‘He’s All In’: First Lady is in Georgia to support BIden-Harris campaign

COLUMBUS, GA. – United States First Lady Dr. Jill Biden came to Georgia’s third largest city on Monday night to speak in front of a crowd of Biden-Harris administration supporters at a Veterans & Families for Biden-Harris event at the Bibb Mill Event Center.

When it came to what her husband, United States President Joseph R. Biden, was planning to do Dr. Biden’s message to the dozens of supporters in the warehouse-style space was clear: “He’s all in.”

A number of veterans took the stage before Biden arrived in order to share their thoughts on former United States President Donald J. Trump’s past comments on veterans, such as the oft-used “losers and suckers” comment.

First to take the stage on Monday night, retired veteran Bill Martin shared a story of getting a draft notice at his parent’s home in 1969. Along with Martin, there were several veterans, lick Columbus resident Gloria Tyson, that mentioned Trump avoiding being drafted because of perceived or actual medical issues.

“We got to show up on November 5,” Martin said. “This election is about a lot more than veteran’s benefits. This election is about the survival of democracy.”

Tyson, a retired veteran of 21 years of service, said she was there or support the Biden-Harris administration. She took the stage and yelled into the microphone, “Good evening, democrats.” Tyson took the stage alongside Dr. Biden.

“You don’t define a president in 90 minutes,” Tyson said. “We are a democracy and we are going to continue to be part of a democracy.” Tyson and her husband Kennedy, who was also in attendance, are both veterans and have been married for over 40 years.

Dr. Biden opened by thanking the crowd and the community, which was made up of many veterans and seniors. “I’m glad to be back to visit with this community that so many veterans and veteran families call home,” she said. Biden’s father was a military veteran. “Does Donald trump know anything about being in the military?,” she asked.

She took a few moments to list some of the pro-military accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration, including health care and Pact Act .

“You are what this election is all about,” Biden said. “We cannot trust Donald Trump…..the military community deserves better.”

Denise Ellis, a democrat and Minneapolis native, said she moved to Georgia in the wake of the George Floyd incident and because she wanted to get directly involved in local politics in a battleground state. She now works with the Muskogee County Democrats.

“It’s a dangerous time and we’re not getting off the horse in the middle of the stream,” Ellis said. “We can’t take Trump, so we have to have get Biden back into office.”

Phylis Leggett, a Biden-Harris supporter, added that she supports Biden and Harris because, “They stand for the values of what America should be. That’s what I want for my four grandchildren.”

Throughout her 15-minute speech Biden was crystal clear about what the campaign needed from veterans and their families this election season. “Together Georgia, together, we are going to win this,” she said before leaving the stage.

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