Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Are Georgia Republicans Afraid President Trump Might Hurt Their Election Chances? Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Can Georgia Republicans hold the state for President Trump after his burn-it-all-down debate performance? Can Georgia Democrats rely on polls that show them tied or leading in the race for the White House and both Senate seats? Meanwhile, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control tries to send out consistent COVID-19 prevention messages, amid a lot of public and political pressure. Filling in for Demoratic strategist Tharon Johnson this time: former 7th District Democratic congressional candidate Nabilah Islam. Substituting for Republican strategist Brian Robinson: Heath Garrett, former chief of staff for Senator Johnny Isakson.

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Georgia’s Dead-Heat Presidential Race; Another Race to Get Us Counted Sep 25, 2020

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We’ve heard for months Georgia could be in play in the presidential race. A visit from President Trump is the latest evidence of that. So, what are the best battle plans for the campaigns? The state makes slow progress in the Coronavirus battle, but Federal health officials say we could do more. And the Governor mounts a last-minute public push to get all Georgians counted. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson, and former Cobb County Democratic chair Michael Owens, who’s filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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ICE Detention and Law Enforcement Allegations; Democrats Face GA Decision Sep 18, 2020

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The allegations were appalling, and denied by those accused. But the accusations that women at a Georgia immigration detention center were subjected to hysterectomies without consent have raised a new election issue for candidates in both parties. Meanwhile, those candidates with enough money have flooded all kinds of media with messages they hope will actually reach voters still struggling with a pandemic. And a man who helped re-shape downtown Atlanta is leaving the institution where he made that happen. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer digs into it all with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard, who’s filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Will Trump Tape Affect GA Elections? Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

Presidential politics and public health collided as never before, when journalist Bob Woodward released audio, in which President Trump says he deliberately played down the threat of the Coronavirus. With less than two months before election day, candidates stepped up their get-out-the-vote efforts. And speaking of votes, the Secretary of State said about a thousand people voted twice in this year’s primary elections. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson and former 7th Congressional District Democratic candidate Nabilah Islam, who’s filling in for Democratic strategist Brian Robinson.

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Confusing Signals on COVID-19, Evictions, and Elections Sep 04, 2020

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Georgians found themselves bombarded by lots of numbers in the last week--coming from everyone from public health officials, to economists, to political pollsters. But much of that information might only create a more muddled picture of where we’re headed. It’s very 2020. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer sorts it out with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and former Cobb County Democratic chairman Michael Owens, who’s filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Gov. Kemp vs. the White House COVID-19 Task Force Aug 28, 2020

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Georgia no longer has the nation’s highest rate of new Coronavirus cases--but it's in second place, despite some other more encouraging signs. Uncertainty continues over the best path forward for Georgia's public schools ad universities. Renewed protests around the nation—including Atlanta—were one of the themes of the Republican Convention. And the state’s top elections official, who’s a Republican, walked a tightrope with GOP members of Congress about mail-in absentee voting. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer digs into it all with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard, who’s filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Georgia Gets Unwanted Top Ranking for COVID-19; Kemp Defends His Response Aug 21, 2020

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Georgia’s governors like to say this state is the number 1 place to do business. But the current governor pushed back when the White House task force branded Georgia as number one for its rate of new Coronavirus cases. The debate over school and college re-openings intensified as case clusters emerged in those places. And polling shows the state’s two U.S. Senate races are, at least for now, quite different when it comes to how competitive the parties are with each other. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer explores it all with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Will Kamala Harris Affect the Presidential Race in Georgia? Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

It was a week that saw several different kinds of unprecedented things: of course, Kamala Harris became the first African-American woman—and first South Asian woman—to be selected as the vice presidential candidate for a major American party. Here in Georgia, for the first time, a candidate who has endorsed a conspiracy theory called QAnon is likely headed to Congress. And the daily death toll from COVID-19 in Georgia reached new record highs. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer gets some insights from Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Schools Open in Pandemic; Vote-by-Mail Fight Gets Local Aug 07, 2020

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Schools are opening in Georgia, but the often-emotional debate about whether—and how—to do it safely is already well underway. And the toll in COVID-19 cases, rates of positive tests, and deaths continues to rise. Governor Kemp signs a controversial police protection bill. And while President Trump trashes mail-in absentee voting—except in Florida—there’s a growing dispute between the state’s top elections official and one Atlanta area county. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson are back, with WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer.

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John Lewis Farewells; Congress Demands GA COVID Documents Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

With coronavirus cases still extremely high, hospitals in many parts of Georgia sounded the call for intensive care for themselves. Schools and colleges struggled to figure out how and when to reopen, with the calendar--and the virus--not on their side. And voters in the late Congressman John Lewis’s district will get to choose his successor—even if that person might only serve for a few weeks. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer delves into it all with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson.

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