Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'We should hit Russia hard' for election cyberattacks

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What really happened in the cheap attacks on Donald Trump?

'The O'Reilly Factor': Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points 1/12; Plus reaction from Sen. Lindsey Graham

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" that President-elect Donald Trump should make Russian President Vladimir Putin "pay a price" for cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee during last year's election campaign.

"Two presidents have miscalculated Putin," Graham told Bill O'Reilly. "[George W.] Bush looked into his eyes and saw his soul, and Obama wanted to re-set.

"I want a better relationship with Russia ... as much as Trump does, but the one thing I’m convinced of: You’ll never have a better relationship forgiving [Putin] for all his misdeeds," Graham added. "A better relationship would mean he no longer tries to destroy democracy around the world, interfere in our elections, kill his opponents and steal his people blind."

Graham, who unsuccessfully battled Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, said he would encourage the President-elect to approve fresh sanctions against Moscow.

"You’ve got willing partners in the Congress -- Republicans and Democrats -- to hit Russia hard, to give you leverage, to get a better relationship" the veteran senator said. "The one thing I’m convinced of about Putin is he’s not gonna stop this until he pays a price, and no one’s made him pay a price yet."