Some Georgia Dems not pushing another Biden term

August 10, 2022

Also in today’s edition of Swing State Georgia:

• Rudy Giuliani is running out of excuses.

• Stacey Abrams unveils new economic plans.

• The feds deal Gov. Kemp a health care defeat.

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President Joe Biden was the first Democrat to win Georgia’s 16 electoral votes in more than two decades. But some state party leaders are wrestling over whether they want him to run for a second term.

Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history and polls indicate many voters think he should forgo a run at a second term. The latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll showed his approval rating at just 36%.

A string of recent legislative and foreign policy achievements could turn around his fortunes, though Republicans are placing a bet he’ll remain underwater. They’re doing all they can to tie their opponents to his record.

So far this summer, Biden is on a big winning streak. He has watched Congress approve a bipartisan gun violence law, a bipartisan package to help spur semiconductor chip production in the U.S., and today will sign a bipartisan bill to bolster health benefits for certain veterans.

On Friday, he’s likely to get a bigger win when the House votes on a health care, tax, and climate change package.

But if you ask Democrats about whether they’ll support him for a second term, those victories don’t seem to matter - some of them still seem spooked about the idea of Biden 2024.

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Your Insiders surveyed some of Georgia’s top Democrats on whether Biden should run again. Here’s a rundown:

Stacey Abrams. “If he runs again, I’m there to support him,” she told CNN recently, adding: “Yes, if President Biden chooses to run again, I absolutely support him.”

Sen. Raphael Warnock. His campaign pointed to recent remarks from the Senator: “I’m focused on the job I’m doing…When that means standing with this person or that person, it’s based on what it does for Georgia.”

Sen. Jon Ossoff. “Sen. Ossoff expects the president to seek re-election,”  a spokesman said, “but ultimately that’s a personal decision for the President, the First Lady and their family.”

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, the state Democratic party chair. “I’d definitely support President Biden running for re-election should he decide that. He’s been able to get a legislative agenda passed that will literally change peoples lives for generations to come.”

Charlie Bailey, nominee for lieutenant governor. A spokesman said he supports the President running for a second term.

State Sen. Jen Jordan, nominee for attorney general. “I’m 100% focused on winning my race THIS November.”

State Rep. Bee Nguyen, nominee for secretary of state.  “My hope is that Georgians understand the important role we played in delivering wins for the President and Senator Warnock and Senator Ossoff … I’m focused on making sure we can deliver wins for Georgians come this November.”

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath. A spokesman said she supports the President running for a second term.

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LISTEN UP. It’s time for the midweek installment of your Politically Georgia podcast. We discuss whether President Joe Biden’s recent legislative wins will help Georgia Democrats who have struggled over whether to embrace him on the campaign trail.

Plus, how will the FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate could shake up the midterms?

Listen here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.

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POLICY BLITZ. Stacey Abrams delivered a highly publicized economic speech on Tuesday headlined by her call for a constitutional amendment to legalize both casino gambling and sports betting to expand the HOPE scholarship.