Stacey Abrams opens up about crime, police and winning the Black vote
Ahead of a consequential Georgia gubernatorial election in November, former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams is confident that if one elusive voting bloc overwhelmingly votes for her, she will come out on top. Abrams joins Yahoo News National Reporter Marquise Francis at a campaign stop in Kennesaw, Ga., to discuss the issues of crime, policing and what she needs to do to win in November.
Video transcript
- Ladies and gentlemen some noise for the future governor of the state of Georgia Stacey Abrams.
[APPLAUSE]
Marquise Francis: So, you've been hosting these series of events all throughout the state, looking to really meet people where they're at. In terms of crime, that's a big worry for a lot of people. So when addressing that, are there kind of quick fixes that you see or does it going to take some time?
Stacey Abrams: We have to recognize that this is a statewide issue. This is not endemic to Atlanta. Violent crime has gone up under the current governor. Before the new President came in 2021, violent crime was going up under the current governor. And while it's going up here, it is going up across the state. That means that we have to have a statewide response, we cannot put it on individual mayors to address statewide systemic challenges. We need a governor who is a partner to those mayors and County commissioners to get good done and that's my intention as the next governor of Georgia.
Marquise Francis: We know that Black people have a very complicated history or just feeling towards the police. And I know you and your campaign have come out and said you do not support defunding the police but you do support reallocation where budgets are tight. What was your reaction to people's reaction to you not supporting defunding the police?
Stacey Abrams: I have been consistent since 2020, that is not a frame or an approach that I take because I think it is one dimensional. It's a legitimate belief system to hold when you understand the noxious, racist history that undergirds so many of our experiences with law enforcement. However, we also need law enforcement. I need to know that the communities I serve are protected. And most people in law enforcement are good actors. It is when they are bad actors, it is when the systems are so corroded or so poorly resource that we see the challenges that we see. We have to be able to have a complex conversation about law enforcement and unfortunately a tweet is a terrible way to do that. This is a visceral issue. And I do not begrudge a single person their angst and their anger, but I want them to understand that as a policymaker, and as a Black woman who has two Black brothers, and has a Black father, and has three nephews, it matters to me every single day that Georgia becomes the Hallmark for how we balance the need for justice, and the need for accountability and safety and that we cannot be forced to choose one over the other.
Marquise Francis: And another very prominent Black woman in the state is Georgia's district Attorney, Fani Willis. And I know she's famously indicted to rappers very popular rappers within the state, Young Thug and Gunna. And most specifically used some of their rap lyrics in court. And I know some states are going through the process right now are throwing that out. Do you support the use of rap lyrics in court?
Stacey Abrams: I believe in the First Amendment. I cannot speak to the particulars of this case, but I do think it is a very dangerous precedent to use someone's written word as a proof point. I'm a writer myself, I've published multiple novels and I know that language can be provocative. I do not know enough about these particular cases having not been in the courtroom and having not read the pleadings, but I will say that as someone who believes very staunchly in the First Amendment, I am deeply concerned about any movement towards using a person's word and their music or their writing as an indictment of who they are, and as a proof point without additional supports.
Marquise Francis: Candidates who are Democratic get over 90% of the Black vote and you're hovering somewhere around 80%, and about 10% are undecided at this point. Is that any cause for concern?
Stacey Abrams: No, because when you look at the narrative, 10% of the Black voters say they're going to vote for Kemp, which is about average. 80% say they are voting for me, 10% said they're not sure if they're voting. And so we need to understand, this is not about a commentary on me. It's a commentary on the voting process, it's a commentary on the election and that's legitimate. And too often, politicians pretend that it's a two way street. You're either a binary argument. Vote for me or vote for the other guy. No, it's a vote for me, vote for the other guy or don't vote. And I'm focusing on that 10% because I want them to know that if they show up, and if they participate, they'll be served by an Abrams administration.
Marquise Francis: One of the things that I know you put an emphasis on, is actually reaching across the aisle, and I know you've done that in the past in the state house. But if you're elected governor, you will have to work with folks like Marjorie Taylor Greene and other Republicans in the state House and so, what do you say to people who say you should focus on the people that support you rather than the people who would never support you?
Stacey Abrams: My job is to deliver for people. When I was the Minority Leader, it was in my title, I was going to lose unless I could work with people who didn't share my ideology, who didn't share my partisanship. My responsibility was to say that it's about what people want, not what politics wants. People don't care about your party, they care about their lives. And I've been very successful. I had 11 years of practice, working across the aisle. But I also never lost sight of the communities that I served, and the communities that needed my help the most. What I believe I bring to this race and what differentiates me from the current governor is that I not only have the experience, I have proof that I've done that work. And what I'm seeking to do in this election is show people now, what they can have for the next four years if they elect me as governor.
Marquise Francis: And something as simple as having lunch with Marjorie Taylor Greene, would you do that?
Stacey Abrams: Of course.
Marquise Francis: No qualms about that.
Stacey Abrams: People think that you have to compromise your values to talk to people who differ from you. That's never been the case. You don't have to believe what I believe, to try to work towards the same goals. I've worked with people with whom I am diametrically opposed on issues because the goal was to get good done. I worked with the Tea Party on environmental issues and it worked.
Marquise Francis: What would you say to someone who says they don't know who you are as a person?
Stacey Abrams: I've tried to tell them. I've published books about it, I've done commercials about it. But here's the thing, If you cannot meet me personally, hopefully you look at my social media but you'll judge me by the company I keep and by the quality of my ideas. Every politician, every person who stands for office wants to meet everyone. And because this is a state of 11 million people, where African-Americans comprise 33% of the population, which means that Black men comprise roughly 17%, it's going to be hard to meet every one of them. But I can show up where I can and I can ask you to trust who I am. I want you to look at who I've said I am, but then measure it against what I've done, and know that my intention is to be a governor for everyone. I would love to get to meet everyone, but short of that. I'm going to do my very best to say, look at who I am and compare me to the other guy. And see what you think about what he has done and what I have done. And for four years without the title of Governor, I have worked on making certain we can vote, that we have the right to thrive in our communities, I've put money into small businesses, especially Black small businesses. And I've done everything I can to lift up our communities. And I hope that stands as a good way to start our new friendship.
