Wednesday on Political Rewind: It was one year ago today that Georgia voters handed control of the U.S. Senate to Democrats when they elected Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. But as the 2022 election cycle gets underway, Republicans and Democrats are ready for a fierce fight to determine which party will claim dominance of state politics. Like many states, Georgia is seeing a powerful new wave of COVID-19 cases. The Department of Public Health reported more than 67,000 confirmed cases over the new year holiday weekend. Gov. Kemp is set to announce his support for a further loosening of Georgia’s gun laws. Plus, Andre Dickens is sworn in as Atlanta's new mayor…and there’s tightened security on Capitol Hill as the one-year anniversary of the insurrection approaches.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: The new year brings the same covid frustrations for people in Georgia and across the country. Dr. Carlos del Rio returned to the show to share insights and advice on coping with the latest wave of the coronavirus. Journalists Ellen Eldridge and Tamar Hallerman also weigh in on the impact of the virus as we enter the start of another year with the pandemic.
Monday on Political Rewind, our first show of 2022, we discussed the stories that will likely drive the news in the months ahead—including COVID-19, internal schisms in the Georgia GOP, Stacey Abrams' second shot at governor, and more.
As a young boy, West Point professor of history Ty Seidule was taught stories about the glorious lost cause of the South. His childhood hero was Robert E. Lee. During a childhood spent in Alexandria, Va., and Walton County, Ga., Seidule writes, he lived in a bubble, unaware of the dark history of the horrific treatment of Black communities.
Monday on Political Rewind: We revisit our conversation with Honorée Fanonne Jeffers on her debut novel The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois. It is a big-hearted epic leading us through the generational history of an African American family with deep roots in Georgia. Jeffers, a National Book Award-nominated poet, tells the story through rich characters and their family ties; from Creek Indian ancestors, through the wrenching years of slavery and to their eventual emergence as members of the Black professional class.
On Wednesday's Political Rewind: Atlanta reissued an indoor mask mandate as COVID cases rises in Georgia while state leaders took a more passive tone. Meanwhile, in the gubernatorial race, could constitutional carry be the latest wedge issue to come up in the Republican primary between Gov. Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue?
Monday on Political Rewind: A giant of Georgia politics died over the weekend. Former Sen. Johnny Isakson passed away Sunday. He served many years in Congress, gaining a national reputation as an affable bipartisan. Later on the show, a deep dive into Ga.'s film industry with guest host Donna Lowry.
Friday on Political Rewind: COVID-19 continues to bounce back in the United States, though not necessarily because of the new omicron variant. Meanwhile, Sen. Raphael Warnock pushes for a federal voting rights act on the floor of Congress.
Thursday on Political Rewind: The omicron variant surges in the United States. We look to Gov. Brian Kemp's response as the Georgia vaccination rate lags behind the rest of the country. Also: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's testimony is aiding the congressional Jan. 6 committee in building its case.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: We talk one-on-one with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein as Gov. Brian Kemp waits to hear if his proposal for a limited expansion of Medicaid will win federal approval. Plus, Atlanta Mayor-elect Andre Dickens works to head off the Buckhead city movement.
On today's show: A Republican leader in the state Senate filed a bill to eliminate drop boxes, which have enabled voters to cast absentee ballots more easily. Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to announce later this week that Rivian, one of the country’s largest manufacturers of electric vehicles, is set to build an assembly plant in Georgia.
Friday on Political Rewind: It was a week dominated by news of former U.S. Sen. David Perdue's announcement of his gubernatorial candidacy. He is challenging Gov. Brian Kemp for the Republican nomination. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams began to lay out the themes of her campaign. In the U.S. capitol, the Senate passed a contentious measure to raise the debt ceiling.
Thursday on Political Rewind: We turn our attention to the issues people of rural Georgia face. For many years, political leaders routinely talked about the two Georgias: the prosperous Metro Atlanta region and the vast majority of the state’s geography where prosperity was out of reach for many. The phrase went out of favor in political circles because it seemed divisive and discouraging of change. But the problems remain and can’t be easily ignored.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: A Georgia federal judge blocked nationwide implementation of President Biden's vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors this week. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr was one of the seven state attorney generals who filed for the stay, arguing the administration was overstepping it constitutional authority. Meanwhile, the second ranking Republican in the state House, Jan Jones, says she's backing a bill to prevent students from having access to "obscene" materials.
Monday on Political Rewind: We looked at former GOP Sen. David Perdue's announcement on his run for governor, launching a primary challenge against Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp. Plus, a discussion on the legacy of longtime GOP Sen. Bob Doyle following his passing.
