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Southern politics

In this late-October episode of The Kudzu Vine, host David is joined by co-hosts Catherine and Tim for a wide-ranging political discussion focused on Republican infighting and key races in Florida and Georgia. The show opens with light banter before turning serious, beginning with new polling that shows Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s approval rating slipping below 50% and his once-commanding Senate primary lead over Marco Rubio steadily shrinking. The panel agrees this reflects a broader trend within the GOP: a sharp move to the right that is alienating moderates and empowering Tea Party–aligned activists who increasingly view figures like Crist as “RINOs.”

 The conversation expands to the Republican civil war, highlighting Lindsey Graham’s backlash after criticizing Glenn Beck and the growing influence of conservative media personalities such as Beck, Limbaugh, and Hannity. The hosts argue these figures now function as the de facto leaders of the Republican base, leaving traditional officeholders vulnerable to primary challenges.

Attention then shifts to Georgia politics, beginning with the Atlanta mayor’s race. New polling shows Mary Norwood leading but unlikely to avoid a runoff, while State Senator Kasim Reed is surging and Council President Lisa Borders appears to be losing momentum. Catherine, a city resident and Reed supporter, notes growing grassroots energy, key endorsements (including from Jay Bookman and Stonewall Democrats), and improved campaign execution as signs Reed is peaking at the right moment.

 The episode closes with analysis of the Georgia governor’s race, where polling shows Roy Barnes holding a steady lead while Thurbert Baker posts a notable jump, underscoring volatility and high undecided numbers as the election cycle intensifies.

In this wide-ranging October political discussion, hosts Tim and Catherine welcome guest David Morrow of the Burnt Orange Report to assess unfolding races in Texas and Georgia. Morrow explains that in Texas, Governor Rick Perry maintains an edge over Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Republican primary due to the state’s small but deeply conservative primary electorate. Hutchison’s indecision about resigning her Senate seat complicates the political landscape, particularly for strong Democratic Senate hopefuls Bill White and John Sharp, whose race could be delayed until 2012 if she stays put. Morrow notes that Democrats have made surprising legislative gains—nearly tying the Texas House—by focusing limited resources on suburban districts, though they still lack strong statewide candidates.

 The conversation shifts to Georgia, where Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, the GOP gubernatorial frontrunner, releases a low-budget cartoon attacking former governor Roy Barnes. Catherine and Tim criticize the ad as premature and alienating to primary voters. Oxendine also faces an expanding ethics investigation for accepting illegal contributions from State Mutual Insurance. While Morrow believes the scandal could damage him, he doubts its long-term impact unless Democrats aggressively capitalize. A Cobb County GOP straw poll shows a tight Republican field, with Oxendine leading slightly over Nathan Deal, Eric Johnson, and Karen Handel—raising questions about Handel’s slipping support even in her home region.

On this episode of the Kudzu Vine, David, Tim, and Catherine battle technical difficulties before diving into a wide-ranging discussion. Catherine recounts attending the WAND/WiLL “Women at the Table of Power” conference, highlighting sessions on lobbying, national security messaging, and a powerful talk by Rep. Donna Edwards. She notes successful lobbying efforts aimed at Sen. Johnny Isakson, which sets up the introduction of their guest, Democratic Senate candidate R.J. Hadley.

The hosts then turn to a disturbing controversy in Paulding County, where a bar owner displayed racist signs filled with slurs. David, Tim, and Catherine criticize the repeated use of the N-word, the bar’s racist décor—including KKK imagery—and the troubling fact that commenters online attacked blogger Buzz Brockway for exposing it. They argue the incident validates former President Jimmy Carter’s warnings about racism in political discourse. The broader concern, they say, is not just the bar owner’s hatred but the community members who patronize and defend him.

 The conversation briefly shifts to Rush Limbaugh, whose derogatory comments about basketball and attempted involvement in an NFL ownership group draw condemnation.

 Guest R.J. Hadley then joins to discuss his background—from social work to tech to grassroots political organizing—and his decision to challenge Isakson. Hadley stresses public service, political accessibility, and reducing the influence of money in politics. He emphasizes empowering educators over standardized testing, restoring local control in schools, and addressing constituents’ top concern: jobs.

Southern politics

In this episode a wide-ranging discussion focused on Georgia politics and recent events shaping the 2010 gubernatorial race. The conversation opens with strong reactions to former Governor Roy Barnes’ controversial remarks in Gwinnett County, where he said he was “sick” of both Democrats and Republicans and suggested he would join a defunct third party like the Bull Moose or Whigs. Catherine and Tim agree the comments were politically damaging, particularly in a Democratic primary, arguing that Barnes risks alienating his base without gaining meaningful support from independents or Republicans. Some panelists even question whether they could support Barnes at all after this statement, framing it as a strategic misstep rather than an offhand comment.

 The discussion then broadens to polling in both parties’ gubernatorial races. On the Democratic side, Barnes appears stuck around the mid-40s, while Thurbert Baker shows signs of momentum, raising questions about a possible runoff and whether Barnes’ support is eroding. On the Republican side, John Oxendine continues to lead, though the group explores how his role as insurance commissioner could become a liability amid widespread flood damage and looming insurance claims.

The episode closes with a more personal and human focus on the historic Georgia floods and Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to affected communities. Catherine and Tim emphasize the importance of Biden’s empathy, noting his personal experience with loss and the reassurance his presence brought to flood victims. They credit his visit with expanding federal disaster declarations and helping Georgians feel seen and supported during the crisis.

Southern politics

On the September 13th episode of The Kudzu Vine, David, Catherine, and Tim open with a lively discussion of the recent Atlanta mayoral debate. Though Catherine missed the debate, Tim offers a detailed recap, noting that it remained civil until candidates began questioning one another. Three contenders—Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, and Jesse Spikes—targeted Lisa Borders, prompting speculation from the hosts. They attribute this to Borders’s leadership role on the city council, her insider profile, and lingering dissatisfaction with her handling of a controversial memo on race in the mayoral contest. The group also analyzes electoral dynamics, including gender effects, runoff possibilities, campaign management matchups, and the strategic implications of media buys. David emphasizes sophisticated voter targeting through cable and radio, while Catherine stresses the impact of strong television advertising as the race tightens.

The episode’s featured guest is Democratic State House candidate Stacey Evans, who discusses her run for Georgia’s House District 40, covering parts of Smyrna, Marietta, and Vinings. Evans explains that the open seat, combined with her long-standing work in politics and community organizations, created the perfect moment to run. She highlights her background as the first in her family to graduate college and her commitment to education, children’s issues, and community engagement. Evans identifies education and transportation as the district’s top concerns, criticizing legislative inaction on transit and stressing the need for statewide connectivity, including light rail. She also outlines her early campaign efforts—meeting voters, attending civic gatherings, and preparing to boost turnout in a low-participation district whose many young residents she hopes to mobilize.