Lindsey Graham endorses Bush: ‘South Carolina is going to reset this race’

Republican president candidate Jeb Bush has scored the endorsement of South Carolina Sen.

Graham’s decision could be significant in swaying not only South Carolina Republican voters but also his good friend Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee who remains an influential figure in the party and who has spoken warmly about Bush in recent months.

“I have concluded without any hesitation or any doubt that Jeb Bush is ready to be commander-in-chief on day one”, Graham said Friday morning.

Bush has always been focusing on New Hampshire, but this endorsement will give him another chance at exceeding expectations in an early state.

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (L) reacts as he speaks after being endorsed by Senator L …

“If can’t think of a worse idea of how to fight and win this war”, Graham said. One more debate is scheduled ahead of the first voting contests and will air on the FOX News Channel on January 28.

A conservative on defense and foreign policy, Graham tousled with the Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who holds a wide lead in national public opinion polls but has drawn the ire of the Republican establishment. “It’s really disappointing”, said one top Bush Wall Street donor.

Bush nabbed endorsements from some key Graham backers after the senator quit the race, but given Bush’s dire position in the polls, it was unclear whether Graham himself would publicly offer his support, particularly with a more viable candidate like Sen.

Graham applauded Bush for his stance on Muslim immigration – making sure people are “properly vetted” – and plan to combat the Islamic State group. Graham was due to say that Bush’s GOP nomination could mean “we will beat Hillary Clinton”.

Whether the Graham endorsement can help deliver new momentum and better support in SC and elsewhere remains unclear.

“South Carolina is going to reset the race on February 20”.