Politically Georgia AJC Podcasts

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 
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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

The podcast welcomes state Rep. Michelle Au, a physician and advocate for women’s health issues. Au is in the forefront of advocating for reproductive freedom for women and access to IVF in the aftermath of the Alabama Supreme Court decision declaring that in vitro frozen embryos are living beings. 
Then, Cole Muzio, president of the conservative Frontline Policy Alliance , discusses the issues his organization worked to advance during the recent session of the General Assembly. Muzio is a strong anti-abortion advocate and found himself at odds with former President Donald Trump’s declaration that each state should decide laws governing abortion. 
Finally, Greg and Patricia discuss a federal court hearing to decide whether Republican Party leaders in Catoosa County have the right to deny ballot access to those who don’t pass a purity test establishing them as MAGA-style Republicans. Greg writes that the case could have implications for the entire state. 
  
Links to today’s topics  
Alabama court ruling has some Georgia abortion rights advocates on edge 
Alabama Supreme Court ruling in in vitro embryos 
Patricia Murphy: Muzio doesn't object 'for now' to state House resolution supporting IVF 
Cole Muzio biography 
Greg Bluestein: Court takes up push from GOP faction to keep 'traitors' off the Republican ballot 
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

The hosts discuss growing anger among Georgia members of Congress over the U.S. Postal Service’s inability to solve serious delays in mail delivery in metro Atlanta. It’s part of a larger national problem. 
  
But first, the podcast welcomes former Georgia Republican Congressman Tom Graves, who served in the U.S. House for a decade before retiring in 2020. The hosts ask him for his observations about the infighting among GOP members of the House today and about the extreme partisanship on both sides of the aisle. He also offers his take on Marjorie Taylor Greene, who now represents the same district Graves did. 
  
Then, Davante Jennings, chairman of the Young Democrats of Georgia Black Caucus and an organizer at the New Georgia Project, joins the podcast to talk about what’s inspired him to become a political activist after he was disillusioned by Donald Trump’s victory in 2016. 
  
Links to topics 
The arc of Tom Graves career in the U.S. House: from Tea Party conservative to bipartisan advocate 
Disillusined by Trump's 2016 victory, this young Black Georgian has gotten engaged for 2022 
Ossoff, others in Georgia delegation demand USPS solve mail delivery delays  
 
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