MS politics

Southern Politics

Southern Politics

Southern Politics

The podcast episode opens with the host, David, welcoming co-hosts Tim Shiflett and Catherine Smith, and announcing their special guest, former sportswriter Mike Tierney, for a discussion blending sports and politics.The immediate topic of discussion is the mandated change to Georgia's primary election dates. A U.S. district judge ordered the federal primary elections (for U.S. Senate and House) to be held in early June, the earliest in state history, to ensure military personnel can cast overseas ballots. This ruling was made because the Georgia General Assembly failed to act on the issue in its previous session.The judge’s order creates a "mess" by establishing separate primary and runoff dates for federal and statewide elections, which were traditionally held together in July. This separation will lead to voters facing two separate primary dates and runoffs, drastically increasing costs for municipalities and the state—a major concern given ongoing budget cuts to essential services like schools and police. The hosts discuss that this may force the state legislature to address the issue in the next session to unify the dates.The new schedule is considered particularly disadvantageous to Republicans running for the U.S. Senate and open House seats, who are likely to face expensive, resource-draining runoffs under Georgia's "50 plus 1" rule, while Democratic opponents might secure a nomination outright. Tim highlights the financial strain of multiple elections on smaller, cash-strapped counties.The conversation then shifts to the controversy surrounding the new Atlanta Falcons stadium (New Dome Stadium). The preferred site, close to the existing Georgia Dome, is being held up because one of the two churches whose property is needed, a historically significant sanctuary and original site of Morehouse College, is holding out on the city's offer. The city originally offered $13.5 million and later increased it to $15.5 million, while the church's reported latest request is $24.5 million.The hosts note that moving to the Falcons' second-choice site (the "north site") would severely compromise access via MARTA (Atlanta's public transit system). The church's reluctance to move is driven by both the potential for a better financial offer and strong emotional and historical preservation motives. The negotiation involves high stakes and "egos and emotions" on both sides, including those of Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

In this episode of The Kudzu Vine, host David McLaughlin is joined by Tim Shiflett and guest Louis L. Rod, former chair of the Young Democrats of Georgia, to discuss major developments within the Democratic Party at both the state and national levels. The conversation opens with the resignation of Georgia Democratic Party Chair Mike Berlon, prompting an unexpected leadership election. Rod notes that three candidates—former state senators Mary Squires and Doug Stoner, and Rockdale Tax Commissioner R.J. Hadley—have announced their bids, emphasizing that the party now has a strong field and a more open, inclusive election process after revisions to outdated gender rules.

The panel highlights key challenges for Georgia Democrats, particularly the urgent need for a chair capable of strong fundraising to compete with the state’s well-financed Republican Party. Discussion then shifts to national politics, including the Young Democrats of America’s upcoming convention in San Antonio, where Rod plans to run for vice president. The group explores the Democratic Party’s long-term strategy to make inroads in traditionally Republican states like Texas. They analyze polling data suggesting that Democrats such as Wendy Davis, Julian Castro, and Bill White face uphill battles in Texas but could gain traction with time, visibility, and strong campaigns.

 The show concludes with commentary on Kentucky’s Senate race, where Alison Lundergan Grimes’s flawed campaign launch against Mitch McConnell is discussed as a cautionary tale in political strategy and messaging.

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

This episode of The Kudzu Vine focuses heavily on the sudden resignation of Georgia Democratic Party Chair Mike Berlon and the ensuing uncertainty about party leadership. Hosts David McLaughlin, Catherine Smith, and Tim Shiflett unpack the timeline of Berlon’s departure and debate what should happen next. They discuss the two early candidates for chair—Mary Squires and Steve Perkins—both of whom have past ties to Berlon, raising questions about how their associations will shape perceptions among state committee members. Much of the conversation centers on whether Berlon-appointed members of the executive and state committees should resign out of courtesy, stay through the election, or wait to see what the next chair prefers

. The hosts compare these appointments to political versus judicial appointments and explore the nuance of “serving at the pleasure of the chair” per party bylaws. Another major topic is gender requirements in party leadership. With first vice chair Nikema Williams stepping in as interim chair, the hosts examine the DNC’s gender-balance rules and whether situations like this show the need to modernize them. The discussion also touches on Gwinnett County’s outsized influence in state party politics.

Shifting to tributes, the hosts honor longtime Georgia state senator Nathan Dean, reflecting on his 40+ years of public service and his deep connection to Polk County.

They also mark the passing of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, the last World War II veteran in Congress, noting his legacy as a New Deal Democrat and an emblem of a fading political generation. The segment ends by hinting at the political implications of Lautenberg’s vacated seat in New Jersey.