<div>The Republican primary field just got even more crowded. ;</div>
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<p>Yesterday, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced that he would be running for president during a speech in his hometown of Central, South Carolina. Graham chose a place to speak that is very near his childhood home, a residence in a building behind a bar. He is the ninth person to declare candidacy. This move was by no means unexpected- his exploratory committee, &#8220;Security Through Strength,&#8221; formed in January and it&#8217;s unlikely he would have kept it operating if he decided not to run. He also told a reporter who was interviewing him that he was soon going to make a major announcement about his plans for the future. ;</p>
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<div>Some political scientists believe that his run could have a powerful influence on Jeb Bush&#8217;s campaign, particularly in the South Carolina primary. Many people who would otherwise vote for Jeb may instead choose a candidate who comes from their own state and is more in tune with their political needs. Graham&#8217;s &#8220;hometown advantage&#8221; may or may not be enough to win him the primary in South Carolina, but it will take votes away from Jeb Bush. There&#8217; a very real possibility that this could swing the early Palmetto State primary in the favor of another candidate. ;</div>
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<div>Although Graham is one of the lesser-known Republican candidates, he does have one major strong suit that will make him very appealing to certain voters. He takes a hawkish approach to foreign policy, believing that America should deal swiftly and harshly with any nation or foreign group that would threaten us. As a senator, he has called for more aggressive and forceful military force and strategy against ISIS, Syria, and anyone else supporting the terrorist group. He stated in his announcement speech, &#8220;I want to be president to defeat the enemies that are trying to kill us- not just penalize them or criticize them or contain them, but defeat them.&#8221;</div>
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<div>He professed that out of all the announced candidates, he has the most experience with national security, following that up with, &#8220;That includes you, Hillary.&#8221; ;</div>
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<div>National security will be a major deciding factor of this election, and Graham&#8217;s strength in that area and willingness to defend our homeland may indeed serve him well. ;</div>