Low poll numbers keep Graham out of Greenville presidential forum

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham will not take part in a Republican presidential forum next week that is being held 45 minutes from his S.C. home.

Graham’s national poll numbers in August failed to reach the 1 percent threshold set by the forum’s organizers — Gov. Nikki Haley and Heritage Action, the lobbying arm of the conservative think tank, Heritage Action spokesman Dan Holler said Wednesday.

Graham registered zero percent in five of six national polls last month compiled by Real Clear Politics. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out,” Holler said.

Nearly 80 percent of S.C. Republican voters said in a poll released Tuesday that Graham, who lives in Seneca, should exit the race.

Two other GOP hopefuls also were not invited to the Sept. 18 forum in Greenville because of low poll numbers, former Govs. George Pataki of New York and Jim Gilmore of Virginia.

The remaining 14 GOP candidates were invited, said Holler, declining to say which hopefuls are coming to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena stage. Organizers expect more than 10,000 people to attend.

Candidates will have about 20 minutes each to answer questions from Haley, Heritage Action supporters and the group’s director, Michael Needham.

Former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-Greenville, heads the Heritage Foundation, a sister group to Heritage Action.

This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Low poll numbers keep Graham out of Greenville presidential forum."