Monday afternoon, Barack Obama arrived at the 1996 Olympic Rings with a scathing message against Donald Trump and continued to drive home the message that its time for the Democrats to take Georgia for the first time since 1992.
“Georgia could be the state. Georgia could be the place where we put this country back on track. And not just because Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have a chance to win Georgia. But you’ve got the chance to flip two Senate seats,” said Barack Obama.
Obama’s speech did speak to the moment of the two Senate races that have drawn national attention. Notably, Democrat Jon Ossoff and incumbent Republican David Perdue are locked in a heated battle. Last week’s debate produced a viral moment when Ossoff demanded Perdue answer for the reason why he bought stock in DuPont de Nemours, which sells personal protective equipment, on Jan. 24, the same day he received a classified briefing on the threat posed by the coronavirus.
“It’s not just that you’re a crook, Senator,” Mr. Ossoff said, turning to face his socially-distanced opponent as Mr. Perdue’s eyes remained fixed on the camera. “It’s that you’re attacking the health of the people that you represent. You did say Covid-19 was no deadlier than the flu. You did say there would be no significant uptick in cases. All the while you were looking after your own assets and your own portfolio.”
Obama used that viral moment in his speech Monday.
“Perdue was like one of those chickens. I would have felt bad for the guy if he hadn’t voted four times to take away your preexisting condition protections,” Obama said.
Obama also spoke to members of the electorate who have become disgruntled at the slow pace of change since the 44th President’s departure from the White House. Specifically, Obama was talking to a segment of Black men who are disillusioned with politics.
“Maybe you don’t like who’s in the White House right now. But you just lost faith in government, you’re frustrated, you don’t think [the] government makes a difference,” Obama said.
Obama used the opportunity to stress the importance of voting in off-year elections which decide who is district attorney, the sheriff, county commissioners, and so on.
“When John Lewis started marching across that bridge, it didn’t eliminate racism and bigotry in America, but it started something that got the Voting Rights Act passed. And it made things better,” Obama said as he referred to the 1965 march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. “I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to get done as president — but I could say when I looked back at the end of eight years, ‘You know what, the country is better off now than it was when I took office.’”
Joined with Obama, were both Democratic Senate candidates, Jon Ossoff, and Reverend Raphael Warnock. Also, U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, U.S. House Candidates Carolyn Bourdeaux and Nikema Williams. In addition, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Stacey Abrams, plus State Representatives Dar’Shun Kendrick, Billy Mitchell, in addition to the Dean of the Georgia Legislature Calvin Smyre, among others.
GRAMMY Award winners Monica and 2 Chainz also gave remarks during the socially-distant rally. 2 Chainz performed “I’m different” and was accompanied by his wife, Kesha.
