Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) believes he’s “well qualified” to be president and will decide on a presidential run by May.
“I’m going to look long and hard at it,” he said Friday on “Fox & Friends.” “I think I’m well qualified for the job but it would be up to the people of my party to make that decision and we have a lot of good choices.”
Graham has floated the idea of running for president if Republican defense hawks aren’t represented in what’s expected to be a large field of candidates.
He’d have the backing of his longtime friend Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who has said he’s holding his endorsement for the South Carolina Republican. McCain and Graham are often at odds with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a likely GOP contender, and others from the non-interventionist wing of the party.
On Friday, Graham was asked what kind of candidate would best represent the Republican Party.
“The person who can articulate an alternative to Barack Obama,” he said. “The person who can articulate, here are our friends, here are our enemies, and here’s how you reengage, and here’s how you actually destroy and degrade ISIL. Here’s how you reset the situation in the Middle East, here’s how you negotiate with Iran.”
“Senator, you’re describing you,” said “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocey.
“All I can say is I think I’m well qualified for that task and others,” Graham responded.
Graham is not represented in most early polls of Republican presidential candidates.