Politically Georgia

As doubts about whether President Biden can defeat Donald Trump in November, a coalition of prominent Black church leaders issued a ringing endorsement of Biden’s bid for re-election. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell welcome the leader of the group, Georgia AME Bishop Reginald Jackson. Also on the podcast, Donald Trump is expected to name his vice presidential running mate soon. One of the leading contenders is believed to be Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Georgia Democratic state senator Josh McLaurin remembers a time when, as Vance’s law school roommate, he was privy to Vance’s concerns about Trump’s quest for the White House in 2016. Plus, Bluestein, Mitchell and Nigut answer questions from the Politically Georgia mailbag and offer the picks for who is up and who is down this week.     Links to today's topics Black Georgia faith leaders express strong support for Biden Josh McLaurin recalls J.D. Vance's past concerns about Trump rise to power     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

As Democrats continue to quarrel over whether President Biden should step down from the ticket, we look back at a comparable moment in recent history. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell look back to 1980 when Maryland Democratic congressman Michael Barnes was among those who worked to replace President Jimmy Carter because they believed Carter, struggling with low appproval ratings and a myriad of national and international crises, could not beat Ronald Reagan. Barnes joins the podcast to discuss the 1980 Democratic convention, where there was a rebellion among some delegates looking to nominate Edward Kennedy for president. Michael Barnes joins the podcast.   Then, former Republican Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan abandoned Donald Trump and the MAGA wing of the Republican Party long ago. He raised GOP ire when he urged Republicans to vote for President Biden. But that happened just before Biden’s alarming debate performance. Now, Duncan appears to be a man without a candidate. He joins the podcast to discuss his most recent AJC column.    Links to today's topics The fight to deny Carter the nomination in 1980 Geoff Duncan: Americans deserve better choice than between Incarcerated and incapacitated Georgia Democratic convention delegates tell AJC they're sticking with Biden UFC's Dana White gets prime GOP convention speaking spot    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

In an exclusive AJC survey of Georgia Democratic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, one thing remains very clear: a near-unflinching loyalty to President Joe Biden. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell discuss the findings of the survey with AJC senior reporter Tamar Hallerman.Then, AJC education reporter Martha Dalton joins the podcast to discuss how Louisiana and Oklahoma are now injecting religion into public school classrooms. Could the Georgia legislature follow their lead in the 2025 session?Plus, Nikki Haley has released her delegates and recommended that they support Donald Trump; and the Georgia election board adopts a rule that give local election office the freedom to cast a wide net asking for documents proving the accuracy of an election before certifying the results. Links to today’s topics:Georgia Democratic convention delegates tell AJC they're sticking with BidenGeorgia Congressional Democrats all in for BidenOklahoma orders public schools to teach the BibleLouisiana public schoolsmust post 10 Commandments in all classroomsHave 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

As calls for a new Democratic presidential candidate grow, President Joe Biden says he’s firmly committed to staying in the race. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut are joined by former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, now an official with the Biden presidential campaign defend the president against critics who say it’s time for him to drop out of the presidential race after his alarming CNN debate performance. Then, State GOP Senator Jason Anavitarte joins the podcast to talk about former President Donald Trump’s campaign, Trump’s search for a running mate and the party platform that will be discussed at next week’s Republican National Convention.Links to today’s topics:Georgia Dems back Biden amid calls for him to drop outGeorgia Democrats applaud President Biden's "all in" approach for remaining in raceTrump's VP choice comes down to final daysHave 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 Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell talk with media analyst Brian Stelter about how the media is treating the story about Democratic concerns President Biden’s alarming debate performance revealed aging issues that may make it hard to beat Donald Trump in November. Stelter also gives his take on the ABC interview with Biden and more.Then, political science professors Charles Bullock (University of Georgia) and Andra Gillespie (Emory University) plus political consultant Rick Dent look at the rocky road Democrats are now on as they discuss whether they can win the White House in 2024 with Joe Biden as their nominee. Plus, Tia Mitchell discusses her trip to New Orleans aboard Air Force II this weekend, where she watched as Vice President Harris rallied Black voters to turn out to vote for President Biden.Links to today’s topics:Brian Stetler: ABC interview previewKamala Harris makes case for Biden at Black festivalBlack influencers rally behind Biden at New Orleans culture festival 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 and Bill Nigut talk with former Georgia Democratic congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux about her AJC opinion essay in which she calls for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race citing her belief that the president’s dismal debate performance has cost him the confidence of voters.Plus, AP Washington correspondent Lisa Mascaro joins the podcast to discuss her reporting on The Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025.” It’s a blueprint for how a re-elected Donald Trump could consolidate his executive powers by firing thousands of permanent government civil service leaders in key branches of government. Links to today’s topics:Caroyln Bourdeaux: Trump is dangerous; that's why Biden must exitConservative-backed group is compiling a list targeting for firing federal workers who could block Trump second term agendaListen 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

Georgia state Democratic leaders are standing behind President Biden’s bid for a second term.  On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, State Democratic Party Chair, Congresswoman Nikema Williams argues passionately that those who are calling for President Biden to step down from the race are gravely mistaken. We also hear from Georgia Republican Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper who advocates for Donald Trump’s re-election, saying Biden administration has been a failure in addressing the needs of Americans.Then, a discussion about the implications of the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Links to today’s topics:Georgia leaders stand by Biden despite shaky debateDemocrats defend Biden publicly, worry about him privatelyBiden aides say Americans should be scared by SCOTUS immunity ruling 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, AJC president and publisher Andrew Morse joins hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell to discuss the editorial board's weekend editorial and his letter to subscribers.   Georgia State Rep. Mary Magaret Oliver joins the podcast with a temperature check on how Democrats are feeling after Thursday night’s presidential debate.   And later, Georgia State University Law Professor Anthony Michael Kreis explains the U.S. Supreme Court ruling handed down in the Trump immunity case.     Links to today’s topics: AJC Editorial: It’s time for Biden to pass the torch Readers’ reactions to AJC editorial Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity     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

On today episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, the AJC’s Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the dynamics of last night’s presidential debate. President Biden’s weak performance set off fire alarms among many Democrats who worry voters may have concluded that Biden is unfit to serve another term. Meanwhile, Donald Trump ignored questions from the moderators, attacked Biden relentlessly and lied about both his and Biden’s record in office throughout the debate.     Today’s episode of “Politically Georgia” is all about analyzing the debate and dissecting how President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump’s performance may affect the race going forward.    Links to today’s topics3 Biden struggles to fight off Trump in messy debate Democrats face "Defcon1 moment" after Biden performance     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

President Joe Biden struggled throughout the first presidential debate Thursday to fend off a barrage of attacks from former President Donald Trump. On this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy offer instant analysis of Thursday night’s CNN Presidential Debate in Atlanta. A debate viewed as one of the last moments to upend the trajectory of the 2024 race. AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell talks to Trump campaign political operative Brian Hughes and Democratic strategist and activist Chris Bruce on the spin room floor.  Links to topicsBiden struggles to fend off Trump in messy Atlanta showdown  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgia Podcast Hotline at770-810-5297.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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices