Podcast Summary
A casual encounter led to a significant shift in Georgia's political landscape: Nse Ufat's meeting with Stacey Abrams in 2014 led to her joining the New Georgia Project and ultimately contributed to record voter turnout in the 2018 midterm elections, making Georgia a blue state for the first time in decades.
The encounter between Nse Ufat and Stacey Abrams in 2014, which started as a casual suggestion, led to a significant shift in Georgia's political landscape. Despite Nse's initial reluctance, they had brunch and eventually, Nse moved back to Atlanta to join the New Georgia Project, an organization focused on voter registration. This encounter set the stage for Stacey Abrams' historic bid to become the first black woman governor in the US, even though she ultimately lost to Brian Kemp. However, Kemp's role as the Secretary of State during the election raised concerns about voter suppression, and when Abrams lost, she refused to concede and instead criticized him for it. This controversy led to a record voter turnout in the 2018 midterm elections, resulting in Georgia becoming a blue state for the first time since 1992. The story of how Georgia went blue and the impact of Stacey Abrams' candidacy is explored in the "Gaining Ground" podcast.
Record voter turnout in the 2020 US election: 158 million Americans voted, setting a new record. Georgia saw significant increase in early voting and flipped blue, leading to runoffs. Organizations like the New Georgia Project played crucial roles in voter engagement and registration.
The historic 2020 US election saw unprecedented voter turnout, with over 158 million Americans casting their ballots, marking a significant increase from 2016. This trend was particularly evident in Georgia, where record early voting took place and the state ultimately flipped blue, leading to runoff elections that will determine the balance of power in Washington. The election was also notable for the collective efforts of organizations like the New Georgia Project, led by Stacey Abrams, which have been working for years to engage and register voters. This year's election served as an opportunity to test the power being built and to stress test the election system, highlighting the importance of continuous organizing and advocacy for issues that matter to individuals, families, and communities.
Voter suppression in Georgia's 2018 gubernatorial race renewed attention: African American voters faced renewed voter suppression efforts in Georgia's 2018 gubernatorial race, inspiring a new generation of young voters to fight for their rights and democracy.
Voter suppression, a pervasive issue in the history of the South, particularly in the context of elections involving African American voters, gained renewed attention during the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the election, was frustrated by the voter suppression tactics she believed had impacted the results. This experience led her to launch Fair Fight, a voting rights organization. The issue of voter suppression was not new, with efforts to deny African Americans the right to vote dating back to the 1950s and 60s, when Hank Klibanoff, a journalist and professor, grew up in the South and covered the topic extensively. Despite the ongoing efforts to suppress the votes of African Americans, a new generation of young voters, many of whom were born in the late 90s and early 2000s, were radicalized by what they witnessed in Georgia. These voters, who saw their votes being invalidated, became some of Fair Fight's most passionate and dedicated volunteers. Their experience of flipping a state and being part of a larger national conversation about democracy and voting rights instilled in them a deep understanding of the power of their vote and the importance of fighting for their rights.
Suppressing African American voting rights: Historically, tactics to suppress African American voting rights included humiliating tests, moving offices, closing polling places, and more. These actions were deliberate and effective in discouraging black people from voting, and the goal remains the same today.
The suppression of voting rights, particularly for African Americans, has a long and deliberate history in the United States. This was achieved through various tactics, including humiliating tests, moving offices from being elective to appointed, closing polling places without notice, and more. These actions were not coincidental, but rather part of a toolbox of effective techniques used to discourage black people from voting. The individuals who employed these tactics were often sharper and more media savvy than they are portrayed today. Despite the evolution of these tactics, the fundamental goal remains the same: to suppress the voting rights of certain communities. The recent closing of polling places in African American neighborhoods is a clear example of this ongoing issue. It's essential to remember the history and purpose behind these actions to fully understand their impact on the democratic process.
A Wake-Up Call for Tamara Stevens and Democrats in Georgia: Tamara Stevens, a former Obama supporter and volunteer, was devastated by Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016. However, the special election for Georgia's 6th district provided an opportunity for Democrats to rebuild and prepare for future elections, ultimately leading to the election of Lucy McBath and a shift in Georgia's suburbs.
The 2016 presidential election served as a wake-up call for many Americans, including Tamara Stevens from Roswell, Georgia. Stevens, a long-time volunteer and organizer, was an Obama supporter who became a surrogate for his campaign in 2008. However, she was complacent in 2016 and assumed Hillary Clinton would win. When Clinton lost, Stevens was devastated, but the special election for Georgia's 6th district, sparked by Trump's nomination of Tom Price, gave her and other Democrats a chance to rebuild and prepare for future elections. This led to the election of Lucy McBath, a former flight attendant who flipped the historically Republican district following Ossoff's defeat. McBath's victory signaled a shift in Georgia's suburbs and demonstrated that Democrats were gaining ground. Stevens' experience highlights the importance of staying engaged and not taking elections for granted.
Personal tragedy inspiring political action: Personal experiences can motivate individuals to run for office and effect change, as demonstrated by Lucy McBath and other women who became elected representatives in recent years
Personal tragedy can serve as a powerful catalyst for political action. Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan was killed in a senseless gun violence incident, was inspired to run for office in the aftermath of the tragedy. She felt compelled to use her voice and experiences to effect change, particularly in the area of gun control. McBath was part of a historic wave of women who ran for and were elected to Congress in 2018 and 2019, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar. These women, like McBath, were not career politicians but were motivated to stand up for their communities and fight for their causes. McBath's story highlights the power of personal experience and the importance of individuals using their voices to effect change in their communities and beyond.
Realizing the limits of voting, a Georgian activist runs for office and flips a seat: Engaging with infrequent voters and addressing their concerns, as well as reaching out to diverse groups, are crucial for political change.
Voting alone is not enough to make a significant impact on political outcomes. During the 2016 election, a Georgian activist realized this when his district flipped from blue to red by just 286 votes despite his personal involvement in the campaign. This experience led him to run for office himself in 2018 and flip the seat, as well as contribute to the blue wave in northern Atlanta suburbs. The key to success was not only reaching out to Democrats but also engaging with infrequent voters and even Republicans. The importance of personal conversations at the door and addressing the concerns of various voter groups cannot be overstated. Georgia's impact on national politics, particularly in relation to contentious issues like abortion and the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, also played a role in galvanizing voters. Overall, the lesson is that active engagement and outreach to diverse groups of voters are crucial for political change.
Importance of governance and representation in politics: Politicians should prioritize governing over divisive social matters. Representation and diverse voices are crucial in politics, but financial and time constraints limit accessibility for many potential candidates.
Social issues continue to play a significant role in political elections, with voters expressing a desire for politicians to focus more on governing rather than divisive social matters. Shelley Hutchinson, a Democrat representing Georgia's 100 and 7th house district, shared her experience of running for office in a traditionally conservative area, highlighting the challenges faced by average citizens in participating in the political process due to financial and time constraints. Hutchinson's election, which came after years of uncontested races, underscores the importance of representation and the need for diverse voices in politics. However, even after her election, Hutchinson faced challenges, including a reduction in lawmakers' salaries that further limited accessibility for potential candidates. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the ongoing need for a focus on governance and the importance of ensuring that political representation is accessible to all citizens.
The Power of Individual Voters: Individual votes matter, stay informed, engage in community, and turn out to vote to create change.
The power to change the political landscape lies in the hands of individual voters. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement, education, and turning out to vote, especially in communities where the significance of each vote may be underestimated. Organizers like Nse Ufat and Stacey Abrams have been working tirelessly for years to shift the culture around voting and mobilize voters, often in the face of voter suppression efforts. The recent election results serve as a reminder that every vote counts and that collective action can lead to significant change. It's crucial for individuals to be informed, talk to their neighbors and loved ones about the importance of voting, and stay engaged in the political process.
Collaboration and teamwork lead to impactful change: Working together with teams and guests creates meaningful and impactful outcomes. Join us in getting politically active at votesaveamerica.com/volunteer.
The importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving significant change. We express our gratitude to Chris Corcoran and the Cadence 13 team, Oren Rosenbaum and Grace Royer from UTA, Ryan Nord, Jesse Nord, and Matthew Papa from the Nord Group, and the teams at Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media for their contributions to making this podcast possible. We also appreciate the insights from our guests and contributors. It's clear that by working together, we can create something meaningful and impactful. If you're inspired to get politically active, visit votesaveamerica.com/volunteer to learn more about how you can make a difference. Thank you for tuning in to Gaining Ground Podcast.
