Political Rewind

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced yesterday he will not seek a second term in 2022. Instead, the former state representative of District 26 says he will work to build a Republican Party free from former President Donald Trump’s lingering control.

Meanwhile, following the latest CDC guidance, nearly two dozen states are giving their approval for vaccinated residents to go maskless. In Georgia, how are cities, counties and businesses responding to the announcement? We spoke to several local leaders about what is happening in their communities.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will take up a Mississippi case that could overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade court decision. Georgia’s even more restrictive abortion law awaits a federal appeals court hearing this fall.

Panelists:

Mayor Rusty Paul — Mayor of Sandy Springs, Ga.

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham — Mayor of East Point, Ga.

Adam Van Brimmer — Editorial Page Editor, Savannah Morning News

Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday on Political Rewind: Federal unemployment benefits helped buoy Georgians through a difficult year of economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Gov. Brian Kemp and several Republican lawmakers across the country are moving towards ending the weekly checks for the unemployed in their respective states.

Kemp announced last week the $300 weekly payments would end on June 26, saying the move would help push more Georgians into the workforce. Our panel discusses the latest.

Meanwhile, two Republican members of the Georgia's congressional delegation face heated criticism for their role in perpetuating false narratives about the 2020 election and about the violent insurrection that shook the U.S. Capitol in January.

Plus, the Biden administration struggles to address longstanding immigration issues. How much is Biden's favorability among voters tied to reforming U.S. immigration?

Panelists:

Mariela Romero – Community Empowerment Director, Univision

Rene Alegria – President & CEO Mundo Hispanico Digital

Charles Kuck – Immigration Attorney

Jim Galloway – Former Political Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday on Political Rewind: It has become a commonplace cliche to say Jimmy Carter’s tenure as President of the United States was fraught with disappointment. Carter's term was colored by multiple crises, low approval numbers and a lost reelection bid. Pundits often says Carter made a far more significant mark on the world after leaving office than he was able to achieve in the White House.

But as the years have passed, reassessments of the Jimmy Carter presidency are painting him in a different light. A new documentary by two Georgia-born filmmakers, brothers Will and Jim Pattiz make the case that Carter was a visionary who promoted policies far ahead of their time; on racial justice, world peace, sustainable energy and much more. Today, we spoke with with the pair about Carter and their recent film.

The documentary debuted at the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival. The filmmakers say "Carterland" will be widely available soon.

Panelists:

Patricia Murphy – Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jim Pattiz - Filmmaker, "Carterland"

Will Pattiz – Filmmaker, "Carterland"

Thursday on Political Rewind: In the midst of the pandemic that gripped the nation, two of the country’s greatest civil rights leaders died on the same day. One of them, Rep. John Lewis, was a man whose name was known around the world.

The other was C.T. Vivian, whose courage and visionary leadership was only equaled by the humility he displayed by rarely seeking the spotlight. It is his story we’ll tell today.

Vivian played a key role in most crucial moments in the Civil Rights movement. He was among those who risked death on the Freedom Rides, a strategist at Martin Luther King Jr.’s side in Birmingham, St. Augustine and other cities.

Now, there is a new memoir recounting C.T. Vivian’s life. We’ll talk to the co-author of “It’s In The Action: Memories Of A Nonviolent Warrior,” and to Vivian’s son Al, who has carried on the legacy of his father’s work.

Panelists:

Steve Fiffer – Co-Author, “It's in the Action: Memories of a Nonviolent Warrior”

Kevin Riley – Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Al Vivian – President and CEO, BASIC Diversity, Inc.

Wednesday on Political Rewind: In Congress, Republicans decided to remove Sen. Liz Cheney from a party leadership position today. New York’s Rep. Elise Stefanik could be promoted in Cheney’s place, but Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is asking for more time to find a replacement.

What does Cheney's ousting tell us about Greene’s role and influence in the GOP and internal fractures within the party?

In other news from the U.S. Capitol, the Senate discusses the so-called “For the People Act,” the House Democrat plan to establish federal rules on elections. The legislation would counteract state election laws such as SB 202 in Georgia.

Meanwhile, a gas shortage is worrying Georgians across the state. Consumers are reporting high prices and long lines at gas stations. The shortage is a result of a hack of Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline that shut down a major artery of fuel on the East Coast.

Politics reporter Greg Bluestein of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the guest host for today's show.

Panelists:

Dr. Kurt Young — Professor of Political Science, Clark Atlanta University

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver — State Representative (D-Decatur)

Leo Smith — Republican Strategist and President, Engaged Futures Group

Riley Bunch — Statehouse Reporter, CNHI News

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Georgia’s economy struggles to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic slump. According to statistics from the Georgia Chamber, 231,000 Georgians are currently receiving unemployment benefits after being laid off. In a letter, the Georgia Chamber called on state officials to change the benefits unemployed workers currently receive. But labor advocates say suspending assistance would be akin to pulling the rug from under Georgians just as they try to get back on their feet.

In 2022 election news, Attorney General Chris Car announced he will seek reelection instead of entering the race for Sen. Raphael Warnock’s seat. What does his decision tell us about the landscape of the Republican party?

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a measure that assures even more money will be allowed to flow into campaign coffers in Georgia. The new law gives lobbyists and others the freedom to donate unlimited sums to state elected officials, even during legislative sessions.

In another signing action, Kemp signed the bill that overhauls the state’s pre-Civil War citizen’s arrest statute. Changes to the longstanding law won bipartisan approval after the original prosecutors in the Ahmaud Arbery shooting case declared that the statute protected from prosecution the three men who confronted and killed Arbery.

Panelists:

Sam Olens — Former Georgia Attorney General

Michael Thurmond — CEO, DeKalb County

Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp signed multiple bills in the past several days, including legislation Friday forbidding local governments from making sharp reductions to their police department budgets.

The governor used hyper-partisan language in a statement following the signing. Kemp said the new law prevents Democratic officials from passing "radical" defunding measures that would endanger law enforcement officers.

House Bill 286 bars cities and municipalities from decreasing police budgets by more than 5 percent. The Republican-led bill was overwhelmingly opposed by Democrats. Critics say the legislation takes important budget decisions out of the hands of local leaders.

In other news, Atlanta’s mayoral election is just six months away and the race is still without a clear frontrunner. A number of prominent players are considering a jump into the race after incumbent Keisha Lance Bottoms’ surprise announcement she will not seek reelection. Who might we see jump into the race, and how does her decision change state governance in the weeks to come?

Further down the road, the panel discusses the possibility of a Herschel Walker run for Georgia office.

Panelists:

Dr. Karen Owen — Professor of Political Science, University of West Georgia

Dr. Alan Abramowitz — Professor of Political Science, Emory University

Tia Mitchell — Washington Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jim Galloway — Former Political Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday on Political Rewind: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced that she will not run for reelection. In a letter, Bottoms highlighted her proudest accomplishments in office, but gave no reason for her decision not to seek a second term. We’ll look at what her withdrawal means for the race for mayor of Georgia’s most influential city.

Plus, another significant withdrawal is in the news today: The search firm hired to find candidates for chancellor of the University System of Georgia has resigned from the job. The company gave no reasons for its decision, but controversy over reports that the position of chancellor may be offered to former Gov. Sonny Perdue has clouded the search from the start.

Panelists:

Stephen Fowler – Political reporter, GPB News

Patricia Murphy – Political reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday on Political Rewind: The Atlanta Police Department officer charged with felony murder in the death of Rayshard Brooks was reinstated to duty by the city’s Civil Service Board yesterday.

The board ruled Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms denied officer Garrett Rolfe due process when she fired him within 24 hours of the shooting. How does this twist complicate the ongoing quest for justice in the case?

In other news, Republicans launched new criticism of Georgia businesses critical of Georgia's new election law. In visits to Atlanta this week, U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Lindsey Graham waded into the messaging war.

State and national GOP officials have been critical of companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines after corporate leaders issued stern rebukes of the state’s new election laws. A new poll from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows that a majority of Georgians agree business should stay out of politics.

Panelists:

Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of Political Science and Director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University

Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: Candidates continue to line up for the 2022 election in races that will determine just how purple Georgia has really become. Democratic state Rep. Bee Nguyen launched her effort to take on Brad Raffensperger in the battle for Secretary of State, while 6th District congresswoman Lucy McBath draws another GOP challenger. In the gubernatorial race, it is unclear if Gov. Brian Kemp will see a notable Republican challenger.

Plus, the results of a new poll from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reveal approval numbers for top elected officials in Washington and Georgia. How do state voters feel about the job performance of Kemp as he begins his quest for a second term? And what about his likely opponent, Stacey Abrams? Is there any sign of bipartisan support for President Joe Biden following his first 100 days?

Panelists:

Greg Bluestein — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fred Smith — Emory University, School of Law

Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University