Politically Georgia

Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia," Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut, and Greg Bluestein talk to journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman join the podcast to discuss their new book, “Find me the Votes: A Hard-Charging Prosecutor, a Rogue President and the Plot to Steal an Election.” The authors take an in-depth look at how Georgia became the focus of Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election, and how Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation led to indictments against Trump and 18 co-defendants involving their attempts to undermine the legitimate election results.  Then, WABE reporter Sam Gringlas shares his story about how the threats and demonization by Trump allies against Fulton County election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman have inspired a surge of people to line up to work at polling places across Fulton County.   Plus, the hosts pay tribute to the three Georgia Army reservists killed in a drone attack in Jordan, and they add words of sympathy following the death of state House Rules Chairman Richard Smith of Columbus.   Links to today’s topics:  Nuggets from "Find me the Votes" Surge of election workers inspired by Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman Three Georgia reservists killed in Jordan The pain will never go away - mother of reservist What to know about Georgia army reservists killed in Jordan  Georgia House rules chair Richard Smith dies  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia," Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut, and Tia Mitchell talks with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. After serving 14 years in the Senate, Manchin has announced he won’t run for another term and is the subject of speculation he may launch an independent bid for president. Manchin came to Atlanta as part of a “listening tour” that he says will give him a better feel for how Georgians and voters in other states he’s visiting are feeling about politics today. On Friday, he participated in an extended town meeting hosted by Atlanta Journal-Constitution politics reporter Greg Bluestein.  Then, Nikki Haley continues baiting Donald Trump as the South Carolina GOP primary unfolds. Biden and Trump exchange attacks over efforts by the U.S. Senate to pass a bipartisan border security bill.  Plus, the podcast welcomes Pearl Dowe, professor of African American studies, Emory University. The author of “The Radical Imagination of Black Women: Politics, Ambition and Power,” Dowe talks about the history of Black women as forces in organizing grassroots issues around important issues and as candidates for office. And she delves into the problems Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is facing as allegations about an inappropriate relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade continue to embroil her in controversy.   Links to today’s topics:  Manchin teases potential presidential run Watch Manchin-Bluestein town meeting  Dowe:The Radical Imagination of Black Women    Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary: Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia," Greg Bluestein moderates a live town hall with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin at Georgia State University.   In this wide-ranging and exclusive interview, the duo discusses Manchin’s decision not to run for reelection this year. Bluestein also asks for updates as Manchin considers a third-party run.    Plus, Manchin also spoke about various foreign policy issues related to Ukraine, Russia and the Israel-Hamas conflict.    And, Manchin fielded questions from students while also encouraging them to get involved in public service.   Links to today’s topics:  WATCH LIVE: AJC town hall with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s "Politically Georgia", hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut talk to their editor-in-chief, Leroy Chapman.  First up, they get Chapman’s take on the South Carolina primary. He walks us through where Democrats and Republicans stand as a native of the Palmetto State.    Then, the crew pivots to the Legislature as a bill condemning antisemitism passes in both chambers. The trio also talks about the renewed effort to legalize sports betting.    And, a conversation with the longest-serving Hispanic legislator in the Georgia Assembly, Pedro Marin. Marin announced that he will retire after 22 years under the Gold Dome.    Plus, it’s Friday, so we spend time answering your questions from the viewer mailbag.  Links to today’s topics: PG A.M.: Odds improve for sports betting as top Senate Democrat backs bid  OPINION: The case for Nikki Haley to stay in the race  Georgia’s longest-serving Latino legislator is retiring  Georgia lawmakers, in support of Israel, pass bill that would define antisemitism in state law  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s "Politically Georgia" representatives of the secretary of state’s office to talk about the battles Brad Raffensperger is fighting on two fronts. The Legislature is making a second effort to give the State Election Board the responsibility to oversee the operations of the secretary of state’s office in managing elections. And the office is now in federal court defending itself in a lawsuit filed by a liberal voting rights group that alleges the state’s Dominion voting machines are vulnerable to hacking.  Then, the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary is sneaking up on most political observers. It will take place in a little more than one week. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley is doing her best to goad Donald Trump into revealing the worst aspects of his character as the South Carolina Republican primary campaign gets underway. AJC Savannah bureau chief Adam Van Brimmer joins the conversation.   Plus, the state Senate appears set to pass a bill defining antisemitism. The measure would make it easier to punish antisemitic acts under Georgia’s hate crimes law.  Links to today’s topics: Bill would allow investigations of Raffensperger Witness in federal trial shows how voting machines can be hacked  Haley pins hopes on home state primary Trump warns Haley donors to stop funding Haley Senate revives antisemitism bill Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s "Politically Georgia" podcast, Greg Bluestein makes his way home from New Hampshire. Bluestein discusses Donald Trump’s convincing win in New Hampshire. Bluestein describes Nikki Haley’s response to finishing a distant second. What will she do next? AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell, AP politics reporter Meg Kinnard and political analyst Rick Dent join the discussion. Then, President Joe Biden’s write-in campaign carried him to first place in the Democratic contest that held little meaning since Biden chose not to compete in the nation’s traditional first primary in the nation. The panel discusses what’s at stake for Biden when South Carolina holds its Democratic primary. Plus, AJC staff writer Maya Prabhu joins the podcast to discuss top stories unfolding in the General Assembly, including a new effort to launch a formal investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.  Links to today’s topics: Trump wins New Hampshire. Haley vows to soldier on Biden works to energize Black voters in South Carolina State senator calls for committee to investigate Fani Willis   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s "Politically Georgia" podcast, Greg Bluestein reports from Manchester, New Hampshire, on the closing rallies for the two remaining candidates for the GOP presidential nomination: Nikki Haley and Donald Trump. Will Haley surpass expectations and live to fight another day? Or will Trump become the de facto nominee of the GOP with a big New Hampshire victory?    Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping for a big write-in victory for President Joe Biden, who skipped New Hampshire to make South Carolina the first primary state in his campaign.  Then, a look at the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s son Dexter King, who died yesterday at age 62.    Plus, AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman joins the podcast to discuss the latest news about allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the lawyer she hired to oversee the Trump election conspiracy case.    Links to today’s topics: Is New Hampshire do or die for Nikki Haley? Joe Biden supporters hope for big NH write in campaign New Hampshire Biden supporters scramble to ramp up write in campaign Dexter King dies of prostate cancer Cobb judge unseals Wade divorce records, frees Willis from testifying in case for now   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s "Politically Georgia" podcast, Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy handle the latest developments in the New Hampshire primary.  Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein report live from the Granite State. Both were with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley when she learned that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had ended his presidential bid. The hosts discuss how this development affects the dynamics of the GOP primary race. Some Georgia Republicans are now endorsing former President Donald Trump even before New Hampshire votes.    Plus, President Joe Biden’s New Hampshire supporters are mounting a write-in campaign for the incumbent.   Then, a new development in the controversy surrounding the allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, her special prosecutor in the election interference case against Trump. A Cobb County divorce court will hear motions on whether Willis should be required to give a deposition in the divorce case between Wade and his estranged wife.    Links to today’s topics: Cobb judge to consider Willis deposition in Wade divorce case Bank records show Wade and Willis traveled together New Hampshire Biden supporters scramble to ramp up write in campaign DeSantis quits race. Haley says "may best woman win" Trump wins new Georgia endorsements  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson previews the New Hampshire primary. Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia,” the hosts welcome Hutchinson, who earlier this week ended his long shot bid for the GOP presidential nomination. Hutchinson ran as a mainstream conservative Republican who warned that putting Donald Trump back in the White House would be bad for the country. He dropped out of the race when he finished sixth in the Iowa caucuses and acknowledged that “my message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front-runner did not sell in Iowa.”  Then, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed a fiery motion responding to allegations that she had been in an inappropriate relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she hired to oversee the Trump election conspiracy case. Willis attempted to quash a subpoena from Wade’s estranged wife to testify in the couple’s divorce case. Willis says Wade’s wife is trying to derail her prosecution of Trump and his co-conspirators.   Plus, the U.S. House and Senate passed a continuing resolution to keep the government running for another two months. But five Georgia Republicans voted against the measure. Tia Mitchell explains why. Links to today’s topics: OPINION: Asa Hutchinson warns GOP is “headed toward a cliff.’ Congress approves shirt term funding resolution Fulton DA accuses special prosecutor's wife of interference in Trump case  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The cost of Atlanta’s training center jumps to $109 million. Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia,” the cost of Atlanta’s public safety training center has increased by $19 million.   Plus, the team breaks down highlights from the AJC’s new poll. Among them are Georgians' feelings about the fairness of the state’s elections.   And, Cobb County Democrat Jerica Richardson has announced she’ll continue to run for the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District seat. It’s a race that pits her against U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath and a reversal on what she told us on a show a few weeks ago. What changed her mind?   Then, Patricia and Greg are set to head to New Hampshire to cover the first primary election of 2024. It’s a crucial election for Nikki Haley, who hopes to defeat Donald Trump in the Granite State.   Links to today’s topics:  Cost of Atlanta’s training center jumps to $109M Most voters trust Georgia’s 2024 election will be fair, AJC poll finds Georgia 6th: Richardson plans to run against fellow Democrat McBath for Congress  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices