In a fundraising event at the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, President Biden emphasized the critical role that Georgia played in his victory and subsequent presidency. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd in Buckhead on Saturday, Biden acknowledged the power of the vote and credited Georgia for his electoral success.

Arriving in Atlanta a day prior to his anticipated commencement address at Morehouse College, Biden made efforts to connect with voters and address concerns within the Black community. Before attending the fundraiser, he made a stop at the iconic Mary Mac's Tea Room, where he expressed deep gratitude to the supporters who propelled him to victory.

Although Biden won Georgia in the 2020 election, his rematch against former President Donald Trump poses new challenges. Regaining the support of liberals, Black Georgians, and more moderate voters has proven to be a formidable task as recent polls indicate a decline in his popularity among Black voters. A New York Times/Siena poll revealed that about 20% of Black respondents are leaning towards Trump in a head-to-head matchup in November.

Notably, Biden's invitation to speak at Morehouse College has been met with opposition from some students and alumni, who urged school officials to revoke the invitation due to the president's handling of the conflict in Gaza. However, upon his arrival in Atlanta, Biden was greeted by a group of elected officials who are Morehouse graduates, including U.S. Sen Raphael Warnock and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, demonstrating support from influential figures within the Black community.

In his address, Biden declared that his rematch against Trump is primarily about safeguarding democracy from the former president's influence. He highlighted the events of January 6th and accused Trump of unleashing an insurrection by refusing to accept the election's outcome.

Meanwhile, Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, humorously compared himself to the president, casting aside critics who question Biden's age and ability to seek a second term. Blank also drew parallels between Biden and his late friend, civil rights icon John Lewis, emphasizing the president's compassion and shared values.

During his visit to Mary Mac's, Biden engaged with a group of pre-assembled Democrats, making light-hearted comments about his political beginnings and Vice President Kamala Harris' status as a graduate of Howard University. Notably, he received a warm welcome from Stacey Abrams, a powerful Democrat in Georgia politics, who expressed her support for his candidacy.

Biden highlighted the achievements of his first term, attributing their success to the dedication of his supporters. He warned that Republicans aim to reverse his administration's accomplishments, from climate change legislation to Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices. Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election, Biden acknowledged that democracy itself is at stake, citing Trump's desire to undo everything he has achieved.

As the event concluded, Biden expressed his intention to personally interact with each attendee, disregarding concerns about slipping support among Black voters and backlash over his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Notably, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler criticized Biden's handling of foreign policy, while emphasizing the significance of Georgia as a political stronghold in determining national outcomes.

In an attempt to broaden his support base, Biden expressed hope in gaining support from Republicans. He acknowledged the substantial number of votes received by Nikki Haley, even after she withdrew from the presidential race, and welcomed the endorsement of Georgia's former Republican lieutenant governor, Geoff Duncan.

President Biden's visit to Georgia underscores the state's crucial role in his reelection bid. As the political climate intensifies, the president aims to rekindle enthusiasm among his diverse coalition of supporters while appealing to a broader audience across party lines.

Stay tuned to AJC.com for updates on President Biden's visit and campaign efforts.