Former President Bill Clinton travels to Georgia to rally rural Black voters to the polls

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton urged churchgoers in Albany, Georgia, on Sunday to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign for the office he once held.

“Uniting people and building, being repairers of the breach, as Isaiah says, those are the things that work," Clinton said. "Blaming, dividing, demeaning — they get you a bunch of votes at election time, but they don’t work.”

While Mount Zion Baptist Church was not quite full, a hefty crowd welcomed Clinton with a standing ovation. Many attendees were older, but some younger people were dispersed throughout the pews.

“I think it was a great advancement for southwest Georgia to have the former president come to grace us today during the church service and spread the word about voting, especially to our young people,” said Takisha Campbell.

Georgia is one of seven states seen as pivotal in this year's presidential race, and turnout among Black voters could hold the key for Democrats to winning the state's 16 electoral votes.

Democrat Joe Biden won Georgia against then-President Donald Trump in 2020 by 11,779 votes out of more than 5 million cast. That was the first time a Democrat carried the state since Clinton in 1992. Four years later, Clinton lost the state to Republican Bob Dole but won reelection.

In 1992, Clinton and then-Sen. Al Gore rode a campaign bus through southwest Georgia to court rural voters. Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz revived the approach earlier this year by visiting Savannah and Liberty County in the southeastern part of the state, but they did not travel west.

Albany is a historic spot in the Civil Rights Movement, at Mount Zion, Clinton reminisced on a time when politics were less polarized and lamented a political climate that has been poisoned with misinformation.

He pointed to the post by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., post on X claiming that Democrats caused Hurricane Helene, which swept through the southeast last month. And he said Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who has repeatedly failed to acknowledge that Trump lost the White House in 2020, was a “yes man” to Trump.

At the Black church, Clinton played up Harris' accomplishments and promises, including her involvement in Biden's work to reduce insulin costs and revive the economy. He said she would pave the way for greater economic opportunity, mentioning her plan to provide financial support for first-time homeowners.

Regina Whearry, who attended the service, said she wished more people knew the former president was coming. But she appreciated how Clinton touched on both policy and scripture.

“It was well needed because in this area, we have very low turnout, especially among our Black males,” Whearry said.

Democrats see Clinton as someone who can mobilize both rural voters and Black voters. But while Clinton was recognized for his popularity in southern Black communities, it remains to be seen whether he can still inspire Black voters as the population familiar with his presidency grows older. But he didn't hold back in describing the stakes in this year's race.

“This whole election and the future of the country is turning out to be what people who were sort of on the fence about voting are going to do in the next three and a half weeks,” Clinton said. “It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Black registered voters have overwhelmingly favorable views of Harris and negative views of Trump despite his attempts to appeal to nonwhite voters, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But the poll also shows that many Black voters aren't sure whether Harris would improve the country overall or better their own lives.

Albany was an early battleground in the fight for civil rights. The city garnered national attention as hundreds of protesters, including Martin Luther King Jr., were arrested and jailed in 1961 and 1962.

Clinton, who was governor of Arkansas before he became president, also spoke at the Harris campaign’s Albany office, saying he asked the campaign to send him to rural areas, where he feels most at home.

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Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon

Former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop talk at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Former President Bill Clinton and US Rep. Sanford Bishop talk while seated at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at a canvassing launch for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign in Albany, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Romeo Doubs returned from a one-game suspension and caught two of Jordan Love’s four touchdown passes in the Green Bay Packers’ 34-13 victory over the mistake-prone Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Doubs scored his first two touchdowns of the season — a 10-yard score to open the second quarter and a 20-yard reception in the third quarter. Doubs, who caught three passes for 49 yards, missed the Packers’ 24-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams for conduct detrimental to the team after missing two practices.

Love also threw touchdown passes of 5 yards to Jayden Reed and 44 yards to Christian Watson while going 22 of 32 — completing throws to nine players — for 258 yards with one interception. His four touchdown passes matched a career high.

The Packers (4-2) capitalized on the Cardinals’ uncharacteristic lack of discipline. The Cardinals had been averaging a league-low 3.8 penalties per game, but they were penalized 13 times for 100 yards Sunday. They also committed three turnovers.

Arizona (2-4) also lost several players to injuries, the most notable coming when rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. left with a concussion in the second quarter after his head hit the thigh of Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie on an incompletion.

Love threw three touchdown passes in the first 25½ minutes of the game as the Packers took a 24-0 lead. The Cardinals got back into it by scoring 13 straight points – 10 in the final two minutes of the first half and a field goal on the opening drive of the second half.

But the Cardinals wouldn’t score again as Green Bay pulled away.

Arizona's Kyler Murray went 22 of 32 yards for 214 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown to Michael Wilson. Arizona's James Conner gained just 24 yards on seven carries as the Packers outrushed the Cardinals 179-89.

After the teams exchanged punts to start the game, the Packers scored three touchdowns and a field goal on their next four series to take command.

Even when it appeared the Cardinals were finally gaining some momentum in the second quarter, a turn of events enabled Green Bay to extend its lead.

Offsetting penalties wiped out a muffed punt by Reed that would have given Arizona the ball at Green Bay’s 23-yard line with the Cardinals trailing 17-0. Arizona punted again, and this time Keisean Nixon returned it 39 yards.

On the next play, Love and Watson made it 24-0 with 4½ minutes left in the first half.

Arizona started its comeback attempt when Murray found Wilson in the end zone with 1:56 left in the first half. After intended receiver Bo Melton fell on a route and Sean Murphy-Bunting picked off Love at Green Bay’s 44, Arizona’s Chad Ryland made a 38-yard field goal just before halftime.

The Cardinals got the ball to start the second half and Ryland's 40-yarder made it 24-13. Ryland was kicking in place of Matt Prater, who missed a second straight game with a knee injury.

Arizona fell apart from there.

Green Bay extended the lead on its ensuing series as Love threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Doubs to cap a drive that included two holding penalties on Murphy-Bunting. One of those penalties nullified a third-down stop that would have forced Green Bay into fourth-and-3 from the Arizona 33.

The Cardinals then fumbled the ball away on each of their next three series.

Cardinals: LB Kyzir White (knee), DT Bilal Nichols (stinger), S Joey Blount (hamstring), LG Evan Brown (ankle) and Murphy-Bunting (neck) all were injured, along with Harrison.

Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks left with a shoulder injury in the first half. C Josh Myers left in the second half.

Cardinals: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 21.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9), defended by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3), has a 44-yard reception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) signals a first down after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws over the defense of Arizona Cardinals defensive end L.J. Collier (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson celebrates his 44-yard reception for a touchdown with fans during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson celebrates with fans after his 44-yard reception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) run to the bench after Watson's 44-yard reception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14), defended by Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23), catches an 18-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) pulls away form Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) stops Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin stops Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) on a punt return during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) celebrates his 20-yard reception for a touchdown with teammate wide receiver Christian Watson during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)