Donald Trump's values "are not South Carolina values" — and "that's what this election is about," Sen. Lindsey Graham told
Newsmax TV on Friday.
"We don't like that," the South Carolina Republican, who's supporting Jeb Bush for the presidential nomination, told "The Hard Line" host Ed Berliner about the front-runner's profane-laced attacks on some of his challengers. "We like people who are respectful."
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"We like people who are serious. We like people who understand our values.
"There are a lot of Barbara Bushes in South Carolina," Graham added, referring to Jeb's mother and former first lady. "You crash and burn with Barbara Bush, you're going to pay a price."
However, Trump has "done a good job" on the campaign trail, he acknowledged. "He's created a big movement.
"I understand the frustration — but of all the people running, he'd get creamed in the general election because he's made so many people mad."
The Palmetto State holds its Republican primary on Feb. 20.
Graham, who dropped out of the sweepstakes in December, reiterated his support for Jeb Bush, telling Berliner that the former Florida governor was "most prepared to be president of the United States.
"Jeb has the temperament, the background experience to be commander-in-chief on day one. He was commander-in-chief of the Florida National Guard for eight years, he dealt with eight hurricanes and four tropical storms in 18 months.
"I just like his temperament," Graham added. "I like his judgment. I like the way he carries himself.
"He can bring people together — and his plan to destroy [the Islamic State] makes the most sense."
In other comments during his exclusive Newsmax interview, Graham said that:
- He would support Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the general election if he were the eventual GOP nominee. However, "Marco's day will come. He's very talented. He's my friend. I wasn't ready to be president at 44."
- The Republican field is still too large. "There's too many people in the non-Donald wing right now. After South Carolina, the field will get smaller … when we consolidate the field. This whole election's about creating an alternative to Donald Trump."
- Trump is not a true conservative. "How can you be a real conservative when you give money to the Clintons? When you're for partial-birth abortion? When you want to have Obamacare? What he is is an opportunist, not a conservative."
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