U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on Saturday blasted Major League Baseball’s decision to relocate its 2021 All-Star Game and MLB Draft away from Atlanta, Georgia.
The MLB made the announcement on Friday, citing a recently enacted election law in the Peach State.
The new law has been the subject of significant misinformation, including from President Joe Biden and the White House. The bill, among other provisions, requires voters to provide their valid photo ID number in order to apply for an absentee ballot. Georgia gives out free state IDs, just as Alabama does.
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had to admit in a correction this past week, the law actually expands access to early voting in Georgia.
Nevertheless, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated, “I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.” He further claimed, “We proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.”
The New York Times on Saturday reported that when it comes to the Georgia law and the backlash its received, “something more than exaggeration is going on.”
The outlet went on to advise that the law “could plausibly even increase turnout” and “might make in-person voting easier, especially in the general election.”
When it comes to the MLB’s decision, the Atlanta Braves were reportedly blindsided. The team in a statement summarized, “This was neither our decision, nor our recommendation and we are saddened that fans will not be able to see this event in our city. … Unfortunately, businesses, employees and fans in Georgia are the victims of this decision.”
In contrast, the White House released a statement stressing that Biden “certainly” supports the MLB’s decision. This comes after The Washington Post gave the president “four Pinocchios” for his claims about the law. The paper also chastised Biden and the White House for repeating the claims even after being publicly corrected.
Tuberville made his thoughts on the MLB’s decision clear in a Saturday morning tweet.
“MLB has cowered to the will of the radical left and taken a stance against fair elections and voter ID. Sports have unified Americans – now, cancel culture is coming for sports, too. It’s a shame,” the former college football coach said.
“This is another example of progressive pressure under [President Biden] – he’s not the uniter, but the divider in chief,” Tuberville added.
Who is racist?
Those who support election laws that apply equally to all & promote honest & accurate elections?
Or those who act as if African Americans are inferior & need “special help” to follow laws no other race has problems with?
Oppose racism!!!https://t.co/Huay2rfmA7
— Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) April 3, 2021
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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