On the March 24, 2013 episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosts David McLaughlin, Catherine Smith, and Tim Shiflett examined a wide swath of political issues, beginning with President Barack Obama’s major trip to Israel. Tim argued the visit was largely a goodwill mission anchored by a successful speech, while Catherine emphasized Obama’s effective diplomacy with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, countering the perception that their relationship had deteriorated. The hosts also discussed a paradox: although U.S. conservatives portray Obama as hostile to Israel, polls show Arab publics hold more negative views of him than of President Bush, possibly due to misinformation about his religion, the Afghanistan war, and the raid on bin Laden. Shifting to domestic politics, they analyzed the Republican National Committee’s autopsy report on the GOP’s 2012 losses. Tim criticized the decision to publish it, noting it highlighted demographic problems the party has refused to confront—particularly losses among voters of color, single women, and LGBTQ Americans. Catherine agreed that the GOP faces a generational challenge: softening positions on immigration or guns risks alienating its base, but refusing to adapt jeopardizes future presidential elections. The group compared the GOP’s predicament to past political realignments, debating whether today’s Republicans more closely resemble the dominant party of 1984 or the declining Whig Party of the 1850s. The final topic centered on Senator Ted Cruz, whose repeated votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act—36 attempts—were criticized as wasteful obstruction aimed at appeasing far-right voters. The hosts also questioned his constitutional eligibility for the presidency, given his birth in Canada to a U.S.-citizen mother.

Southern politics

The discussion opens with the hosts reacting to Senator Rand Paul’s 12-hour filibuster of John Brennan’s CIA nomination. While Paul’s performance revived the old-style talking filibuster, the hosts agree it was largely a political stunt aimed at drawing attention—especially from Tea Party supporters—and boosting fundraising. Paul’s true motive, they note, centered on protesting the Obama administration’s drone policy regarding U.S. citizens. Though his actions energized a small base, mainstream Republicans such as John McCain criticized him, wary that such theatrics damage the party’s broader appeal. The hosts debate whether Paul harbors presidential ambitions and whether his approach could ever succeed nationally.

The conversation then shifts to Kentucky’s looming Senate race, where actress Ashley Judd appears poised to challenge Mitch McConnell. While Judd has fame, fundraising power, and progressive credentials, the hosts express doubts about her viability in a conservative state known for resisting liberal and female statewide candidates. They outline her potential vulnerabilities—residency issues, lack of political experience, and cultural attacks—while also acknowledging her strengths. Some speculate she might use this race as groundwork for a future run, possibly against Rand Paul, though others are skeptical of “retread” candidacies. 

Finally, the show turns sharply to Georgia politics. Tim delivers an “outrage” segment criticizing several pieces of state legislation passed on Crossover Day. These include a $9 million tax break for Gulfstream, a bill requiring insurers to itemize ACA-related rate increases, looser alcohol-sales restrictions near college campuses, and—most provocatively—the Safe Carry Protection Act, which would allow firearms in bars, churches, parts of college campuses, and unsecured government buildings. He argues these measures are irresponsible, dangerous, and emblematic of misplaced legislative priorities.

On the March 3rd episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosts Tim Shiflett and Catherine Smith open the show without co-host David McLaughlin, who is out with the flu. After brief weather banter, they turn to Georgia’s biggest news story: the crisis within the DeKalb County School Board. The State Board of Education has recommended that Governor Nathan Deal suspend six of nine board members for governance failures, a move the suspended members are now challenging in court as unconstitutional. Catherine stresses the tension between preserving elected representation and ensuring students’ needs come first. Both hosts worry about leaving three inexperienced board members and newly appointed interim superintendent Mike Thurman to manage a deeply troubled system with uncertain continuity. They also touch on the political implications: although most DeKalb board members are Democrats removed by a Republican governor, Democratic leaders such as David Holcomb have publicly expressed frustration with the board’s dysfunction. The hosts expect ongoing legal battles and continued statewide attention. Their guest, State Representative Buzz Brockway, joins to discuss legislative developments. He explains his support for a resolution urging repeal of the 17th Amendment, arguing it would restore a healthier balance of power between states and Washington—though he acknowledges repeal is politically impossible. Catherine challenges the logic and raises concerns about disenfranchisement. Brockway then reviews bipartisan efforts on human trafficking legislation (HB 141 and HB 219), progress on juvenile justice reforms, labor-related bills ahead of crossover day, and Georgia’s long-running border and water dispute with Tennessee.

In this episode, host David McLaughlin and co-hosts Catherine Smith and Tim Shiflett delve into a wide range of political topics, beginning with national issues like the Oscars and President Carter’s comments on Argo before turning to state politics in Georgia. The primary focus is a growing movement among several Republican state legislators to repeal the 17th Amendment, which mandates the direct election of U.S. senators. The hosts explore the historical context of the amendment, noting that it was created to curb corruption resulting from state-appointed senators. They critique the modern push to reverse it, suggesting it is driven by partisan anxieties, talk-radio-fueled distrust of voters, and efforts by politicians to appease their conservative base despite the proposal having no realistic chance of success.

The discussion expands into Georgia’s shifting political landscape. Polling shows Governor Nathan Deal with low approval numbers but maintaining leads over potential Democratic challengers due to Georgia’s Republican leaning and the relatively low statewide name recognition of figures like John Barrow, Kasim Reed, and Jason Carter. However, demographic trends and recent polls (PPP and Harper Polling) indicate stronger-than-expected Democratic performance, including Hillary Clinton leading multiple hypothetical 2016 matchups—even with samples skewed more white than Georgia’s actual electorate.

The hosts debate what these numbers mean for future elections, highlighting growing Democratic strength, persistent GOP image problems, and voter concerns such as the absence of women holding statewide office. The episode sets the stage for a follow-up interview with legislator Buzz Brockway, a supporter of the repeal resolution.

Southern politics

The discussion begins with host David McLaughlin and co-host Tim Shiflett briefly mentioning the Super Bowl XLVII power outage, noting the event's evolution from a simple football game to a major cultural event.The focus shifts to politics and the hacking of the Bush family emails by a person named "Guccifer." The hosts express concern over the security lapse, especially regarding an ex-president with Secret Service protection. The most bizarre discovery from the hack was two nude self-portraits painted by former President George W. Bush—one in a shower and one in a bathtub—which Tim and David find completely unexpected, though they agree the art reflects an interesting layer of self-introspection. The host notes that the artwork would likely sell for a "tidy sum" due to Bush's fame, comparing it to drawings by famous non-artists like Frank Sinatra and Adolf Hitler. Other intercepted messages, including one from Bush 43 planning his father's eulogy and mentioning Bill Clinton ("Bubba"), are also discussed, with the hosts questioning the profound invasion of privacy and the national security implications of presidential-level communications being compromised.The conversation then moves to former Vice President Dick Cheney, who gave a speech at a Wyoming Republican dinner. Tim strongly criticizes Cheney's comments, particularly the claim that President Obama's national security appointments are "second-rate people" and that Chuck Hagel was chosen to provide political "cover" while Obama "gut[s]" the Defense Department. Tim dismisses this as a paranoid conspiracy theory, pointing out the hypocrisy of Cheney's criticism, especially since Republicans like Wyoming Senators Enzi and Barrasso (who were at the dinner) voted to confirm Obama's appointee John Kerry.Finally, the hosts discuss a poll naming Hillary Clinton the most popular politician, with a 61% favorability rating compared to a 34% unfavorability rating. Her numbers are significantly better than those of President Obama (51% favorable) and Republicans like Jeb Bush and Paul Ryan (both upside down). The hosts conclude that the 2016 presidential race is currently "frozen," as Clinton is in an unprecedented position of strength for a non-incumbent, with health concerns being the only foreseeable obstacle to her potential run.

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics