Southern politics

his episode opens with the hosts previewing a full slate of political topics before welcoming pollster Dr. Beth Shapiro of the Shapiro Group. The discussion begins with reflections on the life and legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, whom the hosts praise as a compassionate statesman, legislative giant, and symbol of bipartisan leadership. Anecdotes highlight his humor, personal outreach—such as calling every Massachusetts family affected by 9/11—and the moving tributes at his funeral.

 Dr. Shapiro then joins to clarify recent discrepancies in Georgia polling. She explains that differing methodologies, especially automated calling versus live callers, often account for inconsistencies. She predicts little movement in the Georgia governor’s race until candidates begin advertising, noting that early polls mainly influence media narratives and donor enthusiasm. On the Democratic side, she expects Roy Barnes to surpass 50% unless Thurbert Baker raises significant resources. For Republicans, she describes the race as “frozen,” dominated by name recognition benefiting long-time statewide figure John Oxendine.

The conversation shifts to the Atlanta mayoral race, where Shapiro argues the contest is not static. Recent polls show Lisa Borders rising into a statistical tie with Mary Norwood, while Kasim Reed lags due to lower citywide name recognition despite aggressive outreach. She anticipates a near-certain runoff.

Finally, the hosts explore the Florida Senate race, where moderate Governor Charlie Crist faces conservative challenger Marco Rubio. Shapiro sees Rubio as a potential upset threat given conservative anger and grassroots enthusiasm, though Crist’s popularity still gives him an advantage—especially in a general election.

The discussion opens with hosts David, Catherine, and Tim reviewing new Georgia gubernatorial polls. On the Democratic side, Roy Barnes loses momentum, dropping six points and raising concerns within his camp. Other Democratic candidates shift only slightly: Herbert Baker dips unexpectedly, Dubose Porter gains modestly—something his supporters highlight—and lesser-known candidates fluctuate at the margins. The hosts note that Barnes no longer looks like the assumed “steamroller,” and a runoff now appears likely.

On the Republican side, John Oxendine maintains a strong lead despite recent negative fundraising press, while Karen Handel sinks and Nathan Deal rises modestly. The panel expects a contentious GOP race, with Deal viewed as the candidate most poised for a late surge. Concerns emerge that Handel’s decline might push her back into the Secretary of State race, complicating Democrats’ chances of winning that office.

 The conversation shifts to an interview with Mike Cantone, organizer of a new “Draft Jane Kidd” effort encouraging Democratic Party Chair Jane Kidd to run for U.S. Senate in 2010. Cantone argues that widespread grassroots support motivated the website’s launch, citing over 200 petition signers in its first week. Catherine challenges his claim of broad, long-standing interest and notes that Kidd personally asked him not to run the site. Cantone insists draft movements must come from outside the candidate and says the effort is about energizing Democrats statewide. Tensions arise over respect for Kidd’s wishes, party unity, and whether a Kidd candidacy would leave a leadership void. The segment ends with the hosts skeptical that Kidd will run and preparing to move to other guests and topics.

This episode covers a wide-ranging discussion of Georgia politics in the heat of August, featuring co-hosts Catherine Smith and Tim Shiflett and special guest Brandon Thorne, a veteran Democratic political fundraiser. The show opens with updates on current political controversies, including tense town halls over health care reform, the vandalism of Congressman David Scott’s office with a swastika, the ripple effects of Florida’s Senate race, and the intersection of sports and politics. The hosts also address Andre Walker’s decision to seek the Georgia Democratic Party secretary position, exploring internal party dynamics and the differences between the Executive Committee and the broader State Committee in leadership elections.

The conversation then turns to the featured interview with Thorne, who outlines his extensive campaign experience across the South and explains how fundraising has shifted during the recession. While donor commitments remain strong, Thorne notes that money is arriving more slowly, forcing campaigns to adjust budgets and timelines. He emphasizes disciplined fundraising strategy—careful donor targeting, making specific asks, and avoiding unrealistic pledges that can alienate supporters over time.

Thorne also discusses the role of national Democratic organizations, arguing that outside financial support depends heavily on candidate quality and race competitiveness. He evaluates Georgia’s gubernatorial and Senate races, noting surprising fundraising performances and stressing that Democrats remain viable statewide if they recruit strong candidates early. Broader themes include regional differences within Georgia, long-term party building at the local level, and the shared fundraising challenges faced by both parties. The episode concludes by returning to concerns about political extremism and civility, underscoring the damaging symbolism of hate-driven acts amid an already polarized climate.

This episode of The Kudzu Vine opens with technical difficulties as host David is joined by co-hosts Catherine and Tim, setting an informal tone before diving into major political developments. The first and central topic is Senator Mel Martinez’s unexpected decision to resign early, creating a vacancy that Florida Governor Charlie Crist must fill. The panel discusses how the move complicates Crist’s political strategy, particularly given his tense relationship with conservative challenger Marco Rubio. Speculation ranges from potential interim appointees, to Crist appointing himself, to theories that Martinez may be positioning himself for a university presidency, possibly at Florida State University. Although scheduled guest Andre Walker is unable to connect, his anticipated discussion frames the show’s broader political analysis. The conversation shifts to the growing turmoil surrounding congressional town halls during the August recess, particularly over health care reform. Catherine shares concerns about organized disruptions by conservative groups such as FreedomWorks and Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, which the hosts describe as “astroturf” movements rather than genuine grassroots activism. The panel contrasts these tactics with democratic norms and praises figures like Rep. Bob Inglis for standing up to unruly crowds. The hosts debate whether health care reform should have followed stronger economic recovery, ultimately agreeing that rising health care costs make delay untenable. The episode closes with reflections on extreme political polarization, Supreme Court confirmations like Sotomayor’s, and the decline of bipartisan governance, underscoring a tense and divided political climate.

GA State School Super. candidate Brian Westlake will join us and Ryan of the Daily Kingfish will be on to inform us about everything in Louisiana politics!

and Dale Cardwell guest hosted

Southern politics

Southern politics

In this Independence Day weekend episode of The Kudzu Vine, the hosts open with light holiday talk before diving into the political shock of the week: Sarah Palin’s sudden resignation as Alaska governor. The panel unanimously describes Palin’s announcement as incoherent, rambling, and politically self-destructive. They question her claims about family pressure and alleged attacks on her children, noting no substantive evidence. The hosts argue that quitting mid-term undermines any 2012 presidential ambitions and leaves even conservatives confused and frustrated. They also speculate whether Palin may pivot toward media work, though her aversion to preparation and advice would make that difficult.

The conversation then shifts to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, whose affair and emotional public statements continue to generate fallout. Unlike Palin, Sanford refuses to resign despite heavy pressure from Republican leaders, including Sen. Jim DeMint. The hosts note that Sanford’s continued public commentary only worsens his situation and threatens the GOP’s hold on the governorship. They examine South Carolina’s political factions, the influence of institutions like Bob Jones University, and the ripple effects for the lieutenant governor and the crowded 2010 gubernatorial field.

Finally, attention turns to Georgia politics, specifically Gen. David Poythress’ sharply worded email attacking former Governor Roy Barnes following Barnes’s return to the race. Catherine criticizes negative campaigning as a waste of resources and argues candidates should focus on making their own case. Tim highlights the aggressive tone of the message, which bluntly insists Barnes should not run.