Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Hollywood Warns Georgia; Political Leaders React to Mueller May 31, 2019

Show notes

Georgia’s new abortion law is signed into law, but the fight may only be starting. Meanwhile, Georgia political types in both parties try to navigate the ongoing turbulence from the Russia probe and Robert Mueller’s invitation to Congress. And while Stacey Abrams ponders her next move, state ethics regulators move in on her, starting another battle. So let’s dig in to a Political Breakfast! Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. At the serving table: WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

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Insurance Commissioner Indicted; Republicans & Democrats Seek 2020 Strategies May 17, 2019

Show notes

There are some political storms on Georgia’s summer radar: an indictment for the state’s insurance commissioner; a potential landmark fight over the new abortion law; and Democrats and Republicans are trying to figure out how to navigate all the 2020 turbulence and uncertainty. But you can fortify yourself with a nourishing Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back for this one. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. They talked it all over with WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

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Stacey Abrams Says "No Thanks;" Parties and Candidates Scramble May 03, 2019

Show notes

We’re just over a quarter of the way through 2019, but the mad scramble for 2020 is already on. With a single "no, thanks" from Stacey Abrams, Democrats are lining up to run for a Georgia seat in the U.S. Senate, while would-be members of the House are piling up in both parties. A retiring state Supreme Court justice opens the way for another high-profile battle, and a sitting state attorney general opens a probe into years of sex abuse by some members of Georgia's Catholic clergy. It's all in this edition of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer welcomes Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. And filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson this time: former Georgia Democratic congressman Buddy Darden.

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Will New Medical Marijuana Law Open Path to Recreational Use? Also: Film Producers Face Decision On GA Abortion Bill Apr 19, 2019

Show notes

Governor Kemp gets out his pen to sign or veto bills the Legislature sent him in the past few months. But some of those new laws mean he’s got some major future homework. Meanwhile some other Republicans and quite a few Democrats are already thinking about their political futures. And…oh, yes...there was that Tiger guy and his win for the ages in Augusta. It's tee time for another Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer returns with Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. And coming back from a really nice vacation: Tharon Johnson, a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign.

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Legislature Leaves Town; What's Next in Fights Over Abortion, Voting and Airport? Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

Georgia’s legislature lurched to its close for the year. So, as the old saying goes, it’s all over but the shouting. But there’s plenty of shouting--about everything from abortion, to the new election machines, to medical marijuana. And the Gold Dome isn’t even the only place where voices are raised, so we bring some calmer ones to serve up this edition of the Political Breakfast. Brian Robinson is back: he is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. Tharon Johnson is off this time. Filling in is Michael Owens, who is the immediate past chairman of the Cobb County Democrats. The man in the middle is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

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Gold Dome Battles on Abortion & Airport; Isakson on Trump; MARTA Gwinnett Vote Fallout Mar 22, 2019

Show notes

Gwinnett County voters opted not to get on board the MARTA train. So what’s next for the traffic-smothered county? Meanwhile, at the State Capitol, big fights over abortion and an airport takeover headed into their final rounds. And on a visit home from the U.S. Capitol, Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson went after President Trump for his continued attacks on the late Senator John McCain. Those are just a few of the selections on the menu for this Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back: Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. The man in the middle is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

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Gold Dome Deadlines; Gwinnett MARTA Vote; Atlanta Airport Battle Mar 08, 2019

Show notes

It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world under Georgia’s Gold Dome right now--even more than usual. It’s that crossover time of year, when bills hit a critical deadline. One of them, the proposed state takeover of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, made it through the Senate ahead of the deadline. And it happened just as a new indictment was handed down in the investigation of corruption at Atlanta's City Hall. And it’s voting time, too, at least in Gwinnett County, even though it’s not November. But the stakes are just as big, with transit on the line, so to speak. And some bills favored by GOP conservatives ran into big hurdles under the Gold Dome. It's all on the menu for another Political Breakfast. Our regulars, Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, are both involved in the Gwinnett County transit campaign, so they are sitting out this time. Joining WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer: Democrat Cathy Woolard, a former Atlanta City Council president, and most recently, a candidate for Mayor. Also along for this ride: Lynn Westmoreland, a former Georgia Republican Congressman, and before that, the GOP leader in the Georgia State House.

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Live Show: Voting System Changes & Lawsuits; Airport Takeover Bid; House Speaker Controversy Feb 23, 2019

Show notes

That slow start to 2019 in Georgia politics didn't last long. Midway through the legislative session, there's plenty of sound and fury at the state Capitol--over how to change the state's voting machines and rules; a lawsuit over the current voting system and the 2018 election; a bid to for a state takeover of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; and the debate over House Speaker David Ralston's use of a rule allowing lawyer-lawmakers to get cases delayed so they can attend to their legislative duties. So, there's a lot on the Political Breakfast table this time. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomed our regulars: Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is a public affairs and government conusltant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign; Republican strategist Brian Robinson is a communications consultant and former deputy chief of staff for former Governor Nathan Deal. And we had lots of company this time! The podcast was taped before a wonderful live audience at the 28th annual Georgia Bar, Media & Judiciary Conference, at State Bar headquarters in downtown Atlanta.

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After the Super Bowl: Stacey Abrams; Tough Gold Dome Talks; A Bell for Stone Mountain? Feb 08, 2019

Show notes

Now that all those Super Bowl visitors have left, Georgia political leaders have to get back to the task of hashing out our own homegrown issues--you know, the ones we didn’t want all those strangers to know about. There are some difficult negotiations to be had on everything from casino gambling, to Medicaid expansion, to proposed rules for new hospitals (and some of those issues could get thrown together!) Then, there's talk of a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the top of Stone Mountain, and a big bank from out of state is buying one of Atlanta's iconic financial institutions. It all makes for a big, crunchy Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back with us again: Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign; Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. WABE political consultant Denis O'Hayer is the person in the middle.

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Governor Kemp's Opening Moves; Government Shutdown Stalemate; ATL Super Bowl Jan 25, 2019

Show notes

Georgia starts 2019 with a new Governor, a new Legislature, some new members of Congress, a new transit agency for the Atlanta area--but coming to town for Atlanta’s Super Bowl, the same old Patriots. You remember them. Suddenly, that other team with its new old home in LA has a whole lot of new fans in the ATL! Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans continue their old no-gain scrimmage in DC. At least the Saints are staying in New Orleans (even though their billboards aren’t), and we can enjoy a new Political Breakfast. Who dat joining us? Our regulars, of course! Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. And trying to steer it all is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.