Former President Bill Clinton rallied an enthusiastic crowd in Augusta Sunday two days before Election Day.
Clinton, 78, said he’d never won an election without support from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in whose downtown meeting hall he spoke Sunday.
Clinton praised Vice President Kamala Harris and gave the current administration credit for 16 million jobs in four years, created on the back of a pandemic.
He said Harris’ economic plan costs less than half that of former President Donald Trump’s, addresses food prices and housing and helps far more people.
“It costs less than half of Trump’s and he helps far less than half as many people. Why? Because he gives it all to his millionaire friends,” Clinton said.
Clinton ridiculed Trump and his supporters for taking credit for everything from the sun shining to making it rain by not being president.
“You will always be proud if you make Kamala Harris president and Tim Walz vice president,” Clinton said.
MORE: What will 1% buy Richmond County schools?
He said tariffs – which Trump wants to put on “everything” – don’t work unless the American economy produces an alternative essential product.
Headed into Election Day, the crowd – an enthusiastic mix of older Democrats and Democratic elected officials and candidates, quite a few Augusta Pride members and a sprinkling of the general public – didn’t need convincing.
“The atmosphere is good. We have everybody in that’s normally out in the field working, so we’re excited,” former Augusta Commissioner Moses Todd said.
“All I can say is, ‘Good luck,’” offered former Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker.
“Everybody is excited and hopeful about the next day or so, when you’re going to go vote if you haven’t voted,” one of the event’s organizers, Lonzo Smith said. “I think this is the most hopeful we’ve been in the past three or four months.”
Augusta Pride President Michale Barnard said he was excited to see the president of his boyhood, Bill Clinton.
“I think there’s a powerful message just to get out, come out and vote, be seen and be heard,” Barnard said.
MORE: Augusta advance voting close to 2020 levels but mail ballots far behind
Liz Johnson, the Statesboro Democrat challenging Congressman Rick Allen for his U.S. House seat, said from women’s rights to voting rights to civil rights and affordable housing, the ballot has a reason for everyone to get to the polls.
“There’s a lot of synergy, a lot of excitement. Victory is certainly in the air and I’m just grateful to be a part of it,” she said.
