Biden's 'Day of Destiny'... Trump Also Enters Virginia Governor Election

Virginia Governor Election That Could Shake Biden's Power Base Underway
Trump Appeals for Support in Phone Call the Day Before Election
"Let's Vote for the Republican Virginia Governor Candidate"
Criticism Against Biden Intensifies

Glenn Youngkin, Republican candidate for Governor of Virginia, USA [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Georgia gubernatorial election, which could shake the foundation of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, is currently underway. With former President Donald Trump endorsing the Republican candidate through a phone speech just one day before the election, attention is increasingly focused on the results of this proxy battle between President Biden and former President Trump.

Among the elections that began across the U.S. on the 2nd (local time), the Virginia gubernatorial race is undoubtedly the center of attention. If the candidate supported by Trump wins in this area, which previously shifted from Republican to Democratic support, President Biden's lame-duck period could accelerate.

Originally expected to occur during the midterm elections in November next year, the possibility of a lame-duck phase may arise just nine months into Biden's administration.

Former President Trump made a sudden appearance in the election scene the day before the vote. According to The Washington Post (WP), Trump used phone calls as his means of election intervention, rather than the large rallies or Twitter he was familiar with in the past.

Trump said, "Virginia Republicans will do something that no one else can do," urging support for candidate Glenn Youngkin.

In an 11-minute phone speech, Trump stated, "I know candidate Youngkin well. Our relationship is good, and he is a fantastic person," adding, "The fake news wants to say otherwise because they don't want our big, huge, and beautiful base to vote as much as never before." He emphasized, "Youngkin will be a great governor."

According to WP, Youngkin, who is in a tight race within about 1 percentage point against Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe, tried to downplay his pro-Trump stance to gain support from moderate voters but received backing from Trump's camp in the final stages of the election.

President Biden appealed for support during McAuliffe's campaign last week, but McAuliffe's approval ratings remained unchanged.

At a press conference after attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland on the same day, President Biden said, "I think we will win in Virginia," but also admitted, "It's a close race, so it's hard to predict the election outcome," refraining from guaranteeing victory.

Former President Trump raised his voice in criticism against President Biden and the Democrats. Trump claimed, "McAuliffe embraced the far-left, and Biden's Democrats will literally destroy suburban areas."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is cheering with a 'Tomahawk Chop' during the World Series game held in Atlanta, Georgia. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 31st of last month, former President Trump also made a surprise appearance in Georgia, which played a decisive role in Biden's election and the Democrats' control of the Senate, drawing attention.

At that time, Trump watched the Major League Baseball World Series game held in Atlanta and performed the "Tomahawk Chop," a cheer with connotations of Native American stereotyping and racial discrimination. The Georgia Republican Party has an uneasy relationship with the White House and Democrats as it pushes legislation restricting mail-in voting favorable to President Biden.

In U.S. political circles, Trump's recent moves ahead of the election are seen as a full-fledged effort to shake President Biden's base.

Meanwhile, political media outlet The Hill reported that in a Harvard University American Politics Center and Harris Poll survey, 47% of Republican supporters and independents said they would support former President Trump in the 2024 Republican primary. The gap with second-place Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was a staggering 30 percentage points. This means there is currently no one who can prevent Trump's candidacy for the next presidential election. Although Trump has not yet declared his intention to run in 2024, his candidacy is increasingly seen as a reality.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.