Ms. Abrams is a great candidate. I hope she can pull in the minority vote enough to win the governor's office. What a triumph that would be, especially in the South.
2
Don’t mean to diminish Stacey Abrams’ accomplishment or her credentials but sadly her victory is more a statement on the sad state of the Democratic Party in GA and its virtually complete dearth of electable statewide candidates than any thoughtful transformation of this political backwater. To be sure, I will be voting for Rep. Abrams but she has as much chance of winning the governorship as Trump does the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Dems must fearlessly energize THEIR base now, set an example, create new norms. The GOP has been making the Dems and the media only react to their destructive ideas.
Trump/GOP double down on their rw base---they don't moderate their views at all. But the Dems are asked by some to moderate progressive views---so they can appeal to GOP voters who have been propagandized by Fox News for years.
Our definitions of liberal vs conservative have been revised by the GOP and its party media Fox, to normalize the super power of their super rich corporate mega donors.
Big donors are setting the limits of US policy making, with their campaign money, think tanks, and media monopoly. The main media includes their columnists, to show it's 'balanced'. But our whole political culture is out of balance, so that corporate profits are 1st priority over any public good--as a norm-- in health care, taxes, infrastructure, education, retirement, etc.
In our big money campaign system, unique among democracies, both parties must compete for corporate millions to run for office. Ex pres Jimmy Carter frankly states that the US is becoming an oligarchy, since it costs so much to run for any office.
But some Democrats are running now for office WITHOUT PAC money, but on small donations from citizens. That's a big change.
And on cspan the other day at the Democratic Agenda event, Democrats said publicly they want to reverse Citizens United.
Could the NYT devote some space to this?
2
They picked the wrong Stacey.
The other one, a moderate common-sense Democrat, at least had an outside chance.
This one - zero, zip, nada.
3
As usual, the Republican Party's ace in the hole for maintaining control of Congress and the majority of governorships and state legislatures is the Democratic Party.
1
If Stacey Abrams loses, it's not because white voters (or voters of any other color) voted against her BECAUSE she is black, but because they voted against her platform and her party; the fact that she is black has little to do with that. Looking at the election through a lense of race is just so divisive; "if she loses it's because she's a black woman, not because the other candidate had more appealing policies to the voters."
What nonsense.
2
Oh my god! She’s in debt? Who cares? You can’t spit ten feet in any direction in this country without hitting somebody that’s in debt.
Welcome to America.
Personally, I’d rather deal with somebody that’s in debt because that can be paid back.
Making racist, misogynistic, divisive and demeaning statements aimed at other people cannot be paid back.
It’s just who you are.
4
While being a black woman candidate is certainly noteable for my State I'm afarid that she will not prevail in the general election. A minority only strategy will almost certainly fail even if the turnout is unheard of, the numbers are just not there. My beef with Ms Abrahms is the fiscal irresponsibility she demonstarted by being in default to the tune of 50,00 in her taxes yet was able to "loan" herself an identical amount to her campaign.
She reresents the tired Democratic factions that greatly needs updating. Her opponent had a more compelling personal story but is white so it will not fit the narrative the DNC wants to sell. As a life-long Democrat in GA I have seen the rise of an incredible black patronage system which drives Atlanta and frankly needs to be purged. This will of course not happen so we, once again will mount a fruitless campaign and hand the state over to yet another Republican. Its not enough to just hate Trump (which I do), you need an viable alternative which Ms. Abrams is not
4
Thank you! I wrote a similar comment, but in more general terms, yet with the same conclusions. It is not what the left wing of the Democratic Party wants to hear, though, so they continue down on their self-destructive path.
I am not from Georgia, looking at this as an outsider, but things are pretty obvious what will happen and you summed it up nicely.
Another chance lost.
Here’s a movement waiting to be taken up, and I offer it free: Black Votes Matter.
1
Georgia is still the deep south and the amount of racism that still exists will be an uphill battle for her. The hope is for every future generation to learn the MLK was a better human than REL.
1
Her victory as a black women means nothing.
Most of the voters were black.
It would be more surprising if she had lost the election.
All this proves that black people vote for other black people.
Not to criticize but more to point out that when white people vote for other white people we call hem racist.
Should we apply the same logic to black people when they vote for other black people based on race.
She probably will not win the election
There are few black Republicans and there are more Republican in this state then Democrats.
Republicans tend to vote for other Republicans so if race wasn't a issue they would most likely win.
Because white republicans tend to vote for white people she will even get fewer votes from that group of people.
The only way she can win is if the black vote comes out in such numbers that their vote will determine the election.'
I hope she wins but if that happens do not make this about how a black women won the election
It would be how the black electorate was able to come out and vote in numbers that they were able to decide the election.
2
The WSJ reports that she has personal debts of $174,000 plus $54000 in delinquent taxes. This seems like important info to me but somehow the NYT forgot to report this info. I wonder why?
8
That’s okay, fiscal responsibility no longer matters in American politics even for supposed fiscal conservatives. Utah elected Mike Lee as senator knowing he defaulted on his mortgage. Trump adds $1.9T to the deficit in a gift to the rich. Fiscal responsibility, privately and publicly, is obviously irrelevant.
2
I congratulate Stacey Abrams for her victory. However I do not congratulate the NYT with yet another race driven article. These "clubs" of race, gender, political parties, religion, financial status, etc, are all creating divisions in our society. They also diminish the value of ones achievements. It's ironic that in endless presentations of "social justice", that these type of articles as written demonstrate profit motives and not social motives.
3
This race was clearly fixed to guarantee that somebody named "Stacey" wins. How is this Democracy?!?
2
Georgia isn't Virginia or North Carolina or Florida. Outside of Atlanta, you might as well be in the 1950s. I hope she wins, but it's Georgia.
3
congratulations!
1
After Paulette Jordan in Idaho and Stacey Abrams in Georgia, let's turn our eyes towards my home state of Michigan where I'm working hard with so many others to support Abdul El-Sayed for Governor. By far the most progressive, people-not-corporation powered candidate, he would be Michigan's a little bit brown, a little bit young, and a little bit Arab repudiation of the Trump/GOP mindset.
2
I was very impressed with Abrams last week, at her talk at a book store. I wished I could vote for her. She comes across as sincere, smart,
Seeing Abrams on a cspan book TV talk last week, I was so impressed I wished I lived in GA so I could vote for her. Now she's won the primary and will get plenty of natl publicity.
She's very direct, sincere, genuine, super smart, empathetic, thoughtful, unaffected, humorous .... you name it.
In her campaign she'll show voters a better side of politicians than we've been used to seeing. For that alone, she should have a positive effect on our politics. Hope she is a role model for new and better norms.
3
Stacey Abrams is a polymath intellectual who conceives of politics as a group of people bringing their diverse viewpoints together in search of a problem-solving dialogue, not bloodsport. More than anything else, that is why she is so needed in 2018 America. Georgians have a real chance to deliver to our country a transformational leader.
42
What a great night for Republicans. Stacey Abrams is this year's Wendy Davis, a polarizing candidate gushed over by East Coast liberals but destined to lose by double-digits in the fall. In the Atlantic article covering this race, it was clear that Abrams is running a campaign that's the opposite of Obama's: rather than bring people together, she aims to divide and conquer Georgia with racial identity politics, shunning moderate whites and picking the minority side. Her campaign is a suicide mission and I look forward to a humiliating defeat of her toxic identity-based politics in November.
5
I have lived in Georgia for nearly 40 years and I think I am fairly knowledgeable about the political climate in the state.
Stacey Abrams's chance of winning the governorship in November is just about zero. She is way, way too liberal for the majority of the voters in the state. It is unfortunate that the Democratic Party is laboring under this delusion that they have to move to the left to win.
They are in for a rude awakening in November. Race has little to do with it.
They need another Sam Nunn to win a general election in Georgia - a moderate not a liberal.
13
The readers of the NYT just don't get it about moving to far left. You'll see. But, I agree 100%. She will never be Gov of Ga and just assured a Republican will be the next Gov of Ga.
1
The party did not impose Abrams on voters; the voters had a choice of two solid candidates, and they chose Abrams.
Whether she wins in the fall will depend on Dems coming out to vote in extraordinary numbers. No Democrat would be assured of winning in Georgia. A moderate Democrat would be a good play only if the Republicans were running one of their corrupt, morally bankrupt buffoons. If both candidates are sober and moderate, the Republican wins in Georgia. Abrams wins if enough people are excited by the prospect of her historic victory to come to the polls. It's a long shot, true. But the voters will decide.
1
Like many progressives, I would like to heartily congratulate Ms. Stacey Adams on her victory in the primary. Much as I would like her to replicate this triumph in the general elections, I have serious reservations if she would be able to. She already has three major hurdles to jump over: (1) a democrat in a red southern state, (2) a woman, and the most difficult of them all (3) an African-American. All the same I wish her all the very best and hope she comes out in flying colors.
2
I am sorry I misspelled Ms. Abrams last name on my post.
Women represent a 54% majority of voter turnout, so let's stick with your #1 and #3, but ditch being a woman as a hurdle. As the national election showed, women are not monolithic and vote on geopolitical lines just as men do with slight favoritism towards liberal politics on average. Rural and less densely populated areas have more gender defined roles and a disproportionate number of men run for office than women vs. urban areas, but an inherent bias of women voting against women is hogwash, as polling data and controlling for statistical variables show. Conversely, rural men, on average, lean more conservative and will not give a majority vote to a liberal man OR woman if there's a Republican or less liberal candidate in the running. While I wish the '16 election had a different outcome, Hillary Clinton was naive in implying she lost because too many women voted as their husbands wanted them to. They voted against her because she wasn't of their party and/or Hillary was too urbane for their own tastes.
1
I've only heard her interviewed once on a radio show to know this women is the real deal. She is exactly what Georgia needs and a future voice for the Democratic Party.
5
What an article. Not one single mention of her policies, proposals, opinions, or philosophy aside from the "progressive" label. This is one of the ways our public media fails us: They mostly report on the horse race aspects of political campaign.
Congrats to Ms. Abrams! We are rooting for you here in Illinois.
8
Policies, proposals, etc? Boilerplate. Nothing to see here.
No mention that Ms. Abrams owes $54K in back taxes to the IRS over 3 years plus $170K in debt (excluding her mortgage) that includes credit card and, to be fair, student debt? These are legitimate concerns raised in the primary and most certainly will be raised in the general as to whether she is the best person and has the right acumen to lead and manage the state government or if she's simply a nice person with a personal story to relate to. There are other issues besides gender and race to be considered on whether she wins or loses.
7
what about Trump's financial position. How many times did he file for bankruptcy? Did he not win? How many contractors did he dupe? Why then should her finances be a problem? At least she disclosed hers before the election. Double standards are something else, aren't they?
5
Well, if Trump, the self-proclaimed “King of Debt”, can get away with 6 bankruptcies letting others hold the bag, Ms. Abrams’ debt should be of no concern whatsoever. And she incurred much of that debt supporting her parents, and I believe her when she says she’ll do what she can to pay it back asap. It’s not like she acted irresponsibly, is proud of her debt, and let others hold the bag, like Trump does. Her struggles are the struggles of so many honest Americans who weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They should be encouraged by someone who understands their plight.
2
Anna, NoOne: I agree! Trump is not a suitable President, for this and many other reasons. A fiscally disciplined person at their core would not have cut the corporate tax rate from 36% to 21% and saddled our country with that much more debt to keep our country running (a modest cut was arguably necessary, though) and all for short term gain. Politics isn't an either/or. I can logically criticize both Ms. Abrams and Trump and not bow to either of the two political parties.
She is "True Black" and not like Obama whose one of the parents (mother) was white. It's more important that the first "true black" governor nominee came from former slave holding states like Georgia where racism against Black people is among the highest in the country till today.
3
Georgia is really different than Alabama. I really do not think Alabama would be that progressive at this time. We did elect a Democrat for one of our Senators, but he was white and moderate and even he just rarely won running against possibly the worst candidate I have ever seen.
I think Georgia should be commended on this.
2
Douglas Wilder was the first African American governor, in Virginia. A descendent of slaves in the capital state of the Confederacy.
Sorry Bonku, but that’s bonkers. Are Obama’s daughters “True Black” in you opionion? Very few African Americans are “True Black” in your definition, anyway. Most of them are “mixed race”. And both Ms. Abrams and Mr. Obama are judged on their looks, which is what racism is about!
3
Yale Graduate, Author of Romance Novels (Not Zombie Apocalypse Novels or How To), businesswoman; history of public service and and No history of predatory behavior or whining. Seems obvious to anyone who has a brain. Even those folks who sleep with their ARs waiting for Zombies.
5
We watched the preelection debate between Abrams and Evans, and Abrams came across as intelligent, articulate, charismatic and pragmatic. With her long years in the state legislature, she quite obviously knew her stuff, knew how to make sausage and knew how important it is for Georgia's future not to be policing bathrooms or festooning our laws and public buildings with the equivalent of giant Christian crosses.
By contrast the Republican candidates all came across as good ole Jawja boys, falling all over each other to get further to the social right, cocking their jaws and their shotguns, slamming the doors to immigrants and every shade of brown, and essentially pledging to uphold fundamentalist Christianity for all Georgians in the supposed name of religious liberty.
My husband, who never voted for a Democrat in his life before Hillary Clinton, got a democratic ballot yesterday and has finally concluded that today's GOP--whether at the state level or the national one--is not his father's Oldsmobile and is no longer a party he can support. And we will be supporting Abrams with money and yard signs and our time.
I know we will be joined by the many women who turned out in last year's elections to put more more women and more Democrats into the state legislature. Perhaps once and former Republicans like my husband will join in as well. If so, maybe there is hope for Georgia after all.
13
Yes to Stacey Abrams as Governor.
7
Here we go again. Never mind her credentials, ideas, etc. No, let’s just see if those in the “deep south” will vote for a black woman!
9
We'd vote for a black conservative woman, wand.
Where they at ??
2
The Repubs are ecstatic to have such a Dem run against them, not to mention the glowing endorsements from Hill, the Bern, and Obama-nanny Val!! OMG, WOW, what a treasure-trove of campaign material served up on a silver platter. This has the legs to go national. FANTASTIC!!
2
Please note that Doug Wilder, an African-American served as Governor of Virginia in the 1990’s.
7
Indeed. As stated in the article.
1
It's about time women & blacks start winning in government. This is a big shout out to the bigoted trump administration. Now if the Native American woman wins governor of her state the true revolt will begin. 2018 will be the year of change. Everyone no matter your color, ethnic origin, gender, get out & vote this disgraceful administration out of office Now.
1
For Abrams to win she will need to attract poor and lower middle class white votes. This is where Trump and the Republican party is strong. She needs to reach out and more importantly point out to them that the leaders of the Republican party do not give a rat's butt about them, that after years of Republican rule is any better. My guess is that in white rural Georgia there must be horrendous rates of drug addition, poverty; poor medical care and economic opportunities. This story is the same throughout the south. The white good ole boys taking care of themselves. Wake up people of Georgia it is time for a change!
Why do you guess that.
Abrams will need a high percentage of the poor, lower middle, middle and upper income white vote. Though Georgia is a whopping 30% black, that number includes people ineligible to vote: not residents of the state; African immigrants (some of whom are, yes, illegals); felons; and children. That was a linchpin of the more centrist Stacey Evans' campaign, the stark reality that the Georgia Democratic Party absolutely MUST win back many of the blue dog Democrats it lost to the GOP in the 1980s. While pie-sky is a fun game, Democrats cannot win in Georgia (or in most states) with a minority of voters on the ultra left Democrat side that only see black as the sole necessary qualification for elected office. This is what Atlanta has done since the 1970s, with disastrous results for the city and the state and the Democratic Party.
The "liberal" western world swooned over Winnie Mandela years ago in a similarly superficial way. All based on color and without any inconvenient look at her record in depth. And look at what became of the Grandma of South Africa...one may only hope that Georgians don't live to experience a similar eclipse of ethics under the Gold Dome...
8
It is possible that some Republicans voted for Abrams in the primary because they believe Cagle has a better chance of winning against her. However, the fact that Abrams took 153 out of 159 counties statewide tells me her candidacy is for real.
Some Democrats have criticized her for being willing to work across the aisle in the state house. As if we need another party that insists on its members voting in lockstep.
4
Congratulations Ms. Stacey Abrams. I have mixed feelings of happiness, shock, surprise and fear. I am scared and also optimist because she is African-American. The white voters in rural area in Georgia will vote only for Republican ( even the candidate is a criminal or a banana tree) and never for a non-white person. Most of the voters are genetically blind Republican. They vote for the label. Saying all negatives about white voters in Georgia, I am optimist that lot of white voters even northern part of Georgia . Let us pray and hope for the best.
1
Lets hope the better one wins.
That might be her or it might be her opponent.
It is not fair to condemn white Republicans who vote for other White Republican because they vote based on he label when you do the same.
I am not saying you shouldn't vote for a label.
It's your vote.
Vote anyway you want to.
That's your right.
Just don't condemn other people when they do the same.
There's something off-putting, and even scary, about candidates blatantly indicating that they aren't going to even try for some votes. Yes, I get that some people won't vote for you no matter what (probably). But a strategy of 'Let's try to win the demographic battle and then wait for the old people to die' is not a very positive message, to say the least. Say what you will about Trump, but I think he tried to represent the whole country more than a lot of these Democrats, popular perceptions to the contrary.
8
let's not worry about anyone's policy positions , just their membership in a particular victim group will suffice. Extra points if they belong to more than one.
8
What a great accomplishment for Abrams; what a great milestone for Georgia.
Kamala Harris and Cory Booker can't help her much. They are both so transparently driven by personal ambition rather than moral or social conscience that they can't help her assert anything except that she's black, which we already know.
To win office she needs some older white voters from the suburbs. She should ask for help from the center of the Democratic Party. If she doesn't she will be wasting her opportunity to make a lasting difference.
IMO
She has this old white woman’s vote
3
No mention of her $200,000 in debt, INCLUDING $50,000 in back Federal Income taxes.
Georgia is not going to elect a woman that DOESN'T pay her income taxes to be Governor.
Sorry.
10
They helped elect Trump though. Same issues. What’s good for the goose . . .
1
Trump PAID his taxes, you just didn't get to see how much he paid.
This woman is delinquent and has a lien against her.
Trent Lott was forced out as majority leader of the Senate in 2002 for making neo-Confederate comments claiming that the nation would have been better off if segregationist Strom Thurmond had won the election in 1948. Ever since, we've been wondering if the South has changed its attitudes toward African-Americans. Stacey Abrams is the answer: it isn't just Atlanta's answer, it is the whole state, and while George isn't Mississippi or Alabama, the message is increasingly that new generations are coming of age and are more color blind. Except in The White House and at cabinet meetings, where the old males who will be dead in 20 years preside. Thank God were getting past the past. And when women rule in every corner of the planet, there will be peace.
1
So if you don't agree with her policies or don't vote for her are you immediately considered a racist? Be careful here with this. Just because a candidate is a PoC or a female alone does not necessarily make them better, preferable or always the winner.
Ask John Lewis.
7
Forgive my cynicism, but I cannot help but wonder how many Republicans crossed over to vote for her expecting her presence on the ballot to "energize the base" against her thereby guaranteeing that all swing Congressional and legislative seats remain Republican.
2
It wasn't that long ago that the NYT reporters who covered the South, and Southern politics, knew their region, their history and the nuances of their culture.
Jonathan Martin & Alexander Burns are capable reporters, but their current area of expertise is national politics, and their backgrounds (National Review and Politico) show no familiarity with Georgia politics, history, or society. What they know is the horse-race aspect of politics, to neglect of just about everything else.
This leads Martin & Burns to treat Stacey Abrams as a curiosity, a kind of circus freak, who's interesting only because she's an African-American woman who ran spectactularly well in a Deep South state.
Abrams won "handily," the reporters say, but In fact she beat her rival by 50 points. ("Handily" means 10 points, not 50. ) Abrams won just about every county in the state--including the rural counties--which means she did better, percentage-wise--than just about any state-wide candidate in the country.
More importantly, for readers who don't know Georgia, Abrams has a long & dazzling career career in state politics (more less ignored in the article), and the only people who are surprised she triumphed are reporters who parachute in for victory night.
Really, NYT, try harder.
4
Good luck, Abrams. This is within our grasp. Instead of publishing op-eds every five minutes about how to better empathize with Trump voters, the Times would do well to take a look at the enormous grassroots energy in seemingly invincible red strongholds, that hasn't been seen in decades.
1
way to go! now if Georgia can be enlightened, and people work together....see that business community? Everyone wins-not just you.
1
First off: congratulations to Ms. Abrams.
Second: I look forward to the day in this country when we no longer identify people, candidates, anyone, by their race, gender, or sexual orientation, and to a time when, once and for all, it will not be considered remarkable for these men and women to be running for office or taking on active roles in our society. I look forward to the day when will not be biting our collective nails as these men and women face off against "traditional" candidates who are often no more than shadows come up from the Hades that is our reprehensible past. In the next century, when all of us here in the Times comment section are dead and gone, it is my hope that our descendants will look back with embarrassment on a time when we identified candidates, such as Gina Ortiz Jones of Texas, by their sexual orientation, as though that were the most remarkable thing about their candidacies when really, it's just one of many things that make them who they are in this life. I don't care about the color of someone's skin or whom he or she loves: I only care about the content of that person's character, whether they are intelligent and empathetic towards their fellow man and, if they're running for office, that they know what they're doing and can work for the good of their state or the nation.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice. It is bending today. May it continue to do so.
1
I've never been to Georgia, and I don't know its local politics at all. However, I can do math. If Abrams plans to win without white support, she won't. And while the youth vote is loud, they don't turn out in the numbers people hope. Without any attempt at crossing over to moderate and conservative whites, her campaign is DOA.
6
Wrong paradigm! It is not whether Georgia is shifting. The fall election will showcase Stacey Abram's proven and vaulted organizing skills, esp. in registering and turning out the vote, both early and at the polls.
While in the House as Democratic Leader, she helped flip six Republican districts! She knows how to reach voters where they eat, sleep, play, and pray. She is a charismatic force. She has a capacity to listen. She will not run on hate. She is less concerned about the numbers and more concerned about the footsteps. (To the ballot box.)
She won 152 out of 159 counties and defeated her well-known opponent by a margin that exceeded 3 to 1! A major landslide--when her fall opponents couldn't avoid a run-off. She is a powerhouse with momentum, money, and manners.
4
I don't remember the MSM cerebrating when Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal won statewide elections in the South.
13
Weird, I do. How do you account for our different memories? Article after article about the new face of the GOP...
5
"Bobby Who"? Oh yeah, he is the former governor of a state that when he decided to run in the Republican Presidential Primary, upon leaving office, because of his misguided tax cuts to his rich friends and other poor decisions, it was determined he left his state on the verge of bankruptcy?
2
I do.
3
It may feel like a seismic shift, but I am concerned that the Democrats are setting themselves up for another loss this way. There is a big difference between winning in a primary and being competitive against an opponent of the other party.
By becoming too radical, the Dems may have foregone their chances again for the fall. In Georgia and in Texas the incumbents have probably given a sigh of relief when they heard the outcome of these Democratic primaries.
I wish the Democrats had been more practical. I am getting more and more depressed as I am looking at two more years of unopposed Trump madness. When will the Democrats realize that Trump can only be beaten with a concerted cold rational and practical approach that neutralizes his cloak of incompetence, lays bare his corruptness and appeals to voters' patriotism, not with emotional knee-jerks that lack substance.
6
I would say that the progressive wing of the party is the only wing that HAS substance. GOP Lite hasn’t been working.
3
Sorry, but the move to the left, offering an alternative to Republicans(not "republican lite) and discussing REAL issues is the only way democrats have a chance of winning. What does it take for so many to understand that the centrist/corporately controlled democrats of the last ten years has resulted in the loss of almost 1000 seats at the state and federal levels resulting in what we see now?
3
Only the middle can ever be 'progressive'. A party that does not serve the majority of the people has no hold on power and the see-sawing and polarization we are now seeing are destructive and non-productive.
In the past there was a name for productive governing: Forging a compromise across the aisle.
Electing incompetent "leaders" simply because they have a big mouth but no substance leads nowhere. It is so easy to make all sorts of unrealistic promises, but when the rubber hits the road the skidding starts.
Progress is coming in small steps, not in jumps that leave large numbers of people behind. That's why Hillary lost. Have you already forgotten? You have to have solutions for every segment of the population and you have to be honest enough to explain that positive change comes over time, not overnight.
Anyway, my prediction is that too many of the candidates that were selected during these primaries will be flatly defeated in the fall.
And another chance will have been lost. Trump is smiling. They made that mistake in Alabama and paid for it. They are not doing it again in the fall.
So far this year, it was always the non-extremist candidates who have won against all odds, when they ran against Republicans. Now the Democrats are falling into their usual exuberance trap, switch off their brain and let the emotions roar.
Prepare yourselves for another defeat.
Depressing, really!
2
Congratulation Ms. Abrams! Completely and utterly Thrilled. Book of Esther!
1
Unfortunately it is going to get ugly for Stacey Abrams because she is a mess personally. She has $50,000 in personal IRS tax liens against her and she has $200,000 in credit card debt. A valid talking point will be how can you manage the state budget when you can't even manage your own checking account. To top it off their are financial irregularities in the non-profits organizations that she controlled. People are going to scream racism but the fact of the matter is that she is a financial mess.
17
Please provide documentation, not just claims.
If true, this would indeed sink her in the fall. It would be just one more sign that the Democrats are consistently failing to do their homework.
Do your own homework, since the NYT didn't want you to know this factual info. Abrams tax issues are confounding for a Yale law grad who is a tax lawyer, as well as her other personal financial issues. It's not exactly a secret.
Didn't stop Trump
The nominees are in. Now, whether you're enthused about the candidate or not, the future (as always) is in the hands of those who show up to vote. Democrats have a tradition of not showing up for midterm elections. Lets change that this November.
2
In this chaotic world of trumpism, it is a ray of hope that candidates such as Stacey Abrams are making headway. It speaks volumes that, despite all the media coverage of the doings in DC and nationally of the swamp people and their base, real people are rejecting the trajectory that trump is attempting to forge and are instead energized by sincere, smart real people with a broader agenda that benefits all people, not just the swamp things. We need this sort of wave to engulf the entire country and bring us back from the brink of armeggedon (think Rome) because with trump and his cronies leadership (or lack there of) armeggedon is exactly where we're headed. Best wishes to you Ms. Abrams.
Our candidate in Georgia is in default with the IRS. We may as well drive Republican's candidate to the state house.
7
Went to the polls yesterday at lunch - couldn't remember which Stacey I wanted to vote for... ended up picking the wrong one.
Stacey Abrams has shown adeptness in dealing with the overwhelming strength of the Republican Party in Georgia, which I admire. I also admire her determination to maintain a profession other than politics at a time when far, far too many politicians regard their seats as lifetime sinecures.
However, Abrams - just like Atlanta's new mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms - has run a relentlessly racist campaign. Georgia Democrats of color cannot seem to move past their skin or gender to focus on policy. The mayoral runoff, between 2 women of different skin colors, was frankly disgusting, full of racist dog whistles, smears and outright lies on the part of Bottoms, who claimed victory on the basis of 800 votes that are now under federal investigation.
I had thought better of Abrams, but she followed the same playbook. This tactic works well, unfortunately, in Atlanta and in getting attention from publications like the Times, which would not have put Stacey Evans on the front page had she won due entirely to racial considerations. And apparently Abrams is planning to use it again in her general election campaign.
But in a state like Georgia, where rural voters resent Atlanta's economic success that they do not share and who vote on race just as much as urban Democrats do, she cannot win without a convincing policy on improving rural education, opportunity and health care. Ignoring those issues to focus on 'people of color' is divisive, bigoted and destructive.
5
Look, I was pulling for Cathy Woolard myself, but in the interest of accuracy (and putting aside your third paragraph, which makes me feel like we have been watching two completely different campaigns): Those 800 votes for Bottoms are not under federal investigation. I'm not even sure how that would work. Rather, the office of Georgia secretary of state Brian Kemp (who is facing a run-off for the Republican nomination for governor, as I'm sure you know) has launched an investigation into the December mayor run-off and was just granted "immediate access" to various ballots and records by a superior court judge. In other words, they are *looking* for evidence to support some rather flimsy theories about improper handling of absentee ballots. I have lots of thoughts on Kemp, none of them good, and wish he and his ilk would seize upon Democratic voter suppression with the same kind of gleeful energy as they do alleged voter fraud, but this is clearly an issue that falls within the scope of his office, so godspeed, I guess. But let's at least try to get the facts right.
4
As a newspaper of record, the TImes has something of an obsession with firsts. In this article it serves the purpose of racial stereotyping. Ms. Abrams is an accomplished woman in many ways. But, in this article what matters is that she’s a black woman. Georgia likewise is stereotyped with the upcoming election reduced to the question whether the state is ready to elect a black woman governor. Georgia may be a Deep South State but Atlanta is not a Deep South city. And so whether Ms. Abrams is elected depends on more than her race and gender.
5
Interesting how the Times never mentioned that civil rights icon and Georgia Rep. John Lewis endorsed her moderate opponent. As a Black American, I don't vote for a candidate just because of color. Just look at the ones that are and have been in office and look around at their districts and the persistent issues.
6
Again, I have to read other sources to get the full story.
The Times lets her pass on 170k in credit card and student loan debt. She can't even manage her own finances. Also, she owes the IRS back taxes and fines.
All points glossed over in this article. We are so worried about Trumps finances. Time to hold democrats to the same standards.
17
Certainly. It is important that a candidate demonstrate that he or she is fiscally responsible. In that vein, I present to you Donald Trump, the king of bankruptcies and unpaid contractors. I will wait while you twist yourself into knots over the inappropriateness of that one for public office.
Look, it's important that candidates for state and national office have all their ducks in a row and, if Ms. Abrams has the problems you describe, one of the things she should address in her candidacy is how she plans to solve them and how, despite these personal difficulties, she can still run the state of Georgia effectively. It's perfectly fine to expect Democrats to adhere to certain standards as long as the same is expected of Republicans as well, but from where I sit that doesn't appear to be happening in this country. If you have a problem with Ms. Abrams' debt and back taxes, then it's perfectly acceptable for the rest of us to have a problem with the fact that Trump, that bankruptcy king and sleazy misogynist extraordinaire, still hadn't released his tax returns and is trying to stick it to the poor and disenfranchised in this country. It's perfectly fine to ask Democrats to have some standards as long as it remains perfectly fine to expect the same from the Republicans. I'd say that's only fair, wouldn't you?
4
Which standards should we use - the GOP standards?
Sure thing:
Trump paid out $25 million for running a fraudulent university that stole savings from college students. He refused to pay hundreds of millions of dollars he owed to the small businesses who built his properties, and used his legal stable to threaten them into submission - running a tragic number out of business. He declared bankruptcy SIX times, destroying hundreds of American companies in the process. Trump laughs at the idea of paying his own taxes and says that makes him smart, and he can't release his tax returns because his credit is so bad with US banks, he is in deep debt to overseas interests.
Abrams has 3 higher education degrees in a country that murders students who dare to rise above their economic class with sky-high tuition (and Trump's "education" secretary is driving in the dagger by providing ridiculously favorable terms for her loan company owner friends). Abrams has won awards from many major business entities in Georgia, including a straight "A" Rating from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Do the laughable math: all you've proven is that HONEST public servants who have accrued TREMENDOUS intellect and skills to serve their constituents to the utmost best of their ability are usually dead broke.
4
How does one pay for college (or law school) in this day and age without student loan debt?
8
I'm from New York City and lived in Georgia for a number of years where the terrible Tom Price was the representative and there were few Democrats in the area. I don't know how many Democrats are living there now but I know for sure a Stacey Abrams running for governor would have been unheard of. Best of luck Ms. Abrams.
5
Way to go Abrams!!
In a governor race you can't gerrymander your way to victory. Strike one against the Party of Trump. The demographics of states like Georgia and Texas continue to enjoy a colorful evolution. Strike two.. As the real deal, Abrams will motivate a massive get out the vote ground campaign (see recent senate race in Alabama). Strike three.
Still, this will be a very tough race for Abrams. Why? Getting the entitled Party of Trump out takes more than 3 strikes. And then Abrams will need a grand slam. But she and her supporters can do this!!
3
Right......on!
From the article: She also quoted the Book of Esther, saying “We were born for such a time as this.”
Indeed.
This is very very exciting!
4
Stacey Abrams is a winner! She will work at removing the Oligarch influence that the Clinton's helped put in.
2
Keith--Time for another small donation. I hope others will do the same.
Rural whites show up to vote because they are terrified of losing their precarious cultural and political foot hold.
Non-whites have been excluded for so long and believe so little in ever having a cultural or political foot hold that they don't show up to vote.
Ms. Abrams can win if those in the second category - disaffected non-voters are registered and vote. This is how Obama got elected.
How can we convince non-voters to vote? They are our future.
5
You convince non voters to vote by giving them actual financial incentives to vote.
Trump promised beautiful education and healthcare for everyone and a trillion dollar infrastructure plan and won. But he lied.
Democrats have to offer more than, "that's not possible in today's political environment."
Politics is the art of making things possible, by strongly advocating for them. Leadership is about changing the conversation by controlling the narrative and the terms of the debate. By hiding in the center trying not to offend anyone, Democrats give control of the narrative and the language to Republicans.
Republicans made a $5 trillion tax cut for shareholders paid for by $4 trillion in tax increases on high-tax-state workers possible, by never wavering from that goal.
You don't need to learn how to insult and cheat from Republicans, you need to learn how to fight for policy by controlling the narrative and defining the terms.
Doug Jones won a Senate seat in Alabama. They all said that was impossible too. Go Stacey! You have my support and soon you'll be receiving my check. And ladies--we all need to support each other from now on--all of us--together. Democrats--VOTE! That's the way we get our democracy back! Guys--you are always welcome to join, but looking at the current mess in DC, don't blame us if we don't stand around and wait anymore for you to tell us what to do next, or wait until you say it's okay to run, or wait til you figure it all out. The do-nothing, enabling Congress and Senate have shown us how the whole Republican party is only capable of dithering...thank God for women like Stacey Abrams and Amy McGrath! (Of course, I say this coming from Minnesota where we proudly support Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith in the Senate.) Let's go ladies!
8
Unfortunately, white Democratic moderates will more than likely end up voting Republican because they have more in common with them.
5
I am a Democratic moderate and have nothing in common with Trump's party.
13
Democrats that have more in common with Republicans need to go join the Republican Party. The Democratic obsession with swing voters (except when they were voting for Bernie) is costing you the base.
Trump understands that the base is the roots of your tree and swing voters are the leaves. If you sacrifice the roots for the leaves, you end up with neither. The natural base of the Democratic Party is workers. Instead of trying to not offend swing voters, aim your policy and rhetoric at making life better for workers.
1
The racist trolls are out in force - calling Stacey Abrams a black-only candidate with no qualifications other than being a black woman.
That is shameful, racist and ignorant BUT it's actually understandable - because The New York Times wrote this article about Abrams' color only, feeding an intellectual and legislative giant into the grinder of identity politics.
Remember The New York Times article series this winter about women in history they "overlooked" or "forgot" to mention - asking the public for nominations? I'll answer that call, New York Times - I nominate STACEY ABRAMS for her outstanding achievements in service:
Yale Law School
Led Democratic caucus out of crisis and into bipartisan victory for taxes, education and transportation
"A" Rating from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce (!)
Legislator of the Year - Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals
Champion for Georgia Cities - Georgia Municipal Association
Legislator of the Year - DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce
Georgia Legislative Service Award - Association County Commissioners Georgia
“I find her to be a person interested in policy and the right policy,” says state Rep. Mickey Channel, a Republican who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee and who worked with Abrams on the tax breaks. “I do think it’s refreshing to have somebody who can work across the aisle."
NOW Stacey Abrams has been properly introduced.
23
NY Times: Fire whoever wrote this article and hire common sense advocate. Stop undermining candidates by focusing on their identity instead of their actions.
2
Thank you for the kind words, McGloin from Brooklyn!
There's too much tabloid-style news coverage lately - I don't know if it's because of budget cuts, the drive for clicks or both. Stacey Abrams deserved at least some cursory research into her bipartisan achievements and numerous awards from the paper of record. She IS the real deal.
Who and where was the African American who was governor of a southern state 140 years ago? I'd like to know that story. Guess I could google it, but do like human interaction now and then.
2
Congratulations to Stacey Abrams... To the first optics: as I watched her acceptance speech last night of the 20 or so people crowded on her podium stage, there were only 2 or 3 white people and it didn't look like any Latinos or Asians. I was hoping to see the spectrum of color and race and gender, a symbol of the coalition that we will need to rid ourselves of this corrupt Republican leadership on every level of government.
That spells trouble in my opinion. There is a large amount of under served white and non-black voters who should be drawn to her platform and leadership. She wouldn't have to change anything given the downward surge of the quality of life for poor and lower income people in her state. But I would make the effort to reach them with her message. It could be a very close race. Every vote will count. When you are African American and getting out that vote, you know the process. With potential white voters, they have to see you with their peer group supporting you... Good luck to her...
4
Just because you didn't see white people last night doesn't mean she doesn't have a lot of white supporters in Georgia. Abrams won in a lot of mostly white counties in northern Georgia. She has wide spread appeal among both black and white voters. My wife and I are both over 65 and white. We have been very excited about Abram.
The only thing that worries me is that there were over 500,000 more Republicans than Democrats that voted in the primaries. Abrams has her work cut out for her. Hopefully, her energy will inspire a lot of people. Voter apathy has been a bit problem in Georgia, especially among young and poor white voters. That has to change!
70
Good points, but trust me, Abrams realizes this. (Take a look: instagram. com/ staceyabrams) She has run an excellent, inclusive campaign so far, and when I drive through Atlanta's many rapidly (white-)gentrifying in-town neighborhoods, I see Abrams for Governor signs all over the place. (The rural counties are going to be more difficult, but again, she realizes this.) As for the optics of who gets to be onstage with her during such an exciting victory, well, I'd imagine that group was made up of the people who have played the most significant role in getting her to this point. I saw more diversity than you did (and what I imagine were several family members), but regardless, I am completely unsurprised that the majority of her early, stalwart supporters were black. My fellow white people are certainly welcome to join me in showing up for her campaign.
4
@Fred, you are so right about the vote counts. Democrats will have to turn out strongly to elect Stacey. On that point, I mentioned to one of the Secretary of State candidates here that his mission should be about voter participation. The SoS should have as goals: 1) Every person legally eligible to vote is registered, and 2) Every registered voter votes. The SoS is in a position to champion, not restrict, voter participation. His first thought was: We have to close registration ID loopholes. This a small vision that panders to a Republican base, not a large vision for democracy in a state.
I can’t help but notice that the top comments praising Ms. Abrams, commiting support (even to volunteer) and cheerfully prognosticating a victorious run are coming in strongly.... from California, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts.... She is a candidate in Georgia, for the top state level office. I want her to win as much as the next “coastal liberal elite”, but I fear it is out of party identification and with a great ignorance on the topics that are most important to the people of Georgia and which the state government can actually adress.
3
Let women run the cities , states, and the country. It’s time. Men have done just a simply terrible job. And, in Georgia, a black woman! Yay! Trump has just sickened women with his nasty treatment of them. He is pushing all women to a fateful reckoning against it. There will be a November surprise.
6
History is only made when she wins.
9
We will only ever see upbeat, smiling, great looking photos of this candidate online. The democrats play the politics of personality. What I haven't heard are her academic credentials, or anything of substance about her life. She may be a Harvard or MIT graduate with 20 years experience as a Federal prosecutor...but all I keep hearing is that she is a black woman. Being black and being a woman are not qualification for being the governor of a state. In fact, I can't think of anything that matters less than race and gender when selecting a governor. Can we please see some substantive reporting...challenges to her positions...she does have positions doesn't she? What are they? Is she a Bernie Sanders liberal...or does she actually have some real ideas.
3
1969: "Man lands on moon for first time." But what school did they go to, you ask?
The info you're looking for is in other stories published by this same newspaper. TODAY, the story is that a black woman might well become governor of Georgia.
1
Or is the NY Times that is concentrating on identity instead of action. At least two commenters on her have done the opposite. It is worth reading those comments.
As George Orwell put it in "Animal Farm", "Two legs good, four legs bad!" That's where our political scene is at in anno 2018.
1
Congratulations Stacey Abrams! What a role model for all young women everywhere!
3
Women, but more particularly, black women, will be changing the face of this country and politics for the future. Stacey Abrams is an inspiration to ALL women! And I say that as a 62 year old white woman living in MI! Go, Ms. Abrams! I will be donating to your campaign.
6
Let's make that blue wave a tsunami.
13
You GO, Girl! Let’s hope Ms. Abrams ascension is reminiscent of Shirley Chisholm! A strong, stalwart political force to be reckoned with. However, this coverage of her is unsatisfying. The emphasis is clearly on her demographics and not her platform. Damning by faint acknowledgement. Hopefully, Ms. Abrams is a result of the Trump menace. A real grassroots leader who embraces the causes and needs of the people. Hopefully, she is not beholden to special monied interests like Harris and Booker and Obama (the latter would trump the former). Hopefully, her “appeal” to rural whites would be her dedication to improving the quality of their lives (Unless they are plantation owners). Hopefully, she does not ignore her being African American while benefiting from it to stimulate the minority vote (Let’s not ignore the obvious, without over playing it!). Hopefully, the word Progressive (there really is no “Left”, left) becomes synonymous with humanist and not Capitalist. The fact that she’s a black woman is just a bonus, or irrelevant if you want jobs, education, or social justice. BTW the demographic name game is how Hillary lost, among other things. We deserve a fuller picture than that. Let’s hope she speaks to all of her strengths regardless of the opposition.
3
I’m an old white woman formerly of sandy springs. Congratulations, Stacey. I wish I still lived in Georgia to vote for you.
11
Quite a week for women - first, Gina Haspel breaks another glass ceiling as Director of the CIA and now this. History in the making!
5
The politics of racism and sexism will destroy a democracy built upon principles and accomplishment. ....at least we'll get hired to take out the garbage and fix their vehicles and pay their taxes.
3
Jonathan and Alex,the sweet victory of Stacy Abrams in the Georgia primary race for the state's governor's race to be held on November 6th, should make every establishment leaders in the Democratic party to rise up from their seats and say in unison "The day has finally arrived."
Although the same bunch of Dem leaders had chosen Obama in 2008's Democratic convention but this win by Ms. Abrams, the first African-American woman contender for the state of Georgia's governorship should come as no surprise because while Obama was Black but he was mostly controlled by his party's White establishment leaders.
The honchos in the Dem party have to realize that Ms. Abrams won her Democratic primary against a White Ex-State Democratic legislator Stacy Evans appealing mainly to the young liberals and African-American voters.
Actually this latest win by a Black woman runs parallel to the win by Doug Jones, a White Democratic senatorial candidate in Alabama who won against a Republican heavyweight called Roy Moore in a totally White racist state of Alabama which is similar to the demographics in Georgia where White Republican candidates always won all the races except the mayors' races of Atlanta which mostly the Black Democrats won.
In fact this win by an African American woman is important for this diverse country's existence with Trump's constant rallying of his racist followers including White police officers who harassed a group of Black residents in Oakland for BBQWhileBlack.
4
Americans born in this country need to stop with this hyphenated nonsense. It is plenty powerful to be a U.S. citizen.
@mary I'm sure there are plenty of hyphenated Americans stretching back to the Revolution who would argue that citizenship in name means very little when you're not afforded the full rights and protections that citizenship confers.
3
I loved reading these comments! Everyone behind this amazing woman and her progressive agenda! I have hope again!! Go, Stacey Abrams!! Drain the swamp!
15
Let's here it for the women! Way to go!
5
Democrats in Georgia couldn't have nominated a candidate who will increase turnout, solidify support, and guarantee the election of a governor--a Republican governor. It's long been known in the South that racial politics drives out the middle.
3
A person of color won the nomination. In your mind, then, it’s ‘racial politics.’
4
Apparently, in the mind of the NYT, CNN and most national news organizations - along with most readers commenting here, it's racial politics. That's what they're noting, not her policies or even gender but her skin color, sadly.
Congratulations to Ms. Abrams on her historic victory. I will gladly vote for her. Regrettably she doesn't stand a chance of winning in the general election. Georgia is nowhere near turning purple let alone blue. Georgia remains a largely yahoo state. Politics are dominated by white country club Republicans and white rural populations, many of whom resent diversity, Yankee "invaders," and Atlanta. Yes I know Atlanta bills itself as a cosmopolitan and inclusive city - the city too busy to hate - but it is a different world once one ventures outside of the perimeter. One Republican candidate for governor (Brian Kemp) ran an ad featuring the candidate pointing a shotgun at a teenager pretending to be a potential suitor for his daughter and forcing the young man to recite the candidate’s love of firearms. Both Republican candidates have pledged fealty to the NRA, and Cagle has declared himself to be a champion of the unborn. Both Republican candidates have vowed to sign religious liberty legislation which will turn Georgia into a national pariah in the manner of Indiana and North Carolina (please boycott all things Georgia should this come to pass). Abrams’ suggestion that the likenesses of Davis, Lee and Jackson should be removed from Stone Mountain and her messy personal finances (including a large unpaid debt to the IRS) will seal her fate in the general election. I look forward to reaching retirement age and escaping to blue climes.
4
Sex, race, who cares? well a lot of people, but not me.
It will be refreshing to vote for a candidate. I usually vote against.
4
This is going to be her mad grab for cash, gifts and influence, sometimes voters do get what they deserve, you're certainly getting that in this case
5
Pretty fair story, considering The Time's bias, a little cheer leading is to be expected.
She has NO CHANCE of winning.
NONE.
9
Sparky Jones in Charlotte (NC): Barack Obama won NC in 2008 with a slim 0.32% margin of victory. Prior to the election, most news organizations considered the state as a toss-up but few truly believed Obama would win it. Don't be so sure that Stacey can't pull it out in GA in 2018.
7
We'll see. Don't be so sure.
2
Well, reality check - as much as NYT readers hate doing that. Obama didn't win Georgia in 2008 or 2012 and would not today. All this genuflecting to the great god of race is silly and self-defeating in its hollow chest pumping. It only makes it harder for candidates to score a bona fide win. Only with 20/20 vision can there be a chance of a decent showing that makes use of the right kind of campaign and skills.
Stacey Abrams's race is important for a reason that rarely gets much mention. She will stand as a bulwark to protect Georgia from Republican gerrymandering in 2021. Abrams will need to sign into law any redistricting plans the Republican legislature draws up. A plan that requires bipartisan agreement will be fairer than one designed by only one party.
Protection against gerrymandering matters in many gubernatorial elections this fall, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio which will likely still have Republican legislatures in 2021. This is one of those "inside baseball" issues that people pay little attention to before an election, but decry the results afterwards.
3
And Democratic don't do their do when it comes to gerrymandering? Get real. See history.
1
Congratulations Ms. Abrams! My mother and all the other black angels are pulling for you! I live in Florida but I am already calling all of my friends in Georgia to get out and campaign for you so that you become the next Governor. Thank you for not giving up on your dream! You will win!
6
Georgia's GOP seems more split than ever. The fact no clear winner was announced on the Republican side, along with the fact that the Democratic base is already fired up and ready to go, does bode well for a history making moment.
6
Here comes the corruption train again.
5
That we still describe people by their sex and race shows how limited we are - sad
9
Candidate Stacey Abrams is a force with which to be reckoned. She's intelligent, articulate and has a clear idea of how to govern her state, Georgia. I can't think of a better woman to be governor.
I only wish I lived in Georgia, so that I could vote for her. And, I'm Caucasian. Quality, intellect and honesty know no race.
We're in the process of reclaiming our country. I'm proud of those women willing to put themselves forth and fight for the truth and our very precious democracy.
17
“We are writing the next chapter of Georgia’s history, where no one is unseen, no one is unheard and no one is uninspired,” she said.
Dang, I LOVE this candidate! Democrats like Stacey Abrams and Beto O’Rourke are shaking things up in refreshing, inspiring and exciting ways. It's been a very long time since I've felt this positive and hopeful with the Democratic Party.
Congrats Ms. Abrams! My only regret is that I am not a resident of Georgia because I would surely be voting and campaigning for her.
WOW - a black woman winning the Democratic primary in Georgia! The best encouraging news I've read this week!
15
Go Ms. Abrams, go. I’m cheering for you from Chicago.
7
We are going to spend our summer teaching our kids what democracy looks like as the slogan goes. Our kids are going to be armed with literature based on facts, good pair of sneakers, knocking on every door and inspiring people to get out the vote. When it comes time to vote, I will be there to shuttle people to the voting booths. We have fellow New Yorkers who will be coming with us to do the same and we look forward to a win. Ms. Abrams will bring about the change needed in Georgia. What a well deserved win last night.
13
"...whether a black woman can win in the Deep South..."
Of course the NYT plays the race card immediately. Oy.
She's going to get pounded in the general, but that's because she's a Democrat. Georgia is a solidly conservative state: it would take a Roy Moore-like turn of events for a Democrat to win a state-wide election there.
12
Georgia is not a solidly conservative state. But it is for the time being a republican gerrymandered state. But time's are a changin'.
9
Gerrymandered? Maybe you need to review how governors, US senators, and US presidents are elected.
It’s also a solidly racist state.
Sincerely,
A Southern Girl
3
A democrat, woman, a black woman, that too in Georgia, under the watch of the most racist and ignorant Donald Trump,..... wins the primary........ why not it’s about time America remembers its values and morals again. Congratulations.
17
I don't care that Ms. Abrams is a woman, or that she is black. I care that she has the right ideas, especially that she is clear-eyed about the futility of convincing the willfuly regressive.
14
There is really only one thing to say: If you Georgia registered voter or not yet but able to register voter do not vote for her then you the collective nons have only yourselves to blame.
If you who read are Georgians get one former non voter to the polls.
Only-NeverinSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
5
She is about $200,000 in debt, of which $54,000 is owed to the IRS. She is a Yale law school graduate, who can't even pay her taxes. Yet, the NYTimes can't even mention this.
The perfect Democratic candidate.
She will never be governor of Georgia.
15
"She will never be governor of Georgia."
Funny, they said the same of Trump being elected POTUS. And look where we are.
10
Oh. I see. She's not rich. How does that inhibit her ability to serve?
5
Georgians know a peach when they see one.
She’s gonna win by a landslide.
Everybody send her $27 bucks cause this is still America and money still talks louder than a lot of bla bla bla.
I’m giddy.
13
And revered liberal civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia endorsed her moderate opponent.
2
I really didn’t know about Stacey Abrams, but anytime a black women from the south rises to prominence I remember Barbra Jordan, ( I’m old ) I like this Abrams and will send her $27 a couple of times. Oh yea, the times they are a changin’ !!
7
In Trump's America black unemployment is at record low levels. Under Obama, they were lining up for food stamps in record numbers, hence he was properly dubbed the "food stamp president" by Speaker Gingrich. If this woman wins, check the column for another black job. Everyone prospering but the fake news media will never report it.
2
Remember: Republican administration destroyed the economy. Obama spent 8 years digging us out. Now, Trump claims the credit. If we don’t learn our history we are condemned to repeat it.
3
And another round of Liberal Gunga Din: "You're a better candidate than I, Stacey. Now you have to prove yourself worthy by winning the general election for me and my white male power center--or what's the point?"
1
Women are making history and addressing previous injustices during Trump presidency more than ever before. Yesterday I wrote on my Facebook post. "Vote don't complain". In our democracy when women like Ms Stacey Abrams make history, complains are channeled for a change in a positive way by voter turn out for a deserving candidate.
4
If only the media would focus on people like Stacey Abrams instead of the self proclaimed sexual predator in the White House, we might create a much needed balance.
These are the stories most thinking Americans want to read about, not his latest tweets.
Thank you for joining politics Ms. Abrams. Good luck and I pray we can defeat the GOP/ NRA of the USA starting in this November midterms.
8
Well, Well, Well
(and pretty darn good too)
Congrads, Ms. Evans.
4
This nomination starkly contrasts with the narrative that the US is only a hotbed of white supremacists.
How could this be possible if there's a racist under every rock?
Must be fake news.
2
The article states that only two African Americans have served as Governors since Reconstruction....
4
I have never been prouder to be a Savannah Democrat.
9
She may as well have won in Texas, because she will never be governor of Georgia.
If this is how Democrats want their future candidates to look then the party is over—finished.
6
I remember when they said that Trump would never win.
7
Sir, if the Democrats couldn't win in Georgia with Jason CARTER in 2014, it might be time to imagine a future of a different sort. Get on board.
You go, girl!
Congratulations to Ms. Abrams.. a Black, female, Yale Law graduate.. If this lady wins Georgia’s general election she’ll be superior to the two previous ones.. before she takes office! This state just might be ready for the 21st century.
4
I just cannot see a black woman being elected Governor of Georgia. I’m happy to be proven wrong but every l time I see news from the Confederacy, it’s nothing but bigotry, racism and intolerance.
4
Been to Ohio or, for that matter, upstate NY lately? You know nothing about the southeastern U.S., clearly.
4
First, there is no "Confederacy", so why beat that drum? Secondly, your reading skills need improvement. You think changing state flags and taking down monuments mean nothing?
and, of course, CNN has its HQ in the "Confederacy", so you be seeing lots of news from way down South.
3
@Sterling, remember when daycare donny was running for president and all the heinous things he said about handicapped reporters, Mexicans, American war hero’s, womens blood coming out of where ever, and the famous access Hollywood tape?
All this and he refused to share his taxes like every candidate has done.
He got the electoral college numbers to pull it off, even though 5 million more Americans DIDNT vote for him.
Nothing is impossible if he is where he is today and we are where we are today...doomed.
3
My son's response, who lives in Georgia, is..well, Dad, "don't get your hopes up, it is still Georgia."
2
It's about time for some new blood among Georgia politicians. Historically, they have all been white guys who advertise themselves as conservative Christians who support the NRA. They could all be the same person.
5
Apart from the NRA stuff, how different is she anyway? Not much. The finances are troubling. The idea of spending resources to scrape carvings off Stone Mountain will divert time and resources from more needed public work. I'm too cynical of Georgia politics, I'd rather see progress than posturing over the same old things. She doesn't inspire me.
1
I'm just tired of picking another pea out of the same pod. A little variety might break the boredom.
Personally, I prefer Ms. Abrams to Ms. Evans. I truly despise the Democratic tendency to force the center. That works in some places but the inspiring candidate is the one who wins elections. Conversely, I'll take a center candidate with charisma over my preferred political choice for the same reason. Conor Lamb for instance was the right Democrat for that district. You might also notice he was rewarded for breaking with Democratic orthodoxy on guns. That's because Lamb's position was authentic. Sometimes a more subdued approach to culture wars is appropriate. Witness Doug Jones.
That said, I see people talking about knocking on doors. If I may offer some experienced advise, turning out the vote doesn't matter if the voter has already missed the registration date. For Ms. Abrams strategy to work, campaign workers need to spend every waking minute between now and October finding unregistered voters and signing them up. The registration deadline in Georgia is October 9th. You can start worrying about turnout on October 10th.
7
America is and always has been guided and politically managed by centrists, thank goodness. That is what always kept the ship steady and on course. It is the wild partisan swings and stark red-blue state divisions after 1980 that are killing the U.S. in spirit and in governance. Progressive socialists like Bernie Sanders and Progressive Democrats like Ms. Abrams are not the holy grail you think they are. For one, they talk a good pie in the sky game but never know how to pay the bill when it comes due for their wasteful and often corrupt giveaways. Sadly, good governance is boring and mostly math, akin to parents making their kids eat their vegetables - every day.
FYI: One of the reasons Jon Ossoff lost even in the same suburban Atlanta that Ms. Abrams MUST win is that they ignored reality and sat down for a buffet that wasn't yet captured and cooked. Democrats also spent all their time badgering and hectoring other Democrats to the point where I heard more than one person say they'd stopped answering the door and their phone, and might not even vote they were so beat up by Democrats campaign workers.
1
Mary,
I think you have an odd take on things. I just said centrists are appropriate some places but not others. I don't like when Democrats try to force the center nationally. That was my point.
She absolutely deserved it and deserves to lead Georgia. She is smart, articulate and full of energy. Isn't that the best we can hope for in a leader?
5
I wish Ms. Abrams were running in Illinois.
2
Can we please get her elected before we start crowing "History Made"?
6
Kelly Monaghan:
History was made as Ms. Abrams "is the first black woman to be a major party nominee for governor in the United States on Tuesday."
Congratulations to the next Governor of Georgia - who ever HE may be.
4
i'm hoping this demonstrates that it's the overall quality of the candidate and not whether a politician adheres to a "progressive" orthodoxy. It sounds as if Stacey Abrams is a bundle of talent.
Writing romance books under a nom de plume! That's creative entrepreneurship.
I hope she goes forward with addressing the needs of Georgia, rural, urban and suburban. I hope she's strong enough to resist the political strategy industry and goes for what she thinks is right. I hope she wins!
7
Fifty years ago many of us as students both opposed the War and supported Voter Registration in the South through participation in Freedom Summer. Three of my friends from that era, Dan Aldridge, Gloria House (Aneb) and my deceased former spouse John Watson were in "Freedom Summer" & SNCC. As Radicals, we were denigrated by the Feds but we never attacked the FBI like the present GOP traitors are attacking justice, judicial and trying to dissemble the government. I urge an escalated Freedom Spring, Summer and /Fall to all loyal Americans to oppose voter repression as black and white students did fifty years ago. Also as a black woman I am totally behind the brave youth standing against military weapons in the streets and schools.
7
We must engage and bring the battle to the streets and schools, because that is the new front line and the battleground chosen by the thugs.
4
What on Earth are you going on about? That was then, things have changed a lot.
1
Looks like Abrams will face Casey Cagle, though it really wouldn't change much if it's Brian Kemp -- both have the same platform: gun rights and tax cuts -- they differ only in what one sees as nuance or dog-whistle ... and Kemp's gun-in-your-face political ads.
This election in Georgia will be a "base turnout" election: there are very few swing voters available anymore. Abrams is guaranteed to win the Atlanta metro area and the Republican will take mostly everything else other than a few pockets. Abram's chances of winning depend on more than just a big enthusiasm of Democrats to get them out to vote -- it depends on Republicans not voting.
"Ms. Abrams acknowledged the general election would be tough ... " DUH!
" ... and cast herself as the candidate representing “the Georgia of tomorrow.” Maybe, the question of course is what does the Georgia of tomorrow become?
For Stacy and Georgia, the problem is to avoid becoming a Marion Barry ... as the state demographics change.
4
While I share in the enthusiasm for Abrams, please remember that this is Georgia we are talking about. This place is merely one step behind my home state of Texas when it comes to bizarro right-wingers. Send money and help get out the vote.
12
What Democrats and especially Democrats in red states need to keep front and center when they rush to play the race card is that the fastest growing demographic of evangelicals is blacks and latinos, a half step from Vatican Inc. This is why Stacey Abrams refused to support women's reproductive and abortion rights. i.e. All that glitters is not gold.
1
Considering the awe inspiring story of Ms. Abrams and her political worldview, one would think The New York Times would include her alma mater (Spelman College) instead of where she went to law school.
9
Abrams is the Dem nominee among Dem voters who were sold the black female over the white female Dem candidate; Stacey Evans had the near exact same credentials as Ms. Abrams. Politics is a dirty game, but that race card will not sit well with many Democrats and will do nothing to win back centrist Dems who've stopped voting and centrist Republicans who once were Democrats prior to 1980s Reagan era that swept Georgia up in its wake. There are many voters who calmly assessed both candidates and determined that a Yale law grad tax attorney who commits fraud and not only doesn't pay her taxes but then becomes embroiled in hairball of more than $200,000 in back taxes probably ought not have their hands on the fiscal wheel of the state. The next governor of Georgia will be ultra conservative Republican Casey Cagle. Democrats in that state need to stop - or at least delay - playing identity politics. Fact is, for Georgia to turn back to the Democrats, even if just a bit, clean-as-a-whistle and whip smart former state legislator female Stacey Evans was there best shot in 2018. Unfortunately, she has the wrong color skin.
7
This sounds like sour grapes to me. Did your candidate lose? According to things I see in the press she has a lot of debts piled up from student loans and family financial hardships. That’s probably true for many Americans today.
https://politics.myajc.com/blog/politics/georgia-2018-abrams-owes-50k-ir...
From your comments and tone, it seems only the wealthy like Stacy Evans should be elected. Maybe it is a little about race too, but that doesn’t make her a criminal or her candidacy unworthy as you suggest.
4
This might end up a surprise. Even hardcore bigots often vote for a 'personality' George Busbee was a personality in the 1970's and he won because he was 'interesting' After him was Joe Frank Harris also a personality. The key is for Ms. Abrams to ignore race and hit hard on the plight of renters, seniors on Social Security and farmers getting priced out as Agra-buiness takes over. Georgia is less stuck in the past than Alabama or Mississippi. The other challenge is to be less 'Atlanta' and more Georgia. Don't assume anything, the anti-Trump factor will effect this race.
Ms. Abrams SHOULD campaign in the rural areas of Georgia. It will give people a chance to see she is a human being, not some stereotype. She will get more votes, especially from women, and yes, men too.
3
Good for her. I hope the DNC is running candidates of similar quality and novelty in their national contests.
1
Congrats Ms Abrams! Now it is just a matter of turnout in November.
It is easy to say that Abrams has no chance in a state famous for bigotry and white domination. But consider these two ideas:
1. The gift from Trump and his GOP puppets is to energize progressives and others with moral fiber to participate - to be angry - to be righteously indignant that Republicans are sending us back hundreds of years in social policy.
2. How many of us thought - really thought that Barack Obama had a realistic chance of winning the presidency when he announced? And how many of us thought that Trump could win?
Is the tide turning back to progress and fairness for all? Has the pendulum started to swing? This can happen! Make it so!
2
It is concerning that 553k Democrats turned out to the 608k Republicans turned out. Not a good sign of a blue wave.
5
This was a primary. For 500k voters to turn out in a primary in GA is nearly unheard of. I hope that in the November election the voters of GA will remember Doug Jones in AL & use the power of the ballot box. Congrats, Ms. Abrams! And, to paraphrase Bobby Kennedy, now it's on to November!
1
Jack ... Georgia doesn't have a majority of registered Democrats.
1
Primaries are open in Georgia. So, it is difficult to know what the numbers mean.
Abrams is a pretty common sort of political grifter, cutting herself large checks for shady "nonprofit" "work" and cashing in on her office with no-show jobs that defy description as work in even the kindest interpretation. While not paying her taxes.
She'll go far.
8
Can you cite your sources? Accusations like that sound more like propaganda than fact.
8
Tina, can you please provide proof of your allegations?
5
Tina, try that Trump trope on people who don't see you coming from miles away.
STACEY ABRAMS:
"A" RATING - Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Champion for Georgia Cities - Georgia Municipal Association
Legislator of the Year - Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals
Legislator of the Year - DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce
Georgia Legislative Service Award - Association County Commissioners Georgia
2014 Honoree Public Official of the Year
Stacey Abrams has more than proven herself as a powerhouse who works with everyone to make progress for the people of her state.
Have YOU?
5
It would be desirable to see the vote count. How was the turnout?
1
Had a chance to see her at an Emily’s List luncheon and she’s the real deal! Keep an eye out for her. Whip smart. Charming. Honorable. Pragmatic. There were 4-5 other high profile speakers that day but the line to talk to gwe after was a mile long.
I could see her working well across the aisle.
I could see her making real changes to benefit all people
I could see her restoring optimism in government and in the idea some people still serve to, well, serve....
I could see her shattering ceilings and letting fresh air into the room.
I could see her for President.
Keep. Your. Eye. On. Her.
Signed,
A fan from NJ
4
Shame on Emily's List for refusing to give any funds to Abrams' Democrat female white opponent, Stacey Evans, who bucked the Georgia and black Democrat political machine, doing what Abrams refused to do: openly take a stand on funding for for low income students to go to college and for women's rights, especially birth control and abortion. Accordingly, we no longer donate to Emily's List.
4
This is horserace coverage. What policies do the winners and losers stand for? There is much talk in this article about race and gender and nothing about what the candidates say they will do once in office. If we want to find out where the Dem party is heading, we need to examine the substance of their campaign promises. People do not just vote according to identity (as Abrams wins attests), they vote for the policies they want. So what are the policies that people voted for?
2
Kind of shocking that there hasn't been a black female governor before.
This is going to be a very interesting and important race.
Now, any democrat that has 2020 aspirations is going to flock to this race like moths to light.
Hillary, Harris and Booker have already endorsed her and will campaign for her, while the Georgia Dem Party has been snuffing out progressive movements in the state since the election (see Paulding County).
Unfortunately, Abrams is more of a pseudo progressive.
Despite her rhetoric, she's the neoliberal pic of the Dem Party, which is more focused on winning over centrist republicans than winning over their own party base.
The DNC and neoliberal organizations are backing her because they think her history of partnering with Nathan Deal to undermine Georgia voters will make her more appealing to republicans.
In reality, she's not gonna win over enough support from either party.
Her advertising platform “I’m black, I’m a woman, and I can be the first black governor” was eerily similar to HRC's "I'm with Her" campaign.
Identity politics polarizes, it doesn't swing voters.
Voter engagement efforts should be directed at all significant demographics.
Clinton endorsing her confirms what a lot of people have been saying about Abrams, incl. Vincent Fort.
She's a pro-banks, pro-corporate neoliberal, not a progressive (see banking bill HB 192, HOPE scholarship, 2015 redistricting bill HB 566 etc.).
Running another talented retail politician is a losing strategy.
3
The first Black woman in the State of Georgia. Carol Moseley Braun from Illinois was the first in the country.
But Moseley Braun was a US senator.
Practical politics is about winning elections, not nominations.
In this case, I really have my doubts, but we shall see.
2
Has anyone bothered to consider that Republicans may have crossed over and voted for her in the primary because they thought she would be easier to beat in the general election?
5
Black women have been doing the "impossible" in this country since the day they got here. They have ignored the people who told them, over and over again, "the time isn't right, but maybe later on you can have a little power"; they just keep moving forward. Stacey Abrams can be governor, and she is ready to serve all of her fellow Georgians. She is already performing a priceless service for our nation by embodying the highest ideals of democracy and leading us toward a future in which our hopes are entirely possible--not guaranteed but recognized, acknowledged, and achievable. Carry on, Ms. Abrams. I hope to see you in the Governor's Mansion and then in the White House.
157
Pretty much guarantees that the next governor of Georgia will be a Republican.
5
RS :"The times they are a changin"
I had the privilege of voting in yesterday's Georgia primary. We had two Democratic women who would serve us all well, and it was a difficult choice. But I voted for Ms. Abrams, and I wish her well.
In Georgia, voters have the option of voting in either Republican or Democratic primaries. It's only a rare occasion that I would vote in the GOP primary, largely because the party has allied itself with extremist religious and political causes. This year, there was no temptation to vote in their primary; the Republican candidates all seemed to typify the stereotype we've grown to expect in this peanut-buttery, gun-nuttery corner of the South. One candidate's political ad was so distasteful and insulting to almost anyone, that YouTube dropped the ad from its play list!
None of the GOP candidates achieved a majority of votes, so the two top achievers will campaign against each other again for the runoff election. Whomever comes out the winner will be sure to use the resources available in the Republican party machinery to make Ms. Abrams out to be anything but the worthy candidate she is. For one, Ms. Abrams fell behind in paying her income taxes. Knowing the GOP brand, I am sure Abrams' opposition will make her out to be the most fiscally irresponsible figure in state election history.
I hope Ms. Abrams can focus on her concerns and abide what is ahead of her, as I and others continue our support for her.
1
I am one of those white rural Georgians, and I voted for Ms. Abrams. I will vote for her again in November.
6
To quote another famous Georgia novel, perhaps "After all tomorrow is another day." At least we all can hope so. Congratulations to Ms. Abrams.
So ecstatic for Ms Abrams! More power to you!
1
Very uplifting news! I have a feeling she can win, I was watching this primary and had a good feeling about both women on the Dem ticket. I also was hoping going into the Primary that whoever did not get the nomination would chip in and throw their weight toward the winner. They both have a wide swath of voters who will be important. I hope Ms. Evans will urge her supporters to turn out enthusiastically for Ms. Abrams. I hope Ms. Abrams will reach out to Ms. Evans early and often for inclusion in her campaign and eventual administration.
3
Here is something that the WSJ had to report on May 20:
"Ms. Abrams has argued that her financial status makes her more sensitive to the needs of working people. In her most recent disclosure filed with the state, she listed her net worth at about $110,000. She also reported about $174,000 in credit-card and student-loan debt, and about $54,000 in back taxes and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service."
IRS penalties and back taxes seems troubling.
5
Any more troubling than groping and lying about payoffs to porn stars?
Multiple bankruptcies and refusing to release your taxes while running for President of the US- that is troubling too
Ms. Abrams made a powerful and charismatic speech when she won. I wish I could vote for her.
2
For all Democrats this is excellent. If Ms. Abrams can pull off a victory, even more cause for celebration. And the real litmus test will be her ability to govern and lead well. Sustainable Democratic success will not be simply about demography, but with delivery, of quality services, efficient government, and a prosperous and fair economic environment.
4
A fawning NY Times article tells you all you need to know about Ms. Abrams chances in the general election this November. My guess is a MSNBC "contributor" position is in her future.
18
Really? My guess is that a White House position is in her future. Can you guess which position I mean?
1
Low voter turn out today here in Georgia, but it appears Ms.Abrams has her general election strategy in place. She will never win rural Georgia, instead she focuses on the city and collegiate centers: Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Columbus,Savannah, and Valdosta.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to vote in a Yale Law graduate as the nations first black woman governor. And in Georgia no less.
33
Apparently you haven't bothered reading the county-by county results. Abrams carried almost every single one, including rural ones, and by the same humongous margins.
2
I hope she won't write off all the rural voters. The people in the Smokies in north east Georgia are mighty smart and open to change. I hope she visits up there.
I was fortunate to spend my summers up there as a kid and loved it and the people.
2
Only if that Yale law grad tax attorney can learn to count and pay her taxes. ;-)
6
Everyone needs to calm down and chill out. This is only a primary. Wonder woman or not, Stacey Abrams is still going to be a long shot for the general election.
15
I have friends & family who live in Georgia. The voters are unquestionably & defiantly conservative. You have to be on crack to think a progressive Democrat has a serious chance of winning here. A moderate Democrat could give the GOP a run for their money in this state. But a life long Progressive such as Abrams will just energize the Peach State's right wing base. She will go down to an epic defeat. You would have thought the Dems would have learned their lesson in last year's Congressional special election in which political newcomer, Jon Ossoff lost...after raising $30 million. Ossoff’s was about as bland & inoffensive as they come for a left of center candidate...but he still couldn't make much headway in a relatively weak Trump district. The big takeaway from this election was the Republicans didn't run against Ossoff they ran against Pelosi. They bought wall to wall TV & radio ads successfully painting Ossoff as a Pelosi acolyte. That wasn't exactly true. But Abrams is a disciple & it will be very easy to make this charge stick. Reality check. No Georgia Republican or even moderate for that matter will ever...under any circumstance vote for Pelosi, no matter you spin this election. Abrams is to the left of Ossoff so her chances will be slim at best. To voters here Progessivism means trigger warnings, safe spaces, vile college protests & obnoxious academics who posture as their will on earth. Identity politics don't play well here. The math simply isn't there.
14
Pelosi attacks won't be relevant in a race for a state office.
Ossoff was a kid who at the time wasn't living in the district he was running in, against an old hand who had held state wide office.
O course, no Georgia Republican will ever vote for Pelosi since the only chance would be as a Congress representative making their vote for Speaker.
2
To Bill Brown from CA: Kudos bto Abrams. You are welcome to express your opinion, but doggone it, one has to start a journey with a first step and Abrams did so and she got the ball rolling, win or not!! You go, girl! The American revolution was started and
4
" Ossoff’s was about as bland & inoffensive as they come for a left of center candidate."
Not the words that immediately come to mine with Abrams, don't you think?
Congratulations to my Adopted home State of Georgia, we've made history by electing Stacey Abrams as the Democratic Nominee for Governor. Abrams has plotted out a very specific plan for winning, its an achievable but narrow path to victory. The Republicans will come after her for her finances, something that should not disqualify her for the role especially considering the financial situation that our present Governor was grappling with when he first ran for the post. Abrams is hands down the best suited for the job of Georgia Governor, she's a policy wonk and has a proven record of working across the aisle to get things done legislatively. It's a new day in the Old South and this former Midwestern Black Woman couldn't be prouder....go Stacey!
17
I love that Ms. Adams won but on the other hand it really sad that in 2018 we are celebrating this. Human Bondage officially ended in 1865 with end of the Civil War. 153 years later we are celebrating her win ,as we should,but should we be celebrating how far we have come or should we ask ourselves why has it taken so long? In 2008 we celebrated Obama's win as a signal of a New Era in America.The current resident of the house Obama vacated in 2017 was able to move in because of the backlash against Obama. Is it a sign of our progress to say a person other than a White Male has won an election in 2018? It could be a signal that we have a lot of work to still do.
7
This was a stunning victory for Stacey Abrams who apparently is speaking to everyone in Georgia. More power to her! She won every Congressional district and county in Georgia, including counties with less than 5% Black voters. Stacey Abrams founded the New Georgia Project, which registered 200,000 voters from 2014-17, and is on track to register another 100,000 voters this year. There were many other grassroots groups on the ground, including Black Voters Matter, Color of Change, Mijente, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Georgia Working Families Party. This is very similar to what happened in Virginia and Alabama, where the Democratic Party was generally clueless about mobilizing people of color. I call these people the base, because Blacks, Asians, and Hispanic people are the most reliable Democratic voters if you give them a reason to show up. As Stacey Abrams says, “We spend a lot of time trying to get atheists to become Catholics, instead of getting Baptists to go to church.” Go to airlift.fund for more info. The New Georgia Project is in our Voter Motor fund.
5
I just watched her victory speech. Wow, it was amazing. She is so articulate and inclusive. I loved when she talked knocking on doors, getting everyone registered to vote. She clearly understands the ground game.
I wish I could vote for her.
I plan on sending her as much money as I can.
29
After seeing one photo after another the past year and a half of Trump surrounded by all white male Republicans (an alien viewing these photos would be shocked to discover the actual demographic composition of America), I am so proud of Democrats for nominating so many women and people of various ethnicities in addition to men like Doug Jones and Conor Lamb. This is not identity politics - it’s representation.
37
There isn't a word in the Times article about Ms. Abrams' policies. Maybe she wants to raise teachers' salaries or maybe she thinks state taxes can't be substantially raised. She is a tax specialist, so she surely has an opinion. Georgia has serious problems with its transportation network. Is that be her first priority? And what does she have to say about medical marijuana, another big local issue. Clearly, none of this matters to the Times. Crazy me, but I listen to candidates' positions on matters like this, and it has a lot of influence on my vote. Ms. Abrams is an incredibly well-educated woman but has no political experience. If I lived in Georgia, the fact that she is black would tell me a lot. But it's not like her politics are irrelevant.
14
Those of us who live in Georgia know what Stacey Abrams has done in the State House. She has been a great Minority Leader. When I voted for her, I was informed. She is black. That is not why I voted for her. She is going to be a strong Governor because of her experience and her ability to build coalitions. However, the fact that she is a black woman who will be the Democratic nominee for Governor in Georgia is a really big deal.
5
No worries. Her policies are all laid out on her web site and apparently, she would have your vote if you were a Georgian.
3
Mmmmm, go back and read. She's "a liberal former state house leader".
This article is just about winners of several different elections just held; i.e. news.
A run down on her positions would be found by googling her.
4
I wish I knew more about her besides that's she's black and a woman, but she seems like a great candidate from the small amount of info published so far. Now 65,000 more Republicans did vote in this primary than Democracts so this will really be a test of the path forward for Democrats.
11
A wonderful victory for Stacey Abrams!! Bless you, Ms. Abrams!
Blue wave in 2018! Fired up, ready to go!
9
What wonderful news. Congratulations! Congratulations!
10
I am ecstatic to tears! Many blessings to you!
9
Go Stacey! But in the whole article mentioning many successful candidates all over the country there was no mention of a real break through candidate, Paulette Jordan?
5
This article shows how insidious racism and sexism can be.
Would ANY reader guess, from reading this piece splicing and dicing black voter data, with no mention of Stacey Abrams' legislative achievements or her platform, that Abrams took on the GOP tax cut cabal and won? No, because this article presented this incredibly accomplished woman as a color, not a candidate.
from governing.com:
"In 2011, she gathered an unlikely coalition -- including fellow Democrats, Tea Party activists and Southern Baptist leaders -- and successfully fought Deal on a plan to cut income taxes and raise sales taxes. It worked. A narrower package of tax breaks passed with bipartisan support the next year.
'I find her to be a person interested in policy and the right policy,” says state Rep. Mickey Channel, a Republican who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee and who worked with Abrams on the tax breaks. “I do think it’s refreshing to have somebody who can work across the aisle and do, hopefully at the end of the day, the best thing for Georgia.'"
THIS is Stacey Abrams. She's brilliant. She's a heavyweight. She's experienced. She gets people who operate in dogmatic silos to work together with enormously productive outcomes. And yes, she's a powerful black woman.
NOW you can slice and dice voter stats - and include intelligent, decent people from all segments, especially if Abrams ends up running against Kemp (the dotard who ran a campaign ad holding a rifle on his daughter's date!)
140
Thank you for this very important information “common sense.” We need more candidates like this very intelligent person who happens to be an African American woman. All Americans should be proud and thank whatever god they serve for this talented human being. God Bless America!!!
13
Thank you, Dr. Enix - I'm honored. You've moved mountains for your university students and the people of Pennsylvania, and I remember reading about your father, a true giant of a man.
3
black women are consistently the largest turnout votes-wise for democratic candidates, but are generally the demographic least likely to be elected by either party. let's hope tonight marks a reversal of the latter. it's about time black women get the credit they deserve for saving america.
358
I use to live here. Republican Casey Cagle will be elected the next Governor of Georgia. Residents are concerned about low taxes, gun control, and illegal immigration...in that order. Cagle understands these hot button issues and hits them hard. I don't see how Abrams has a chance to win these voters over. And she will have to win a small portion of them...the moderates and independents. Getting out the minority vote won't work alone. Her divisive tactics will cause her problems in the general election. At the end of the day the majority of Peach state voters will never cast their ballot for a progressive governor...no matter what.
I think a better opportunity for Democrats is in the GA-6 House race, and perhaps, state legislature races. As well as some lower-level, but still important statewide races, like Insurance Commissioner.
6
No they aren't. They consistently have the highest rate of turnout, which is different.
4
Democrats can win by concentrating on economics. Show how you put more money in the pockets of workers, who make up 60% of the population and workers will vote for you.
Republicans keep claiming that tax cuts for the rich will be good for workers. Explain that tax cuts for the rich are just as likely to be spent over seas, and how increasing the minimum wage gets spent in local stores.
By the time the midterms come around, the tax cut will be a year old. Show how that $5 trillion give away to shareholders did not increase growth. Point out that $5 trillion costs each citizen $15,000! (5T / 325 million people).
Ask them whether they'd rather have tax cuts for the rich or Social Security, Medicaid, universal healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
How committed do you think low wage workers are to keeping the minimum wage low? I'm guessing they'd rather have money in their pockets than vague theories about economics.
Republicans call all of their opponents socialists, even other Republicans. You might as well get the electoral advantage of taxing the rich to help workers. Workers outnumber shareholders by at least 3:1.
Trump won because he promised to fight for American workers (he lied) while Clinton was explaining that nothing can be done for workers because there is no money. Well a $5 trillion tax cut for the rich shows that there is plenty of money.
Fight for workers to win.
I hope the Democrats in these disparate races can pull together and support their chosen candidates despite the disappointments of the candidates who did not get selected and their supporters. It sounds like each race will be different, except for truism that turnout and enthusiasm will be needed if the Democrats are to win in the fall. Will that alone be sufficient to overcome demographics or the reluctance of some voters to support women or minorities or other atypical candidates? Who knows. But if there is ever going to be a year to win those races, this is it.
8
Wonderful!
15
I love that this is happening. GO STACEY!
17
Heard Stacey Abrams speech on MSNBC and it was
refreshing to hear someone so passionate about equality
and justice.
Good luck for November 2018.
21
I voted for her because Bernie Sanders endorsed her and because she is highly educated and experienced in state government. Her gender and race were added benefits. Also because I think she can inspire more working people to vote instead of passively accepting the Republican status quo and the "good old boys" club of Georgia politics. I believe she can pull off an upset, but even if not, it is a new day in Georgia.
47
Well said!
3
I met Stacey more than 20 years ago when she was a first year student at the University of Texas' LBJ School of Public Affairs. To this day she is one of the most brilliant and dynamic human beings I have ever met, and back then when she was 21 years old, we all said that she would someday be the first black female president of the United States. She's the real deal, folks. Smart as a whip and genuine and real.
92
Hooray!! Now for the election!!
7
Hallelujah! You go Stacey Abrams!
... and the GOP/toxic Trump mob?
To the dustbin of History!
: ) L
11
Congratulations Stacey! We are hopeful!
12
Stacy Abrams, like Barack Obama, has star power, along with character, intelligence, and compassion. Georgian's would be fools not to vote her into office.
26
Good luck Stacy.
"The times they are a changing"
And it's so good to see.
15
Being a Stacey Abrams supporter and voter, this is great. For all of you (you all) who live outside Georgia, she is an able, articulate person (yes, black and female ... but those aren't her only credentials). She has been the very effective minority leader of the Democrats in the state Senate. She has worked effectively, civilly with Republicans as well as with her own Democratic party. She is far better qualified as a "bridge-building" leader than any Republican contender. Congratulations and on to victory in November, Stacey A!
62
Well said.
8
Jon/College Park - so glad to see someone else list her qualifications!
13
Thank you also. Most of the commenters naturally are from other states. I voted early for Stacey Abrams. I was a little hesitant since I heard some crossover Republican voters would vote for Evans but not Abrams, and most state endorsements went to Evans. However, Abrams had John Lewis's endorsement which I regard as gold.
Abrams' Yale law degree, legislative experience and leadership of the New Georgia Voter project despite the lawsuits thrown at it convinced me to vote for her. This was a vote of faith and hope.
Georgia's politicians except for a few level-headed businessmen and Democratic lawmakers have been enacting every pro-gun measure, every anti-abortion law, and every anti-immigrant and anti-LGBT mean bill that they can fit into their schedule. Usually it has taken the governor's powerful veto to stop some of them, often after large businesses threaten retaliation.
A good woman is worth more than rubies. Georgia is a beautiful state with wonderful people and should not be pulled back into the mire of some Trumpian Neo-Confederacy.
5
I don't think anyone needs to worry about whether African American voters are going to show up on election day in Georgia. Hillary Clinton was a flawed candidate with serious baggage who just so happened to only get 45 percent of the white female vote. Therein lies the problem and the solution. Don't pursue voters or change your message for people who won't vote for you anyway. However do have a platform that is as inclusive as possible. Good government should benefit everyone, not just the rich or the "middle class." A "progressive" platform will benefit even those who vote against you. That's what being "by, for and of the people" is supposed to be all about. Make being the "first African American women" elected governor of any state actually mean something. Not just a one liner in the history books or a stepping stone to a long career in the US Senate.
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Congratulations, Ms. Abrams, and good luck.
We'll be watching and hoping that you make it to the governor's mansion!
26
Go Stacey, I’d love to see this woman win! Best news in a very long, long time.
25
And Amy McGrath just won her primary in Kentucky! That's it...my October vacation this year will be flying to Georgia and Kentucky to help knock on doors or whatever. Just tell me what to do. These ladies are leaders, have integrity, are intelligent, and by darn, have moxie. We can do it, ladies. We can make that difference this November.
460
Fired up, ready to go!
25
As a former Georgian let me give you a bit of vacation advise: Don't waste your time knocking on doors for this candidate—it will never happen. The only votes she will get are the votes she got on Tuesday. She is a radical left wing socialist and the people in Georgia will only go so far left before turning around and going right.
3
Yep, can't get away from those pickup truck driving conservative toting patriots who put guns before children's safety, let crops rot, and put white supremacy and bias before inclusion and merit. Fascists first!
Tell me: as a socialist, why did she compromise on the Hope scholarships Republicans tried to gut? Are you being knee jerk? Or just plain committed to blame and smears?
It is beter to die on your feet than live on your knees.
She may not win but there will be a woman, perhaps even a Black woman who as a girl saw Abrams trying to bring to GA civilization and casting off the myth of white supremacy and the 'nobel cause'.
27
Awesome. Now win in November!
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I second that!
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Dear Stacy:
Best of luck to you, in your quest to be the next Governor of Georgia. I will be supporting you as much as I can.
Sincerely, A friend in Florida.
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She's gonna win. And she's gonna change the way things work in this country. Listening to her speech tonight, I want to go down and help. Writing a check ASAP! Stop talking about how tough it will be. 76% is incredible. She's gonna win!
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An African American woman winning in Georgia? About as likely as Donald Trump telling the truth.
4
Sorry to burst your bubble but she does not have a chance. She won the black vote and a few white votes but she has no chance in the general election. They are filming the commercials right now about her current IRS tax liens and $200,000 in credit card debt. This lady can't manage her own affairs, how is she going to manage a $26 billion budget?
2
I wish she would, but lets' be honest. Only a white male has a snowball's chance in Hades of becoming governor of GA. Even if said white male were a Democrat, that would be a stretch. I live here and know. The local folks absolutely do not want a "colored" (meaning non-white) or a female to be in power over them. The majority of the Atlanta suburb transplants are business executives who are Republican for financial reasons. Sadly, she will not win.
1
Nominated at last. Nominated at last.
Thank God a’mighty! Nominated at last!
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"The general election is sure to draw intense national attention as Georgia voters determine whether a black woman can win in the Deep South".
In the meantime, without drawing any attention, New York, New Jersey, California, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut ... will elect as always a white male. But this has nothing to do with racism and sexism because they're liberal.
12
Maybe but reading the statistics after Roy Moore lost they showed from memory a larger number of Black American females turning out to vote then other elections and well over 90% voted for the other guy.
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I'm really not sure where you are going with this? Maybe some white men support women and women of color and always have?
8
This campaign will be a great testing ground for all sorts of racist and sexist advertisements as a lead in to 2020.
Lee Atwater is back!
7
Lee Atwater apologized for every stupid thing he did before he died at a young age from cancer.
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NYT: "In 1988," Mr. Atwater said, "fighting Dukakis, I said that I 'would strip the bark off the little bastard' and 'make Willie Horton his running mate.' I am sorry for both statements: the first for its naked cruelty, the second because it makes me sound racist, which I am not." Reputation as 'Ugly Campaigner' -
Since being stricken last year, the 39-year-old Mr. Atwater has apologized on several occasions for many of the campaign tactics he once employed and for which he was criticized. But rarely has he spoken in such detail or with such candor as in the interview for the first-person Life article.
"In part because of our successful manipulation of his campaign themes, George Bush won handily," Mr. Atwater said. He conceded that throughout his political career "a reputation as a fierce and ugly campaigner has dogged me."
"While I didn't invent negative politics," he said, "I am one of its most ardent practitioners."
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It’s easy to beg forgiveness and try to take things back when death comes knocking. I’m not saying he did not mean it or does not deserve to die unburdened - but it does not change what he did and has not stopped others following his tactics.
4
So happy that you won Ms. Abrams, congratulations.
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Still hearing that sonic boom of shattered glass.
You. Go. Girl.
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Ms. Abrams’ win in the democratic primary is a huge gift to the Georgia Republican Party. Ms. Abrams is a woman of the left in a state that leans right. This is a woman who in 2017 called for sandblasting the carvings of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis off of Stone Mountain. While many in the NYT readership may find her position on Stone Mountain appealing, for most Georgians doing what she suggests would be like applauding the Taliban’s destruction of the Buddha statues back in 2001. Counting on liberal enclaves within greater Atlanta while affirmatively ignoring rural whites does not win a statewide election in Georgia.
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If our "rural whites" only care about preserving monuments to the Confederacy, I pity them. Georgia's rural whites, like those everywhere, can benefit from progressive government policies if they take a look. Also, a black governor in a red state can only be elected with a good size white vote and would have to deliver for working people of all colors and locales to get re-elected. A white governor can take those rural white folks for granted and do nothing for them.
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Just referencing the article, Abigail:
“Ms. Abrams has signaled that she is unlikely to spend much time pleading with rural whites to return to a Democratic Party that they have largely abandoned.”
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Gee, Katie, in her speech tonight Ms. Abrams said she would reach out to everyone including "rural whites." You sound a bit closed minded. Open up! Change is coming!
5
The Dems couldn't find someone who didn't owe $54,000 in back taxes? You think her Republican opponent might mention that during the upcoming campaign before he handily defeats her?
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Excuse me, ZHR, don't even try to play the "flawed" card. Have you heard of Donald J Trump? He is ONLY flaws and yet there he sits, smug and completely useless, in the Oval Office.
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Comparing her to Trump?--couldn't set the bar lower if you tried.
The fact that I am reading positive comments from all over the country regarding Stacey Abrams historic win in Georgia makes me hopeful. It's rare these days to have such inclusivity of thought within a wide geographic sampling of our country. This really is something to savor. Hoping for Abrams' win in November, so we can 'meet' again in this forum.
