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TOMORROW! Primary Runoffs in Oklahoma and South Carolina

Posted on 08/24/2026 2:43:36 AM PDT by cotton1706

If you live in these states, prepare to VOTE!


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: elections
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1 posted on 08/24/2026 2:43:36 AM PDT by cotton1706
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To: cotton1706

SC patriots have a problem; neither candidate is excellent.

But the Darline Graham is super offensive to me. She’s stupid. She was committed to furthering DEI where she had worked before. People have had enough dynasty situations after the Bushes.

Trump supporting her for sentimental reasons is RIDICULOUS!


2 posted on 08/24/2026 4:16:51 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.)
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To: cotton1706

Lindsey was a little wacky at times with his neo con bs, but she is complete wacko, no knowledge of foreign affairs and devotion to DEI. She should take the time to grieve her brother.


3 posted on 08/24/2026 4:54:11 AM PDT by kenmcg (ti hi o)
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To: MayflowerMadam
Same in Oklahoma's GOP primary for Governor... The two of them have been spattering each other with every manner of accusation which is probably all true. One of them has bad mojo that's generational, think "Killers of the Flower Moon" bad, and the other one is just... weird, a guy who seems entitled to public office by his religious street creds and not much more...

I'm gonna go vote but not for either one of these goobers. I'll probably vote in the General for whichever wins the Primary, but only because I'm concerned we could get a Democrat/Communist Governor considering these two dipsticks are our only choice this time...

4 posted on 08/24/2026 5:39:28 AM PDT by OKSooner ("Thank you, Dr. Fauci!" /s)
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To: OKSooner

“I’m gonna go vote but not for either one of these goobers. I’ll probably vote in the General for whichever wins the Primary”

That’s me. I couldn’t vote for Blackburn or Hagerty, so didn’t vote. In the General, I’ll hold my nose and vote GOP.


5 posted on 08/24/2026 6:25:15 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

SC patriots have a problem; neither candidate is excellent.

- - - - - - -

Ralph Norman endorsed Nikki Haley in the last presidential primary. Neither candidate inspires.


6 posted on 08/24/2026 6:29:13 AM PDT by TTFX
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To: MayflowerMadam

“”But the Darline Graham is super offensive to me. She’s stupid. She was committed to furthering DEI where she had worked before. People have had enough dynasty situations after the Bushes.

Trump supporting her for sentimental reasons is RIDICULOUS!””

***

I just saw on Newsmax a possible “why” Trump is endorsing Darlene for that seat. William Timmons said that Norman is an obstructionist... and that if Norman won the seat, Trump would doubtless be faced with endless battles getting anything of his agenda passed. Darlene may be dumb, and she may have other faults... but the last thing we need is another Maverick McCain thwarting Trump’s policies. In this case it sounds like the ‘lesser of two evils’ situation.


7 posted on 08/24/2026 6:47:49 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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To: Danie_2023

I did vote early, secret ballot.
I like most of Ralph Norman’s policy positions. I was worried about his endorsement of Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential primary. Reid Hoffman, the co founder of LinkedIn, is a super Democrat funder of the far left wing Indivisible. He was a huge financial funder of Nikki Haley’s quest for power. IMO Nikki Haley put her personal quest for higher office ahead of the interests of conservative common sense Republicans.
Darline Graham’s verified DEI involvement and support for DEI policies are troubling. Her past marital history has also been scrubbed. Why cannot this info be revealed.
Each primary voters were not given all the facts.perhaps if all was revealed the primary with 10 candidates outcome may have been different.


8 posted on 08/24/2026 7:23:14 AM PDT by Yolanda (Jussie Smollett hoax )
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To: Yolanda

“”Each primary voters were not given all the facts.perhaps if all was revealed the primary with 10 candidates outcome may have been different.””

***

You’re never going to be “given all the facts”, though. You have to dig for it yourself and most folks, like myself, are too busy to bother. That is why we end up with our pants around our ankles on election day wondering WTF happened. We didn’t do our homework and end up with another Massie/McCain type AH that’s supposed to be representing us.


9 posted on 08/24/2026 7:38:39 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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To: TTFX

Ralph Norman endorsed Nikki Haley in the last presidential primary. Neither candidate inspires.


He did. Then, quickly switched to fully endorsing Pres Trump, once Nikita dropped out of the race.

Norman and Haley go way back...to the SC House of Reps.

Have you looked into Norman’s voting record/ratings?

CPAC, Numbers USA, ProLife groups. Limited Gov’t groups ... all give him an A+.

He was also one of the very few Reps to attend the America’s Frontline Doctors White Coat Summit event in DC, early on in the d@m ChyNah ScamDemic.

Darline’s limited record ... not being good at foreign policy, not sure about abortion ... and, wanting to be the state’s lead in DEI program.

Praying the one who can win, against the Dem, wins this run off. 🙏🏻


10 posted on 08/24/2026 9:18:47 AM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: Danie_2023

I think Norman has pretty much voted in favor of most of President Trump’s wanted Bills.

He also voted against any impeachment acts.

Did they happen to mention exactly what Norman has obstructed?


11 posted on 08/24/2026 9:20:56 AM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: Jane Long

“”I think Norman has pretty much voted in favor of most of President Trump’s wanted Bills.

He also voted against any impeachment acts.

Did they happen to mention exactly what Norman has obstructed?””

