Clinton plans millennial push, Trump to open Ga. HQ
The latest in a state that might be a battleground: Hillary Clinton’s camp steps up millennial outreach in Georgia and a Trump surrogate asks for black votes
Both her Democratic campaign and the camp of Republican Donald Trump have been making some Georgia investments and staff hires amid some rumbling that the state might be less safely red than it’s been in previous elections.
In a call with media on Tuesday, some of Clinton’s top Georgia supporters touted a plan that’s pretty much out of Bernie Sanders’ book: a college “compact” that would see, by their math, 137,000 Georgia students pay no tuition for a four-year college degree.
“We have emerged during the time of poised and progressive leadership in the White House and we need to have that work continue,” said state Rep. Park Cannon, D-Atlanta, herself a millennial, speaking in support of Clinton.
The campaign staff on the line didn’t know offhand how that would affect Georgia’s HOPE scholarships for college and technical school students.
But what the supporters did say is that they’re stepping up outreach to young people: Students on more college campuses can expect to hear from Hillary stumpers. Those off-campus can look for attention from professional organizations and party chapters.
A millennial canvassing kickoff is scheduled for this Saturday afternoon (11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 17) at Clinton headquarters on 217 Walker St. S.W. (It’ll be something of a chance to show support for Clinton and visit headquarters, which, BTW, opened in Castleberry Hill last month.)
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Team Trump has been busy in the state, too.
Just in case the Clinton canvas kickoff is not enough politics for one day, the Trump-Pence campaign is having a grand opening for its Sandy Springs headquarters the same afternoon. And just yesterday, Georgian and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich stumped for Trump at Kennesaw State University. At that talk, Gingrich urged African-American voters to give Trump a chance and skip the Democratic politicians that he blamed for a lot of troubles in big cities. And late last month, Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence visited the state, scooping up cash at a fundraiser that took six figures to co-sponsor.
But if Georgia voted for a Democrat presidential candidate, it would be the first time since 1992.
Some folks think it could happen. Mayor Kasim Reed has suggested a serious spend by the Clinton camp in Georgia could turn the state into the garlic that stops the Trump presidential campaign.
But for people who are waiting for Georgia to “turn blue,” Republican campaign whisperer Mike Hassinger suggests a look at all the top folks elected in Georgia, not just at the presidential race.
“With Republicans holding both U.S. Senate seats, 10 of the 14 seats in the U.S. House, every statewide office, and with overwhelming majorities in the state House and Senate, it’s hard to argue that Georgia can be ‘blue’ in any meaningful sense,” Hassinger wrote on georgiapol.com on Monday.PS, you can register to vote online.