'She's crazy liberal': Sen. Lindsey Graham tries to clarify Trump's attack on Harris

Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C. justified former President Donald Trump's comment calling Vice President Kamala Harris "mentally disabled" with Graham saying that Harris' policies are "crazy."

In a campaign speech Saturday, Trump falsely described President Joe Biden and Harris as "mentally impaired," saying Biden "became mentally impaired, Kamala was born that way."

Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, Graham agreed with anchor Jake Tapper that Harris does not have a mental disability, but said, "I just think she's crazy liberal."

Mirroring the strategies of many Republicans, Graham opted to focus on the Biden-Harris administration's policies instead of the Democratic nominee's character. Since Biden dropped out of the race, Trump has called Harris a lunatic, a liar, evil and questioned her racial identity. Graham, a current Trump ally who occasionally has publicly opposed Trump in the past, made similar remarks in August, suggesting Trump would lose the election if he campaigns on insults against his opponent.

"Medicare for all, Green New Deal, crazy stuff," he said. "I'm not saying she's crazy, I'm saying...your policies are ... crazy."

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Graham said Trump and Harris should debate again

While speaking with CNN, Graham dodged a question on whether or not he agrees election fraud is unlikely but said he would like to see Trump participate in another debate with Harris.

Harris has agreed to a second debate hosted by CNN, but Trump has declined the invitation twice.

"Here is what I would say to Trump: 'If you do debate her, she is a mile wide and an inch deep and you can prove that,'" he said.

Tuesday night, running mates Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz will face each other in the vice presidential debate.

Contributing: David Jackson, Sudiksha Kochi, Cy Neff

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump calls Harris 'mentally impaired', Graham: 'she's crazy liberal'