Biden Urges GA To Vote For Warnock, Ossoff In Atlanta Stop: Watch

ATLANTA, GA — "Vote, vote, vote" President-elect Joe Biden chanted at the end of his speech to Atlanta's eastside Kirkwood neighborhood Tuesday to campaign for Democrats Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who are trying to knock off incumbent GOP senators in next month's runoff election.

After thanking Georgians for turning out in record numbers for the November election, Biden called out Republican incumbent Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler for backing a multi-state lawsuit attempting to overturn Georgia's election results.

"You know who didn't stand by you while Trump, Texas and others were trying to wipe out every single one of the almost five million votes you had cast here in Georgia in November? Your two Republican senators," Biden said during the rally. "They fully embraced nullifying nearly five million Georgia votes. You might want to remember that come Jan. 5."

Biden also acknowledged a "tough moment" in the country — the U.S. surpassed 300,000 deaths due to the coronavirus as of Dec. 14 — and the economic crisis as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He said with Ossoff and Warnock in office, he will be able to get more work done.

The winners of Georgia's two runoff elections will determine which political party gains control of the Senate. The two races have drawn national attention, including President Donald Trump, who held a rally in Valdosta to campaign for Perdue and Loeffler just 10 days ago.

"We need to get going on rebuilding our economy, building it back better than it was before," Biden said. "I know what we can do. I know what this country is about. I know the future we can build together. I'm hoping you'll send Jon and Raphael to Washington to help me get that done."

Stacey Abrams, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and voting rights activist, and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke ahead of Biden at the rally.

"It always seems impossible until it's done," Bottoms said during the rally. "So that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be able to do the work that they need to get done for the people of Georgia, who are wondering where their next meal will come from; who are grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID-19; for the people who are out of work across this country — we must get it done for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Jan. 5."

Ossoff and Warnock gave remarks ahead of Biden, as well, urging Georgians to vote "like we have never voted before."

"For the first time in four years, we're feeling hope in our hearts," Ossoff said during the rally. "We're feeling hope in our hearts because for the first time in four years, we have the opportunity to define the next chapter in American history. That is Georgia that has that power."

Ossoff echoed Bottoms' remarks, saying Georgians need to "do right by Joe Biden" and make sure the Senate is not controlled by Republicans.

"We need to make sure Joe Biden can pass his agenda, because if Mitch McConnell controls the Senate, they're going to try to do to Joe and Kamala just like they tried to do to President [Barack] Obama," Ossoff said. "They will block the COVID relief that we need. They will block the $15 minimum wage. They will block the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act that we need. They will block affordable health care. We can't let that happen, Georgia. We have too much good work to do."

The announcement of the rally came from Natalyn M. Archibong, Atlanta City Council member, on the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization Facebook page.

Biden hosted a drive-in Get Out The Vote rally for Ossoff and Warnock in the neighborhood's Historic Pullman Yard, according to the Facebook post. The two Senate candidates arrived beginning at 2 p.m.

Access to the event was"extremely limited," but "nothing can prevent neighbors from lining up along the motorcade route to show support and pride in having Kirkwood host this historic event," Archibong said in the post. She also asked those who line up to wear protective masks and stay socially distanced. C-Span streamed the rally, you can watch the video on its website.

Biden's stop in Atlanta comes less than a month from the Jan. 5, 2021, runoff race between Democrats Ossoff and Warnock, and Republican incumbent Sens. Perdue and Loeffler. Two days after Biden's visit, Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to make his third trip back to Georgia since the November election to rally Republican voters, according to 11Alive.

In-person early voting for the runoff elections began statewide Dec. 14 and continues through Dec. 31. Election Day is Jan. 5, 2021. For more information on where you can vote in your county, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov.