Before rushing to Buckhead for a blank fundraiser, Biden stopped by the iconic Mary Mack's Tea Room to meet with voters.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“You all took me to the dance,” Biden told the crowd. “You really made a difference. “It's easy to forget, but I won't forget.”
Biden won Georgia in 2020, but faces an even tougher situation this year in a rematch with former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Biden has sought to rebuild the coalition of liberals, Black Georgians and more moderate voters who powered his narrow 2020 victory, but faces the challenge of reigniting enthusiasm.
Recent polls show that Mr. Biden is losing support among black voters, and a recently released New York Times-Siena poll of Georgia voters found that black respondents Approximately 20% of respondents are leaning toward Mr. Trump in a head-to-head matchup in November.
Morehouse students and alumni have asked school officials to rescind their invitation to speak with Biden, citing his handling of the war in Gaza. Some people threaten the protests.
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
This week, faculty narrowly passed legislation awarding Biden an honorary degree.
But when he arrived in Atlanta, he was greeted by a team of elected officials who had attended Morehouse, led by Sen. Raphael Warnock, a 1991 graduate of the nation's only HBCU for black men.
Mr. Biden was also welcomed by Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Nikema Williams, Rep. Sanford Bishop, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
In response to the situation, Mr. Biden said in the harshest terms that his rematch with Mr. Trump was about defending democracy, especially from the former president.
“President Trump poses a greater threat in his second term than he did in his first term. When he lost in 2020, it was clear that something snapped, and I'm serious about that,” Biden said. said. “He still can't accept the fact that he lost. That's why January 6th happened. Every legal avenue Trump tried to change the election failed. So he rebelled. He I sat there for three hours and watched what was going on without saying a word.
Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, jokes that he is “the same age” as the president, responding to critics who say Biden is too old to seek a second term. criticized the house.
Mr. Blank told guests that Mr. Biden reminded him of his late friend John Lewis.
“I believe President Biden has the same heart for humanity, the same values, and the same passion for humanity as my dear friend John,” Blank said.
The first place I stopped by was Mary Mac's. Biden spoke for about 10 minutes to a group of more than 50 Democrats who had gathered in advance of the rally, which had recently been closed after the roof collapsed in a storm.
Biden, who visited Mary Mac's as vice president in 2015, was the first to grace the midtown establishment that hosted President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and former Congressman John Lewis. Not a politician. Dalai Lama, James Brown, Beyoncé.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
While reading the room, he jokes that he's surrounded by people from Morehouse, who began his political career in 1972 when he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on the campus of Delaware State University, and Kamala Harris. mocked the vice president for starting his political career on the campus of Delaware State University. He is also an HBCU graduate from Howard University.
Two-time gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams was at the first table to say hello.
Abrams, a leading Democrat, stood to bow to Biden before they embraced.
Biden also met with members of the Morehouse community, including Kelly Singleton and Cecil Price III, who will graduate on Sunday.
Atlanta School Board member Alfred “Sibby” Brooks, the first active teacher elected to a school board in 150 years, Congressman David Scott, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, and celebrity influencer DeVere. – Mr. and Mrs. Ellis and Kadine Ellis also met. Biden after enjoying food from Mary Mack and a performance from Grammy-nominated DJ Willie Wow.
Biden thanked the Democrats in the audience and said it was because of them that he won in 2020, and that Georgia now has two U.S. senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Ta.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
A quick summary of his first term: Mr. Biden told the audience that his administration had “got everything done.”
“We owe it to you,” Biden said. “And we're going to do a lot more. I'm really grateful for this opportunity again. I really think it's going to go well because it was a thorough surgery.”
He warned that Republicans are trying to erase everything Trump has done as president, and that Trump's return to the ballot means democracy itself is at risk. Then he said.
“There's a lot at stake in this election,” Biden said. “This isn’t about me, it’s about the alternatives as well.”
Referring to his alleged Republican opponent, Biden said: “Democracy is truly at stake, and Donald Trump has committed everything he has done, from climate change legislation to allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.'' I want to get everything back to normal.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“My opponent is not a good loser,” Biden said. “But he's a loser.”
At the end of his remarks at Mary Mac's, Biden said he didn't want to talk too long and wanted to go around and talk to each person individually.
Republicans at the Columbus convention were less than enthusiastic about Biden's presence in the Peach State.
Some cited polls showing his waning support among black voters and a backlash over his handling of Israel's war with Hamas.
“America's allies are hurting, and our president and Democratic senators are not defending them,” said former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler. “Still, all the blue-haired guys who end up in jail on campus will be rescued soon.”
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
“This state is a firewall to Washington, and President Trump can't win this country without winning Georgia,” Loeffler said. “So all of our work is very important.”
Regarding the Republican Party, Biden said he hopes to gain Republican support in November. He noted that Nikki Haley received thousands of votes against Trump even after she withdrew from the race.
He also brought up Georgia's former Republican lieutenant governor, Jeff Duncan, who recently said he would vote for the president.
“There will always be a place for Haley voters in my campaign,” Biden said. “I also welcome the support of Lieutenant Governor Duncan.”
being together AJC.com See the latest information about Biden's visit.
