Trump supporters in Georgia eye Biden presidency with anxiety, fear

Inside the large auditoriumof the Free Chapel megachurch in Gainesville, Ga., pastor JentezenFranklin, an evangelical adviser to Donald Trump, delivered amessage that seemedtailored to supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump still smarting from theelection results.

Speaking from on top of a wide stage to about 800 churchgoersa day after Democrat Joe Biden defeated Trump, Franklinhedged on whether the former vice-president was actually the winner. Although he referred to Biden as the president-elect andinsistedthat whoever becomes the president "will be my president," he alsodeclared he wants "a good honest and certified count from every state."

And there was one otherpoint he wanted to make clear.

"Regardless of whobecomes president," he said, his voice slowly rising, "Free Chapelwill always be a pro-lifechurch, a pro-Israelchurch, a pro-religious freedom church, a pro-equality and justice church!"

Franklin, who was met with loud applause, certainly knows hisaudience and knowsmany Trump supportersfear these issues will not be supported by a Bidenadministration.

Trump's record on economy resonates

Nearly a week after the election, results inGeorgia are still extremelyclose, with Biden leading by about 10,000 votes. While state officials have announced a recount, it appears Georgia is on the verge of tipping blue if Biden's lead holds out.

ButTrump supporters say they're skeptical of Biden's progressive policies on the environment, the economy and abortion. They also fear a Biden administration might raise taxes and the economy could suffer.

Terry Olongo is a 54 year old manager of an IT company, a married father of threeand a strong Trump supporter who believes the president and his pro-business deregulation policies have boosted the U.S. economy.

Olongo, who attended Franklin's Sunday service, said he's nervousa Biden administration will bring innew business regulations and phase outfossil fuels.

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'Absolutely worried'

"I'm absolutelyworried fromthe standpoint [of how it's goingto affect our personallives and our freedom in business and so forth,"said Olongo, standing outside the chapel with his wife, daughter and soon to be son-in-law.

"It's going to be an overreaching policy type of an agenda on his part."

Olongo lives in Gainesville, a town of about 45,000 aboutan hour northeast of Atlanta, which is right in the heart of the politically Republicandistrict of Hall.

It's also home to Jaemer Farms, which offerseverything from fresh produceto fresh kernel corn. On Sunday afternoon, Robert Seraphie and his wife dropped in from their home in Snellville, about 50 kilometres east of Atlanta.

"We just wanted to take a drive," Seraphiesaid. "And we like farms. We like the farm stuff. We like the fresh vegetables."

Seraphie, 61,is a retired police officer andTrump supporter and will be watching the results of the runoffelections for Georgia's two Senate seatsin Januaryvery closely. None of the four candidates metthe threshold of a majority in last Tuesday's vote so are headed for a rematch Jan. 5, 2021.

With the Democrats and Republicanstied in the U.S. Senate after Tuesday's results, Seraphie hopes the runoffelections will lead to two Republican victoriesandcontrol of the upper chamber.

That couldstymiesome of Biden's plans, which Seraphie believes include trying toclaw backgun rights, and placing limits onfreedom ofspeech.

"I don't like restricting people's personal rights, the rights under our Constitution. I don't like the Second Amendment being infringed upon," Seraphiesaid.

He also is worried that both Biden and vice-president-electKamala Harris will implement an economic policy that is too far left.

"One of the main concerns with him and Kamala Harris was the socialism and Marxist type agenda they been putting across."

Seraphie also believes Biden, for all his years in politics, had little to show for it.

"He's been in politics for 47years now, and I can't think of anything," he said.

"Now all of a sudden,the48th year, everybody thinks he's going to cure everything, and he's going to do everything that he couldn't do the last 47years?"

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'Democrats are not what they used to be'

In the nearby small town of Flowery Branch, also located in Hall County, Trump supporter Lori Whitfield was also disappointed by Biden's win.

Whitfield sat on a wooden chair of the front porch of her bungalowwhereshe'slivedsince 1981. Her husband died about 10 years ago. From herporch, she can see the home ofher 88-year-oldfather,a widower, and also a Trump supporter.

"In my younger days, I was a Democrat, but I've changed as I got older," says Whitfield, a retired saleswoman.

She, too, is worried that onceBiden is in office, the Democrats would ensure there areno restrictions on abortion.

"I'm a devout Christian, but Isee theDemocrats are not what they used to be."

Whitfield said she was also worried about what a Biden presidency will do to the economy, which she believeshas thrived under Trump.

"I think he believes in handingout the money to the people that's able to work that just won't work. I think our economy will take a [hit]."

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Senate still in play

Cornelia, a town about a 30-minute drive northwest is inHabershamCounty, which hastraditionally voted even more Republican than Hall County. Results show that more than80 per cent of the county went to Trump, meaning, if you meet someone here of voting age,they are likely a Trump supporter.

Outside the home of Bob Ferguson, a pilot, he and his wife,Sandi, and friends Brad and Kathy Fairbairnsat around afire pit, happy to discuss their views on Trump, Biden and their fears of the future.

Sandi Fergusonand Kathy Fairbairnsaid they'restill skeptical of the election results. They fear Biden will raise taxes, which will raise interest rates, and he will raise the minimum wage, all of which will negatively impact the economy.

All are Christians, andmembers of the Free Chapel church in Gainsville. They're putting some of that faith into a Republican victoryin the Georgia Senaterunoff races.

"Joe Biden and Kamala Harris need a babysitter, and that would be the Senate," Sandi Ferguson said.

Fairburn agreed. "That's going to be a very much-needed balance," shesaid.

ButSandiFerguson said if Biden is confirmed, while they may not agree with his policies, they all agree with a sentimentpastor Franklin expressed earlier that morningat church: "He's our president. We shall holdhim up for four years."