Political Rewind: Race Plays On Campaign Trail, Voting Rights, 2020 Census

On this edition of Political Rewind, racial issues continue to dominate the headlines this week as candidates aim to court African-American voters in the south.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has sparked a firestorm after talking about his cordial relationships with southern segregationists who served alongside him in the U.S. Senate. When Biden shared memories of working with Senators, including Georgia’s Herman Talmadge, his Democratic opponents voiced strong criticism.

RELATED: Biden Defends Comments About Working With Segregationist Lawmakers

"Elections are about the future, he should be talking about the future," says Republican Strategist Eric Tanenblatt of Biden's remarks. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lead Political Writer Jim Galloway also thought the dated references did Biden no favors. "It would have been nice of him to use an example from say 2000, instead of reaching that far back."

Roy Moore announces he is running again for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, a seat now held by Democrat Doug Jones. How will his candidacy affect GOP chances to take back the Alabama Senate?

 
RELATED: Trump Says Alabama's Roy Moore Can't Win, But Moore Is Running Again Anyway
 
Congressional hearings are set to take place in Washington, D.C. next week where Stacey Abrams will advocate for congressional oversight that the Supreme Court stripped from the Voting Rights Act. She will speak to the House Judiciary Committee, a followup to hear appearance at a field hearing in February.
 
RELATED: U.S. House Dems Hold Hearing On Voting in Ga.

Also, the Supreme Court will issue two decisions that may have a crucial impact on Georgia. One ruling could impact the dominant position of the GOP on Georgia congressional maps as the other may dramatically reduce the number of Georgians counted in the 2020 census.

Panelists:

Jim Galloway -- Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nikema Williams -- Chair, Georgia Democratic Party

Donna Lowry -- Capitol Correspondent, GPB Lawmakers

Eric Tanenblatt -- Republican Strategist