He is sparking controversy.
President Joe Biden is under scrutiny for his recent remarks during a campaign speech in Manassas, Virginia, where he referred to the losing candidate in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, Terry McAuliffe, as the “real governor” of the state. This statement has triggered accusations of Biden acting as an “election denier,” despite the fact that McAuliffe lost to Republican Glenn Youngkin in the election.
During the speech focused on abortion, Biden playfully greeted the crowd with a mention of “the real governor, Terry McAuliffe,” prompting laughter and applause from the audience. However, McAuliffe served as governor from 2014-2018 and was unsuccessful in his bid for a comeback in 2021, losing to Youngkin.
Youngkin, the current governor of Virginia, humorously responded to Biden’s comment, stating, “Mr. President, I’m right here.” The video clip shared by Youngkin, captured by RNC Research, a Republican National Committee account dedicated to exposing perceived falsehoods from Biden and the Democratic Party, labeled Biden as an “election denier.”
The term “election denier” has been frequently used to criticize those who questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election, where Biden emerged victorious over former President Donald Trump. Biden’s remarks about McAuliffe, even if made in a light-hearted manner, have invited claims of hypocrisy from political opponents.
The video compilation by RNC Research showcases instances where Democrats, including Biden and McAuliffe, raised doubts about the legitimacy of election outcomes in various years, such as the 2000 presidential election, 2016 presidential election, 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election, and more. This highlights a perceived inconsistency in how election challenges are viewed by different parties.
While allegations of voter fraud and challenges to election legitimacy were prominent after the 2020 presidential election, the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election did not witness such claims. McAuliffe, in a post-election statement, acknowledged his defeat and congratulated Youngkin, demonstrating a departure from the controversies surrounding the 2020 election.
As Biden navigates his re-election bid in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, the rhetoric surrounding the 2020 election remains a contentious aspect. Biden has emphasized the importance of respecting the 81 million people who voted for his presidency, addressing what he refers to as “the Big Lie” propagated by those contesting the 2020 election results. However, the video shared by RNC Research aims to draw attention to instances where Democrats themselves have questioned election outcomes in the past.
