Washington ( CNN ) -- The field of potential Republican presidential candidates in 2016 might have just gained one more name : Sen. Lindsey Graham . Known for his hawkish foreign policy approach , the South Carolina Republican told the Weekly Standard in a story published Friday that he 'll enter the race if he thinks he 's the most competent messenger for a more aggressive foreign policy approach . `` If I get through my general election , if nobody steps up in the presidential mix , if nobody 's out there talking — me and McCain have been talking — I may just jump in to get to make these arguments , '' Graham told the Weekly Standard . Graham has called for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria to fight terrorism , a position that aligns well with some 69 percent of Republicans who identify themselves as `` hawks '' according to a CNN/ORC poll last week . The senator , who maintains an 18-point lead over his Democratic opponent in his campaign for a third term , emerged as a vocal critic of the White House in 2012 when four Americans were killed in an attack at the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi . When it comes to one other possible 2016 hopeful , Sen. Marco Rubio , Graham says the Florida Republican 's relative inexperience could be a disqualifier . `` He 's a good guy , but after doing immigration with him — we do n't need another young guy not quite ready , '' Graham said in the Weekly Standard interview . `` He 's no Obama by any means , but he 's so afraid of the right , and I 've let that go . '' Though a presidential bid for Graham , 59 , is likely a long shot , he 's earned accolades from McCain if he were to throw his hat in the ring . `` I 've strongly encouraged him to give it a look , '' McCain said . `` I think Lindsey has vast and deep experience on these issues that very few others have . ''
Sen. Lindsey Graham fuels speculation on a potential 2016 presidential bid . Graham says Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) `` not quite ready '' to be president in a Weekly Standard interview .