Senators, including Raphael Warnock (Georgia Democrat), Abrams' close ally have been arguing in the recent days that Senate must attempt again to establish federal voting standards despite previous setbacks.
Abrams stated Thursday that senators must override Republican opposition for federal voting guarantees. He suggested that they weaken the legislation-blocking filibuster in order to allow Democrats' bare majority pass new rules. Abrams stated that if they don't, more Republican-dominated state legislatures across the country will adopt voting restrictions similar to Georgia's.
"When legislators return to session in 2022 in January, we will see a maelstrom voter suppression laws. I can understand why people are resisting the elimination of the filibuster. However, I believe that there is a way to make the Senate a functioning body again so that things like democracy defense can occur.
After becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for governor by a major party, Abrams was defeated narrowly by Republican Brian Kemp. She claims that Kemp used his secretary of state position to unfairly tip the balance in his favor, purging voters from voter rolls. Kemp denies wrongdoing. Abrams' defeat and Kemp's response, which included forming Fair Fight, a new voting group, have elevated her to national prominence among Democrats.
Georgia's Republicans passed a new voting law this year that, among other things cuts down the time it takes to request an absentee vote, reduces early voting prior to runoff elections, and limits drop boxes.
Democrats are worried that it will reduce their strength in Georgia, where President Joe Biden won 16 electoral votes. Warnock and Jon Ossoff won runoffs to win control of the U.S. Senate in January.
Republicans claim the law is fair for all and necessary to restore trust in elections following claims of fraud by former President Donald Trump. These claims were repeatedly refuted by the courts.
Abrams insists that she will still be elected in Georgia next year, even if the law is not changed.
She stated that she would do all in her power to ensure that the new restrictive voter suppression laws did not block voters' right to vote. "And so, yes, there is absolutely a way to win."
Abrams stated that the pathway is a better option than the traditional Southern Republican approach to policy. Instead of trying to improve the chances of those who aren't getting a fair shot today, Abrams suggested that the path leads in a new direction.
"This state is at the edge of greatness. Abrams stated that we face high income inequality, low graduation rates relative our capacities, and a broken public healthcare infrastructure. "But, we have the potential, if we had great leadership, to invest into our communities and in all of the communities in the state.
Republicans are protesting this approach and claiming it would harm freedom and the economy of Georgia and that Abrams is using Georgia as a steppingstone to her presidential run. Abrams has pledged to serve a full term in office, even though she stated she would like to become president someday.
Abrams attacked Kemp with a vicious attack. He claimed that Kemp failed to recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that he has been inconsiderate in refusing to expand Medicaid to poor adults.
"Leadership means leading. Abrams stated that leadership is not about guessing and, more importantly, it's about leading. We wouldn't have to elect the governor if we wanted a system that everyone could solve.
Kemp believes he has struck the right balance between economy and health during the pandemic. He also noted that he didn't use unpopular lockdowns, and that Georgia currently has a record low unemployment rate.
Georgia's 2022 governor race may not be an Abrams/Kemp rematch, however, former Senator David Perdue is challenging Kemp in Republican primary. Abrams stated Thursday that she would concentrate on her campaign and not enough information about Perdue for an accurate evaluation of his record.
Abrams stated, "I don’t really know what it means, and I’m someone who’s paid very close to politics."
Abrams is confident that she will win in a year when national public opinion has been negative about Democrats and Biden. Abrams said this partly because Georgia is a different state with a population that is on the brink of becoming majority non-white. Her approach is also different with a focus on "one Georgia", where she states "I'm going talk to every community and have plans for each community."
Republicans insist that Abrams won't overcome anti-Democratic sentiment. They hope to lure white suburbanites back and also try to seize some African American and Latino voters.
Abrams is a proponent of patience for these communities.
She said, "Winning an electoral election is not about magic." "Voting isn't magic. It is medicine. It takes time, effort, and continued investment.
In the coming months, Abrams' campaign terrain could shift in other ways. Congress may create a workaround that allows more people to get health insurance in states that have not expanded Medicaid to the poor. For the past decade, Georgia's Democratic campaigns have been focusing on expanding Medicaid benefits. Abrams stated that she would be happy if Congress expanded Medicaid. However, Georgia will still have a high rate of uninsured and a dysfunctional public health system.
Georgia could ban abortions after six weeks. This is if the U.S. Supreme Court can make it happen. The law was passed in 2019 and is currently being reviewed by an appeals court. Abrams called it "forced pregnancy legislation."
She stated, "I will do everything I can to ensure that no woman is forced into putting her family, her life, or her health in danger just to please the political whims a conservative man who has never been forced to make that choice."
