Politically Georgia

It’s debate night in America. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut discuss how they see the historic presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump shaping the next stage of the race for the White House. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a candidate for president in 2020, has insights about debating against Biden.CNN analyst Bakari Sellers offers Biden advice on how to reach out to Black voters and Rep. Steve Gooch describes Trump’s strengths among Georgia voters, offering suggestions for how the former president can broaden his coalition of voters here.      Links to topics What to watch for at historic debate Trump allies host Atlanta barber shop event aimed at Black voters Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms jons Biden national campaign team New AJC poll shows tight race with Trump narrowly leading Biden Biden    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.”      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, former Republican senator Saxby Chambliss joins hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut to discuss his participation in a bipartisan effort among key former Georgia leaders to assure voters that the 2024 election will be run fairly and honestly. The effort brings together Chambliss, former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes, former Democratic mayor Shirley Franklin and former Republican governor Nathan Deal.Former Republican Congressman Doug Collins also joins the podcast to discuss what he thinks Donald Trump needs to do to win his debate with President Trump.Later in the podcast, AJC politics reporter Michelle Baruchman shares the results of the new AJC poll which reveals that young voters are unhappy with both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. They tell her they wish they had a younger candidate to vote for.Links to topics Former Georgia elected leaders join forces to fight election lliesBiden, Trump set stage for likely volatile debateYoung voters no happy with presidential choicesHave 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just ahead of Thursday’s presidential debate here in Atlanta, the latest AJC presidential poll shows Donald Trump with a slight lead in Georgia.  On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dive in and break down the numbers.AJC columnist and former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan joins the podcast today to talk about what President Biden must do to win Thursday night’s debate against former President Donald Trump.  Plus, Atlanta Track Club CEO Rich Kenah talks about why so many local politicians can’t resist the Peachtree Road Race. Links to today’s topics: AJC Poll: Trump leads Biden in Georgia ahead of first debateDincan: Three things Biden must do to win Thursday’s Atlanta debateAtlanta Peachtree Roadrace 2024Have 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was two years ago today that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Rose vs. Wade. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Micthell and Greg Bluestein explain how that decision changed the landscape of abortion access here in Georgia. State Senators Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, and Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, as well as the AJC’s Maya T. Prabhu join today’s podcast.  Plus, both former President Trump and President Biden have Georgia on their mind ahead of their first debate in four years. Hear how each campaign is turning up the heat here before their Thursday night showdown in Atlanta.    Links to today’s topics:  The state of abortion rights now in the U.S. Atlanta setting for Biden-Trump showdown is packed with political significance Grassroots organizing efforts ramp up    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.”      Credits  Executive Producer- Shane Backler  Producer- Natalie Mendenhall  Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday marks two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell are joined by Melita Easters, founding chair of the Georgia WIN List, to talk about the state of reproductive rights in Georgia.   Then, South Carolina’s U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn previews his visit to Georgia this weekend. He will campaign on behalf of fellow Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, and focus on outreach to Black voters.   Patricia and Tia also answer your questions from the listener mailbag and give their pick of the week’s winners and losers during Who’s Up and Who’s Down.      Links to today’s topics:  The state of abortion rights now in the US Georgia Supreme Court allows abortion law to stay on the books     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.”      Credits  Executive Producer- Shane Backler  Producer- Natalie Mendenhall  Engineer- Matt McWilliams  Editor- Devan Kortan   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Georgia’s primary runoff elections now behind us. Ontoday’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgiapodcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell look at the winners and losersof Georgia’s runoffs and talk about what it means as we head into the Novemberelections. Republican strategist Stephen Lawson joins the podcast to discuss theclosely watched GOP races in Georgia’s 2nd and 3rdcongressional districts.  State SenatorGloria Butler joins the program to talk about what it means that severalDemocratic candidates with support from some of the party’s top leaders losttheir local races. And later, our hosts discuss former special prosecutorNathan Wade’s recent media blitz. Some are speculating that Wade could beseeking a TV contract, but legal experts tell the AJC that Wade’s media tourcould put what’s left of the Trump election interference case in peril, sincethe Court of Appeals is scrutinizing whether his relationship with the DAshould disqualify her from the case.  Links to today’s topics:Election runoff resultsWinners and losers of Georgia’s runoff electionsDemocratic leaders go bust in key local Georgia runoffs  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgiaPodcast Hotline at770-810-5297.We’ll play back your question and answer itduring the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listenand subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or whereveryou listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bill Nigut welcomes AJC senior editor Mike Jordan. Jordan is the senior editor for UATL, leading the Black culture team.The pair starts this conversation with preservationist Ann Hill Bond. Bond walks us through the history of slavery in Georgia. The trio reacts to recordings of a freed Georgia slave from the Library of Congress. Then, Bill and Mike welcome freelance journalist and filmmaker King Williams to the show. Williams talks about the political power of Atlanta and the Black electorate in Georgia. Finally, Tiffany Williams Roberts from the Southern Center for Human Rights joins the conversation. She talks about how Georgia can live up to the social justice promise of “Liberty and Justice for All.” Links to topicsIs Georgia living up to the Juneteenth promise of freedom? Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their StoriesKing Williams’ newsletter Capital B watch party Have a question 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.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s runoff election day here in Georgia and on today’s edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut are keeping close watch on some of the tightest races in the state. AJC election reporter Mark Niesse gives a rundown of the races on today’s primary runoff ballots. The showdown that’s grabbed headlines pits former Trump administration official Brian Jack, who has won the endorsement of Donald Trump and an array of MAGA luminaries, against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district. There are also eight legislative races up for grabs today, plus the primary runoff race for DeKalb County CEO, which will most likely be decided in today’s vote.Later today Vice President Kamala Harris is back in Atlanta highlighting the Biden administration’s commitment to gun safety laws in a conversation with rapper Quavo, whose nephew was shot to death two years ago.  Former White House advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, Jamal Simmons joins the podcast as the vice president returns to talk about the work to motivate Black voters to turn out at the polls for President Biden.Plus, a shocking gun murder at South Georgia’s Smith State prison adds to the number of violent incidents occurring at Georgia prisons. Now, Governor Kemp has called for an outside organization to do a complete study of the ongoing problems in state penal institutions.Links to today’s topics:Here are the races on today's runoff ballotsTrump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoffHarris to headline Juneteenth block partyVP and Quavo meet for talk on ending gun violenceHow a murder/suicide at Smith State prison shocked state officialsHave a question 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.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and Donald Trump had starkly contrasting campaign events this past weekend. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Host Bill Nigut and special co-host Tamar Hallerman look at the weekend campaign events of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In Detroit, Trump courts Black voters by falsely accusing Biden of being the main force behind the 1994 crime bill and claimed Biden pushed the “super predator” measure aimed at Black crime. President Biden was in Los Angeles, where he attended a fundraiser where he was praised by some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as former President Barack Obama. Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter, AP, Chuck Williams, WRBL Columbus, reporter, Georgia State University professor Tammy Greer join in on the conversation.   Then, a look at Georgia congressional GOP runoffs that will be decided in tomorrow’s election.  Former Trump administration official Brian Jack squares off against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district; and Chuck Hand, convicted of a misdemeanor criminal action, is facing Wayne Johnson for the GOP nomination in the 2nd congressional district.   Plus, Tamar and Bill look at reaction from Georgia elected officials to the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning the trump-era ban on bump stocks for guns.     Links to today’s topics Trump courts Black voters in Detroit Biden raises millions in glittery Hollywood fundraiser Trump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoff Jan.6 rioter in 2nd district GOP congressional runoff  SCOTUS overturns ban on bump stocks   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 McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns has announced he’llsupport legislation protecting in vitro fertilization in Georgia. On today’sepisode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast,hosts Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy discuss the speaker’s announcement and howa similar measure was blocked by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.But first, Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight Action, thevoting rights and grassroots activist organization founded by Stacey Abramsjoins the podcast to discuss a new initiative designed to recruit Georgians to- in their words - “empower everyday Americans to support voters and protectour democratic process from election deniers and conspiracy theorists trying totear our country apart.” Groh-Wargo told the podcast that Fair Fight will alsowork to build a grassroots army of volunteers to turn out voters for Joe Biden.Plus, Patricia reports on the controversy roiling aroundGeorgia House minority leader James Beverly, who has been accused by a staffmember of sexual harassment.Then, as we do every Friday, Bill and Patricia answerlistener questions from the Politically Georgia Mailbag and give you theirwinners and losers of the week during Who’s Up and Who’s Down.Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode. Links to today’s topicsGeorgiahouse speaker vows legislation to protect access to IVF treatmentsSupremeCourt preserves access to abortion pillFemalehouse Democrats incensed over accusations of sexual harassment against minorityleader  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices