Former President Obama praised Major League Baseball (MLB) after it withdrew its All-Star Game from Georgia in protest against the state’s new voting restrictions.
“Congratulations to @MLB for taking a stand for the right to vote for all citizens. There is no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who has always set an example, ”Obama tweeted on Saturday.
Congratulations to @MLB for standing in the name of the right to vote for all citizens. There is no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who has always set an example.
– Barack Obama
Barack Hussein ObamaBoehner on Bachmann: Right-wing media turned ‘people who used to be marginal characters into powerful media stars’ Boehner says he called Hannity ‘crazy’ during the tense 2015 phone call, Boehner about Obama without making deals: How do you work ‘with people who call him a Kenyan Muslim traitor’ MORE (@BarackObama) April 3, 2021
The compliment comes after the MLB announced it was withdrawing its July 13 game from Atlanta in opposition to a series of restrictions on voters. Brian Kemp
Brian KempTrump calls for a boycott of the MLB for changing the All-Star Game House The Republican calls MLB ‘absolutely pathetic’ for changing the All-Star Game Warnock: MLB decision ‘unfortunate’ consequence of Georgia law MORE (R) signed the law last month.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement that the decision was made after talks with teams and players and that taking the game out of Peach State is “the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport”. The MLB draft will also be taken from Georgia.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports the right to vote for all Americans and is opposed to restrictions at the ballot box,” said Manfred.
Among the restrictions that Kemp sanctioned are the limits on the ballot box, shorter periods in which a Georgia resident can request a ballot in the mail, and new photo identification requirements for absentee voting.
The new measures have come under severe criticism from Democrats and a number of private companies, which compare them to suppression of voters.
Georgia’s Democrats said they were disappointed that their state did not host the Star Game, but said they understood the position the MLB is taking.
“Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star game, but proud of its position on the right to vote. GA GOP has traded economic opportunities for suppression, ”tweeted voting rights advocate and Georgia governor candidate in 2018, Stacey Abrams.
Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star game, but proud of its position on the right to vote. GA GOP swapped economic opportunity for suppression. On behalf of PoC directed by # SB202 to lose votes + now wages, I urge the events and productions to come and manifest or stay and fight. #gapol
– Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 2, 2021
Republicans considered the measures necessary to ensure electoral security, although no evidence of widespread fraud has emerged and the November elections have been certified on three separate occasions.
The Republican Party hammered the MLB’s decision, saying it yielded to pressure from Democrats.
“Georgians – and all Americans – must fully understand what the MLB’s automatic decision means: canceling culture and awakening political activists are coming to all aspects of their lives, sports included. If the left doesn’t agree with you, facts and truth don’t matter, ”said Kemp in a statement on Friday.