Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says the recent debate over the nation's debt ceiling shows he's in line with the tea party.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Graham met with the Charleston Tea Party on Monday in a rather relaxed meeting. A year ago, the meeting was so tense with tea partiers questioning his positions that the senator asked the media to leave.

Graham says his position on the recent debt ceiling debate has shown the tea party his willingness to stand up for common sense and fiscal conservatism.

He says the debt ceiling legislation that was passed was not a good deal for the country and he wanted deeper cuts.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)