Norman Proves Trump Loyalty By Challenging Trump’s Senate Pick
Rep. Ralph Norman demonstrated the Republican Party’s highest form of loyalty Saturday by entering South Carolina’s Senate primary against Sen. Lindsey Graham, the candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump. Norman declared that the state needs “a fighter who will stand with President Trump,” establishing that the surest way to stand with Trump is to stand opposite him on the ballot and ask voters to disregard his stated preference. Party officials said the maneuver reflects the modern conservative principle that Trump is always right, especially when a loyal Republican decides he is wrong.
Trump has backed Graham for another term, an endorsement Norman’s campaign interpreted as a broad expression of support for Republicans generally and Norman specifically, provided nobody reads it too closely. “Ralph is showing tremendous loyalty by completely ignoring my endorsement, which is what the strongest supporters do when they agree with me more than I agree with myself,” Trump said. “Lindsey has my complete endorsement, and Ralph has the freedom to treat that endorsement as a beautiful recommendation for Ralph.” Republican strategists confirmed that presidential endorsements are now binding declarations of personal choice unless another candidate wants one, at which point they become inspirational literature.
Graham enters the contest with incumbency, Trump’s backing and years spent converting every disagreement with Trump into a misunderstanding caused by other people. Norman counters with congressional experience and the argument that his willingness to defeat Trump’s preferred candidate proves he would defend Trump’s agenda more obediently. South Carolina voters will therefore choose between the Republican Trump endorsed and the Republican who says Trump would have endorsed him if Trump had understood his own endorsement. The arrangement guarantees a victory for presidential loyalty because Trump’s judgment remains infallible even when Republicans campaign explicitly against it.
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