Abrams made no attempt at all to reach out to the newly-re-elected governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, who will serve in that position for the next four years. Electoral opponents don’t have to fight with each other ALL THE TIME. Perhaps Abrams and Kemp can find common ground on some issues, but there was no evidence in Abrams’ speech that she is at all interested in that possibility – a possibility that could greatly benefit the people of Georgia, the people Abrams claims she cares about.
No men were on the stage. That strikes me as a major mistake, a serious mistake. If Abrams is fighting only for the DEMOCRATIC WOMEN of Georgia, then she deserves to lose. Why? Because men and boys are half the population of the state. Just as women ought to be included in leadership roles in any serious political campaign, men ought to be visible in campaign leadership roles as well.
Four of the five people on the stage were black. Only one was white. Georgia’s population is one-third black and over 60% white. If Abrams wants to be the candidate primarily of black Georgians, she will likely lose her next state-wide race, as she has lost her last two bids for state-wide office.
These visually obvious facts about who was on the stage point to a serious flaw in Abrams’ public relations strategy, if not in her overall campaign strategy as well. If she is a candidate who only represents black women, then governor of the state is the wrong position for her to seek.
What was NOT missing from Stacey Abrams’ speech was her manifest power as a highly articulate and passionate speaker. She is also a very well-informed and thoughtful political activist and candidate. If she plans to run again for office in Georgia, and is willing to expand her base, she might have a better chance next time.
