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Call in with your questions on the Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at (770)-810-5297, and our hosts will answer them on future episodes. Learn more on the AJC Politically Georgia Podcast page.
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The hosts discuss growing anger among Georgia members of Congress over the U.S. Postal Service’s inability to solve serious delays in mail delivery in metro Atlanta. It’s part of a larger national problem.
But first, the podcast welcomes former Georgia Republican Congressman Tom Graves, who served in the U.S. House for a decade before retiring in 2020. The hosts ask him for his observations about the infighting among GOP members of the House today and about the extreme partisanship on both sides of the aisle. He also offers his take on Marjorie Taylor Greene, who now represents the same district Graves did.
Then, Davante Jennings, chairman of the Young Democrats of Georgia Black Caucus and an organizer at the New Georgia Project, joins the podcast to talk about what’s inspired him to become a political activist after he was disillusioned by Donald Trump’s victory in 2016.
Links to topics
The arc of Tom Graves career in the U.S. House: from Tea Party conservative to bipartisan advocate
Disillusined by Trump's 2016 victory, this young Black Georgian has gotten engaged for 2022
Ossoff, others in Georgia delegation demand USPS solve mail delivery delays
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
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The podcast welcomes Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. The hosts ask Carr why he joined other Republican attorneys general in signing on to a multistate lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s new student loan forgiveness plan. He said the matter should be up to Congress to decide.
Carr also told the hosts that the state has looked into whether charges should be brought against any individuals who worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election and decided there were no grounds for bringing state charges against anyone.
But first, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene may be pulling back from her threat to call for the ouster of House Speaker Mike Johnson, even as Johnson says he plans to call for military aid packages for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. But as the hosts were recording the podcast, Greene gained an ally: Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie said he, too, wants Johnson out as speaker.
And the hosts discuss the possible impact former President Donald Trump’s trial in New York could have on District Attorney Fani Willis’ Fulton County election conspiracy case.
Links to topics
Carr signs on to challenge to Biden student loan plan
What to know about Biden student loan forgiveness plan
House speaker pushes for vote on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan
Is Greene rethinking call to oust Speaker Mike Jonson
Could Trump New York trial impact Fulton County election conspiracy case?
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast welcomes Michael Thurmond, Eric Tanenblatt and Kerwin Swint to discuss the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president as Donald Trump's New York City hush money trial gets underway with jury selection today. They look at whether that trial could have an impact on the Georgia election conspiracy case, in which Trump and 14 other defendants are charged with illegal efforts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 presidential election.
Then, Republican and Democratic elected officials are sparring over how to respond to Iran’s attacks on Israel. And in Washington, there are questions about whether the U.S. House will now be able to pass a stalled $95 billion military aid package for both Israel and Ukraine. Far-right members such as U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene have held up the bill the Senate passed weeks ago.
And Tia Mitchell describes how Georgia Congressman Mike Collins has used social media -- for good and ill -- to make himself one of the highest profile freshmen in the House.
Links to Topics
Could New York hush money trial influence Georgia case?
Will House pass military aid package for Israel and Ukraine?
Speaker trying to thread needle on military aid package
Mitchell: The double life of Georgia's 'meming' congressman
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s been a new development in Georgia's election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones will now be investigated in connection with his role as one of 16 GOP electors who cast Electoral College votes for Trump even though Joe Biden had won the state in the 2020 presidential election.
But first, a preview of what to expect when the first of four criminal trials against Trump begins Monday in New York City. The podcast welcomes Bob Wilson, who served three terms as district attorney for DeKalb County after working as the county’s chief public defender, to discuss issues in the case: Will Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg have solid evidence to convict Trump of felony campaign violations involving hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels? How difficult will it be to seat a neutral jury for the trial? How likely is it that if convicted, Trump will be sentenced to prison time?
And it’s Friday, so Bill and Greg answer questions from the Listener Mailbag and offer their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.
Links to topics
What to know about Trump hush money trial
State prosecutor to investigate Burt Jones in Trump election conspiracy case
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Devan Kortan
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast welcomes the senior adviser to the Georgia Biden campaign, Jonae Wartel. She talks about the new $30 million Biden ad campaign that features stories of women who have experienced health crises with pregnancies in states that have enacted significant restrictions on abortion.
But first, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy both covered Donald Trump’s visit to Atlanta on Wednesday. They report on his comments on an Arizona Supreme Court ruling all but outlawing abortion in that state, on who attended his $5 million fundraising luncheon, his stop at a Chick-fil-A in College Park and more.
Links to topics
Biden ad blames Trump for near death of woman denied abortion
Trump says Arizona abortion ban goes too far
Trump luncheon shows split in Georgia GOP
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Devan Kortan
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Greg Bluestein reports from the scene of Donald Trump's fundraising luncheon, which is expected to bring in several million dollars. But the event reveals once again the split among GOP leaders over support for Trump.
The panel shifts to look at Trump’s declaration Monday that he doesn’t support a federal abortion law but believes each state should make individual decisions on how to handle abortion. A day later, the Arizona state Supreme Court ruled that an 1864 law outlawing almost all abortions is still legal and enforceable there.
Plus, the panel looks at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ramped-up attacks on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Links to the topics
Trump in Atlanta for high-dollar fundraiser
Trump declines to support national abortion law
What to know about Arizona Supreme Court abortion decision
Greene escalates attacks on speaker
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon joins the podcast on the eve of a fundraising trip that brings Donald Trump to Atlanta. McKoon tells the hosts he’s confident that the Georgia GOP will have the financial resources and organizational infrastructure needed to deliver the state to Trump in November.
McKoon goes on to defend Trump’s decision to call for individual states to pass their own laws on abortion. And he also explains why he is leading the effort to dismiss GOP First Vice Chair Brian Pritchard from that position.
Then, Dr. Stephen Owens describes why he decided to leave his long-held position as education director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. He believes legislators have lost the moral thread that he thinks should underlie many of the proposals they introduce.
Links to topics
Trump’s abortion stance faces Georgia backlash on both sides of the issue
Trump races to catch Biden fundraising with event in Atlanta
Longtime education advocate calls it quits
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Veteran Republican political consultant Heath Garrett joins the podcast to discuss strategies GOP candidates are likely to use to try to blunt the impact the overturning of Roe v. Wade is having in energizing Democratic voters to turn out in key races. How will it affect Georgia races?
Then, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz discusses how he is trying to navigate the political tumult that has been ratcheted up following the killing of Laken Riley.
An AJC investigation revealed that across metro Atlanta, the wait time for 911 operators to answer calls for help has grown longer and potentially more deadly. In scenarios where every second counts, some callers have been placed on hold for minutes. Reporters Stephanie Lamm and Katherine Landergan join the podcast to discuss their investigation.
Link to topics
AJC: Biden highlighting how overturning Roe has impacted women's health decisions
Democrats see choice as key to winning 2024 races
Tensions in Athens boil over as incidents pile up
911 callers left on hold across metro Atlanta
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Matt Owen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan joins the podcast after the No Labels organization announced it won’t field an independent candidate for president. Duncan speaks from the perspective of one of the possible candidates interviewed for the position.
Then, a powerful gas lobbying group is running ads in Georgia and a handful of other states attacking the Biden administration’s new rule which will likely force automakers to build more electric vehicles. The ad campaign flies in the face of Governor Kemp’s major push to make Georgia the country’s center of electric vehicle production.
Plus, the hosts and Editor-in-Chief Leroy Chapman answer questions from the listener mailbag and give their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.
Links to today’s topics:
No Labels statement on deciding not to run a candidate for president
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Devan Kortan
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The First Lady of Georgia, Marty Kemp, says she hasn’t decided whether to vote for Donald Trump despite her husband's statement that the former president would be “better than Joe Biden.”
But first, Melita Easters, founder and executive director of the Georgia WIN List, joins the podcast to discuss how her organization goes about identifying and supporting pro-choice Democratic women for seats in the legislature. And she offers her thoughts on the role she believes the restrictions being placed on abortion in Georgia and elsewhere will have on races this year.
Then, Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs tells the podcast that voters should see little difference in voting procedures when they cast ballots in the upcoming election. She also comments on the humorous letter Brad Raffensperger wrote to Larry David in response to the comedian’s spoof on a Georgia election law on his show “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Plus, GOP state chairman Josh McKoon is leading an effort to remove first vice-chair of the party Brian Pritchard, who a judge ruled has voted illegally numerous times.
Links to today’s topics:
GOP chair calls for resignation of party official for voting illegally
AM Newsletter: Marty Kemp unsure she'll vote for Trump
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
CREDITS
Executive Producer- Shane Backler
Producer- Natalie Mendenhall
Engineer- Matt McWilliams
Editor- Devan Kortan
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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