Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Gold Dome Scramble: Lawmakers rush to get bills through as legislative session comes to a close Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

With just a few days left in this year's legislative session, lawmakers are jamming through bills any way they can. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the proposals they're tracking as the session starts wrapping up. Plus, a conversation with WABE'S environment reporters Emily Jones and Marisa Mecke.

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The U.S. Postal Service better have my money, package slow downs, and is the Biden campaign spending big in Georgia ahead of November? Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

It's time for this week's second edition of Political Breakfast, where strategists Tharon Johnson, Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam address Democrats' fears about President Joe Biden's chances in Georgia.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article this week that cited several lawmakers voicing concerns, that Georgia won’t get the same focus as battleground voters in other states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux says Biden’s campaign is likely to focus more on the “white working class” in the Midwest than more diverse Georgia voters.

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams says she is not worried at all, and warns that local election advocates need to do the grassroots work.

Plus, Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is getting involved in delays and complications with the U.S. Postal Service.

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After judge splits Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade, both still face GOP, public scrutiny in handling of Georgia election interference case Mar 19, 2024

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On this week's Political Breakfast, we're still seeing calls from the right for Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis to step aside from the Georgia election Interference case - even though her former special prosecutor Nathan Wade resigned from the case on Friday.

A judge ruled one of them would have to go last week, because of a conflict of interest and their past romantic relationship.

In a letter accepting Wade's resignation, Willis complimented him for his QUOTE "professionalism and dignity."

Then over the weekend, Wade canceled a highly-anticipated live interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday .. citing a family emergency. The interview would have been the first chance to hear Wade's take on the ruling. Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam weigh-in on the latest in the election interference saga.

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Gold Dome Scramble Update: Fani Willis can remain on Trump case, as Nathan Wade resigns Mar 15, 2024

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A judge ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could remain on the Georgia election interference case, but only if special prosecutor Nathan Wade stepped aside.

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Gold Dome Scramble: GA Republicans pass public subsidies for private school tuition, blindside Democrats with move to ban puberty blockers Mar 15, 2024

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Georgia Republicans have passed public subsidies for private school tuition by the slimmest of margins. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss all things education with WABE education reporter Juma Sei. Plus a look at a last minute move to ban puberty blockers and efforts to expand gambling in Georgia.

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Voter fatigue ahead of likely November presidential match-up between Biden versus Trump creates opportunity for 3rd-party candidate, in comes Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan Mar 13, 2024

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Have Donald Trump's divisive MAGA movement and Joe Biden's low approval rates driven former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to potentially run for president?

Duncan could be running for president in November under the third-party, bipartisan movement 'No Labels.'

Multiple national news outlets report Duncan could be featured on the movement's so-called "unity ticket" and challenge the presumed nominees President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump.

WABE has reached out to Duncan for a statement on this news.

So far he has not offered a comment, but is not shutting down the reports of stirring things up.

Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in on the potential White House bid.

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Battleground voters keep Georgia on the minds of the Biden and Trump campaigns Mar 12, 2024

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This week on Political Breakfast, Donald Trump and Joe Biden hosted two competing presidential campaign rallies in Georgia over the weekend.

Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to compare the turnout and excitement at both events – as both candidate's approval ratings aren't reflecting the same energy.

Both Trump and Biden say the path to the White House in 2024 runs through Georgia.

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Gold Dome Scramble: Haley, Trump's last Republican challenger, bows out ahead of GA primary Mar 08, 2024

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Former President Donald Trump’s last Republican challenger, Nikki Haley, has bowed out of the race ahead of Georgia’s presidential primary on Tuesday. Now the campaign is turning to the General Election, with Trump and President Joe Biden set to hold competing rallies in Georgia on Saturday. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas also discuss a busy qualifying week at the state capitol and more.

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Strategists Brian Robison and Tharon Johnson talk politics from the Georgia Capitol on Crossover Day Mar 05, 2024

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On this special edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strateigst Tharon Johnson sort through some of the bills and issues that were getting tossed around on the all-important Crossover Day under the Georgia State Capitol.

Immigration and sports betting captured their attention, but so did the overall buzz that filled the halls of the Gold Dome on this monumental day.

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Gold Dome Scramble: Lawmakers jostle to keep their bills alive as immigration takes center stage Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Lawmakers scramble to keep their bills alive on Crossover Day. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss some of the major bills that are still making their way through the legislature and those that didn't make the cut this session. Plus a conversation about immigration with WABE's immigration and communities reporter Emily Wu Pearson.

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