Presidential debate 2024: Do Trump and Biden value Georgia voters?

The political whirlwind has reached Georgia as the state hosts the first 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Since the 2020 presidential election, Georgia has become a key political battleground. From Senate and gubernatorial races to Fulton County indictments, both sides of the political spectrum are calling on Georgia voters to choose a side.

Given the Peach State’s growing political influence, the question remains: Do the candidates really care about Georgia voters?

A candidate’s loyalty to a state is best measured by the policies he supports, his devotion to those principles, and his commitment to the state. Neither Trump nor Biden have passed this test with flying colors.

When Biden and Trump take the stage at CNN’s studios on Thursday, they will no doubt call on viewers to support them in their quest for the White House. Hopefully, there will be a political discussion amid the political campaigning and the vitriolic opposition jabs that have undermined previous debates.

For voters in Georgia, it’s clear: According to a Quinnipiac University poll, the economy is the most important issue on the ballot in November. 29 percent of Georgians said it was their most important issue in the election.

The Biden administration touts record wages and low unemployment as evidence of a healthy economy. Inflation peaked at 9.06 percent in 2022 and steadily declined to 3.27 percent by May. By all technical measures, Georgia’s economy has performed well during Biden’s tenure, but voters are still dissatisfied.

When Georgians buy gas or pay at the supermarket, the price is too high. The increased cost of living is crushing people – their dollar simply doesn’t go as far as it used to.

When asked who was to blame, RNC spokesman Henry Scavone said: “Joe Biden’s policies have led to higher prices, lower wages and a weakening agricultural sector for Georgia families.”

As students, we feel the effects of inflation. Biden’s claim that the economy is improving is not enough to allay our concerns—neither candidate has presented a clear plan to cut costs or adequately defended their economic record.

While Republicans blame Biden for inflation, Moody Analytics reports that overall, Biden’s policies are better for the economy. Since taking office, Biden has created 450,000 jobs in Georgia and invested billions in infrastructure projects and small businesses in Georgia, creating a record number of new Black and Latino-owned startups.

Biden suffers from a perception problem.

For Biden to change Georgians’ minds about his economic record, he must acknowledge the reality of rising costs while confidently touting his administration’s progress. The numbers don’t speak for themselves; more analysis is needed than just claiming Biden is good for the economy. While he has the evidence, Biden will need to tout his economic record and his plans for the next four years to convince skeptics.

Perception is crucial for both campaigns as they battle for dominance in the polls. Currently, Trump leads Biden by five percent. Both campaigns have begun mobilizing across the state to gain support.

Republicans have opened more than a dozen Trump Force 47 campaign offices across the state and plan to open more. In Georgia, however, Trump’s campaign needs to catch up. Biden has more offices, more staff and a more established network to spread his message.

Biden and his allies have been in the state more frequently. Trump has only visited Georgia a handful of times, while the president, vice president, first lady and second gentleman have visited the state frequently. The Biden campaign has held over two hundred events in the state this week, building anticipation for the debates. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Trump is on trial in New York for multiple crimes, which may explain his lesser attendance in Georgia.

In May, Biden delivered the commencement address at Morehouse College, where he touted his administration’s achievements for African Americans. Biden’s attendance was controversial, with alumni and students demanding that the offer for Biden to speak be withdrawn in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Biden must avoid the impression that he is feigning support for African Americans. The tensions highlight how much Biden’s support among African Americans has waned, and according to the Washington Post, their turnout in 2024 will be crucial to his victory in Georgia.

The Trump campaign is quick to point out that Biden’s support is waning in the black community. And it’s true – Biden is experiencing a decline in support, especially among black farmers in the state.

Ultimately, Georgians are suffering from severe election fatigue. We are fed up with the attack ads on television, the political bickering and, above all, the candidates.

According to Associated Press polls, a rerun of the 2016 election is widely unpopular, and yet here we are. We join the public in our lack of enthusiasm for the candidates. Biden has always suffered from lukewarm support among Democrats, and Trump has managed to alienate moderates even further with his condemnations and controversial rhetoric.

Tomorrow’s debate could be a turning point in the Georgia electoral race. Biden will either use this opportunity to energize Democrats, build momentum and explain to voters how his administration is helping them, or he will falter and solidify Trump’s hold in the state.

Porsha White, the Biden campaign director in Georgia, said: “The debate will make it clear to people in Georgia and across the country that this election is a clear choice between President Biden’s vision for an America where freedoms are protected and every Georgian has a fair chance, and Donald Trump’s promise to serve as a dictator from day one.”

So the question remains: Do the candidates really care about Georgia voters? Both campaigns seem more interested in getting votes than in the voters themselves. While it’s easy to get caught up in the other candidate’s mistakes in a campaign, Georgia voters desperately need a reminder of why they should vote in the first place.

While the candidates may have already exhausted us, we should never take for granted the right to vote and the enormous responsibility we bear as citizens in electing the leaders of our republic. And while election campaigns are driven by the numbers, they should never forget who they are working for: the average citizen with their everyday problems – can they get a job, can they afford their groceries, are they safe in their neighborhood, are they better off today than they were yesterday?

Despite all the uncertainties regarding the upcoming debate and the elections in 2024, one thing is certain: Georgians should not be taken for granted.