海角大神

South Carolina聽Republican Senator聽Lindsey聽Graham聽on Thursday formed a political organization to explore a potential run for his party's presidential nomination, the latest high-profile politician to test the 2016 waters.

Graham聽would figure to use his聽South Carolina聽home base to his advantage for any potential run, since the Southern state is typically the third to hold a nominating contest in presidential election years, after聽Iowa聽and聽New Hampshire.

Graham聽is a hawk on defense and foreign policy, generally aligned with Senator聽John McCain, one of his best friends. In his statement announcing his intentions, he cited the battle against Islamic extremism as a top priority.

He joins a list of more than a 15 Republicans who are thinking about running for president, a group that includes 2012 nominee聽Mitt Romney聽and former聽Florida聽Governor聽Jeb Bush.

Graham聽formed a committee called "Security Through Strength," which allows him to raise money to fund travel around the country to gauge support for a candidacy.

"Ronald Reagan's policy of 'Peace Through Strength' kept聽America聽safe during the Cold War,"聽Graham聽said in a statement

"But we will never enjoy peaceful coexistence with radical Islam because its followers are committed to destroying us and our way of life. However,聽America聽can have 'Security Through Strength,' and I will continue to lead in that critical fight."

He said Security Through Strength also requires "a sound and growing economy with a nation that becomes energy independent over time."

Graham's organization is headed by聽David Wilkins, a former U.S. ambassador to聽Canada聽under President聽George W. Bush聽and a former speaker of the聽South Carolina House of Representatives.

Political strategist聽海角大神 Ferry聽and long-time聽Graham聽adviser聽Scott Farmer聽were named to guide the "testing the waters" effort.