Politically Georgia

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon tells hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut abortion won’t play a significant role in the 2024 presidential race. He also commented on his hopes for the Republican party to move forward at the upcoming state party convention in Columbus.   MSNBC commentator and Morgan State University professor Dr. Jason Johnson joins today’s podcast and weighs in on President Joe Biden’s upcoming speech at Morehouse.    Plus, Gov. Brian Kemp weighs in on the Georgia Supreme Court race. The Republican’s political network is airing a new 30-second spot in metro Atlanta backing Justice Andrew Pinson, who is facing a tough challenge from former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow.   Links to today's topics  Georgia GOP chairman says state convention will be about moving forward No plans to rescind Biden invitation, top Morehouse official says Pinson ad  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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal court will decide whether State Supreme Court candidate John Barrow can build his campaign around his pledge to preserve the right to abortion for women in Georgia. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond dive deeper into the legal battle Barrow is waging against the Judicial Qualifications Commission.   The panel also looks into the rule the state election board is writing that will require county election workers to conduct “a reasonable inquiry” before the election board will certify the results of an election. Is this a plan with the potential for partisan abuse?   Plus, Political ad guru Rick Dent joins the podcast to discuss the Georgia presidential campaign ad wars. Biden is emphasizing Trump’s role in overturning Roe v Wade. Trump is using the tragic killing of Georgia student Lakin Riley to attack Biden’s “failed” border security efforts.   Links to today's topics  Barrow wages legal battle to continue campaigning on pledge to protect abortion rights Election board proposes "inquiry" before certifying election results  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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coastal Congressman Buddy Carter joined the show to talk about the latest chaos in Congress. Rep. Carter, R-St. Simons Island, said he thought Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to oust Speaker Johnson was a bad idea. The Congressman also talked about his efforts to get Georgia’s first national park.  Then, Semafor reporter Kadia Goba talks to us about a series of controversial tweets from Mike Collins.  Plus, we walk through who’s up and who’s down for the week.    Links to topics  Marjorie Taylor Greene faces GOP backlash after failed bid to oust speaker Rep. Mike Collins panned after appearing to make fun of Kennedy assassinations  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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tia Mitchell reports from Washington on the stinging defeat for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, when her own GOP colleagues and substantial numbers of Democrats voted down her effort to remove Mike Johnson as speaker of the House. But first, Democratic state Sen. Harold Jones talks about the Republican-led Senate committee empaneled to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ commitment of resources to prosecute the election interference case against Donald Trump and 12 other defendants. Willis has said she will refuse to cooperate with the committee, which was given the go-ahead by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a MAGA Republican who was an initial target of the Willis investigation.   Then, AJC government reporter Mark Niesse joins the podcast to discuss election-related measures Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law this week. The new laws will give broader power for challenges to voter eligibility, require more audits of votes and tighten ballot security.   Links to topics:  Tia Mitchell: MTG effort to oust speaker fails in a stinging rebuke to Greene Willis vows not to cooperate with GOP-led Senate probe Mark Niesse: Kemp signs election laws broadening voter eligibility challenges and more   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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up, the view from both sides of the political aisle: Democratic National Convention delegate Wendy Davis of Rome and Republican consultant and CNN analyst Alice Stewart look at U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s off and on again efforts to remove the speaker of the U.S. House from office. Has she lost relevance on Capitol Hill?   Then, they discuss the impact President Joe Biden’s staunch support for Israel and the sometimes violent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses may be having on his bid for reelection.   Plus, the four talk about Nikki Haley gaining 128,000 votes in Tuesday’s Indiana GOP primary despite dropping out of the presidential race two months ago.   And, AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman joins the podcast to discuss the Georgia Court of Appeals' decision to hear an appeal of a judge’s ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain as prosecutor in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants.   Links to topics   Tia Mitchell: Marjorie Taylor Greene pauses effort to oust speaker Appeals court agrees to consider whether Fani Willis should continue as Trump prosecutor    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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan was once a rising star in Republican politics. Now, he’s one of the most prominent critics of former President Donald Trump within his own party. Duncan joined "Politically Georgia" today to discuss why he’s urging other conservatives to vote for President Joe Biden.    Then the hosts welcome Democrat and Mableton Mayor Michael Owens and Cobb County Republican Jason Shepherd to talk about how members of different political parties can disagree better.   Plus, Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols talks about the latest update to Plant Vogtle and how much expansion at the nuclear facility will cost customers.       Link to topics   Geoff Duncan: Why I’m voting for Biden and other Republicans should, too Disagree better? Veteran Georgia politicos tell how at Cobb forum New Vogtle nuclear reactor now online, completing expansion    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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast welcomes the Georgia ACLU's executive director, Andrea Young, who shares her thoughts about the protests playing out on college campuses in Georgia and beyond. Young believes police should only be called in as a last resort.   She goes on to discuss the ACLU’s concerns about a major piece of legislation Gov. Brian Kemp has now signed: the expansion of crimes now requiring cash bail, including minor offenses such as not appearing in court to answer a traffic citation.   Then, AJC veteran reporter Ernie Suggs joins to discuss his article putting the campus protests into historical context.   Links to topics   Kemp signs measure requiring cash bail for more offenses ACLU to college leaders: Don't stifle free expression of political ideas Suggs: Putting the protests of today into historical context   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 McWiliams  Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As pro-Palestinian demonstrations roilseveral Georgia college campuses, including confrontations with police at twoand a number of arrests, the podcast today welcomes four Atlanta-areastudents to get their perspective on what’s happening at schools in the stateand beyond. The students are:• Braxton Broady, who attends Morehouse College, where tension already exists over the school's invitation to President Joe Biden to give the commencement speech there in mid-May.• Mozn Shora, a graduating senior at Spelman College who attended protests at Emory University.• Talia Segal, a senior at Georgia Tech and the outgoing president of the school's chapter of the Jewish campus organization Hillel.• Daniella Hobbs, a doctoral student at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She was one of a small group of students who occupied the theology school briefly last week.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 McWiliams  Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Rep. Ruwa Romman, the Georgia Legislature’s only Palestinian American lawmaker, weighs in on recent protests on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Romman has spoken out about the arrests of several demonstrators on Emory University’s campus. Speaking to the hosts of “Politically Georgia,” she said, “We owe it to students to teach them, not repress them.”   But first up, former U.S. Rep. John Barrow joins the show. Barrow is running against incumbent Justice Andrew Pinson for a seat on the Georgia Supreme Court. Barrow explains his position on abortion and has a fiery reaction to our interview with Pinson on Wednesday’s edition of “Politically Georgia.”   Plus, it’s bill signing season for Gov. Brian Kemp as the clock runs out for him to sign or veto bills from the legislative session. The hosts talk about immigration and cash bail bills Kemp signed into law.    Links to topics  Georgia’s only Palestinian American state legislator defends campus protesters We owe it to students to teach them, not repress them A rare Georgia Supreme Court race could hinge on abortion rights Kemp signs bill requiring Georgia sheriffs to enforce federal immigration law  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 McWiliams  Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast welcomes Dov Wilker, Southern regional director of the American Jewish Committee, who responds to student demonstrations taking place on campuses in Georgia and across the country.   Wilker says the protests are not “pro-Palestinian” but rather “anti-Israel,” and he says Israel’s response to the barbaric attacks by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 is appropriate to assure the country is safe from future attacks.   But first, the hosts discuss breaking news: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tells reporters she will “absolutely” call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson from his role as U.S. House speaker “next week.”   Then, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson talks with the hosts about his race to retain his seat on the state’s high court. He responds to questions about why he chose not to participate in the Atlanta Press Club debate with his opponent John Barrow.   Link to topics Tia Mitchell: MTG will call for ouster of Speaker Mike Johnson next week Greg Bluestein: How campus protests have created divisions among Democrats Patricia Murphy: Empty lecterns for Press Club debates  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 McWiliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices