Politically Georgia

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell discuss Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s two-day bus tour through territory often overlooked by Democrats - South Georgia. State Rep. Debbie Buckner, rural Georgia legislator, joins the conversation.Then, state Rep. Ruwa Romman, the first Palestinian-American elected to the legislature, joins the podcast. Although she wasn’t a delegate, she was in the center of a failed effort at the Democratic National convention to find a place on the convention agenda for a speaker to discuss the impact of the Israel/Hamas war on civilians in Gaza.Plus, Greg Bluestein joins the show from Savannah with an update on where in South Georgia the Harris/Walz bus tour will make stops before ending in a rally in Savannah tomorrow evening.  Links to topics Why the Kamala Harris South Georgia bus tour is a big dealConcerned Democrats want Harris to show greater support for Palestinian plightHere's the speech that uncommitted delegates wanted to hear about Palestinian suffering 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- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut discuss two significant election-related stories: An administrative court judge has ruled that four independent candidates for president are ineligible to be on the Georgia ballot. The final decision will be up to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. You’ll also hear about the lawsuit challenging the Kamala Harris campaign has joined fighting new election rules passed by the MAGA majority on the state election board. The lawsuit claims that the rule calling for undefined scrutiny of ballots prior to certification could lead to “chaos.”Then, Katie Sander, editor-in-chief of PolitiFact, joins to talk about her organization’s evaluation of facts vs. fiction in convention speeches by Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Donald Trump and JD Vance.And later, AJC senior editor and state government and politics reporter Jame Salzer is retiring after more than three decades covering budgets, campaign finance reports, tax initiatives and more. The hosts ask him to reflect on his career.  Links to topics Harris-backed lawsuit challenges new election board vote certification ruleAll about the state election board and the new rules it has passedJudge rules against Kennedy, three others appearing on Georgia presidential ballotPolitifact home pageJames Salzer stories 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- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, top Kemp adviser, Cody Hall, joins to discuss Donald Trump’s extending of an olive branch to Governor Kemp. Georgia Republicans had been worried about Trump’s recent attacks on Kemp, whose political machine is important to Trump’s chances of winning Georgia. Plus, Cody Hall talks about rules the MAGA majority on the state election board is passing.Then, Harris/Walz campaign advisor Quentin Fulks, a Georgia native, discusses the Harris campaign’s strategy for winning Georgia.  Links to topics How Donald Trump and Governor Kemp made peace (for now)Kamala Harris set for two-day bus tour through South GeorgiaDemocrats look for votes beyond the friendly confines of metro AtlantaGOP, Democrats gird for 10-week sprint to election  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- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal Constitution’sPolitically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Nitchell and Patricia Murphytalk with Senator Warnock about the response to his powerful opening nightspeech at the Democratic convention, and then ask for his thoughts on KamalaHarris’ Thursday night acceptance speech, and what he thought the conventionaccomplished in reaching out to voters.Then, a discussion about Georgia Representative LucyMcBath’s convention speech, which was part of a moving segment in whichfamilies of victims of gun violence, like McBath, shared the stories of whathow those tragic events changed their lives.Plus, final thoughts about the convention, and especially,the major role Georgia played in the proceedings. Links to topics KamalaHarris challenges voters to chart a new way without TrumpAnAJC recap of the final night of the DNCLucyMcBath's speech marks a "sea change" in Georgia over gun lawsHave a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back yourquestion and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday'sepisode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, 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- Shane BacklerEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Congresswoman Lucy McBath joins us to preview the speech she’ll give tonight at the Democratic National Convention. Since the loss of her son to a gun incident, she’s been a fierce advocate for better gun safety laws, and that will be her subject tonight.   Then former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan discusses the speech ge have to the convention last night. Duncan became one of a number of Republicans who have been in the spotlight as they urge other Republicans to reject Donald Trump and vote for Kamala Harris.    Plus, the hosts break down the highlights from the third night of the convention: Tim Walz accepting the nomination or vice president, Oprah Winfrey paying tribute to John Lewis, Bill Clinton calling on Democrats to treat those who disagree with them politically with respect, even as he was sharply critical of Donald Trump.     Links to topics  AJC real-time coverage from Chicago Lucy McBath lands a speaking role on last night of DNC Geoff Duncan to GOP voters: Dump Trump What to watch on final night of DNC     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- Shane Backler Editor- Devan Kortan   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts  Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut are joined by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and former President Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter to review the second night of the Democratic National Convention. They discuss the speeches by Michelle and Barack Obama, how the Georgia delegation created a viral moment by having rapper Lil Jon join surprise the convention with a live performance during the state’s roll call vote, and the emphasis the party is putting on the next generation of Democratic leaders, as exemplified by Jason Carter’s speech.  Links to topics AJC real-time coverage from ChicagoBig moments from night 2 of DNCLil John brings down the house for Georgia in roll call voteAnother passing of torch with Jason Carter at DNC 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- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut, Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein review the first night of the Democratic National Convention.  Guests Georgia Democratic political strategist Tharon Johnson and state Representative Saira Draper join the podcast to discussing the prime time speech of Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. And they look at the tumultuous reception that President Biden received as he cited his accomplishments in office but also gave a full-throated endorsement of Kamala Harris.  Links to topics AJC real-time coverage from ChicagoJoe Biden's exit, Clinton on Glass Ceiling, a nod to Gaza demonstrators mark convention's first nightSenator Warnock salutes Georgia in prime time convention speechGeorgia Democrats struggle with "bittersweet" good bye to resident Biden 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- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss the excitement Georgia delegates are feeling as they arrived in Chicago with the belief that Kamala Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket gives them a stronger chance to win the White House in November. And they preview the expected celebration of President Biden’s long career in public life and thank him for making the difficult decision to bow out of the race.    We also hear from Democratic National Committee chairman Jamie Harrison. Harrison says the key to victory in Georgia will be the deep grassroots organizing the party has done in the state. And he says that delegates will “blow the roof off the United Center” as they welcome Joe Biden tonight.     Links to topics  AJC real-time coverage from Chicago Georgia delegates call the Chicago convention a historic gathering DNC chair tells Politically Georgia that Georgia is crucial to Harris-Walz victory Real Clear polling averages for Georgia and other swing states     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- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: Nigut and Bluestein look at former PresidentDonald Trump’s second news conference in a week. This one was arranged for himto highlight the high prices of groceries and housing since President Joe Bidentook office. But Trump deviated from his prepared remarks and launched morepersonal attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris. Plus, Bluestein and Nigutdiscuss the first joint campaign appearance of Harris and Biden, who celebratedthe negotiations that will lower the costs Medicare pays for 10 importantcommonly used drugs.  Then: The former dean of the state Legislature, DemocratCalvin Smyre, joins the podcast. He’s headed to Chicago for the DemocraticNational Convention.  Plus: Atlanta Journal-Constitution elections reporter MarkNiesse joins Nigut and Bluestein to answer questions from the listener mailbagabout newly approved election rules.  Plus: The hosts give their picks for who’s up and who’s downthis week.    Links to topics White House says prescription drug price cuts will producebillions in savings for taxpayers and seniors Georgia Democrats headed to Chicago hope to give voters a"joyful" contrast Mark Niesse: Georgia Republicans lay groundwork to opposecertifying presidential election   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back yourquestion and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday'sepisode.   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 Owen Editor- Devan Kortan   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State representative Shelly Hutchinson is headed to Chicago as a delegate to next week’s Democratic National convention. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Hutchinson talks about how Kamala Harris has sparked new excitement and “joy” among Democrats who now believe they have a good chance to win the White House.    Later, Melita Easters, founder and executive director of the Georgia WIN List joins the podcast to look at how Kamala Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket may be giving Democratic pro-choice legislative candidates she’s recruited a stronger chance to win in down ballot races. And she tells the hosts that talking about issues - not gender - is a key to success for local candidates as well as Kamala Harris.   Then, the hosts discuss an article from the Guardian which alleges that Georgia state election board member Rick Jeffares asked a former Trump administration official to propose him as regional director of the EPA if Trump wins in November. Jeffares denies the allegation, and GOP state party chair Josh McKoon has called it a smear job     Links to today's topics: Kamala Harris' anti-Hillary Clinton strategy for winning the White House State election board member denies asking Trump allies for administration job Wealthy Georgians open their wallets 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- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices