In the lead-up to the first 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta, scenes featuring former President Donald Trump’s controversial 2020 phone call to Georgia’s top election official and endorsements for Joe Biden from Republican officials are being highlighted. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has organized a mobile billboard circling the event site, showcasing Trump’s call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger urging him to find more votes to help him win the state. The billboard also connects the issue of democracy with abortion bans, aiming to remind voters of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and undermine democracy.
The DNC’s pre-debate activities are meant to emphasize the contrast between President Biden, who is portrayed as fighting for the American people, and Trump, who is labeled as a convicted felon only fighting for his own interests. The billboard references Trump’s felony charges in New York and his alleged attempts to dismantle Georgia’s democracy. Additionally, prosecutors in Fulton County have been investigating Trump and others for an alleged unlawful scheme to overturn the election results, although the case has been temporarily paused as legal matters are reviewed.
Democracy has been a central theme for the Biden campaign as they seek to mobilize their supporters and appeal to voters’ priorities. Recent polling has shown that the “state of democracy” ranks high among voters, especially among Democrats. The campaign is also leveraging Republican endorsements, with former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan speaking out against Trump’s actions and emphasizing the importance of defending democracy. Kinzinger noted Trump’s baseless election claims and his response to the January 6th Capitol riot as reasons to oppose him.
In contrast, outside of Atlanta, National Republican officials held a “Protect the Vote” event to encourage Trump supporters to participate as poll workers and poll watchers in the upcoming election. Despite concerns about Trump potentially referencing the 2020 election as “stolen” during the debate, GOP officials are focusing on building a protective vote program and emphasizing Trump’s plans for the future. The RNC Chair emphasized the importance of election infrastructure and promoting voting options like early voting and mail-in ballots as priorities for the party.
Overall, the lead-up to the 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta is marked by a focus on democracy, with both parties highlighting contrasting views on Trump’s post-2020 election efforts and the importance of defending democratic principles. The use of mobile billboards, press conferences, and endorsements from Republican officials reflect the campaign strategies employed by both sides as they seek to sway voters and make their case for the upcoming election.
