Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Gov. Kemp Refuses Total Shutdown; Federal Relief Money Headed to Georgia Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

It might be hard to remember now, but this was supposed to be the week when Georgia Democrats would have their say in the presidential battle. Instead, because of the Coronavirus, the voting will wait until May 19th at least; Georgia’s governor closes schools until April 27th at least; and the debate continues over whether he’s done at least enough to keep people from passing the virus around. Meanwhile, the Feds promise states will soon get relief money, and the internal GOP war heats up in a U.S. Senate race. For a look at all of that, and more, WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer again welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Gov. Kemp Issues Stay-at-Home Order; Critics Argue Evidence Was There Long Before Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

Faced with a frightening jump in the number of Georgia Coronavirus cases and deaths, Governor Brian Kemp orders a statewide shutdown, but then faces a blast of criticism for the timing of it, and the reason he gave for it. Meanwhile, local government leaders felt some push-back for the decisions they made or didn’t make. And the storm over a Georgia Senator’s financial transactions intensified. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer talks it all over with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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Gold Dome Scramble: Coronavirus Sends Georgia Lawmakers Into Quarantine Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

After a Georgia state senator tested positive for Covid19, hundreds of his fellow lawmakers went into quarantine. But not before giving governor Brian Kemp emergency executive powers. Lisa Rayam talks with WABE politics reporters Emma Hurt and Emil Moffat, who themselves are in quarantine as they spent a lot of time at the state captiol.

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How Politics & Public Health Merged in Georgia Coronavirus Response Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

The Coronavirus, and Georgia’s response dominate this edition of the Political Breakfast. It's about putting the political part of the public health story into context for you. And we’ll look at a bit of other political news, too--from the new stage in the Democratic presidential contest, to the scrambles for both of Georgia's Senate seats (a production note: this episode was taped in the hours before reports about stock trades by Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler). WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and Republican strategist Brian Robinson got together digitally, via different lines of communication, from their homes and offices.

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Gold Dome Scramble: Coronavirus And The Suspended Georgia Legislature Mar 13, 2020

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State leaders have suspended the Georgia legislature indefinitely as the coronavirus keeps spreading and the state gets ready for more testing. Guest host and WABE health reporter Sam Whitehead talks with politics reporters Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt about the state's response to the crisis and the bills that passed before things shut down at the gold dome.

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The Challenges of Responding to Coronavirus; Big Wins for Biden and Bottoms Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

With astonishing and frightening speed, Coronavirus has reshaped life in Georgia, at least for now. State leaders are trying to shape a unified response, amid unpredictable signals from the administration in Washington. Meanwhile, the predicted internal Republican Senate fight continues to intensify, while a Democratic mayor finds her prediction in the presidential race is looking pretty good right now. Just some of what's on the table for this edition of the Political Breakfast. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk it over with WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

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Gold Dome Scramble: Coronavirus Halts Glad-handing as Deadline Looms for Legislation Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

Crossover day is this week, which means time is running out for some bills to become law. Lisa Rayam talks with WABE's Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt about what still need to pass either the Georgia House or Senate to stay alive. Meanwhile, the Coronavirus is having politicians keeping their hands to themselves.

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Will Georgia's New Voting Machines Pass Their Big Test? Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

Georgia used to be just a fundraising pit stop for presidential campaigns, but this year national Democrats promise they’re going to pump resources into the Peach State. President Trump is opening what he calls a Black Voices for Trump Community Center. With all this attention and energy aimed at Georgia voters, how come some of them just stay home. And will the state's new voting machines pass their big test?

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Gold Dome Scramble: Wrangling Over Hands-Free Driving Fines and Uber/Lyft Fees Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

Georgia lawmakers wrangle over hands-free driving fines and Uber/Lyft fees in committees as the legislature reaches its half-way point in this year's session. Lisa Rayam talks with WABE's Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt. Environment reporter Molly Samuel also pays a visit to talk about coal ash bills.

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Coronavirus Complicates Already-Tough State Budget Talks Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Georgia's governor and state lawmakers were already arguing about the budget and tax cuts, but then something new and potentially serious complicated things further: the coronavirus. At the same time, Georgia Democrats are waiting to get their their say in the presidential race. But how many of their party’s candidates will still be around by then? And there's more in this serving of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer again welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.

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