Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., denied today that Trump’s campaign asked him to visit Nebraska yesterday, as NBC News reported, insisting he was sent by Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Gov. Jim Pillen to discuss foreign policy.
“Senator Ricketts and the governor asked me to come out to talk to the caucus, I guess that’s what you call it, about the state of the play in the world, and the consequences of the next election on a foreign policy front,” Graham told NBC News.
NBC reported yesterday that Graham went as an “emissary” for the Trump campaign to discuss how the state allocates electoral votes. Pressed by NBC News on the reporting, Graham denied it again. The news of the meeting was previously reported by KOLN-TV.
The senator acknowledged to NBC News that the Nebraska delegation asked him to discuss the state’s apportionment of electoral votes, but said it was not originally what he was sent to speak about. Trump has backed moving the state to a winner-take-all system, which Graham says he agrees with.
“I hope they will allow winner take all,” Graham said, “Apparently, the delegation last night, the members of Congress and the two senators urged the change. It’ll be up to Nebraska, we’ll see what they do.”
Ricketts replied to these comments, saying he encouraged Graham to come. However, he did not comment on the Trump campaign’s involvement. On why Graham, he said, “I think Senator Graham is a great spokesperson for it. He’s very savvy about why we need to make sure that all of our voters have an opportunity to have their voices heard and what the other states are doing.”
Pillen’s office and the Trump campaign have not responded to NBC News’ requests for comment.
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