Biden rallies Georgia voters
Says today can be a ‘new day’ for country
With all eyes laser focused on Georgia on the eve of the state’s runoff elections as the majority in the Senate hangs in the balance, President-elect Joe Biden on Monday fired up voters in Atlanta, saying they have the power to spark a “new day” for the nation.
“It’s a New Year and tomorrow can be a new day for Atlanta, for Georgia and for America,” Biden said at the rally in the Peach State.
Today’s two runoff elections are crucial for the future of the Senate and for the Biden administration.
Two Democrat victories would mean Dems in control of the Senate, House and White House, and that Chuck Schumer would lead the Senate. One Republican victory would mean the GOP would retain the majority in the Senate, and Mitch McConnell would remain the Senate majority leader.
Arriving at the rally with a “vote” face mask, Biden thanked the voters for helping him flip the state in November’s general election.
“Now we need you to vote again in record numbers,” Biden said. “To make your voices heard again. To change Georgia again. To change America again.
“Georgia, the whole nation is looking to you to lead us forward,” he added. “The power is literally in your hands … . One state can chart the course, not just for the next four years but for the next generation.”
Electing the two Democrats today would help deliver $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic, Biden said. Senate Republicans blocked the $2,000 checks last week.
“Their election will put an end to the block in Washington on the $2,000 stimulus checks, and that money will be going out the door immediately,” Biden said. “Think about what that will mean in your lives.”
The two Republicans in the two separate runoffs are incumbents: Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
Perdue, who’s trying to win a second term, is facing a challenge from Democrat Jon Ossoff.
“Tomorrow we make history,” Ossoff said at the rally.
Loeffler, an appointee in her first campaign, is up against Democrat Raphael Warnock.
President Trump planned to rally in Georgia Monday night for Perdue and Loeffler.
Democrats are looking to prove that Biden’s win in Georgia and nationally was not just a Trump backlash, but a permanent shift for a once-solidly Republican state.
Democrats need to win both runoffs for a 50-50 split in the Senate that would make Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as the Senate’s presiding officer, the tiebreaking vote.