Stacey Abrams is losing the race against Republican incumbent Governor Brian Kemp in Georgia. This will be her second defeat in her attempt to become the first black woman governor in the country. Abrams, justifiably or not, is the darling of Democrat Party. Just like in 2018 during her first challenge to Kemp, Abrams is turning to her friend Oprah Winfrey to help her get out the vote in the last days of the campaign.

Will it work? Unlike in 2018 when Abrams and Winfrey did two events together in towns outside of Atlanta targeting black audiences (specifically black women voters) the event on Thursday is a virtual event. In 2018, in Marietta and in Duluth, the two appeared on a stage together and sat in big comfy looking chairs as they spoke back and forth. The audiences ate it up. A virtual event will have a different vibe. Does Oprah even carry the kind of sway she once did with women?

In order to attend the virtual event you have to go through Abrams’ website. The event is free but once you go there it quickly becomes a plea for a donation. Surprise!

I’m excited to join an extraordinary storyteller and my friend, @Oprah, for a conversation about this historic election, the #UnfinishedBusiness we have here in Georgia, and how we can write the next greatest chapter in our state's history.

Join us: https://t.co/K1gWIIRinT pic.twitter.com/E0zG1byBmJ

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) October 18, 2022

In 2018 Oprah’s pitch was for the audience to “vote your values.” In 2022 the event is titled “Oprah Winfrey and Stacey Abrams Present: A Thriving Life.” What jumps out in the publicity for the event is how ego-centric the two women are in their reasoning for Abrams’ candidacy. In 2018, Oprah launched immediately into racial grievances.

On Nov. 1, 2018, Winfrey said during a campaign speech, “I am here today for Stacey Abrams. I am here today because of the men and the women who were lynched, who were humiliated, who were discriminated against, who were suppressed, who were repressed, and who were oppressed for exercising their right to vote.”

She continued, “Don’t let nobody turn you ‘round. You can’t let their sacrifices be in vain – because every single one of us has the same power at the polls.”

In 2022, it is all about getting Abrams elected because of the color of her skin and her gender.

In a recent tweet, Abrams quoted an interview she recently did for The Cut, which read, “I will not only be the best governor for Georgia, I will be the first Black woman in American history to be governor. And you don’t elect someone for history, but, by God, why miss an opportunity to make history?”

"I will not only be the best governor for Georgia, I will be the first Black woman in American history to be governor. And you don’t elect someone for history, but, by God, why miss an opportunity to make history?" @TheCut pic.twitter.com/0WdND8kz6N

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) October 18, 2022

She wants to “make history” but what about serving the people who pay her salary? Stacey Abrams just wants to be a star. Like Oprah.

It’s no wonder Abrams is having trouble attracting black voters, especially black men, with her rhetoric. She refused to concede the race in 2018 and it is an open question if she will concede when she loses to Kemp again on November 8. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say there won’t even be a run-off in that race. Abrams is just not a likeable candidate. Other big names have come out for her, or will, before election day. Biden was there eight months ago talking about Stacey’s favorite topic, voter suppression and Jim Crow 2.0 (Georgia’s election integrity reforms) but she avoided that rally because Biden’s poll numbers were sinking fast. Jill Biden was in Georgia last week campaigning for Abrams and Warnock. Barack Obama is scheduled to come to Georgia and campaign for her. If she doesn’t win, it won’t be because bigger names didn’t try to push her over the finish line.

Even a statement on Abrams’ website sets the wrong tone. It speaks to Stacey’s unfinished business and her desire to make history. She makes it all about herself.

“All are invited to join this special event and hear more about Stacey’s unfinished business with the state of Georgia as she works to make history happen this November as the nation’s first Black female governor,” a statement posted on the website.

There is nothing humble about Stacey Abrams. Perhaps she sees that as a strength but it turns off voters. Voters are supposed to be the top priority. She’s just another grifter looking to cash in on public office. She’s done pretty well for herself since losing in 2018 and starting a cottage industry off of her claims of voter suppression. She formed non-profits that pay her well and organized get-out-the-vote drives to register voters.

Georgia is a newly purple state. When I lived in Atlanta in the 1970s the state was a blue state, as Southern states were back then. Jimmy Carter was the governor. By the time the 1990s came along, with the help of Newt Gingrich, the Republican Revolution was ushered in and Southern states began going red. The question now is if the elections of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in 2020 were flukes brought on by anti-Trump sentiment or if the Republican Party truly has a problem in the state.

As I mentioned above, I fully expect Governor Kemp to win re-election without a run-off. The Senate race between Democrat incumbent Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker is a toss-up. I’m hopeful for Walker’s chances for victory. Neither candidate is without baggage and it will come down to turn-out. Will Republicans and Independents show up for Walker or will they simply sit out the race?

Georgia remains at the top of the list of states to watch.