and GA State Senate candidate Graham Balch will join us.

Southern politics

The show opens with David thanking Catherine, Tim, and several guest hosts for their strong work during his absence. He previews a discussion centered on Alabama’s upcoming elections, featuring congressional candidate Sheila Smoot and political analyst Martin Weinberg. Before shifting to Alabama, the hosts examine a major South Carolina controversy: Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley is accused by a political blogger—who claims to be a supporter—of an extramarital affair. Tim notes the blogger’s deep ties to former Governor Mark Sanford and his suspiciously thorough archive of emails and recorded calls. Catherine highlights Haley’s prior rise as an impressive legislator and public speaker but argues the scandal’s timing, just two weeks before the election, could be fatal. The group considers how lingering denials can worsen damage, particularly in a state still reeling from Sanford’s own scandal. They discuss who might benefit—likely Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer—and whether repeated Republican scandals could open any doors for Democrats in a deeply conservative state.

The conversation then pivots to Alabama as Sheila Smoot joins. She details her background as a Michigan-born investigative reporter, county commissioner, and lifelong Democrat. Smoot emphasizes how journalism trained her to dig for facts and helped her shepherd consumer-protection legislation. She describes her administrative experience running major county departments and delivering infrastructure, senior services, and technology improvements. Catherine and Smoot discuss rural broadband, with Smoot stressing digital access as essential for education, employment, and basic services. She illustrates severe disparities across Alabama’s Black Belt, from inadequate roads to ferry-dependent school routes, and structural barriers posed by powerful landowners resisting development.

This Kudzu Vine episode opens with Tim and Catherine hosting in David’s absence, joined by Georgia State Representative Rashad Taylor. The show kicks off with sharp commentary on the Kentucky Senate race, where Democrat Jack Conway narrowly defeated Dan Mongiardo, while Republican Rand Paul surged to a primary victory. The hosts dissect Paul’s controversial remarks on the Civil Rights Act and his criticism of President Obama, with Taylor noting Paul’s ideological rigidity and lack of political polish. Catherine argues that Paul’s belief-driven missteps could harm Kentucky’s national image, while Taylor suggests that Paul needs to avoid interviews until he develops disciplined messaging.

The discussion shifts to Georgia politics, where Taylor criticizes Republican budget decisions and outlines Democratic proposals for revenue reform, including closing corporate tax loopholes, improving sales tax collection, and raising cigarette taxes.

 The episode then welcomes Tina Coggins, a Democratic strategist with experience in Alabama, South Carolina, and Arkansas. Coggins analyzes major races in Arkansas, focusing on three open congressional seats. She believes the 1st and 2nd districts will likely remain Democratic and attributes her candidate Tim Holdridge’s strong showing to his legislative experience and conservative profile, fitting the district’s shifting electorate. The conversation moves to Alabama, covering crowded primaries for governor and multiple congressional districts, especially the turbulent 5th District following Parker Griffith’s party switch. Coggins highlights the importance of competitive primaries and previews key dynamics in Alabama’s 7th District and Arkansas’s heated Senate runoff between Blanche Lincoln and Bill Halter, emphasizing the unions’ significant influence.

Southern politics

This episode focuses on Georgia’s 2010 election landscape, beginning with an overview of congressional qualifying and competitive districts across the state. The hosts discuss the unusual burden on candidates required to qualify for both special and general elections, noting how this favors well-funded contenders. Attention is given to crowded races against incumbents such as Hank Johnson and Sanford Bishop, as well as the strategic implications of Austin Scott switching from a gubernatorial run to challenge Jim Marshall in a swing district.

 A significant portion of the conversation centers on Jeff Anderson, an independent candidate attempting to run against Congressman Phil Gingrey. Panelists and caller Juliana Alari express skepticism about Anderson’s decision to run as an independent, highlighting the logistical difficulty of gathering roughly 7,000 valid signatures without party infrastructure or campaign experience. The discussion underscores the advantages of running with major-party backing and questions Anderson’s lack of preparation.

 The featured guest, Jason Carter, a candidate in a special election for Georgia State Senate District 42, joins to discuss his campaign and the complexities of special elections, runoffs, and primaries. Carter outlines his grassroots efforts and explains how the election process could require multiple victories before serving a full term. On policy, he emphasizes the need for leadership that prioritizes long-term investments, particularly in education, rather than across-the-board budget cuts.

Carter also addresses major issues including transportation, criticizing recently passed legislation as partisan, potentially unconstitutional, and insufficiently supportive of mass transit like MARTA. He further highlights economic development, water sustainability, and ethics reform as core concerns, arguing that Georgia needs clearer priorities, stronger accountability, and forward-looking governance during challenging economic times.

This episode dives into a chaotic week in Southern politics, focusing heavily on Georgia’s candidate qualifying, with additional notes on Arkansas and other states. Hosts David, Tim, and Catherine open by questioning the Secretary of State’s oddly partisan candidate listing—Republicans appearing first, incumbents buried—interpreting it as an early sign of Brian Kemp’s partisanship.

 The conversation turns to the Georgia governor’s race, where surprises dominated both parties. On the Democratic side, Austin Scott abruptly exited the governor’s race to challenge Rep. Jim Marshall, a move the hosts interpret as strategic and likely influenced by Sen. Johnny Isakson. More shocking was State Rep. Randall Mangum’s last-minute entry, increasing the field to seven Democrats and virtually guaranteeing a runoff. The hosts debate whether Mangum siphons votes from Roy Barnes, Thurbert Baker, or lower-tier candidates Porter and Poythress—ultimately concluding that the crowded ballot makes a Barnes first-round win unlikely.

On the Republican side, controversy erupts as the party refuses to qualify businessman Ray Boyd for refusing a loyalty pledge while still allowing scandal-tainted Ray McBerry to run. This sparks predictions of an eventual GOP runoff and concerns that Boyd’s planned independent bid could drain enough votes to ensure it.

Guest Mayo calls in to discuss congressional dynamics, arguing that Austin Scott’s switch makes GA-08 a genuine toss-up but warning that Marshall historically overperforms. Mayo also reports fireworks at a Dunwoody governor’s forum, where McBerry attacked moderator Jim Galloway, Karen Handel vowed never to share a stage with McBerry again, and Jeff Chapman won the crowd—signaling shifting momentum in a fractured GOP field.

Southern politics

In this April 18 episode of The Kudzu Vine, David McLaughlin, Catherine, and Tim open by discussing the sudden withdrawal of Mike Freeman, a knowledgeable Democratic candidate who had appeared enthusiastic just a week earlier. All three speculate that personal or family issues prompted his abrupt exit, noting that no media outlets covered the development despite his being the only Democrat in the special election. They debate where the district’s modest Democratic vote share might go, with consensus that most Democratic voters will likely stay home given a lack of viable alternatives.

The hosts assess the Republican field, naming Tom Graves as the strong favorite thanks to local support and endorsements. They consider whether Democrats might field someone for the general election, but acknowledge the challenges of running in one of Georgia’s least Democratic districts—especially one likely to be dramatically redrawn after the census.

Attention then shifts to statewide politics, particularly speculation that Michael Thurmond will announce a U.S. Senate bid. Catherine expresses frustration with his drawn-out pre-announcement “vamping,” while Tim and David question the strategic wisdom of risking a secure Labor Commissioner seat when defeating Johnny Isakson seems unlikely. They warn that multiple Democratic statewide offices could be lost, leaving the party with no constitutional officers.

 The conversation broadens to structural problems within Georgia’s Democratic Party: weak leadership, lack of grassroots organization, and limited engagement from state officials. Catherine and Tim cite poor support for county parties—especially in Fulton—compared to Republicans’ strong local organizing. They discuss potential candidates for down-ballot offices and how Thurmond’s candidacy might affect Roy Barnes and Thurbert Baker. Caller Mel closes by arguing that African American turnout cannot exceed 2008 levels, limiting any electoral boost from a Thurmond Senate run.

Southern politics