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Less than a month before the Georgia Senate election, Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker squared off in the first and only debate between the two. They argued over inflation, elections and abortion. Precisely during this last topic, the most heated moments of the event took place.
Candidates shook hands and smiled as they settled on their respective podiums to begin the event. Once lights were turned on and the live broadcast began, all cordiality disappeared.
Their strategy was clear from the start: Walker sought to nationalize the election and particularly to merge his opponent with Joe Biden, recalling that Warnock voted with the president 96% of the time. For his part, the incumbent senator tried to make it clear that he is the one who is best prepared to serve in the Senate. In turn, he repeated that Walker “has a problem with the truth.”
After discussing inflation, electoral laws and 2020, it was time to talk about abortion. It was there where one of the most tense moments of the night took place.
Walker and Warnock got heated when discussing abortion
“Georgia is a state that respects life and I will be a senator who protects life,” Walker began, while specifying that he supports “Georgia’s Heartbeat bill, because that’s the bill of the people from Gov. (Brian) Kemp,” which provides for exceptions in certain cases.
Warncock, an ex-pastor, defended his position in favor by asserting that “the women of this state woke up one summer morning and court protection they’ve known for 50 years was taken from them by an extremist Supreme Court. I trust women more than I trust politicians.”
“It is a too narrow and small and cramped space for a woman, her doctor and the United States government,” he added.
Almost immediately, Walker stepped up to the microphone and shot back with a question, “did he not mention that there’s a baby in that room as well?” and added that “also, he did not mention that he asked the taxpayers pay for it, so he´s bringing the government back into the room.”
The senator was not far behind and reminded that he is a pastor, that he is a man of faith and that he has “a profund reverence for life and a deep respect for choice. Women of Georgia have a clear choice. Do you want a senator who wants to control your life or you want a senator who wants to save your life.”
Walter replied: “He told me Black lives matters. In Atlanta, Georgia, there are more black babies that are aborted than anything. So, if black lives matter, why are you not protecting those babies? Instead of aborting those babies, why are you not baptizing those babies?,” the Republican concluded.
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]