Abrams had been hailed as a savior of the Democratic Party who unlocked ways to turn out voters. Her decade-and-a-half effort has borne fruit in dramatic fashion in the past two years. But her defeat is ammunition for those who would direct their energy and money to other strategies. Polls show turnout in precincts that were at least 95 percent African American helped elect Republican Herschel Walker. Abrams is the latest in a long line of Democrats who have sought to expand their base.
