Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, the well-known voting rights advocate and former gubernatorial candidate, went viral on Tuesday, April 20 for her extremely well-prepared answer to a "gotcha" question from Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana.
While offering her testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on voting rights, Kennedy asked Abrams whether she thought Georgia's recent controversial voting law was racist.
Abrams answered:
"I think there are provisions of it that are racist, yes."
With a tone of voice that suggested he didn't think she'd have an answer, Kennedy then asked:
"Tell me specifically, just give me a list of the provisions you object to."
Abrams immediately dove into her list, saying:
"It shortens the federal run-off period from nine weeks to four weeks. It restricts the time a voter can request and return an absentee ballot application."
After Abrams commented on these changes, Kennedy inquired:
"What else?"
Abrams went on to criticize the bill's limit on ballot drop boxes and its ban of "nearly all-out-of precinct votes."
Kennedy once again interrupted, hoping the list was at an end:
"OK. What else? Is that everything?"
Abrams gave a small laugh while responding:
"No, it is not. No, sir."
While speaking about how the bill allows precincts to limit their voting hours, which "may have an effect on voters who cannot vote during business hours," Kennedy had finally had enough.
He cut her off, saying:
"OK. I get the idea."
Twitter heaped praise on Abrams's professionalism and preparedness.
Many wondered what exactly Kennedy was expecting when he asked his "gotcha" question.
This exchange came during the same hearing where Abrams got into a conflict with Texas Republican Senator John Corryn, who got steamed when Abrams agreed the bill made "deliberate attempts to suppress the minority vote."
But even he had the good sense to avoid asking her to list the reasons why GOP voter suppression laws are racist.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram