Stacey Abrams's shocking snub of Biden, Harris signals possible 2024 aspirations | TheHill
By: Joe Concha, Opinion Contributor (TheHill)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
"Stacey has a plan, and it's only a surprise to people who haven't paid attention. She plans to become the first Black woman governor in the United States next year. And then run for president in 2024 if Biden does not, or in 2028 if he does." — Newsweek, November 2021
Can @staceyabrams save the Democrats—again?
The Georgia progressive has big ambitions for the party—and for herself.
Read more: https://t.co/MtTYqXQNN7pic.twitter.com/UweUa8AoHW
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 10, 2021
The quote comes from "an adviser who asked not to be identified to speak freely about her thinking."
Fast forward to Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. President BidenJoe BidenBiden coronavirus vaccine-or-test mandate goes into effectOn the Money — Democrats grow less confident in ManchinFed Vice Chair Clarida to resign over pandemic stock tradesMORE and Vice President Harris embark to Abrams's home turf of Georgia to push their "voting rights" legislation that is already on life support. Democrats - especially on the increasingly powerful far-left - are demanding the filibuster be blown up to pass said legislation.
But even if that did occur, the Blue Team still has only 48 or 50 votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate, with Sens. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinOn the Money — Democrats grow less confident in ManchinMcConnell blocks simple majority votes on Dems' voting rights billsRepublicans threaten floor takeover if Democrats weaken filibuster MORE (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaMcConnell blocks simple majority votes on Dems' voting rights billsRepublicans threaten floor takeover if Democrats weaken filibuster Democrats face moment of truth in filibuster fight MORE (D-Ariz.) wisely withholding support.
It is stunning, to the point of disturbing, that the president and most of his party are focused on voting rights when the subject isn't on the minds of most Americans. A recent AP poll shows that 66 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. (The number was just 49 percent when Biden took office.)
But the rubber truly meets the road when those surveyed are asked what the government needs to prioritize moving ahead in 2022: 68 percent said the economy, which is experiencing 40-year high in inflation. Voting generated just 6 percent.
No matter: With no Build Back Better legislation to sign into law and everything from inflation to COVID-19 cases to violent crime continuing to skyrocket; with education becoming a huge negative for Democrats (See: Virginia elections, 2021) and the border crisis continuing while Afghanistan is run by terrorists (again), the Biden-Harris administration is doing whatever it takes to appease the Squad wing and their passionate supporters by attempting to ram through this voting bill — the filibuster, Constitution and states' rights be damned.
In order to apply maximum pressure and gain maximum media attention for the Georgia visit, Biden-Harris needed the presence and support of Abrams, the Democrats' most high-profile voting rights activist. But out of nowhere, she pulled out, citing a scheduling conflict and only offered support via Twitter.
The fight for voting rights takes persistence. As MLK exhorted, "The clock of destiny is ticking out. We must act now before it is too late." Thank you, @POTUS, for refusing to relent until the work is finished. Welcome back to Georgia where we get good done. #FTVA#JLVRAA
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) January 10, 2022
New: @staceyabrams will not be able to attend Biden's voting rights speech tomorrow in GA due to a conflict, an Abrams aide tells me and @reidepstein
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) January 10, 2022
Uh-huh. Because when the president and vice president come to visit to push your signature issue, there are more important things to attend to.
Biden: "I spoke to @staceyabrams this morning. We have a great relationship. We got our scheduling mixed up. I talked with her at length this morning. We're all on the same page and everything's fine."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 11, 2022
So why the snub? One reason is that even before completing one year in office, Biden and Harris are toxic to members of their own party. A December Hill/Harris-X poll found that 37 percent of Democrats don't want Biden to seek reelection, a remarkably high number so early into a first term. Most voters overall don't want Biden to run, including nearly 6-in-10 independents. And some of the harsh criticism is now on the record, a real sign of Biden's weakness within the ranks.
"We do not need any more speeches, we don't need any more platitudes," James Woodall, former president of the N.A.A.C.P. of Georgia, told the New York Times this week. "We don't need any more photo ops. We need action, and that actually is in the form of the John LewisJohn LewisMcConnell blocks simple majority votes on Dems' voting rights billsDemocrats face moment of truth in filibuster fight Biden to 'forcefully advocate' for voting rights in Tuesday speechMORE Voting Rights Act, as well as the Freedom to Vote Act — and we need that immediately." Needless to say, Woodall and the NAACP of Georgia also declined to join the president and vice president on Tuesday.
Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC, was even more blunt in an interview with Politico.
"[Biden's] deeply unpopular. He's old as shit. He's largely been ineffective, unless we're counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we're using. And I think he'll probably get demolished in the midterms. People will smell opportunity, and D.C. is filled with people who want to be president."
Trent is a former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezMace tests positive for COVID-19 a second timeMcCarthy says he'll strip Dems of committee slots if GOP wins HouseTwo more House lawmakers test positive for COVID-19MORE (D-N.Y.).
The prospect of an 81-year-old Biden on the campaign trail is a disconcerting one to many Democrats, who already know that the House will be firmly in Republican hands come November. And if Biden-Harris got so little done despite controlling the House, Senate and Oval Office, what will this presidency look like after a wipeout in the midterms?
More importantly, will the revolt and discord among Democrats be so strong that Biden is either primaried or pressured not to run altogether?
As noted here, the Democratic bench is as weak as it has ever been. Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisSymone Sanders hired by MSNBCClyburn knocks Manchin for arguing voting rights vote must be bipartisanRaffensperger speaks out against proposed federal voting legislation ahead of visit from Biden, HarrisMORE - currently at 32 percent approval in a recent USA Today poll - is not the answer. Transportation Sec. Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegThere's a long road ahead for the infrastructure bill to reach successHillicon Valley: DHS issues new warning on Jan. 6Biden lauds delay in 5G deployment, says it ensures flights won't be disruptedMORE? Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOn the Money — Democrats grow less confident in ManchinWarren: Powell's actions raise suspicions Fed may be hiding full scope of trading scandalHillicon Valley — Progressives put pressure on GoogleMORE (D-Mass.)? Sen. Cory BookerCory BookerDNC staff votes to unionizeIt's time for President Biden to use his vast clemency powerAyanna Pressley says she has tested COVID-19 positive in breakthrough caseMORE (D-N.J.)? Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomOvernight Defense & National Security — US, Russia have face-to-face sit downStates turning to National Guard for COVID-19 help as omicron surgesCalifornia Gov. calls for .7 billion to expand COVID-19 response in budget proposalMORE (D-Calif.)? To quote John McEnroe: You cannot be serious!Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Biden should have said on Jan. 6No, Jan. 6 wasn't worse than 9/11, nor is democracy at risk: Here's whyWithout the lies there would have been no Jan. 6 fiascoMORE is an interesting wild card, but she's no spring chicken anymore, either. She's also lost her last two runs for the White House.
Which leaves Abrams, 48, as a potential bridge to the future for Democrats. Does she continue to insist that her election for Georgia governor was stolen from her? That it was "rigged." Of course. But unlike Trump's claims, Abrams is praised by most of the media for her rhetoric.
In fact, it's hard to find a political figure who receives more adulation from the press these days.
Stacey Abrams is already the most influential woman of 2021. https://t.co/nwKgJAmePj
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) February 3, 2021
Republicans are trying to pin the 'Big Lie' on Stacey Abrams - POLITICO https://t.co/7chxVZ1wSy
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) December 23, 2021
In a new children's book by Stacey Abrams, a girl finds fun and courage in words https://t.co/yEldBWJlq2
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 31, 2021
.@staceyabrams receives first-ever Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award @emilyslist#ignitechangepic.twitter.com/plVBEI1gfV
— Lauren N. Williams (@laurnwilliams) April 30, 2014
Abrams will first have to win her Georgia gubernatorial race later this year, with her Republican opponent yet to be decided. (Incumbent Gov. Brian KempBrian KempWe need to stop kowtowing to COVID-19 refuseniksPerdue sues over new Georgia fundraising lawKemp announces effort to loosen handgun policies in GeorgiaMORE and Trump-backed challenger David PerdueDavid PerduePerdue sues over new Georgia fundraising lawKemp announces effort to loosen handgun policies in GeorgiaSeven most vulnerable governors facing reelection in 2022MORE are in a dead heat.) Regardless of whom she faces, another gubernatorial loss would end any hope for Abrams 2024. Probably.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris visited Georgia to push the Democrats' agenda on voting rights. They got blown off by those who supported them in 2020 in the process. The year isn't even two weeks old, and chaos within the party is well underway.
Chaos ultimately is a ladder.
And Stacey Abrams - the architect of sowing doubt in elections - ironically appears to be a prime candidate to make a climb to the top of her party.
Joe Concha is a media and politics columnist.
TagsKamala HarrisJoe BidenStacey AbramsAlexandria Ocasio-CortezElizabeth WarrenHillary ClintonKyrsten SinemaPete ButtigiegDavid PerdueGavin NewsomCory BookerJoe ManchinJohn LewisBrian KempJoe Biden 2020 presidential campaign2024 campaignvoting rights legislation
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Hillary and Moochelle are waiting just off stage. They can't be ruled out.