LIVE: Biden is in Atlanta: “Georgia is the reason I am president of the United States”

“This election has a lot at stake,” Biden said. It’s not about me, it’s the alternative. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

4:45 p.m. – President Biden’s caravan left the Mary Mac Tea Room and headed north to the headquarters of the Arthur M. Blank Foundation for a high-value fundraising event, hosted by Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. , who wasted no time comparing Biden’s leadership abilities and morality to those of the late Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis. Blank called Lewis a “dear friend” while discussing him.

“The president is a true leader and someone who is not afraid to wade into controversy,” Blank said. “I am truly honored and extremely proud to invite United States President Biden to the podium.”

Georgia politicians including Lucy McBath, Shelly Hutchinson and Congresswoman Nikema Williams were in attendance at the fundraiser. Former Assistant United States Attorney General and United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Sally Yates also attended. So did former Georgia Sen. San Nunn, who Biden recognized for his decades of service. Biden said the two entered the U.S. Senate together in 1972.

Biden wasted no time getting to the location of his visit. “Georgia is the reason I am president of the United States,” he said. “You are the reason we defeated the former president, and you are the reason we will defeat him again.”

Biden also took time to thank former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan for his recent public support.

Multiple times throughout the day, Biden called former President Trump a “sore loser” and “unbalanced.”

“We cannot let this man become president,” he said.

During his 15 minutes on the podium, Biden made a number of politically charged proclamations, including: “Elect me and Kamala to Congress as a Democrat and I will make sure Roe V. Wade is the law of the land.” »

3:00 p.m. -President Biden met with individual voters and supporters at Mary Mac’s Tea Room on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown. Upon entering the main dining room, Biden was greeted with applause and a strange combination of reverence and hug from former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (left) and Biden share a hug in Mary Mac’s Tea Room Saturday afternoon. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

“I realize I’m surrounded by Morehouse men, but I’m a Delaware state man,” Biden said. “It feels good to be back. The last time I was in this room was in 2014. You really made a huge difference.

Biden offered to take questions “from all of you” and moved around the room shaking hands.

Before the press left the restaurant, Biden uttered a familiar phrase that hung over this year’s election, a rematch of the last presidential election.

“There’s a lot at stake in this election,” Biden said. It’s not about me, it’s the alternative.

Senators Ossoff and Warnock (far left) and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (far right) wait to greet President Biden as he arrives in Atlanta Saturday afternoon. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

12:25 p.m. – United States President Joseph R. Biden arrived in Atlanta a day early for his commencement speech at Morehouse College to address Georgia voters on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, along with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed were among the local leaders waiting for Biden on the tarmac at Hartsfield International Airport -Jackson from Atlanta Saturday morning. Both Reed and Woodfin were in town last month for the Association of African American Mayors (AAMA) conference held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel in Centennial Park.

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Clayton County sheriff’s candidate Jeffrey Turner was also part of the greeting party.

President Biden has been criticized for his handling of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. A number of protests took place on college campuses across the country, including in Atlanta, Emory University and Morehouse College. Biden’s invitation and acceptance to grant admission to Morehouse College has also been questioned, both locally and nationally.

Editor’s Note: THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Related Posts

MLB Roundup: Marlins end Padres’ winning streak after HR called off

Video: Gordon Ramsay shows massive bruise after bicycle accident

Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for Cam Sutton suspension