NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly conducted an interview with Josh McKoon, the chair of the Georgia Republican Party, in Atlanta to discuss the impending 2024 presidential election. The conversation took place at the WABE studios.
During the interview, McKoon outlined the key strategies the Georgia GOP is employing to encourage voter turnout. Efforts primarily include canvassing and making phone calls, with a strong emphasis on promoting early voting due to its convenience and the potential for unforeseen issues on Election Day. By encouraging voters to participate in the three-week in-person early voting period, the party aims to focus efforts on less frequent voters.
Regarding the current political landscape in Georgia, McKoon acknowledged that despite earlier Democratic disengagement, recent polls indicate a tightening race. He attributed this to the consistent polling lead of Donald Trump and the strong support from Georgia Republicans, contrasted with Vice President Kamala Harris’s challenges in securing substantial backing from Black voters.
When asked about the implications of Donald Trump’s status as a convicted felon, McKoon dismissed its significance, expressing concerns over what he sees as the politicization of the criminal justice system. He downplayed the severity of the charges, attributing them to partisan motives rather than substantive actions by Trump.
On the topic of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, McKoon defended Trump’s right to contest the election through legal avenues and criticized the judicial system’s handling of the case in Georgia. He suggested that economic concerns would be more pivotal for voters than issues stemming from the 2020 election.
Addressing concerns about the federal debt and Trump’s tax policies, McKoon pointed to increased federal revenues during Trump’s first term, advocating for tax policies that foster American innovation and economic growth, while calling for restrained spending.
Finally, when presented with criticisms from former Trump administration officials deeming Trump unfit for office, McKoon dismissed these critiques, attributing them to self-interest within the professional class in Washington, D.C. He emphasized the desire among voters for significant economic and border policy changes which, he argues, Trump is best positioned to deliver.
The interview concluded with McKoon reaffirming his support for Donald Trump and expressing confidence in the strategies and policies of the Georgia Republican Party.
