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'Tonight I am taking COVID seriously': South Carolina Democratic candidate brings his own plexiglass shield to debate with Lindsey Graham

  Senator Lindsey Graham and his Democratic challenger met in their first face-to-face matchup on Saturday with Jaime Harrison bringing his ...

 Senator Lindsey Graham and his Democratic challenger met in their first face-to-face matchup on Saturday with Jaime Harrison bringing his own plexiglass shield to stand behind.

Of his partition, Harrison said he was taking every precaution to keep himself and his loved ones safe. 

'Tonight I am taking COVID seriously. That's why I put this plexiglass up. Because it's not just about me, it's about the people in my life that I have to care of as well: my two boys, my wife, my grandmother,' he said. 

'We're not going to blame the president. We shouldn't blame the president for the inception of this disease. We shouldn't blame anybody for the inception of this disease, but where blame should come is how we handle this disease, whether or not we take it seriously.'  

Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison faced off against Senator Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina U.S. Senate debate at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina

Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison faced off against Senator Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina U.S. Senate debate at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina

South Carolina Democrat candidate Jaime Harrison set up a plexiglass shield

South Carolina Democrat candidate Jaime Harrison set up a plexiglass shield

Senate candidate bring his own plexiglass to debate Lindsey Graham
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The candidates spoke from podiums 13 feet apart. Harrison's podium was shielded on the side closest to Graham by a plexiglass partition.

Both candidates say they tested negative Friday, but Graham has recently met with other Senate Republicans - several of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus - as well as with Trump, currently hospitalized with COVID-19.   

Graham did not appear to be taking any such safety precautions during the first of three debates in which he and Harrison are scheduled to debate. 


Twitter users appeared to be extremely impressed with Harrison's idea. 

'Brilliant idea. Brilliant debate. And, it is my hope that @KamalaHarris does the same thing IF her debate is going to be in person. #WearAMask #BidenHarris2020,' wrote one Twitter user.

Harrison explained that he was doing so to protect members of his family

Harrison explained that he was doing so to protect members of his family

'So proud! Can't wait to vote for him!!!' added another.

Another user pleaded with Kamala Harris' team to do something similar at Wednesday's upcoming vice presidential debate in Utah.

'I want Kamala team to pay close attention and get her a plexiglass for the debate... because She needs added protection... Remember Pence will not quarantine after potential exposure from the Trump Event that occurred several days ago...' they wrote.

'It was a very smart move given how reckless Graham and his party are. and you only have to look at how quickly they've forgotten Herman Cain,' added another.

'He deserves to be elected just for that alone. It shows just how seriously he takes this virus. That's what leaders do.' 

The candidates spoke from podiums 13 feet apart. Harrison's podium was shielded on the side closest to Graham by a plexiglass partition

The candidates spoke from podiums 13 feet apart. Harrison's podium was shielded on the side closest to Graham by a plexiglass partition

Both candidates say they tested negative for coronavirus on Friday, but Graham has recently met with other Senate Republicans - several of whom have tested positive - as well as with Trump, currently hospitalized with COVID-19

Both candidates say they tested negative for coronavirus on Friday, but Graham has recently met with other Senate Republicans - several of whom have tested positive - as well as with Trump, currently hospitalized with COVID-19

Twitter users ended up praising the ingenuity of the Harrison's device

Twitter users ended up praising the ingenuity of the Harrison's device 

A number of Twitter users begged for Kamala Harris' team to take notice in advance of her vice presidential debate on Wednesday and use a similar device

A number of Twitter users begged for Kamala Harris' team to take notice in advance of her vice presidential debate on Wednesday and use a similar device

Graham and Harrison's debate also comes as the campaigns boast raising more than $30 million apiece throughout the race, and two recent surveys show the candidates in a dead heat. 

Two back-to-back Quinnipiac University polls have marked the candidates with matched support among likely voters. 

Harrison has been able to use polling to capitalize on bringing in even more cash, saying in mid-September he took in $2 million in the two days following a Quinnipiac survey. 

Lindsey Must Go, a political action committee that supports Harrison, is among outside groups pumping money into the race, launching a billboard campaign Friday featuring a 2016 quote from Trump calling Graham 'one of the dumbest human beings I've ever seen.'

Trump carried South Carolina by double digits over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Republicans control both legislative chambers, all statewide offices and most of the state's congressional seats. 

South Carolina is assumed to be safely in his reelection column, and Trump has not announced plans to stump there for himself - or Graham, who is expressing confidence in his reelection chances.

'Here is what I want to say to all the liberals talking about South Carolina: we are going to kick your ass,' he said Friday during a campaign event in Myrtle Beach.

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