Political Breakfast from WABE

WABE

About

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning on the Political Breakfast podcast, veteran Atlanta journalist Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and Republican strategist Brian Robinson deliver Georgia’s best analysis of local politics with a weekly dose of informed, respectful and lively discussion.

During Georgia’s state legislative session, Political Breakfast presents the pop-up podcast Gold Dome Scramble every Friday morning as host Lisa Rayam talks with reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali from the WABE newsroom to break things down for our listeners — the issues being considered, and the bills getting sorted through various committees at the Georgia State Capitol.

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345 episodes

Sine Die is Thursday, Georgia lawmakers scramble to review hundreds of bills, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivers state of the city

We're two days away from Sine Die, the last day of the 2024 Georgia legislative session. It's a chaotic race to the finish where lawmakers are reviewing and voting-on hundreds of bills.  Host Lisa Rayam is out this week. But Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson take us through a few bills they're focused on, and some insight they're getting from walking the halls of the Gold Dome.  That includes one bill that would compensate exonerated people who lost years of their lives in prison. Plus, this week's episode comes on the heels of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' state of the city address. Dickens touched on the future of building light rail and connecting MARTA to the Atlanta BeltLine, building more housing and building the city's public safety training center, which police say is on-track to open by the end of this year.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26m
Mar 26
Gold Dome Scramble: Lawmakers rush to get bills through as legislative session comes to a close

With just a few days left in this year's legislative session, lawmakers are jamming through bills any way they can. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the proposals they're tracking as the session starts wrapping up. Plus, a conversation with WABE'S environment reporters Emily Jones and Marisa Mecke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

42m
Mar 22
The U.S. Postal Service better have my money, package slow downs, and is the Biden campaign spending big in Georgia ahead of November?

It's time for this week's second edition of Political Breakfast, where strategists Tharon Johnson, Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam address Democrats' fears about President Joe Biden's chances in Georgia.  The Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article this week that cited several lawmakers voicing concerns, that Georgia won’t get the same focus as battleground voters in other states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux says Biden’s campaign is likely to focus more on the “white working class” in the Midwest than more diverse Georgia voters. U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams says she is not worried at all, and warns that local election advocates need to do the grassroots work. Plus, Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is getting involved in delays and complications with the U.S. Postal Service.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22m
Mar 21
After judge splits Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade, both still face GOP, public scrutiny in handling of Georgia election interference case

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're still seeing calls from the right for Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis to step aside from the Georgia election Interference case - even though her former special prosecutor Nathan Wade resigned from the case on Friday. A judge ruled one of them would have to go last week, because of a conflict of interest and their past romantic relationship. In a letter accepting Wade's resignation, Willis complimented him for his QUOTE "professionalism and dignity." Then over the weekend, Wade canceled a highly-anticipated live interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday .. citing a family emergency. The interview would have been the first chance to hear Wade's take on the ruling. Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam weigh-in on the latest in the election interference saga. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17m
Mar 19
Gold Dome Scramble Update: Fani Willis can remain on Trump case, as Nathan Wade resigns

A judge ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could remain on the Georgia election interference case, but only if special prosecutor Nathan Wade stepped aside. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7m
Mar 15
Gold Dome Scramble: GA Republicans pass public subsidies for private school tuition, blindside Democrats with move to ban puberty blockers

Georgia Republicans have passed public subsidies for private school tuition by the slimmest of margins. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss all things education with WABE education reporter Juma Sei. Plus a look at a last minute move to ban puberty blockers and efforts to expand gambling in Georgia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

46m
Mar 15
Voter fatigue ahead of likely November presidential match-up between Biden versus Trump creates opportunity for 3rd-party candidate, in comes Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan

Have Donald Trump's divisive MAGA movement and Joe Biden's low approval rates driven former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to potentially run for president?  Duncan could be running for president in November under the third-party, bipartisan movement 'No Labels.'  Multiple national news outlets report Duncan could be featured on the movement's so-called "unity ticket" and challenge the presumed nominees President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump.  WABE has reached out to Duncan for a statement on this news.  So far he has not offered a comment, but is not shutting down the reports of stirring things up.  Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in on the potential White House bid. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19m
Mar 13
Battleground voters keep Georgia on the minds of the Biden and Trump campaigns

This week on Political Breakfast, Donald Trump and Joe Biden hosted two competing presidential campaign rallies in Georgia over the weekend.  Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to compare the turnout and excitement at both events – as both candidate's approval ratings aren't reflecting the same energy.  Both Trump and Biden say the path to the White House in 2024 runs through Georgia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20m
Mar 12
Gold Dome Scramble: Haley, Trump's last Republican challenger, bows out ahead of GA primary

Former President Donald Trump’s last Republican challenger, Nikki Haley, has bowed out of the race ahead of Georgia’s presidential primary on Tuesday. Now the campaign is turning to the General Election, with Trump and President Joe Biden set to hold competing rallies in Georgia on Saturday. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas also discuss a busy qualifying week at the state capitol and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26m
Mar 08
Strategists Brian Robison and Tharon Johnson talk politics from the Georgia Capitol on Crossover Day

On this special edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strateigst Tharon Johnson sort through some of the bills and issues that were getting tossed around on the all-important Crossover Day under the Georgia State Capitol. Immigration and sports betting captured their attention, but so did the overall buzz that filled the halls of the Gold Dome on this monumental day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25m
Mar 05
Gold Dome Scramble: Lawmakers jostle to keep their bills alive as immigration takes center stage

Lawmakers scramble to keep their bills alive on Crossover Day. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss some of the major bills that are still making their way through the legislature and those that didn't make the cut this session. Plus a conversation about immigration with WABE's immigration and communities reporter Emily Wu Pearson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30m
Mar 01
How did Georgia founder James Oglethorpe go from slave trader to abolitionist? DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond's new book uncovers gaps in our state history.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're joined by special guest, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who is also an author and longtime historian! His new book is titled, 'James Oglethorpe: Father of Georgia, A founder's journey from slave trader to abolitionist.' It's been a decades-long journey for Thurmond. In 1996, he was part of a delegation that traveled to England to celebrate the 300th birthday of British native Oglethorpe, who founded the British colony of Georgia in 1733. Thurmond starts by telling host Lisa Rayam and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson that the idea for the book struck while Thurmond explored the legacy of Georgia’s founder at his grave in London. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22m
Feb 29
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp refers to the murder of a nursing student on the UGA campus as a point of "inaction" by the Biden Administration when it comes to protecting the nation's borders

On this Edition of Political Breakfast, we discuss the tragic murder of nursing student Laken Hope Riley on the UGA campus and the subsequent politicking that has followed. The suspect arrested in the murder case, 26-year-old Venezuelan national Jose Ibarra, unlawfully crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022. Now, Governor Brian Kemp is calling out the Biden Administration for allegedly not protecting the nation's borders properly. State Republicans are also calling for new and stiffer immigration laws. Is this an appropriate response?   Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson take on some tough questions from host Lisa Rayam regarding the immigration issue. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23m
Feb 27
Gold Dome Scramble: Haley and Trump campaigns head to SC ahead of 'First in the South' primary

The “First in the South” Republican Presidential Primary is this Saturday in South Carolina. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas speak with South Carolina Public Radio's Maayan Schechter about the primary and more. Plus, a roundup of what's been happening at the Georgia Capitol. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

40m
Feb 23
As Atlanta's population swells and wages don't keep-up wtih housing costs, state lawmakers talk rent control under the Gold Dome

On this week's Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Director Saba Long discuss Atlanta's housing crisis. Wages have not grown with housing costs. There's also an overall scarcity on the market.  Are rent control and restrictions on landowners the solution? Or is it building more housing? With Atlanta's population expected to grow to around eight million people by 2050, Democrats and Republicans are now taking up the issue under the Gold Dome. Democrat Donzella James introduced Senate Bill 125 earlier this month. It would allow local cities and counties to set their own rates. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24m
Feb 22
Fallout from Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis' raw testimony

As a judge considers whether to disqualify Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis from the election interference case, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civil Circle Director Saba Long weigh-in on Willis's testimony during last week's hearing. Willis is accused of having an improper relationship with Nathan Wade, who's the special prosecutor working on the case. A political conversation is also brewing about headlines describing Willis as combative, defiant and angry, in her testimony to defend her ability to lead the Georgia election interference case. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24m
Feb 20
Gold Dome Scramble: Fulton DA Fani Willis fights push to remove her from Georgia election case

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took the stand in an Atlanta courtroom Thursday to defend her ability to continue helming the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss what ended up being a dramatic day in court. Plus, a roundup of the week's news from the capitol and a conversation with WABE business reporter Marlon Hyde about Georgia's film tax credit, a bill that could make it harder to organize a labor union and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25m
Feb 16
Georgia Democratic Congressman David Scott challenged by Marcus Flowers, who once challenged Marjorie Taylor Greene

Georgia's long-serving Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott has a challenger in the party's May primary.  Democrat Marcus Flowers raised more than 16 million dollars to challenge alt-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and represent Georgia's 14th Congressional Distict. He lost in the general election in November of 2022.  We discuss the chatter surrounding the opposition to Scott.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15m
Feb 14
Atlanta represents at the Super Bowl, Kemp says Trump versus Biden will be "a race to the bottom"

This week on Political Breakfast, Atlanta and politics mixed with the Super Bowl.  Besides the 75-yard touchdown the Kansas City Chiefs pulled to win in overtime Sunday night, Atlanta's own R&B singer Usher put on a star-studded halftime performance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He represented with Atlanta performers and singers, even shouting at the end "I turned the world to the A."  Strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam also discuss Super Bowl ads that played the political field.  And the group turns back to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stressing that Republicans need to move away from the 2020 election and issues like the age of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. We take a dive into the internal GOP debate on the future of the party.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30m
Feb 13
Gold Dome Scramble: Bill awaiting Gov. Kemp's signature could keep more people in jail for longer

Advocates are calling a bill headed to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s desk a step back from years of criminal justice reform. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas speak with criminal justice reporter Chamian Cruz about Senate Bill 63 https://www.wabe.org/opposition-to-georgias-cash-bail-bill-grows-amid-legal-and-constitutional-concerns/, which would add more than two dozen offenses to the list of charges requiring cash bail while limiting charitable bail funds from securing the release of no more than three people a year from jail. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24m
Feb 09
'Find Me The Votes' investigative reporting into the prosecution of Donald Trump and 18 co-conspirators in Atlanta, Republican resistance to Trump and political tensions across Georgia

On this week's Political Breakfast, the team talks about a new book called 'Find Me the Votes' by investigative journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman. They share intimate details about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis "the person" and her prosecution of former president Donald Trump, and 18 co-conspirators, in their alleged plot to overturn the 2020 election results.  The book also focuses on the Georgia Republicans who resisted Trump, and endured notorious threats on their families and on their lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19m
Feb 08
The court of public opinion: Fani Willis admits she had a personal relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade

This week on Political Breakfast, the gang discusses the fallout of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis acknowledging her personal relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis also called motions to disqualify her from the Georgia election interference case "meritless."  Plus, Atlanta rapper and activist Michael Render, known as Killer Mike, was just arrested at the Grammys in Los Angeles after sweeping the ceremony with three awards.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21m
Feb 05
Gold Dome Scramble: Senate approves sports betting, but a last minute change could complicate things

The Georgia Senate has passed a bill that would allow sports betting, but a last minute addition could complicate its ultimate passage. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas also discuss efforts to recruit poll workers and speak with health reporter Jess Mador about a slew of health related issues, including a possible Medicaid expansion and the $636 million Georgia is getting from a major opioid drugmaker settlement https://www.wabe.org/where-will-georgias-opioid-settlement-money-go-could-change/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25m
Feb 02
Antisemitism law signed, splits Georgia Dems

GOP Governor Brian Kemp has signed a bill into law that officially defines antisemitism. Supporters say now Georgia prosecutors and judges can more easily define antisemitism as discrimination or a hate crime.  Democratic State Representative Esther Panitch, the only Jewish member of the General Assembly, co-sponsored the measure. "I do know that prosecutors and investigators need to be taught what the definition means and how to discern between things that may be anti Semitic and things that are not necessarily anti Semitic." The GOP is a united front in support of Israel's war on Hamas. But some Democrats are opposed.  Strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson break down the divide, and how some opponents are concerned that the law simply censors criticism of the Israeli government and violence towards Palestinians.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9m
Feb 01
The GOP and abortion, Biden kicks off his official stump in South Carolina, How Georgia Gov. Kemp landed on the national stage once again

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team analyzes how both the Republican and Democratic parties will leverage the abortion issue during this election cycle. Plus, Brian and Tharon swap theories on what Governor Brian Kemp stands to gain by taking a staunch conservative stance on immigration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27m
Jan 30
Gold Dome Scramble: Trump joins motion seeking to disqualify lead prosecutor from election interference case

Republicans under the Gold Dome have pounced on misconduct allegations lodged against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has joined a motion seeking to disqualify Willis from the case. Also this week, WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with their colleague Stephanie Stokes who recently published a story in partnership with ProPublica titled: "When families need housing, Georgia will pay for foster care rather than provide assistance." https://www.wabe.org/georgia-housing-assistance-foster-care/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26m
Jan 26
Grind at the Gold Dome: Medicaid expansion, abortion, sports betting, tort reform and the road map ahead for the General Assembly

On this week's second episode of Political Breakfast, Georgia politicians are starting to kick up dust under the Gold Dome week 3 of the legislative session. Republicans and Democrats are both moving forward with hot-button issues. Host Lisa Rayam asks strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson what kitchen-table issues are being pushed so far. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14m
Jan 24
DeSantis is done, Trump and Haley frontrunners for GOP, and is age really but a number in the presidential race?

This week on Political Breakfast, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ended his 2024 White House bid on Sunday and endorsed rival Donald Trump. How will his decision trickle down in Georgia?  Host Lisa Rayam and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson discuss whether or not Republicans will fall in line behind Trump? Or will former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley pull ahead?  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24m
Jan 22
Gold Dome Scramble: Gov. Kemp touts budget as state economist warns of recession

It's budget week at the Georgia State Capitol and more than $35 billion a year are at stake. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali talk about the state budget with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's James Salzer, who's been covering state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. Plus a look at the ongoing debate over Medicaid expansion and a roundup of election news ahead of Georgia's primary on March 12. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28m
Jan 19
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defends hiring a prosecutor in the Donald Trump election tampering case, Trump's surge in Georgia polls may indicate a shifting landscape

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis breaks her silence over the hiring of a prosecutor in the Donald Trump election case. But was her response enough?  Questions regarding an alleged affair between the two still loom. On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson join host Lisa Rayam to weigh how this could hurt her re-election campaign and boost Trump's run for President. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

33m
Jan 17