Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is endorsing Democratic Sen. Joe Biden for the upcoming 2020 presidential election, reported the Associated Press (AP). As the leader of one of the nation’s most prosperous and progressive Black cities, Bottom’s endorsement is huge for Biden.
She said her decision to support the former vice president stemmed from believing he was the most likely to beat President Donald Trump.
“For me, it was most important that we have a president who doesn’t have to walk in the door and figure out where the light switch is, that we have somebody who can lead on Day One,” Bottoms told AP during the democratic candidate’s debate held in Miami Thursday.
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Jamarlin talks with Dr. Boyce Watkins about the lopsided relationship between the Democratic Party and Black America. They discuss potential 2020 presidential candidates, Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris, and whether corporations and interests connected to foreign countries have more influence than Black voters on policy and priorities.
During the debate Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris had a heated exchange, during which Harris criticized Biden for recent remarks and past stances on busing. Bottoms believes the criticism is unfounded.
“My position is, if his explanation was good enough for John Lewis, then it’s good enough for me,” Bottoms told AP. Lewis is a beloved civil right icon and Georgia congressman who came to Biden’s defense.
Bottoms, 49, knows what it’s like to be in a heated election. She fought hard to win her seat and got help from Biden’s current opponents Harris and Sen. Cory Booker. While saying she respected both candidates, she believes Bien is best suited to oust Trump.
“In 2016, we had a candidate who went limping into the general election,” Bottoms said. “That would be catastrophic for Democrats to do that going into 2020.”
