South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said he’s “91% sure” he’ll run for president — the only question that remains is whether he can raise the money he needs.
“I think I got a good message, I think I’ve been more right than wrong on foreign policy … I’ve been a problem-solver in Washington. And I think I’ve got something to offer the party and the nation,” he said on “Fox News Sunday” this weekend.
“I’ll make that decision in May. If I can raise the money I’ll do it.”
Graham has been working to do just that, traveling the nation to meet with supporters and gauge interest in a bid. Supporters of his have set up a super PAC to back his bid, and he’s shown fundraising strength before, raising $11.1 million for his reelection fight in 2014.
But multiple surveys of the South Carolina GOP primary race have shown Graham trailing his potential challengers, with a recent poll from Winthrop University in South Carolina pegging him at fourth in the field, with 55% of respondents saying they wouldn’t consider voting for him in the primary. The senator’s more centrist positions on issues like climate change and immigration reform have conservatives wary of his potential bid, but Graham insisted he’d be successful in his home state if he runs.
“If I didn’t think I could win South Carolina, I wouldn’t be talking to you,” he told host Chris Wallace.
Graham on Sunday signaled he’ll continue to be one of President Barack Obama’s greatest agitators on national security issues regardless of whether he runs or not.
He’s been a pointed critic of Obama’s negotiations with Iran on a deal reigning in its nuclear program, calling it on Sunday “so weak in a time we need to be strong.”
He added that if Congress is ultimately given the chance to approve a final deal, he doesn’t see a “snowball’s chance in hell” for approval.
“I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell this framework will get approved by Congress after review,” Graham said. “I don’t think any Republican or Democrat is going to allow that to become final.”