Political Rewind: Dawgs win! But could Biden steal headlines in Ga. with a filibuster statement?

Credit: Photo of Biden courtesy of The White House via Wikimedia Commons, Photo of football game via Tammy Anthony Baker

The Panel:

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of political science, Georgia State University

Edward Lindsey — Former state legislator, Atlanta

Mayor Hardie Davis — Augusta

Tamar Hallerman — Senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution     

The Breakdown:    

1. 'Dawgs on top' is the rallying cry this morning across Georgia. 

• Georgia snaps a 41-year title drought with a 33-18 win over Alabama.

• The victory last night means the Dawgs are national champions for the first time in four decades.

2. But bigger news might come out of a visit from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to Atlanta

• Excerpts provided by the White House reveal the President is set to back big changes to the Senate filibuster as a part of efforts to pass federal voting rights legislation.
• Two voting rights bills currently sit in the Senate, stalled by the threat of a congressional filibuster while urging for federal voting rights legislation.
• The Freedom To Vote Act would set new minimum standards for early and mail-in voting, among other provisions.
• The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act seeks to restore elements of the landmark Voting Rights Act weakened by Supreme Court rulings.

3. Lawmakers eye crime, gun-related laws and gambling this session. 

• A new proposal from Gov. Brian Kemp would create an anti-gang unit in the state attorney general's office and beef up staffing in the state's crime labs.
• The governor announced earlier his intentions to pass "constitutional carry" legislation that would ease permitting rules for open and concealed carry. 

• Gambling often comes up during recent sessions.
• House Speaker David Ralston says that it is an issue he will look at this session. 

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

Lawmakers' Donna Lowry and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein join our panel.