Biden tells Atlanta radio that ‘Trump hurt black people’

During his appearance on V-103 radio, Biden echoed other Democrats in dismissing threats of protests against his opening speech. He said he looked forward to speaking “to America’s future leaders this weekend.”

“But I was very clear. Every American has the right to peacefully protest,” Biden said. “Once this protest crosses the line into hate speech and violence, it is unacceptable.”

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Beyond this weekend’s potential protests, Democrats know that Biden must perform well with black voters, particularly in Georgia, if he hopes to win the White House. A New York Times/Sienna poll released earlier this week showed Biden with a smaller-than-expected lead among the state’s Black voters.

Although most strategists were skeptical of those numbers, few doubt that Biden has work to do in the key group.

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Credit: AP

Credit: AP

DEBATE IN ATLANTA. President Joe Biden sought to shake up his campaign by announcing the surprising decision to debate former President Donald Trump on June 27 in Atlanta. This debate will be one of the first presidential confrontations in recent history.

Trump quickly accepted the offer to join the CNN-sponsored showdown, a quick deal that underscored why the event at the cable giant’s Atlanta studios made political sense for both of them.

Biden has recently taken a more combative campaign approach, seeking to create a sharper contrast between himself and Trump. The debate offers a chance to re-energize his supporters while depriving Trump of the live audience he often thrives on.

Additionally, Biden aides hope the early date will force voters who fear rematch to get back on the campaign trail sooner than they otherwise would have.

As for Trump, he has been mocking Biden’s mental health and stamina for months. There is perhaps no better opportunity to drive home this message than a stunning presidential debate that is sure to attract tens of millions of viewers and all-out media coverage.

The two compete fiercely in Georgia, which narrowly voted Democratic in 2020 for the first time in nearly three decades. Both candidates will likely schedule a series of other events in Georgia before the debate, given polls showing a close race.

Both candidates are happy to keep Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other third-party spoilers away because they could pose a threat to both.

The timing of the summer showdown in Atlanta, along with the ABC News debate scheduled for September, gives both men plenty of time to recover if they suffer an uneven performance.

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Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

GOOD ROAD. Democratic U.S. Senator. Atlanta Democrat Raphael Warnock joined Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina on Thursday to introduce bipartisan legislation that could pave the way for expanding protections for a popular hiking trail.

The bill consists of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. Supporters hope that turning the 300-mile trail, which stretches from northern Georgia to Tennessee and North Carolina, into a federally protected trail will attract more visitors and also attract more resources to protect vulnerable species of flora and fauna.

“More than just launching a new federal walking trail through our natural environment, this bill is an investment in our nation’s forests and green spaces, a bridge connecting communities, and a powerful catalyst for our rural economies ” Warnock said.

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

VOTERS’ CHALLENGES. The new one from Georgia The election law is the catalyst for an effort by conservative activists to challenge the validity of thousands of voter registrations in Georgia this summer, the AJC’s Mark Niesse reports.

Activists will seek to disqualify voters who appear to have left Georgia, adding to the 250,000 challenges filed in 2020 and more than 100,000 since. Most attempts to disqualify registered voters have been rejected by county election boards.

But this round, activists are recruiting volunteers and targeting voters based on data from organizations like EagleAI and True the Vote. They will also use the Gov. election law. Brian Kemp signed this month, which sets criteria for local election boards to uphold or deny election challenges.

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Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

LISTEN. Today on the “Politically Georgia radio show, WRBL-TV’s Chuck Williams provides updates as the Republican Party of Georgia kicks off its convention in Columbus.

Next, state Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, talks about the recent arrest of a suspect in the unsolved Tara Baker case and the legislation he sponsored that the GBI said made l possible arrest.

Listen live at 10 a.m. on WABE 90.1 or follow “Politically Georgia” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you missed Wednesday’s show, Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander spoke about President Jimmy Carter’s legacy of service and the issues the center is tackling today. Additionally, former Fulton County Commissioner John Eaves, a Morehouse College alumnus, explained why he is excited about President Biden’s upcoming commencement address at his alma mater.

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Credit: Miguel Martínez

Credit: Miguel Martínez

YOU ARE INVITED. Speaking of the “Politically Georgia” radio show, we’re taking it on the road for a live taping in Macon tonight and you’re invited.

Join us in conversation with guests University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, and Mayor Pro-Tem Seth Clark.

Doors to the Capitol Theater open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. RSVP here.

Macon is the second stop on a 2024 road tour. “Georgia Politically” was recorded in Athens last month, with the governor. Brian Kemp as guest.

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Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

THE BILL ON AVIATION ALMOST THE LAW. The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration bill that gives Delta Air Lines at least one additional round-trip flight to and from Reagan National Airport in Washington.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Rome, was the only Georgia lawmaker to vote against the bill, which was approved by a vote of 387 to 26. post on social mediaGreene said she opposed the clean energy and diversity initiatives contained in the legislation.

Greene also highlighted her opposition to a provision that requires airlines to automatically refund customers whose flights are delayed or canceled — a change the industry is unhappy with.

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Credit: AP

Credit: AP

TODAY IN WASHINGTON:

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Credit: Courtesy of Dave Hoffman

Credit: Courtesy of Dave Hoffman

DOG OF THE DAY. There’s a new power couple in town among Georgia politicians.

Dave Hoffman, the new communications director for the Democratic Party of Georgia, and his wife Lacey Morrison, director of the Democratic Coordinated Campaign in the state of Georgia, recently moved from California to Atlanta. The duo brought along the previously mentioned power couple, Cooper and June, when they moved east.

Cooper, a 13-year-old terrier mix, and June, a 10-month-old shepherd mix, are settling in just fine in their new digs. This included helping their residents understand that 5 a.m. walks still happen, even on Atlanta’s many, many rainy days.

Welcome to town, Cooper and June. You are our dogs of the day!

Credit: Courtesy photo

Credit: Courtesy photo

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