Southern politics

This episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosted by Tim Shiflett on Father’s Day and the first day of summer, features regular panelist Catherine Smith and guest host State Representative Rashad Taylor, sitting in for David while he is on vacation. The discussion centers on Georgia politics, particularly controversies surrounding Attorney General Thurbert Baker, the media’s role, and emerging dynamics in the 2010 governor’s race.

 The first major topic is an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation reporting that the Attorney General’s office hires outside attorneys, some of whom had donated to Baker’s campaign. While Baker maintains that contributions are returned when identified, the panel debates both the optics and practicality of the situation. Smith questions why costly outside counsel are used during a budget shortfall, while Taylor argues that the Attorney General’s office is under-resourced, handling massive workloads and needing specialized legal expertise that outside firms can provide. Both agree that 133 staff attorneys is not excessive given Georgia’s population and legal demands.

 The conversation then turns to the political implications of the controversy. Smith downplays its impact, noting that professionals often donate to candidates from their own fields. Taylor, however, stresses that perception matters in politics and warns the issue could be leveraged to damage Baker’s gubernatorial ambitions.

The panel also analyzes new polling data showing strong positions for Roy Barnes and Republican candidates, the likelihood of runoffs, and the importance of African American voters. Broader themes include Georgia’s surprisingly optimistic public mood despite economic troubles, high approval ratings for Senator Johnny Isakson, rising support for President Obama, and signs that Georgia may be trending politically toward greater competitiveness for Democrats.

This episode opens with light banter before turning to a detailed discussion of the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary. The panel—David, Tim, and Catherine—analyzes the surprise victory of Creigh Deeds, who surged late after conserving resources and benefiting from a Washington Post endorsement. Terry McAuliffe’s campaign faded, while Brian Moran never gained traction. The hosts note Republican unease, as Deeds’ rural, moderate profile could appeal to voters who typically resist Democratic candidates, a concern reinforced by early polling showing Deeds leading Republican Bob McDonnell.

The conversation explores why moderation continues to succeed in Virginia politics, including Deeds’ relatively conservative stance on gun issues, which failed to hurt him in the primary. Catherine highlights the role of voter perception over policy detail and praises McAuliffe’s quick and gracious post-loss support of Deeds. The group debates whether newspaper endorsements still matter and examines how agile, fast-moving campaigns have become.

 Attention then shifts to the Democratic Governors Association’s controversial decision to endorse McAuliffe in a primary. The panel largely agrees national party organizations should avoid picking favorites in multi-candidate primaries, drawing comparisons—often rejected—between Virginia and Georgia’s upcoming gubernatorial race. They discuss Roy Barnes, DeVos Porter, and other Georgia figures, concluding that Georgia’s political landscape is fundamentally different.

 The episode’s guest, Melanie Goux then joins to discuss a major redesign of Blogs for Democracy. She outlines new topic-driven sections—ranging from politics and law to sports, fashion, books, film, and pop culture—and explains how professional journalists and diverse contributors are expanding the site while maintaining its progressive roots.

Southern politics

This episode features guest host Anastasia Apa, founder of the Apa Firm, a Democratic political consulting and fundraising operation active across the South, particularly in Florida. The discussion centers on three major themes: the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, the growing influence of Hispanic voters, and the shifting electoral landscape in Florida and the broader South.

Apa strongly supports Sotomayor’s nomination, framing it as a historic and positive choice by President Obama that brings lived experience and human perspective to the Court. She and the hosts criticize Republican attacks—particularly from figures like Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh—as politically risky and potentially alienating to Hispanic voters, a demographic that is increasingly central to national and Florida politics.

Much of the conversation focuses on Florida as a complex, “purple” state. Apa outlines how Hispanic voters—Cubans, Colombians, Venezuelans, and others—are no longer monolithic or reliably Republican. She highlights recent Democratic congressional campaigns in South Florida as evidence of shifting allegiances and growing enthusiasm within Hispanic communities. The hosts and Apa analyze key races, including the Florida Senate contest featuring Kendrick Meek, Charlie Crist, and Marco Rubio, and the gubernatorial race led on the Democratic side by Alex Sink. Polling data, fundraising capacity, name recognition, and ground-game organization are emphasized as decisive factors.

Finally, the show broadens to Southern politics, touching on Georgia’s gubernatorial race and Nathan Deal’s push on birthright citizenship, which the panel views as a strategy to energize conservative voters rather than serious legislation. Overall, Appa portrays a rapidly evolving political environment where demographics, messaging, and grassroots organizing are redefining electoral possibilities.

Southern politics

Southern politics

This episode opens on Mother’s Day with David, Catherine, and Tim noting a slow Georgia news week before previewing the upcoming Georgia Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution exposé on gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine sparks debate: insurance companies allegedly routed prohibited contributions through Alabama PACs. Catherine calls the arrangement likely illegal and “sneaky,” Tim emphasizes the long-running role of Rome-area insurance interests, and all agree the revelations damage Oxendine politically in an already crowded GOP primary featuring Nathan Deal, Karen Handel, and Eric Johnson.

 Martin Matheny, communications director for Georgia Democrats, joins to discuss the JJ Dinner. He confirms the event—held at the Hyatt Regency—is sold out at roughly 1,500 attendees, significant for an off-year. He highlights honorees Shirley Franklin and Carl Sanders, a keynote by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, and the party’s broader strategy: strengthening infrastructure in 2009, launching the “Georgia Democrats Work” service program with Jason Carter, expanding grassroots engagement, and preparing 2010 messaging and candidate recruitment. After Matheny departs, the hosts examine political fallout from the Oxendine scandal, including an investigation by Alabama officials.

They then pivot to Alabama’s Democratic gubernatorial landscape, questioning attempts to recruit Sue Bell Cobb despite existing candidates Artur Davis and Ron Sparks. Tim notes some insiders had preferred Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, while David warns against overcrowding primaries in states where Democrats already face steep odds.

This May 3rd episode marks the show’s third anniversary and features returning panelist Catherine, contributor Tim, and guest Steve Deacon, a Virginia politics expert. The discussion opens with Tim’s report from a Walker County Democratic Party barbecue fundraiser in northwest Georgia, highlighting renewed local organizing, appearances by Democratic figures including Gail Buckner and Dr. Jeff Scott, and a lighthearted crowd favorite: “Swifty the Donkey.” The event is framed as a sign that Democrats are rebuilding infrastructure in traditionally Republican north Georgia.

The conversation then turns to major Georgia political news: Congressman Nathan Deal’s decision to run for governor. Catherine and Tim express surprise, given Deal’s historically low-profile ambition, but agree he could be formidable due to his age, timing, fundraising ability, and strong base in the heavily Republican 9th Congressional District. The panel analyzes how Deal’s entry could disrupt rivals like Karen Handel and John Oxendine, while also triggering a crowded and chaotic race to replace him in the 9th District. Potential Republican contenders, the east–west geographic split, redistricting implications, and the near-impossibility of a Democratic win in the district are all discussed.

The show then shifts to Virginia, with Steve Deacon offering an in-depth analysis of the Democratic gubernatorial primary between Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran, and Terry McAuliffe. Deacon explains McAuliffe’s polling surge as money-driven, noting Virginia’s unlimited fundraising rules and the “soft” nature of early polls. Key issues include energy policy, transportation, regional voting blocs, and Virginia’s unusual one-term limit for governors. Deacon concludes that while McAuliffe’s money gives him an edge, voter sentiment remains fluid heading into the primary.

Southern politics