So… Why Is Stacey Abrams Dodging Joe Biden? – Opinion

Stacey Abrams’ second coming/campaign for re-election is underway, and Republicans in Georgia are worried. An election year with vital elections across the nation, Republicans will face divisions if there is a Republican split.

People on both the right and left feel Abrams has a chance, even if Republican infighting goes on. Democrats believe there is an opportunity for Democrats to win a state that’s been on the brink of losing its grip over time. This could help offset losses expected in the federal midterm election.

But Abrams appears to be dodging her party’s leader, President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to be in the state for an event today.

New: @staceyabramsAccording to an Abrams aide, I will not be available to see Biden’s speech about voting rights in GA tomorrow due to a conflict. @reidepstein

— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) January 10, 2022

Abrams claimed that the 2018 gubernatorial elections were stolen because of voter suppression efforts. She is not making a joint appearance with Biden, as Biden gives a speech in support of the Senate’s voting rights bill. Abrams declined to take part in the event, even though he could benefit from a powerful voice of support, especially for an issue they have discussed at length.

She could still be truthful here, and her claim of a previous engagement is valid. She is, however, a Democratic candidate in the state for which she has been campaigning for years. If your party’s leader, the President of the United States, is making an appearance, the usual party loyalty demands you be there. If it’s on a topic you have been passionate about yourself, you tie yourself to it. If it is a key part of the President’s agenda and your party’s platform, you shift your schedule to make it happen.

Since her first attempt to become governor, Abrams has worked hard at being her best self. Abrams has been very focused on herself, and the efforts to get the votes that support her. There are rumors that Georgia has made it seem like the party has fallen apart. There was also her embarrassing, failed campaign to become Vice President. This led to anonymous Biden staff mocking her and eventually losing her job to Kamala Harris. Harris is fast becoming the most hated Vice President in American history.

Biden’s decision to stay away from Abrams speaks more about Biden than Abrams. Biden will attend the event and be joined by Senator Raphael Warnock, Georgia. Warnock is running for reelection after winning an election special in 2020. Warnock views the topic of voter suppression/voting rights as an issue that he can run on and win, and hopes to make use of the opportunity today to move forward.

But Abrams is avoiding Biden’s speech. Here, her campaign has made a calculated move. Biden can be toxic so the campaign is trying to get as much distance from national politics and normal. They want the state to see that they are not distracted by national politics.

This is bad news for the 2022 national Democrats. If Biden himself is seen as toxic and Democratic candidates don’t want to be seen with him, then he looks weaker and the party looks weaker. In an attempt to self-define themselves rather than letting Biden’s national politics dictate their lives, it may inspire other candidates to run for office independently from the party. Although it will take a tremendous effort to mitigate the damage, Abrams is a well-known figure in Democrats and more people will likely follow his lead.