***

Nope, no elaboration and I don’t know Timmons from Adam, so I couldn’t vouch for his “take” on Norman. It sounded plausible though, as a reason for Trump to prefer Darlene Graham over Norman. But you know how it is these days... you can’t trust anything you see or hear 100%.

Thanks for the input.


12 posted on 08/24/2026 9:27:31 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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To: Danie_2023

Possible. Norman could be another Massie.

At least maybe Darline can be “managed” by Trump to some degree. If she wins she’ll owe him. Not that that fact has hindered others from turning on him after he has endorsed them.


13 posted on 08/24/2026 9:28:02 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.)
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To: Danie_2023

Timmons is a squish who nearly lost his primary — twice, although not in 2026. Norman is a conservative.

Timmons’ opinions of his colleague aren’t worth shit. His voting record is OK but his temperament is all-RINO; he cringes at being thought of in any way as a conservative, and that’s mainly why he was almost ousted (from the right) in primaries in 2022 and 2024.

Norman is a far better choice than Lindsey’s sister. But he’s probably going to lose.


14 posted on 08/24/2026 9:34:08 AM PDT by PermaRag (Facts, context, and more facts)
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To: MayflowerMadam

“”Possible. Norman could be another Massie.

At least maybe Darline can be “managed” by Trump to some degree. If she wins she’ll owe him. Not that that fact has hindered others from turning on him after he has endorsed them””

***

That’s kinda what I think Timmons was saying.... but I’d just woke up, no coffee yet, so I wasn’t cogent enough to vet him or his veracity-factor.

I don’t know how Darlene would turn out to be re: Trump-loyal, but considering how her brother used to be a major thorn in our side, how could it be any worse? I dunno. All I know is we need loyal, pro-MAGA people ‘only’ now, more than ever.


15 posted on 08/24/2026 9:43:37 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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To: PermaRag

“”Timmons’ opinions of his colleague aren’t worth shit. His voting record is OK but his temperament is all-RINO; he cringes at being thought of in any way as a conservative, and that’s mainly why he was almost ousted (from the right) in primaries in 2022 and 2024.

Norman is a far better choice than Lindsey’s sister. But he’s probably going to lose.””

***

Ah, ok... thanks for that. So Timmons calling Norman an obstructionist was typical projection on the RINO’s part. And the RINO Timmons is ‘for’ Darlene Graham. Hmmm....


16 posted on 08/24/2026 9:47:37 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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To: Danie_2023

Okay...I asked Grok why he might be called an ‘obstructionist’ ... lol ... FWIW ...

Ralph Norman (R-SC), a longtime House Freedom Caucus member and fiscal hardliner, earns the “obstructionist” label mainly from critics—often Republican leadership or moderates—because he repeatedly holds out on bills, challenges party leadership, and prioritizes deep spending cuts or policy demands over quick passage of legislation, even when it risks delays, shutdowns, or internal party gridlock.He is widely ranked among the most conservative House members.

Supporters frame this as principled resistance to overspending and “business as usual”; detractors call it obstruction because it frequently slows or complicates the majority’s agenda.

Key examples include:Speaker fights and leadership challenges: In 2023, he was part of the group of hardline Republicans who initially blocked Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid, contributing to a multi-day deadlock. He has also initially opposed or nearly tanked Mike Johnson’s speakership over demands for more transparency, Freedom Caucus input, and tighter budget processes, though he later flipped after negotiations.

Spending bills, funding fights, and near-shutdowns: As a deficit hawk, Norman has consistently stymied government funding packages alongside other Freedom Caucus members, pushing for conservative offsets, spending cuts, or policy riders (e.g., border security). He was among Republicans who drove the government toward shutdown brink in budget talks and has voted against large spending packages, including ones addressing defense or other priorities, when they lacked sufficient cuts. He has described overspending as a “cancer” and demanded faster deficit reduction timelines than leadership preferred.

Specific holdouts on major legislation: He and allies (e.g., Chip Roy) have delayed or nearly derailed packages like Trump-era reconciliation or “big beautiful” budget bills by insisting on stronger Medicaid work requirements, faster offsets for tax cuts, removal of certain credits, or deeper cuts—sometimes storming out of markups or voting no until concessions were made. He has also opposed moving certain foreign-aid or other bills in Rules Committee votes when they lacked border measures.

This pattern dates back to his state legislative days (where colleagues nicknamed him “Red Ralph” for frequent no votes on spending) and continues in Congress, where he often prioritizes limited-government demands over party unity. Opponents in recent South Carolina races (e.g., Senate runoff commentary) have explicitly warned he “will stand in the way.” His critics see this as blocking progress or risking dysfunction; his defenders see it as forcing accountability on debt and spending. The label is partisan and contextual—rarely applied neutrally—and tracks with how Freedom Caucus hardliners are generally portrayed by leadership when they leverage their votes for leverage.


17 posted on 08/24/2026 10:19:56 AM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: Jane Long

“”Supporters frame this as principled resistance to overspending and “business as usual”; detractors call it obstruction because it frequently slows or complicates the majority’s agenda.””

***

So, what’s your conclusion? Obstructionist or principled Conservative? I can’t decide, but he sounds kinda Rand Paulish to me with that record. Sounds like Timmons might have had a point?


18 posted on 08/24/2026 10:25:54 AM PDT by Danie_2023 (I'm America First, but I stand by Israel and against 'anyone' that acts against America or Israel.)
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