Nov 2, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Biden predicts Dem victory in Virginia governor race

Ivana Saric

Joe Biden addresses a press conference at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

President Biden predicted victory for Democrat Terry McAuliffe in his race against Republican Glenn Youngkin to become the next governor of Virginia, declaring in remarks Tuesday, "we're going to win."

Why it matters: The election could have both local and national ramifications, with many experts touting it as a bellwether for the 2022 midterms.

What he's saying: Biden acknowledged that the race is close and said that the result will come down to a question of turnout. "It's about who shows up," he told the audience at COP26.

"The off-year is always unpredictable, especially when we don't have a general election going on at the same time. That's been the case ... for a long time, especially as Virginia has turned more and more blue," Biden observed.
Biden also predicted a Democratic victory in New Jersey's gubernatorial election.

But, but, but: Biden pushed back against the notion that the race could be seen as a "rebuke" of his presidency.

"I've not seen any evidence that, whether or not I am doing well or poorly, whether or not I've got my agenda passed or not, is going to have any real impact on winning and losing," he said.
"Even if we had passed my agenda, I wouldn't claim we won because Biden's agenda passed."

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Biden predicts Dem victory in Virginia governor race

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