Politically Georgia

Three years ago, Rudy Giuliani headlined legislative hearings at the state Capitol where he promoted conspiracy theories about two Fulton County elections staffers. Now, he is acknowledging he falsely claimed that Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss manipulated ballots. And his legal problems may soon grow.In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss the fallout of Giuliani’s extraordinary concession. They also discuss the Republican backlash against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the bipartisan acclaim for a UPS deal with the Teamsters labor union.Our insiders give you their who’s up and who’s down for the week and answer questions from the 24-hour Politically Georgia podcast hotline at 404-526-AJCP.  Links to today's topics:Giuliani ‘does not contest’ he made false statements about Fulton election workersRepublicans pile on Raffensperger for not upgrading voting machinesGeorgia election security showdown over Dominion arrives ahead of 2024UPS avoids driver strike, politicians breathe a sigh of relief  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The federal investigation into Donald Trump is delving deeper into Georgia.In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein is joined by senior reporter Tamar Hallerman to discuss how the federal probe of Trump overlaps with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation.Plus, we'll dig deeper into Trump's fundraising numbers in Georgia - and what they mean for his comeback bid.Have a question for Greg and Patricia? 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 next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics: Special counsel Jack Smith’s office contacted Brian Kemp in 2020 probeEXCLUSIVE: Feds sought surveillance video from State Farm Arena in Trump probeTrump moves to disqualify Fulton DA Willis — againFulton DA: Keep Trump grand jury report under wraps — for nowGa. donors seek to boost Trump rivals, but he still dominates state fundraisingAtlanta law enforcement readies for a possible Trump indictment  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As federal prosecutors near another indictment against former President Donald Trump, there are two general reactions from most GOP elected officials here in Georgia. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy look at the different strategies among Republicans when it comes to Donald Trump and the 2024 elections. Plus, July 20th marks the one-year anniversary of Georgia’s law limiting abortion in the state. The number of abortions performed in this state has drastically reduced, but what about the number of women who cross state lines to get the care they need? You’ll also hear how U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green became an unintended spokesperson for the Biden/Harris campaign. Greg and Patricia have their who's up and who's down for the week, and they answer questions from the listener mailbag. If you would like to ask a question, call the Politically Georgia 24-hour podcast hotline, and we will feature you on next Friday's episode.  Links to today's topics:OPINION: Republicans, you need a Plan B for president.A year into Georgia law, out-of-state abortions get complicatedU.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green unintentionally becomes Biden/Harris spokespersonVolunteer Georgia military unit general resigns following role in bawdy rap videoCouncilmember calls colleague ‘un-American’ for pushing multilingual ballots in Atlanta suburbGeorgia plans to cancel registrations of 191,000 inactive voters  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an announcement of a charging decision looms in Georgia, former President Donald Trump says he has been notified that he is a target of a federal investigation into the events that led to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insider Patricia Murphy and senior reporter Tamar Hallerman dissect the breaking news that Donald Trump has been named a target of the investigation by Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and examine what impact this could have on the Fulton County investigation into the former president’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Plus, the quarterly financial reports are in. AJC political insider Tia Mitchell joins the podcast from Washington with a look at who Georgia’s most prolific fundraisers are and are not. Have a question for Greg and Patricia? 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 this Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics: Trump says he’s target of federal Jan. 6 investigationAJC’s Breakdown Season 9: The Trump Grand JuryFEC Form: Jon Ossoff for SenateFEC Form: Warnock for GeorgiaU.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green isn’t surprised about robust fundraising numbers  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Kemp reacts to growing questions asking if he plans to run for president in 2024. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy look at those asking the questions and the governor’s most recent response when asked by WSB’s Scott Slade. Plus, the Georgia State Election Board is suing the conservative group True the Vote. Our insiders explore why the organization involved in the 2,000 Mules documentary is refusing to provide officials with the information they say proves rampant fraud in the 2020 election. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green was recently ousted from the Freedom Caucus. Hear what the conservative congresswoman says about moving from Freedom Caucus to free agent. You’ll hear Greg and Patricia’s who’s up and how’s down for the week and they’ll answer your questions from the listener mailbag, which you can now call into. Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline to leave your question and you’ll be featured on next Friday’s podcast. The number is 404-526-AJCP (2527).  Links to today's topics: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she likes being a ‘free agent’Brian Kemp tamps down talk of 2024 White House runGeorgia sues True the Vote over refusal to show ‘2000 Mules’ evidence’  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney assembled two grand jury panels, one of which is expected to weigh charges against former President Donald Trump. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy are joined by AJC reporter Jeremy Redmon, who was at the Fulton County courthouse Tuesday, to hear how the selection process played out and what’s next in the Fulton County case investigating Trump and his allies and their attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Plus, our insiders discuss the new federal elections bill unveiled in Georgia by Republican members of Congress.  Hear how Georgia’s SB 202 passed in 2021 is serving as an example for the rest of the county. We’ll also explain why Georgia state Rep. Mesha Mainor switched parties to join the GOP and how much impact that will have on Georgia’s political landscape. Have a question for Greg and Patricia? 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 next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics:Trump probe: Grand jurors likely to weigh charges against former president selectedGeorgia Rep. Mainor switches to GOP after school voucher voteRepublican push for new US voting laws launched in GeorgiaContinuing buzz about a potential Kemp bid for president  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patricia likes to hit the road in Georgia and see lawmakers in action in their home districts. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy talk about Patricia’s recent road trip to Forsyth County and the changes the county has seen over its history. Plus, our insiders discuss the latest buzz about Governor Brian Kemp becoming a possible contender against former President Donald Trump, the latest on Georgia’s new law banning certain treatments for transgender minors, and how politics and running go hand in hand at the AJC Peachtree Road Race Greg and Patricia have their who's up and who's down for the week, and they answer questions from the listener mailbag. If you would like to ask a question, call the Politically Georgia 24-hour podcast hotline, and we will feature you on next Friday's episode.  Links to today's topics:OPINION: In Metter, a small-town mayor ready for changeChallenges to Georgia’s ban against certain treatments for transgender minors continuePolitics and running go hand in hand at AJC Peachtree Road Race  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insider Greg Bluestein revisits an article written in December 2022: The questions that will shape Georgia politics in 2023. Now that we’re halfway through 2023, it’s worth looking back at those questions and see where things stand in terms of possible criminal charges against President Donald Trump, how Georgia’s top politicians will navigate their rising national profiles, and how Georgia will start to shape the 2024 field. Have a question for Greg and Patricia? 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 next Friday’s episode.   Links to today's topics: The questions that will shape Georgia politics in 2023  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The back and forth over green energy incentives and Georgia’s green energy boom continues.In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy take deeper dive into the rift over green energy incentives as GA Senator John Ossoff calls Governor Brian Kemp’s comments about green energy incentives a ‘tantrum’.What was once a big diving line in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor, our insiders explain how Governor Kemp has basically neutralized that argument in one fell swoop to restore Georgia’s HOPE scholarship to its ‘full promise’.And, following Supreme Court decisions of redistricting in Louisiana and Alabama, is Georgia next for a redrawing of the maps?            Greg and Patricia have their who's up and who's down for the week, and they answer questions from the listener mailbag. If you would like to ask a question, call the Politically Georgia 24-hour podcast hotline, and we will feature you on next Friday's episode.  Links to today's topics:Ossoff says Kemp ‘tantrum’ over new factories is ‘just politics’Kemp says he wants to continue to fully fund Georgia’s HOPE ScholarshipGeorgia Map Moves  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a groundbreaking of the new Anovion Technologies factory in the small town of Bainbridge, Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp framed the state’s green energy boom as a product of Republican policies rather than initiatives engineered by President Joe Biden to spur the electric-vehicle industry. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy look at the argument between the Biden administration and the Kemp administration and explain how it’s actually a win for both sides. Plus, why Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is being interviewed by federal prosecutors investigating efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election. Also, hear how Raffensperger is shifting the conversation about voting machine upgrades. Finally, how friends, neighbors, and local leaders of all stripes are rallying around the Jewish community denouncing the recent events of neo-Nazi demonstrations and raising the call for new legal protections against antisemitism. Have a question for Greg and Patricia? 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 next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics:A southwest Georgia jobs deal inflames fight over EV creditsRaffensperger wants ‘robust’ new penalties against election tamperingAt battery plant fueled by EV incentives, Kemp slams federal green energy perksRaffensperger will talk to feds in Trump probe Opinion: Antisemitism and hate have no place here   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices