Politically Georgia

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by UGA’s Trey Hood and GSU’s Amy Steigerwalt to take a deep dive into the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s new Georgia presidential general election poll. It shows that Kamala Harris is picking up ground against Donald Trump in Georgia, with the race here a statistical tie.Later, State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver joins to discuss her thoughts on how the legislature should respond to the mass shootings at Apalachee High School and gives her thoughts on the status of the Kamala Harris campaign in Georgia today.Plus, Garren Gayor, White House correspondent and managing editor of politics for the Grio discusses what he learned as a moderator of the National Association of Black Journalists interview with Kamala Harris yesterday.Links to today’s topics:AJC poll finds Trump and Harris locked in tight race in GeorgiaTop Georgia Republican open to gun safety bills in aftermath of Apalachee High School shootingsIn an interview with NABJ Harris condemns hate speech about Springfield, Ohio immigrants  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 BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voting in the 2024 presidential election is about the begin, but controversy over counting the ballots of two independent candidates - Cornell West and Socialist Party candidate De la Cruz - remains unresolved.On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut is joined by deputy secretary of state Jordan to discuss that and other issues surrounding the election. Then, AJC elections reporter Mark Niesse continues the conversation about the upcoming election.And Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander discusses the star-studded celebration in music of Jimmy Carter’s upcoming 100th birthday, and gives her take on President Carter’s legacy.  Links to today’s topics: Want to vote in Georgia? National Voter Registration Day is todayVotes for Cornell West & Claudia De la Cruz will count - for nowWhy Tim Walz is visiting Georgia todayJD Vance blames "ridiculous" political rhetoric for Trump assassination attemptFox Theater celebration in music of Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday Musicians share stories about Jimmy Carter ahead of birthday concertHere are Georgia events planned to mark Carter 100th birthday 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 BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance’s speech in Atlanta tonight will be the Republican vice presidential candidate’s first major remarks since the Sunday’s incident which the FBI called an apparent “assassination attempt” against former President Donald Trump. On today’s epidose of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein discuss the latest threat against the former president.  You’ll also hear about Vance’s upcoming appearance at the Faith and Freedom Coalition dinner in Atlanta and Tim Walz’s future stop in Macon. But first, the AJC’s Tamar Hallerman joins the podcast with the latest information about the decision by a special prosecutor to not pursue criminal charges against Lt. Governor Burt Jones in the Fulton County Trump election conspiracy case. Plus they look at a decision by Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee to drop several charges against Donald Trump.Plus, AJC business and economics reporter Michael Kannell joins the podcast to take a deep dive into the economic issues being raised by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.Plus the hosts discuss the visits to Georgia this week by vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance.  Links to today’s topics:Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI saysBurt Jones won't be charged in Trump election interference caseFulton County judge drops more charges in election conspiracy caseAnalysis of Trump tax and economic proposalsJD Vance to speak at conservative evangelical gathering in AtlantaTim Walz to campaign in Georgia tomorrw  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 BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- 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 GregBluestein and Tia Mitchell react to the new development that former PresidentDonald Trump announced he won’t participate in a third presidential debate. They ask U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, a surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, about Trump declining to debate again. They also ask Khanna about the campaigning he’ll do for Harris inGwinnett County. Then, they askconservative AJC contributor Meagan Hansen about the latest with the GeorgiaGOP. Hansen discusses House Speaker Jon Burns' gun safety proposal and Gov.Brian Kemp saying now is not the time for new policy. Plus, it’s Friday, so weanswer your listener mailbag questions and go through picks of who’s up andwho’s down.   Links to today’s topics:Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces $47M haul in hours afterwardBrian Kemp says it’s still too soon to weigh in on Georgia’s gun policy debateFani Willis plans to defy subpoena and skip Senate hearingGeorgia judge strikes more counts in Trump election interference caseHave a question or commentfor the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listenermailbag 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 “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”      Credits Executive producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Speaker Jon Burns endorsed efforts Thursday to expand mental health care access, offer incentives for gun safety purchases and toughen penalties against people who make terroristic threats after a mass shooting at a Georgia high school brought fresh scrutiny of the state’s firearms policies. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts up hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut talk to state Senators Jason Esteves, (D-Atlanta), and Steve Gooch, (R-Dahlonega) for their takes on House Speaker Jon Burns’ new gun safety proposals.   And another lawsuit has been filed against the state election board over last-minute rule changes. Paulding County Election Director Deidre Holden, who’s in charge of implementing the 11th hour rules on a local level, joins today’s podcast.    Then, the dust has settled from the debate Tuesday night where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump faced off for what could be the first and last time. Now we’re learning both campaigns have plowed almost $60 million dollars of tv ads into must-win Georgia.     Links to today’s topics: Top Georgia Republican endorses gun safety proposals after Apalachee High School shooting Campaigns ran nearly 700 ads in Atlanta on day of the Harris, Trump debate Republican lawsuit tries to stop new Georgia Election Board rules    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

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first time, and possibly the last time, in Philadelphia.On this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast chief correspondent for Politifact, Lou Jacobson, fact-checks claims from Trump about abortion and Haitian migrants.Then, former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux offers her take as a Democrat. She says Harris had great moments taking on Trump. But she also cautions that Harris must keep up this momentum.And, on the other side of the aisle, state Sen. Jason Anavitarte offers his take as a Republican. He says Trump came out strong on the economy.Links to today’s topics:Kamala Harris rattles Donald Trump during debate with Georgia-themed jabsDid Tuesday’s presidential debate change the dynamics of the race?5 takeaways from the Harris-Trump presidential debateWhat AJC contributors thought of the Harris-Trump debateHave 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 BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first time, and possibly the last time, in Philadelphia.Georgia was mentioned twice on the debate stage. Trump referenced the election-interference case in Fulton County brought by District Attorney Fani Willis. Then, Trump also mentioned Georgia as he continued his false claims that he did not lose the 2020 election.Plus, a discussion about what’s next on the campaign trail as megastar Taylor Swift endorsed Harris, the Harris campaign called for a second debate, and Trump joined the spin room post-debate.Links to today's topicsKamala Harris presses forceful case against Donald Trump during tense presidential debateHave 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 BacklerProducer- Natalie Mendenhall Editor- Shane Backler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump take the stage tonight in Philadelphia for the first and likely only presidential debate this election cycle. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut preview tonight’s debate with Kamala Harris surrogate and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Georgia state GOP chairman Josh McKoon.   The hosts discuss what leading Georgia Democrats and Republicans are hopeful will happen as their candidates take the presidential debate stage tonight. What suggestions do they offer for how Donald Trump and Kamala Harris can each score points.   Plus, hear a discussion on an article on the AJC website by Greg Bluestein and AJC election reporter Mark Niesse which reveals that a majority of Georgia U.S. House Republicans continue to promote that false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen.     Links Five questions about tonight's crucial presidential debate in Philadelphia Atlanta set stage for debate tonight in Philadelphia Donald Trump and most Georgia house Republicans hold onto belief the 2020 election was stolen Harris and Trump are the talk of this hair salon in South Georgia     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 Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell bring on AJC crime reporter Caroline Silva who explains what voters need to know about where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris stand on dealing with gun violence and crime.   Then, political advertising expert Rick Dent joins the podcast to look at ad spending in Georgia for the presidential race, and at the messages Harris and Trump are emphasizing in their ads.   Plus, a preview of what to expect in tomorrow night’s presidential debate, and the clues a new NY Times poll might give each candidate about what could be their key talking points.    Links Caroline Silva: What to know about gun violence and crime as election approaches Harris and Trump react to Apalachee High shooting Trump campaign and MAGA go on Georgia spending spree with Harris in race Harris campaign puts $90 million into battleground state ads     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

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss how the mass shooting at Apalachee High School has once again exposed the divide between Democrats and Republicans on gun safety measures.  First up, Democratic state Rep. Michelle Au talks about a bill she sponsored, and Senate Republicans rejected, to give tax breaks to individuals who buy gun safes and other devices to lock up firearms.  Then, former Cobb County Republican Party Chair Jason Shepherd emphasizes the GOP view that mental health services for troubled youths may be the most important deterrence to school shootings.  Then, the panel answers your questions from the listener mailbag, and the hosts give their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.  Links AJC editorial: students and teachers don't have to die Some Georgia Republicans say they're open to changing state gun laws Apalachee alleged shooter and father make first court appearances 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  Producer- Natalie Mendenhall  Engineer- Matt Owen  Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices