Georgia
Can Harris' momentum swing battleground Georgia?
Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally in Atlanta on Tuesday night was nothing if not energetic.
In fact, if you ignored all of the “Kamala” signs and the cavalcade of Democratic power players, one could have mistaken it for a concert.
The crowd of thousands packed into the Georgia State Convocation Center danced and sang along to rapper Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” before Grammy Award-winner Megan Thee Stallion took the stage to perform — and coined the phrase “Hotties for Harris.”
“We’re about to make history with the first female president, the first Black female president,” she said as the introduction to her hit 2020 single “Savage” started to play, adding: “Let’s get this done, hotties.”
As former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms put it: “This was the energy that we desperately need to get us forward to November.”
The energy at the Atlanta event was a stark difference compared to previous campaign events featuring President Joe Biden — and, among some of the attendees, between the two campaigns writ large.
“Just seeing from everyone, there is just a strong energy here that Joe Biden wasn’t bringing,” Georgia resident Ronald Ceesay told Spectrum News. “He was in his 80s, and he was an older candidate, even if he had that strong record, he was an older candidate.”
It’s undeniable that Harris’ ascent to become the likely Democratic presidential nominee has shaken up the stagnant race for president.
Biden won Georgia over Republican Donald Trump by less than 12,000 votes in the 2020 election, but polling showed the incumbent trailing the ex-president in key battleground states, particularly following the June debate that raised questions among Democratic about his mental acuity and fitness to serve.
But in the days since Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, polling has shown the vice president has erased Trump’s lead, even overtaking him in some polls.
“I feel like [Biden] didn’t necessarily represent me as a Black woman,” said Georgia voter Tayler Louise. “I didn’t look at him and see myself and that’s usually where the pride comes in.”
“But now I’ve done a complete switch. I got on the red, white and blue,” she added. “I’m feeling a more sense of patriotism that I hadn’t felt before.”
Younger voters and Black voters will be key for Harris’ coalition if she hopes to deny Trump a second shot at the White House. Harris would be the first woman, Black woman and person of South Asian descent to become president. She’s also a generation younger than both Biden and Trump.
But some say she’ll need to look beyond those groups to build her coalition, working to attract voters who don’t typically vote for Democrats.
“There’s a group of people that are disenfranchised with Donald Trump, conservative in nature, but ready to see somebody do something other than Donald Trump’s leadership style,” former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican who endorsed Biden and is now backing Harris, told Spectrum News.”
Duncan suggests that Harris speaks to “issues like immigration, border control, inflation, things that were tough for the Biden administration, talk with an articulate voice” in an effort to build a broader coalition.
Many Democrats had written Georgia off, as well as the other southern battleground state of North Carolina when Biden was in the race, but they have new hopes with Harris emerging as the party’s likely nominee.
North Carolina hasn’t voted for a Democrat for president since 2008, though it was the state Trump won with the most narrow margin in 2020. Both both states have seen population increases and changing demographics that could help Harris.
“Georgia is happy to receive all of this attention, because we are nestled and very unique in our positioning in the South,” said Tammy Greer, a professor of politics at Georgia State University. “And it brings more attention to the realities that states, and their voting patterns, are not dormant.”
To be sure, Georgia is getting attention from both candidates, and has been since Biden’s narrow victory in 2020 and the subsequent wins by Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in January 2021, which flipped the U.S. Senate. It’s also the site of one of Trump’s four criminal cases. (Trump was indicted last year along with more than a dozen co-defendants by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, accusing them of creating a “criminal enterprise” to overturn the state’s election results in 2020; a few defendants pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors, while Trump and the remaining co-defendants pleaded not guilty. The case has been mired in delays.)
Trump’s campaign says it has over a dozen fully staffed offices in Georgia, while Harris’ campaign says it has 24 coordinated offices already in the state.
Trump and running mate JD Vance will hold a rally on Saturday where Harris held her event on Tuesday, while Harris and her yet-to-be announced running mate will rally in Savannah, Ga., next week.
Kirby Smart wants CFP selection committee to ‘double that weight’ of schedule strength metric.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said the CFP Selection Committee should take immediate note of the league moving to a nine-game schedule, with the SEC’s difficulty reflected in the rankings. (Mike Griffith/AJC)
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — Josh Brooks wants to see immediate results from the SEC adding a ninth conference game in the College Football Playoff Committee rankings this season.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated clearly on Wednesday that the league adding a ninth conference game this season should carry more weight, saying, “We are by far the most competitive, the strongest in football,” in his Wednesday presentation at the SEC Spring Meetings
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Mike covers Sports Business for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and has 32 years of journalism experience, the past 10 for AJC.com and DawgNation. Mike is a Heisman Trophy voter & former Football Writers President named National FWAA National Beat Writer of the Year in 2018 and inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2024
ATLANTA – You could say Caleb MacArthur just had a “beast” of a night.
The Oconee County native is a swing and understudy in the National Tour of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” — and last night, at the show’s opening performance at the Fox Theatre and in front of family and friends, McArthur stepped into the role of Beast.
It was a true full-circle moment for the University of Michigan graduate, who first entered the Fox as a middle school student, when his choir group took a trip to the iconic venue to see “Wicked.” MacArthur also has a long history with “Beauty and the Beast,” having done the show at a community theatre when he was in seventh grade.
The current National Tour of “Beauty and the Beast” stars Kyra Belle Johnson as Belle and Broadway actors Fergie L. Philippe and Stephen Mark Lukas as Beast and Gaston. As for the show itself…well…you already know everything there is to know about “Beauty and the Beast,” right? Adapted from the 1991 Disney film — the first animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards — the musical features a score of memorable tunes including “Be Our Guest” and the timeless theme song.
Performances will continue at the Fox Theatre through Sunday, presented as part of the current Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season. For more information on showtimes and tickets, click here. And click the video player in this article to hear from Caleb MacArthur about his magical opening night!
The Source: This is a FOX 5 Atlanta original report.
World Kindness Week: Tiny dog helps lonely elderly man find happiness
In Melbourne, Australia, Prinnie the pup transformed John’s lonely days at a nursing home, bringing him lots of joy and love from around the world.
Almost 16% of Georgians are at least 65 years old. It’s important that this age group stays fit, with plenty of resources to do so. WorldAtlas has a list of the eight liveliest towns in the Peach State to help them out:
Peachtree City
“Golf lovers will enjoy Peachtree City, where 135 holes of championship golf are spread across five clubs, both in town and in neighboring Newnan. … Battery Way Park and Boat Ramp sit along the East Lagoon at the east end of the lake. Here, residents launch off from the boat ramp and spend a day fishing, ideal for those whose idea of keeping on the go means being on the water. Northeast of the lake, the Glenloch Recreation Complex offers soccer fields, swimming pool, tennis courts, and exercise studios.”
Valdosta
“The city of Valdosta makes it easy to remain active thanks to the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area. … The tower is a hotspot for birdwatchers. … Fifth Day Farms offers a change of pace that keeps you outdoors while surrounded by wildlife. … However, if you want to stay closer to the heart of town, McKey Park is a popular green space that houses the Harry B. Anderson Tennis Center. … The surrounding park also includes a sand volleyball court and walking paths.”
Thomasville
“Known as the ‘City of Roses,’ downtown Thomasville hosts the annual Rose Show and Festival. … Events include an artisan market, antique car show, parade, and, of course, a flower show. … The heart of town is characterized by its Victorian-era buildings, many of which have stood for over a century. Among these, The Bookshelf is a popular local bookstore where you can select your newest read. … Afterward, you can wander around and explore plenty of other hot spots, including the Thomasville History Center.”
Dahlonega
“Seniors who find peace in the great outdoors will appreciate Dahlonega, a mountain town south of Lake Zwerner. Residents are welcome to walk the lake or launch from the boat ramp for a day of fishing. … Those looking to learn more about the town’s history can explore the Consolidated Gold Mining Company through its underground gold mine tour. … Dahlonega also hosts events, including the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, which gives locals a chance to celebrate Appalachian culture.”
St. Mary’s
“Outdoors-loving seniors will appreciate St. Mary’s, known as the gateway to adjacent Cumberland Island. Walks across the island take you along the Marsh Boardwalk and near the Ice House Museum. … You will also see the Dungeness Ruins, a former 59-room Queen Anne mansion with many of its walls still standing. If you prefer not to visit the island, you can spend time at St. Mary’s Waterfront Park. … Along the way, you can enjoy sights of the St. Mary’s River or even set out on the water from the boat launch. For those who would enjoy getting to know the town better, you can head out on the St. Mary’s History Walk.”
Woodstock
“Seniors stay engaged and occupied in Woodstock, thanks in large part to its walkable downtown, which is packed with activities. For those simply trying to stay out for the day, The Park at City Center features paths winding around the gazebo and fountain, both of which are notable landmarks. … The park is adjacent to the Woodstock Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Currently regarded as (n)orth Georgia’s best outdoor music venue, the amphitheater hosts the annual Woodstock Summer Concert Series that brings together musical acts from pop to rhythm and blues.”
Adairsville
“Those who want to get out under the sun can head to Manning Mill Park. This local favorite boasts a 5-acre lake where residents can take a stroll. Also, it includes a baseball field, plus basketball and tennis courts for seniors. Historic Downtown is also an easy way to get your steps in as you walk past 19th-century storefronts. The Little Rock Cafe on the north side of the district offers simple home-style Southern food, including catfish and fried taters. One of the liveliest events of the year is the Great Locomotive Festival, an annual event that has taken place for nearly 60 years.”
Decatur
“DeVry University sits in the heart of town just next to the DeKalb History Center Museum. This spot in Decatur Square includes highlights such as the John Lewis Statue, a tribute to the civil rights icon and congressman. While you are here, you can step into the DeKalb museum itself to learn about our country’s past. … Just across the street, you can pop into Foxtail Coffee for blueberry muffin chai or an espresso. Afterward, you can walk through the many stores in the area, for example, HomeGrown Decatur, a gift shop that focuses on handmade artwork.”
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
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