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Right! From all over the country, but a significant dearth of comments from GEORGIA!!!
2
I voted for her. White, suburban, middle class. I will again, but alas, I doubt it will put her in the Governor's mansion.
Thank you, Ms. Abrams. It is starting to feel like America again.
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I met her on a research trip I took to Georgia last year. In our brief meeting, she radiated intelligence. I was so impressed. She's the real deal.
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I'm an alum of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT Austin - as is Stacey. The School has been sharing this great news.
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My 13 year son had to write a research paper on political people in government. There are about an even number of boys and girls on his class. With 60 kids the teacher couldn’t come up with 30 women to write about! I’ll tell you how Stacey Abrams can win... mom’s like me are tired of being told there simply aren’t enough women in government to write about... I’ll be forwarding this article to my son’s teacher so she can add Stacey Abrams to her list! Also, trump has turned me into a mad as all get out feminist “get out the vote” fanatic.
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You go!!
22
While we are far from where we should be, there are easily 30 credible women politicians. Heidi Heitkamp, Kamala Harris, Patsy Mink, Maizi Hirono, Colleen Hanabusa, Jill Takuda, Claire McCaskill, Lisa Murkowski, Ann Richards, Tammy Duckworth... these are just 10 off the top of my head. Yes, we need more, and yes, Stacy should be the subject of a school essay. But let's not forget about the women who have paved our way.
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Sing it, sister !
26
Ms. Abrams should run a campaign that is assured, definite, calm, if possible. But under no circumstances should she hide or even water down her progressive principles. When she is elected, if elected, she should be able to LEAD & lead in the right direction. She should not be hampered by commitments to the so-called moderate center. She should not pretend to be namby-pamby. Worse, she should not BE namby-pamby. Win, baby, win! Win, win, win!
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I had to look up Namby-Pamby.
I wish the best of luck to Ms. Abrams. She will need it in that deep South state of Georgia.
The only thing that will save us is if All Democrats, Independents and anyone that has any morals, ethics and patriotism for this country, need to vote Trump and the GOP out in local and national elections. Sitting back and letting the “other” person do it is a sure vote for trump and the GOP. We must not let that happen.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN - DUMP TRUMP and all of his crooked sycophants in the GOP.
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Yes! Onward to November and remember to #VoteLikeBlackWomen!
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"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."
MLK
You go, girl!!!!
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Great comment, inspiring but also fun. Thanks.
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This is great news for Dems. I really do believe she will be elected Governor this fall. Georgia and Texas are both trending Democratic. Once these two states turn blue, the GOP is done at the national level. It can't happen soon enough.
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Florida could also go blue !!! I intend to help make that happen. The current Republican governor Rick Scott was elected by only 1/2 of 1% and he wants to run for the Senate against the current Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. My dream would be to see not only Bill Nelson re-elected but also to have Marco Rubio toppled when he is up for re-election.
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Adam Putnam has that office wrapped up. Who among the Florida Democrats can challenge him???
There's no way that Texas will vote Democratic for governor until they have a strong candidate.
1
Every march starts with a first step. So why not her, why not now, why not in Georgia?
Besides, if Trump can win, anyone can win. Good luck to Ms. Abrams.
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The sad inference one might draw from Trump winning is that "anybody can win" ... provided you lie & cheat relentlessly, pander to an angry white base, and have the Russian bots and hackers on your side.
Casey Cagle, the likely Republican nominee, has aligned himself with Trump, so the fall election could become a proxy vote on Trump. While shifting, the state demographics still present an uphill climb for Democrats. For the race to be competitive, Abrams will need to convince enough college educated suburban Republicans that Cagle (and Trump) are a step too far and that Cagle is too extreme. Abrams has a very thin margin for error and will have to keep the Democratic base energized, while pealing away just enough suburban Republicans.
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Amid all the cheering, I as a liberal and social worker find your comment the most clear-eyed and sober appraisal of this result. I am frankly pessimistic that Ms. Abrams cannot obtain support of white working-class and middle-class voters who will be looking for someone who represents their needs and legitimate aspirations for security, prosperity and, yes, progress if she does not engage them with a vision beyond identity politics.
The Democratic base can cheer all they want but a primary victory is a very long way indeed from winning a general election.
12
It still just amazes me that after a year of seeing the Trump "magic" play out. His constant lies, his corruption, his incompetence and there are people who look at what is basically a dumb racist criminal and most likely traitor and think "yeah we need more of that". Do republicans have any morals left to appeal to?
4
Yup, they can't see that DJT is a DRC.
According to Bob Dylan, "The times they are a-changin" but this is still the USA where the color of one's skin and only the color of one's skin still makes a difference, for better or for worse.
9
There are also a lot of women who are sick and tired of the GOP patriarchy making decisions for us and our daughters. It’s a woman thing too and I agree with her politics. It’s also apropos that an African American governor in Georgian make us proud that our country is going forward... maybe a little bit of HOPE.
33
Clear the shores - the Blue Wave is coming.
52
Too bad the latest Reuters generic ballot poll for the week ending May 20th shows the Republicans in the lead. Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.
5
No, no, no! Let’s all go down to the shore and welcome it! Revel in it. And hope it’s not too late.
5
Nobody has been doing that except Mr. Trump in his dealings with Mr. Kim.
5
"Many Democrats believe that waging a progressive campaign aimed at mobilizing liberals, rather than running toward the center to win over suburban moderates, is folly in a state that has not elected a Democrat governor since 1998"
There's a difference between running a progressive campaign, and an identity politics campaign. Democrats refuse to learn this distinction at their peril.
Best of luck to Mrs. Abrams
25
This is the South, George. A collection of well-meaning white "progressives" isn't going to cut it. The white progressive vote is pretty much assured either way, but to have even a snow-ball's chance, we need the African American vote to be fully mobilized. That's what put us over the edge in Alabama, and we simply can't do that with another card-board cut-out Democrat.
37
Ms. Abrams is single.
7
Why is it that only Repubs are allowed to run on identity politics? We see what you are doing, George.
18
A State is a terrible thing to waste.
11
Oh, what wonderful news! I needed to hear of this encouraging win. After such a horrible past year or so under this present political paradigm, Ms Abrams has given so many of us hope that our democracy will once again thrive. I wish you all my best, Stacey Abrams. If I could vote for you from way out west in CA, believe me I would. But I promise you that I will do I can to support your vision. I am proud of you! Go for it!
107
I met her about 9 years ago in DC when we were running a National Fellows Program and she was in the GA house. She's engaged, smart and down-to-earth. She's the real deal. She would be a great boon for GA!
195
Reality Check---so far 250 democrat voters; 350,000 republican voters,,,,,is this what victory looks like?
6
It was aprox. 370,000 to 500,000 when three quarters of votes were reported, and Mrs. Abrams had three quarters of the votes. It would have helped to see the report include more reporting on the other Stacey and especially where two women's messages differ. As it stands, the report is written as if an internal report to DNC.
3
Change, she is a comin'! Whoohoo!!!
81
Congratulations for forging a winning coalition and building a path to victory in the face of the doubters, Ms. Abrams. Kudos!
Already the media is verving off point: in your speeches and presentations, you describe yourself as a progressive, not a liberal, as the Times reporters identify. I hope the media will be accurate during your campaign to bring Georgia to a golden era of progress. A progressive for progress!
Keeping working! I am going right now to contribute. Grassrooting campaigning needs wide support!
48
What this article misses is a firm focus on Stacey Abrams the candidate rather than the matrix of numbers and voting patterns of blacks and whites. It omits one essential fact: as the Democratic House Leader, she flipped six Republican districts using her template. Its plan and strategy has been tested and proven; it works! As did on Tuesday! Look at the differences in vote totals if you have doubts.
Stacey Abrams is an old-fashioned politician: she transcends numbers and previous patterns the same way Barack Obama did. She is charismatic, sincere, honest, unvarnished, warm, and listens and finds a way to include everyone's position in conversations, and more important, in policies. Her inclusiveness is real. She offers none of the meanness and dirt, the blame and scorn that is a bulwark to Georgia's progress.
Unlike others, she avoids the numbers and goes after the footsteps.
55
A thousand times YES, Mr. Rhett - the article made her sound like a neophyte, when she's a powerhouse!
11
Walter....plz define liberal vs progressive. What does Abrams mean? Thanks.
The Georgia conservative electorate showed no shame when they threw out double amputee Vietnam veteran Democratic Senator Max Cleland after a challenge by Republican Saxby Chambliss who called Cleland unpatriotic.
It would be rich irony indeed if the first black woman to be elected Governor of a State would be from Georgia.
Congratulations Ms. Abrams and please stick to your progressive agenda. Splitting the baby in half and trying to please “moderates” in electorate will only result in defeat, as HRC so aptly demonstrated in 2016.
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HRC faced Russian interference, the impact of which is debatable. But it happened and can't be ignored.
35
HRC was a loser, and still is, no matter how you folks keep trying to spin it. If the DNC tries that again, the same result will occur!
2
" If the DNC tries that again, the same result will occur!"
Just what are you referring to as being tried again? Or is it just a case of deep embedding of Hillary in the brain?
Demographics are changing such that the deep south is becoming no longer the deep south. What have been considered deep red states are changing to purple and ultimately blue.
Within all of that context the ''establishment'' ( especially on the Democratic side ) is losing its stronghold ( or stranglehold ) on trying to hold the ''middle''. ( or what is generally republican lite since the political spectrum has been pulled so far right overall in the last generation )
Onward and upward for true Liberal candidates.
181
GA has been on the cusp of returning to the Democratic column for a few years now. The DNC puts little or no support into congressional or state races here. The presidential candidates are so busy playing Electoral College politics they don't even show up once during the election cycle.
10
Yes. We. Can.
211
"Yes We Can"
This is the America that the world loves.
25
One of the primary reasons that a racist fool is now running this country lies with the underwhelming black turnout for his Democratic opponent. If black Americans don't show up this Election Day in Georgia they'll find the national Democratic Party will be in no mood to take their votes for granted in the future.
19
stu, mood or no mood should any party take any group's votes for granted, especially Black Americans?
7
Please don’t blame black voters for the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections. The black turnout is hardly the primary reason for the outcome, although it’s a convenient narrative that fits into old tropes (that being, black people are unengaged/lazy).
The majority of college educated white women voted for a documented self described sexist, and openly/historically racist man. It is imperative to understand why this demographic, which in the past has swung Democratic, voted this way. And they will likely be the key to deciding the race in Georgia, as well.
21
I thought Trump won because the majority of white people voted for him.
13
bout time!
43
Congratulations. I'm sending Money, leave the thought and prayers for the God botherers. Good Luck !!!
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The thing about America is that no matter how bleak and rotten things are looking, there are always green shoots sprouting up. The silent majority is all that is germinating.
268
Take that Lester Maddox!
Somewhere Ray Charles is singing "Georgia on my mind..."
121
It is rare to see someone as genuine and pure in their pursuit of public service as Stacey Abrams. She is not only an inspiration to black women across the country, she is an inspiration to every American.
This is a huge deal, she did this without the DNC, she did this by reaching out to the people, genuinely hearing what they have to say and working hard to fulfill her promises. Georgia is more than lucky to have someone like Stacey Abrams, and I hope that the people of Georgia make the right choice come November.
634
And I would hope she pays her taxes like most hard working Americans. That would be an inspiration for me.
4
@James, Boston: “public service?” Gee, what a novel concept. No shadow donors for her, huh?
Purity, indeed.
3
"And I would hope she pays her taxes..."
Yes that would be refreshing. Michael Grimm is running for the House again in my district, even though he had to resign because he was convicted of felony tax evasion.
Every time I see one of his signs in front of someone house, it's like a punch to my stomach. How did you put a picture of a felon on your lawn?
And I saw him in person twice. The second time was the day after Hurricane Sandy. I, like many other Occupy activists, were delivering relief supplies. Then I see Michael Grimm at a makeshift relief station on Midland Ave trying on a pair of leather gloves! "These are great thanks," he said. Then he walked away with them, profiting off disaster.
The right seems to have decided that since many politicians lie and are corrupt that the solution is politicians that lie more and are more corrupt.
Without the rule of law the Constitution is meaningless. Without the Constitution the Republic craves to exist. Don't vote for liars and con-men.
Georgia primary voters have sent a message to the national Democratic Party: "Trump voters are not going to come back. Energize your base by standing for something." The question is whether the national party will listen. The way to get them to listen is to get people who historically have not bothered to show up to get to the polls on Election Day. THAT is priority #1.
185
Jill, Isn't it a shame we have to hope that the Democratic leadership will listen to and note what Dem. candidates and voters are doing?
20
I could not agree more Jill C. #RockTheVote
14
One can only hope Democratic voters consider the words of former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower: "There's nothing in the middle of the road but a yellow stripe and dead armadillos." Republicans have chosen their course, but Democrats -- at least at the national level -- seem to want to straddle fences. Country music isn't my thing, but a song by Aaron Tippin sums it up: "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything."
12