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A nail in the coffin for Democrats?
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had been one of the leading voices among Georgia Republicans imploring Kemp and Trump to fix their relationship as the 2024 election grew closer. He urged the men to “repair the damage” on Fox News Sundaylast month with the White House at stake.
In a post to X on Thursday praising Kemp’s “full-throated endorsement” of Trump, Graham called game over for Democrats.
“To my Democratic friends: As the song goes, this is The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia…for you,” Graham wrote. “Well done, Governor @BrianKempGA.”
Both sides of the aisle acknowledge that the truce will help Republicans, but it is unclear how much. Democratic strategist Brad Bannon said other factors are at play that keep Georgia trending blue, including Democratic support from black voters, who make up over 30% of the state’s population, according to the 2020 census.
“Yeah, I think it helped Trump a little bit,” Bannon said. “Whether it will help him enough to recover the state, I think that’s a question mark.”
Trump and establishment wings of GOP at peace — for now
At the Republican National Convention, a sense of unity and camaraderie was in the air as Republicans gathered to formally nominate Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as their presidential ticket.
It was a stark contrast to sentiments within the party over the last year, as Congress has been plagued with GOP spats overspending, the House speakership, foreign aid, and endorsements of candidates other than Trump.
Democrats for the longest time have just needed to sit back and watch as Republicans fought among themselves. However, Democrats experienced their own fracturing when a wave of lawmakers called on President Joe Biden to step aside. After nearly a month of contention following Biden’s lackluster June 27 debate, Biden withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Harris to succeed him. Harris was formally nominated on Wednesday.
Now, with both parties seemingly united, Republicans in particular will need to keep a handle on the infighting, not just for the White House but also to win majorities in the House and Senate.
Jamie Palmer, chair of the Floyd County GOP, said a truce between Kemp and Trump will help reconcile the party, particularly between the establishment and Trump wings of the GOP.
“This is really big for the Republican Party, to see those two together,” Palmer told the Washington Examiner.
Palmer, whose county is represented by firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), said he would love to see his congresswoman onstage with Kemp, Trump, and Vance.He said Kemp and Vance continuing to show they are on the same page about the election will be imperative for get-out-the-vote initiatives.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3132881/gop-trump-bury-hatchet-kemp-house-in-order/