Political Rewind

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to announce an expansion of vaccine eligibility to all adults in Georgia. The move could come as soon as the first weeks of April. But will the state be able to meet the challenge of the expected surge of people seeking COVID-19 vaccinations?

Also, shooting violence in Boulder, Colo., yesterday is the latest example of an epidemic of gun violence in this country. Gun control advocates say the troubling trend, including the string of shootings in Atlanta last week, should push lawmakers to commit to reform.

Additionally, longtime observers of the state legislature know the bicameral body can be a breeding ground for sexist remarks and leering glances. But now, a group of women legislators and the chairman of the House Ethics Committee are demanding an end to the chauvinistic behavior.

Our panel discussed the latest on these stories.

Panelists:

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

Ryan Graham — Chairman, Georgia Libertarian Party

Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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

Monday on Political Rewind, as the legislative session winds down, efforts to change how Georgians vote move in multiple directions.

The most restrictive measures, ending no excuse absentee voting and eliminating Sunday early voting, are no longer part of negotiations. But now, new proposals could give Republicans an edge in runoffs and special elections. Or panel reviewed the dozens of election bills.

Also, hundreds of Georgians rallied at the state Capitol this weekend to condemn bigotry and violence against Asian Americans. The weekend also saw President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris travel to Atlanta and meet with local leaders of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Now Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has a Republican challenger for reelection next year. U.S. Rep. Jody Hice announced today he is entering the race for the seat.

Panelists:

Howard Franklin — Democratic Consultant and Managing Partner, Ohio River South

Jim Galloway — Political Analyst, Former Lead Political Writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dr. Audrey Haynes — Professor of Political Science, University of Georgia

Julianne Thompson — Republican Strategist

Friday on Political Rewind, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris planned today’s visit to Atlanta as an opportunity to tout the COVID-19 relief package. Instead, they are taking a more somber track. The pair will meet with leaders of the Asian community here to mourn the victims of the recent shootings in metro Atlanta.

We discussed the visit with state Rep. Sam Park, who will be in that meeting.

Also, the contentious debate over proposed changes to how Georgia votes continues at the state Capitol. It appears supporters of the changes may be ready to abandon two of the most controversial measures: an end to no-excuse absentee balloting, and the elimination of Sunday early voting.

Meanwhile, lawmakers moved one step closer to approving a bill that will allow for even more money to be poured into political campaigns.

Panelists:

Rep. Sam Park — State Representative (D-Lawrenceville)

Patricia Murphy — Political Reporter and Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tia Mitchell — Washington Correspondent, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Leo Smith — Republican Consultant and President, Engaged Futures Group

Thursday on Political Rewind: Investigations continue today into the string of violence seen at massage parlors in the Atlanta metro area Tuesday night. The shocking crime is refocusing attention on an increase in violence and incidents of bigotry against Asian Americans and people of Asian descent nationwide. Will authorities have the evidence they need to use the state’s new hate crimes law?

Also, during a visit to Savannah, Gov. Brian Kemp continued to criticize the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. Kemp said states such as Georgia are punished because distribution of the federal money gives a smaller share of aid to states with thriving economies.

Panelists:

Cody Hall — Communications Director, Office of Gov. Brian Kemp

Sen. Kim Jackson — State Senator (D-Stone Mountain)

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University

Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: A shocking string of violence in metro Atlanta raises questions of racial hatred and bigotry.

Nationwide, civil rights organizations report an uptick in violence towards Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in recent times. How does Tuesday night's violence fit into this concerning trend?

Also, President Joe Biden faces a crisis at the country’s southern border less than 2 months into his presidency. Illegal crossings at the border have skyrocketed, with more than 100,000 detentions in February alone. 

Plus, Republican legislators advance a bill creating new avenues for lobbyists to indirectly give contributions to lawmakers. Critics say the legislation opens the door for larger injections of money in politics, while supporters describe the move as a boon to financial transparency.

Our panel discusses the latest on these stories.

Panelists:

Sam Olens — Former Georgia Attorney General

Charles Kuck — Immigration Attorney

Mariela Romero — Director of Community Empowerment, Univision

Greg Bluestein — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday on Political Rewind: a pandemic year in review as we looked back at the devastating track of the coronavirus in Georgia. The pandemic dramatically shifted many lives in our state. More than 16,000 Georgian died of coronavirus-related illness, while  around one million people were infected by COVID-19.

But can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? Yesterday, eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine appointments were expanded to include a majority of Georgia adults. Residents 55 and older are now eligible for shots, as are adults with a wide range of serious illness.

In rural Georgia, meanwhile, the demand for vaccine is more muted. In response, Gov. Brian Kemp says supplies of COVID vaccinations may be shifted to larger population centers to meet demand. Our panel looked at the effectiveness of the state’s vaccine rollout so far.

The state's handling of COVID-19 vaccinations received criticism after the Center for Disease Control listed Georgia among the least effective states for getting shots into arms.

Health journalist Keren Landman said the faulty rollout is the result of power public health infrastructure.

"It's not bad people doing work badly; It is an underfunded system being underfunded," Landman said. "This is what happens when you do not fund an infrastructure for public health. I hope this will provoke Georgia and Georgians and to really prioritize funding a good public health program throughout the state in the future."

And finally, our panel discussed the impact a year of social distancing and isolation has had on the mental health of children and adults.

Panelists:

Dr. Harry Heiman — Physician and Professor, School of Public Health, Georgia State University

Dr. Keren Landman — Physician, Health and Medicine Journalist

Dr. Roy Reese — Psychologist and Director of Behavioral Health at Akoma Counseling and Consulting

Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday on Political Rewind: Around two-thirds of Georgia adults can now receive COVID-19 vaccinations now. Gov. Brian Kemp lowered the age threshold for vaccines to 55 and added people with significant health issues. With the dramatic expansion, officials hope to turn around the state’s tepid vaccine rollout efforts.

Georgia’s poorest families will be among the biggest beneficiaries of President Joe Biden’s relief bill. Analysts estimate the variety of direct payments and other benefits could reduce child poverty in the state by almost half. We will discuss how the plan represents a significant reversal of the policies of a previous Democratic president.

Finally: Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” this weekend that former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the Georgia election results “disgusted” him.

Panelists:

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

Rep. Chuck Efstration — State Representative (R-Dacula)

Rep. Scott Holcomb — State Representative (D-Atlanta)

Jim Galloway — Political Analyst and Former Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday on Political Rewind: a conversation with one of the most respected and beloved artists to come out of the Atlanta theater community.

Kenny Leon is a Tony award-winning director of Broadway theater, filmmaker and a director of several prime time television shows. His work often illuminates the social issues of our day, and seeks to bring us together across racial, religious and political divides.

Leon recently directed a series called Amend, featuring Will Smith, about the transformational power of the 14th Amendment. The show is now streaming on Netflix. For his latest project, Leon directs a biopic on the life of the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story follows the rise of one of the most influential voices in American music. The film follows Jackon's life, struggles and achievements through a tumultuous period in U.S. history.

Leon said he sought to avoid an unrealistic portrayal of the singer, played by Danielle Brooks, and instead focus on Jackson's resilience in the face of adversity.

"The story we're telling is not about a person who is anointed with a great voice and who is perfect," Leon said. "We're telling a story of a woman who was knocked down 10 times but got up 11 times."

Panelist:

Kenny Leon — Actor, author and Tony Award-winning director, and director of the upcoming Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story

Thursday on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp issued guidelines yesterday to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to more than three million additional Georgians. The move lowers the age threshold to 55 and covers those with a broad range of health conditions.

The announcement follows recent criticism of Georgia's vaccine rollout. A Centers for Disease Control report ranked Georgia poorly among U.S. states for its administration of the COVID-19 vaccinations.

Kemp announced his intention to further expand the guidelines to include all Georgia adults by early April. Some public health officials fear infrastructure and supply may not be able to accommodate the increased demand as eligibility continues to expand.

Meanwhile, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package is nearing President Joe Biden’s desk. Republicans argue the massive spending bill is swollen with spending that has little to do with coronavirus-related matters. Democrats are celebrating the measure, describing it as one of the broadest expansions of the social safety net in modern history.

Plus, former President Donald Trump is urging Herschel Walker to jump into the 2022 race against Sen. Raphael Warnock.

Panelists:

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University

Buddy Darden — former Georgia 7th District Congressman

Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: The U.S. House prepares to take a final vote on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Gov. Brian Kemp continues to criticize the measure as a bailout for Democratic-majority states. Our panel discusses if Georgia stands to benefit and Kemp’s objections.

Also, a gun bill championed by Georgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath could soon see a vote in the U.S. House. The legislation would establish universal background checks for all potential gun buyers. McBath says the bill is needed urgently because of increased incidents of gun crime and violence that could be tied to the ongoing pandemic.

Plus, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond says there are parallels between today's controversial election bills at the state Capitol and historical efforts to block Black communities in Georgia from casting ballots.

Panelists:

Michael Thurmond — CEO, DeKalb County

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

Leo Smith — Republican Strategist & President, Engaged Futures Group

Greg Bluestein — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution