing who to get less Social Security.

Harrison hits him on this, says this isn’t about keeping a promise, it’s about giving people what they’re owed.

Graham laments that Harrison has gotten so much money in donations. This isn’t about Harrison, he says. “This is about liberals hating my guts.”

Graham invokes Senator Scott to justify his view on policing.

Harrison: “Senator Scott is not the only black person who understands interactions with the police... There are problems right now...”

Candidates were asked about term limits and whether there should be any.

Graham’s answer takes him to talking about undocumented immigrants (?! I didn’t follow)

Harrison says: “google Lindsey Graham and term limits,” stressing Graham has broken his past pledge to limit himself.

It’s worth watching Jaime Harrison talk about why South Carolina needs the Medicaid expansion.

Graham says in response that Obamacare is a pathway to “Berniecare.”

Constant refrain from Graham to invoke Schumer, Pelosi, Sanders, and so on.

Candidates are asked what issues they disagree with THEIR OWN party on.

Graham says he’s bipartisan, then goes on to attack Democrats as “nuts”.

Harrison (transcribing quickly): “the first step to work with the other party is to not call them nuts.”

Out of nowhere, answering a Q on rural SC, Graham says Harrison has accused him of being racist, & attacks Harrison for being wealthy & “cashing in.”

Harrison answers saying Graham increased his salary while hindering extending unemployment benefits.

And... debate ends abruptly

And when he abruptly brought up the idea that he’s been accused of being racist (again, to an entirely unrelated question), Graham AGAIN name-checked Tim Scott as evidence that’s ludicrous.

I wouldn’t say this was a great debate bc Graham was intent on ignoring many questions so he could pivot to Schumer and Pelosi — but: real policy questions! no interruptions AT ALL! opportunities for some zingers! meaningful contrasts! (And a weirdly hurried end.)