Politically Georgia AJC Podcasts

Former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux told the Politically Georgia podcast that the Israel-Hamas war poses a dire threat to President Joe Biden’s reelection bid. 
The Democrat, who represented a Gwinnett-based district for a term in Congress, said Democrats shouldn’t underestimate the deep divide in the party over the White House’s handling of the conflict. 
She called it a potential “dagger at the heart of the Democratic coalition” that helped Biden eke out a narrow 2020 victory in Georgia. She also discussed her thoughts on why it could take a “miracle” for Biden to recapture the state in November, and why she thinks Biden’s campaign is struggling to reinvigorate voters.  
But first up, AJC reporter Martha Dalton joins the podcast to give her first-hand account of the clash between law enforcement officers and pro-Palestinian protestors who attempted to occupy the Emory University’s central quad on Thursday – and the ongoing tensions on campus.  
Plus, the hosts answer questions from the listener mailbag and share their choices for who’s up and who’s down for the week. 
  
Links to topics: 
Bourdeaux: Democrats won't win Georgia on their own merits  
Police confront pro-Palestinian protestors at Emory University 
Protestors, police back at Emory hours after arrests 
 
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- Matt McWiliams  
Editor- Devan Kortan 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has more company in her pursuit of election interference charges against former President Donald Trump’s allies. Prosecutors in Arizona brought charges Wednesday against GOP electors deployed by the Trump campaign after Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. 
But first, a number of Georgia incumbents have apparently rejected invitations to participate in debates sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club that are scheduled for this weekend. The hosts talk to the club’s debate organizer, Lauri Strauss, about how U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath and David Scott, as well as a number of down-ticket incumbents, are ignoring the time-honored tradition of facing off against their opponents.  
Then, Democratic state Rep. Saira Draper joins the podcast to discuss her concerns about a Georgia voting bill that would open the door wider for mass challenges of voter registrations. And she explains a new technology that could make it much easier than the current process to file challenges against voters. Greg Bluestein points out that Gov. Brian Kemp has yet to sign the measure into law and may be reluctant to do so. 
  
Links to topics 
Arizona case against Trump allies echoes Georgia case 
Patricia Murphy: More incumbents are declining debates 
Voter challenge bill explained 
 
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 
Editor- Devan Kortan 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran political consultant Rick Dent weighs in on President Joe Biden’s upcoming graduation speech at Morehouse College. Biden’s visit is aimed at bolstering Black voters, but could it be overshadowed by protesters opposed to his support for Israel? The hosts look at potential disruptions that could cause trouble on campus. 
  
But first, AJC columnist Maureen Downey joins us after Gov. Brian Kemp signed the most far-reaching school voucher bill in state history. Downey discusses the impact the measure will have on families, students and public schools across the state. 
  
Plus, Tia Mitchell explains how members of Georgia’s congressional delegation voted on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. 
  
Links to topics 
Kemp signs voucher bill proclaiming 'education is great equalizer' 
U.S.education secretary says vouchers will create system of haves and have-nots. 
Will Biden Morehouse speech be a plus or minus for his bid for reelection? 
Georgia delegation party lines were scrambled in military aid votes 
 
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- Matt McWilliams 
Editor- Matt Owen 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic state Rep. Scott Holcomb joins the podcast first to offer an emotional perspective on the Legislature’s failure to pass his Wrongful Conviction Compensation Act, which would provide those whose convictions are overturned with state financial aid to build a new life. 
And Holcomb responds to Gov. Brian Kemp’s declaration on our show that he will never support a full expansion of Medicaid. 
Then, the podcast welcomes Robert Schwartz, leader of the Haley Voters for Biden effort. 
Plus, the hosts discuss the AJC’s exclusive story reporting that President Joe Biden will give the commencement speech at Morehouse College in mid-May. It’s an appearance that has potential benefits as well as downsides. 
  
Links to topics 
Last-ditch effort to pass wrongful conviction compensation fails 
Gov. Brian Kemp on 'Politically Georgia': 'I'm in the "no" camp on Medicaid expansion' 
Morehouse leaders wrestle with potential criticisms of president's speech to grads 
 
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- Matt McWilliams 
Editor- Matt Owen 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It will be a big week for news about former President Donald Trump. As his hush money trial begins in earnest today in a Manhattan courtroom, the podcast welcomes Anthony Michael Kreis to discuss what to expect from both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Who will be the first witnesses for the prosecution? How will Trump's lawyers counter testimony from his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Kreis also looks ahead to Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court hearing that will determine whether the former president is immune from prosecution for actions he took while in office. 
Then, "Weekend Edition Sunday" host Ayesha Rascoe talks about her time covering the Trump White House and her book on historically Black colleges and universities: “HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience.” 
Plus, Marjorie Taylor Greene is facing backlash from conservative media for her efforts to oust Speaker Mike Johnson for pushing a vote on Ukraine funding. 
And Tia reports on Sen. Raphael Warnock’s private audience with the pope at the Vatican. 
  
Links to topics 
Politico: Will jury buy prosecution charge that Trump hush money was election interference? 
Dave Wickert: Trump's immunity argument could scuttle or delay Georgia prosecution 
Ayesha Rascoe discusses her book on the HBCU experience 
Ayesha Rascoe bio 
MTG faces backlash for effort to oust Speaker Johnson 
Tia Mitchell talks with Warnock about audience with Pope Francis 
 
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- Matt McWilliams 
Editor- Matt Owen 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s edition of “Politically Georgia,” the hosts travel to Athens, where they tape a live show on the University of Georgia’s campus.
 
First, the crew sits down with Gov. Brian Kemp for a wide-ranging interview about what bills he’ll sign following the legislative session that ended last month, the Okefenokee Swamp and who he’ll vote for come November. 
 
Then, the hosts answer questions from our audience members about all things Georgia politics.

Links to topics 
Kemp backs $6,500 school voucher bill 
A surprise bill to expand Medicaid narrowly fails 
Kemp says growing up in Athens led him to race for governor 
 
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- Matt McWilliams 
Editor- Devan Kortan 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices