Political Rewind

Wednesday on Political Rewind: The race for president in Georgia remains too close to call. As votes continue to be counted, the state appears poised to play a crucial role in determining whether President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden will win the White House.

Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler won her showdown against Rep. Doug Collins. She now faces Democrat Raphael Warnock in a runoff to be held in early January.

Our panel of political insiders and experts break down those races and others across the general election this morning.

Our panelists included: Emory University's professors of political science Dr. Alan Abramowitz and Dr. Andra Gillespie; University of Georgia's professor of political science Dr. Audrey Haynes; and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics reporter Greg Bluestein.

Tuesday afternoon on Political Rewind: Election Day plows along, and casting ballots has been smoother than expected. With more than 4 million people in Georgia who have voted early, voting lines are few and far between, and there's little disruption to Election Day voters casting their votes — an unexpected turn of events, as election officials previously warned of millions of voters showing up to the polls causing delays. 

Voting via absentee ballots have also gained popularity due to COVID-19, but political experts and officials hint that this way of voting can change the way the majority of Georgia votes forever.

Our panelists included: Republican strategist Edward Lindsey; GPB News politics reporter Stephen Fowler; State House Representative (D-Smyrna) Teri Anulewicz; and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tia Mitchell.

Tuesday morning on Political Rewind: Polling places are open across Georgia for the final day of voting in the 2020 general election. More than 53% of Georgians cast their ballots early, but election officials caution that lines in many places could be long as up to 2 million voters may show up to vote today.

Our panel included Rene Alegria, CEO of Mundo Hispanico, Tamar Hallerman, senior reporter with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Democratic representative of Decatur and Rusty Paul, Mayor of Sandy Springs.

Monday on Political Rewind: It’s the final day before Election Day. The past week saw several big names in national politics make campaign stops in Georgia, including President Donald Trump — further proof that the road to the White House leads through the Peach State.

Former President Barack Obama visits Atlanta today to boost Joe Biden and Democratic senatorial candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Our panel discussed the tight races for Georgia's two Senate seats.

Nearly four million Georgians have already cast their ballots through absentee and early in-person voting, and more than half of the state’s registered voters have already voted.

Our panelists included: Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.; Tifton Mayor Julie Smith; Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist; and Jim Galloway, lead political writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

It’s the last day of in-person early voting in the 2020 general election. After three weeks of record early voting turnout, today is expected to be no different. Officials have said 400,000 people could vote at early voting locations across Georgia today.

Friday on Political Rewind, our panel discusses the latest election news with Election Day just a few days away.

Also: President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Rome on Sunday, a sign his campaign sees Georgia as competitive in the election. Could a Democrat win the state’s presidential contest for the first time since 1992?

Panelists:

Jim Galloway – Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sam Olens – Former state Attorney General

Dr. Karen Owen – Professor of political science, University of West Georgia

Michael Thurmond – DeKalb County CEO

While congressional and presidential elections are attracting wide attention, one of the most consequential stories of the 2020 election in Georgia is the battle for control of the state House.

Thursday on Political Rewind, our panel looks at the latest from those races.

Democrats are making an aggressive effort to pick up the 16 seats that would give them a majority for the first time in almost two decades, but Republicans are defending their majority fiercely.

Meanwhile, the race for president in Georgia continues to be too close to call. A new poll from Monmouth University puts Joe Biden slightly ahead, but shows most Georgians expect Trump to win the state.

Panelists:

David Ralston — Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives (R-Blue Ridge)

Buddy Darden — Former 7th District Democratic congressman

Eric Tanenblatt —Republican operative, Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation of Dentons

Today on Political Rewind: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the nation’s public health efforts as infection rates spike in some counties. With the virus on the minds of voters, the government’s public health response is a top issue on the campaign trail just days before Election Day.

Joe Biden hammered President Donald Trump during a campaign stop in Georgia yesterday, saying the president "surrendered" in the fight against the virus. Likewise, Trump warned voters of a severe shutdown and economic stagnation under a Biden presidency if the former vice president was elected.

Our panel of insiders and experts break down the latest on the pandemic.

Our panelists included: Andy Miller, CEO and Editor of Georgia Health News; Ariel Hart, health reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Dr. Harry Heiman, professor in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University; and Kevin Riley, editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Women in Georgia are a crucial demographic for the Democratic and Republican parties as they compete across the general election ballot. Our panel of political insiders and analysts break down the race for the votes of women.

Also: Former Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Georgia today is only the latest sign the Democratic party considers the state in play for the 2020 election. Biden will speak in Warm Springs before headlining a drive-in rally in Atlanta tomorrow evening. With one week to go till Election Day, Biden is expected to outline his closing message while lifting the Georgia Democrats running for Congress.

Panelists:

Melita Easters — Founder and director, Georgia WIN List

Dr. Andra Gillespie — Political science professor, Emory University

Julianne Thompson — Republican consultant

Monday on Political Rewind: It’s the final full week of in-person early voting in Georgia and 2.75 million voters have already cast their ballots, so far.

Recent polling from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows an even split among Georgians over their choice for president. Our panel takes a deeper look at the results, and what it means for important national and state elections.

Panelists:

Dr. Alan Abramowitz — Political science professor, Emory University

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham – Mayor of East Point

Todd Rehm — Owner/Editor, Georgia Pundit

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

Friday on Political Rewind, Georgia’s congressional races continue to be hotly contested. The two Senate races on the ballot are close competitions, as are the races for crucial U.S. House seats in the 6th and 7th congressional districts. Our panel of insiders and experts break down the races.

Plus, will last night’s presidential debate give any Georgians reason to change how they see former-Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump?

Panelists:

Jim Galloway – Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sam Olens – Former state Attorney General

Dr. Karen Owen – Professor of political science, University of West Georgia

Michael Thurmond – DeKalb CEO