Biden campaign and DNC focus on democracy and Jan. 6 ahead of debate.
As the anticipation for the first 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta builds, the city’s landscape is being transformed into a battleground of political messaging. Scenes on a moving billboard circling the debate site will showcase former President Donald Trump’s controversial 2020 phone call to Georgia’s top election official, urging him to find enough votes to secure his victory over Joe Biden. This bold move by Mr. Biden’s campaign aims to highlight Trump’s role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election and the importance of democracy.
The mobile billboard, funded by the DNC, will not only spotlight Trump’s call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger but will also draw attention to the issue of democracy in the context of abortion bans. By featuring news clips about Trump’s stance on abortion bans, the billboard creates a narrative that links Trump’s actions to a broader assault on American freedoms. The powerful conclusion of the ad, delivered by a narrator, declares, “Our freedoms are under attack. Donald Trump is to blame. Don’t let him do it again.”
In addition to the main mobile billboard, three other DNC billboard locations in the Atlanta metro area are carrying similar messages critiquing Trump on various themes. One billboard, which has been up since Wednesday, focuses on Trump’s 34 felony charges in the New York “hush money” trial. It boldly greets Trump with the words, “Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever…” in both English and Spanish.
DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman explains that the committee’s pre-debate activities are designed to remind voters of Trump’s attempts to dismantle Georgia’s democracy. This is the first time the DNC has explicitly referenced Trump’s post-2020 efforts in Georgia, signaling a strategic shift in their messaging strategy. Rahman emphasizes the contrast voters will see between President Biden, depicted as a leader fighting for the American people, and Donald Trump, portrayed as a convicted felon focused solely on himself.
Amidst these political maneuvers, prosecutors in Fulton County, a critical county in Georgia’s 2020 election, have been investigating Trump and 18 others for an alleged unlawful scheme to overturn his electoral loss to Biden. The investigation has been temporarily paused as a Georgia appeals court reviews the involvement of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose impartiality has come under scrutiny due to personal relationships connected to the case.
The theme of democracy has remained central to Mr. Biden’s campaign strategy, resonating with voters across party lines. Recent polling indicates that the “state of democracy” is a significant concern for likely voters, with Democratic voters particularly prioritizing this issue. To underscore the importance of democracy, the Biden campaign has enlisted the support of Republican figures, such as former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who have endorsed Biden and spoken out against Trump’s threats to democracy.
At a press conference in Atlanta focused on Jan. 6, Kinzinger emphasized the critical nature of defending democracy, highlighting Trump’s baseless election claims and his response to the Capitol insurrection as reasons to reject his leadership. Kinzinger’s sentiments were echoed by Duncan and former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who shared their perspectives on the importance of upholding democratic principles in the face of political challenges.
In a pre-debate memo, Trump campaign senior advisers acknowledged Mr. Biden’s emphasis on democracy and referenced a poll showing Trump receiving higher marks than Biden on the issue of “protecting democracy.” This acknowledgment suggests a recognition of the electoral significance of voters’ perceptions of democratic values in the current political climate.
While the spotlight is on Atlanta, Republican officials at the national level are mobilizing their own efforts to “Protect the Vote.” An event aimed at encouraging Trump supporters to participate as poll workers and poll watchers in the upcoming elections underscores the importance of safeguarding the electoral process. RNC Chair Michael Whatley emphasizes the need to focus on election infrastructure and building a comprehensive “protective vote program” to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
As the stage is set for the first 2024 presidential debate, the clash of political narratives and strategies reflects the broader divisions and challenges facing American democracy. Both parties are leveraging the power of messaging and mobilization to rally their supporters and sway undecided voters. The outcome of these efforts will not only impact the upcoming election but also shape the future trajectory of American politics.
