The Georgia Politics Podcast

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show, host Amber Perry is joined by ProPublica Editor Ziva Branstetter to discuss recent reporting on the consequences of a 6 week abortion ban in Georgia.

ProPublica, a national nonprofit newsroom, published the first two installments of its project “Life of the Mother: How Abortion Bans Lead to Preventable Deaths” last week. Included are stories about women who, according to the reporting, died because they were unable to access medical treatment that had been available prior to Georgia’s new 6-week ban.

Branstetter details how and why ProPublica decided to pursue these stories, what they hope will result from their reporting, and what stories they are pursuing next.

To read the articles in their entirety, click HERE.

To support or connect with ProPublica, click HERE.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Connect with Amber Perry on Twitter @ambermarieperry

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s special episode, we are joined by two delegates from Georgia to the most famous party convention in American history.

Parker Hudson and Taylor Branch, both graduates of Westminster Schools, were delegates from Georgia to the 1968 DNC supporting Sen. Eugene McCarthy because of his anti-Vietnam War position.

The convention, held in Chicago, was a turning point in U.S. political history, marked by violent protests, police brutality, and deep divisions within the Democratic Party. The backdrop of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy fueled a highly charged atmosphere. Inside the convention, the Democratic Party was divided between establishment figures supporting Vice President Hubert Humphrey and more progressive, anti-war factions backing Senators Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern.

Georgia played a distinct role in the convention as it represented the conservative, pro-segregation wing of the party. Governor Lester Maddox, a vocal segregationist, led the Georgia delegation. Maddox was known for his staunch opposition to the Civil Rights Movement and had famously closed his restaurant rather than comply with integration laws. He and other Southern Democrats, sometimes referred to as Dixiecrats, resisted the party’s growing embrace of civil rights and its increasingly liberal stance on social issues.

At the convention, the Georgia delegation stood with the conservative elements of the party, opposing the anti-war platform and pushing back against the civil rights advancements. Maddox and other Southern leaders were aligned with George Wallace’s independent campaign, which sought to appeal to disaffected white voters in the South, capitalizing on fears of racial integration and opposition to federal intervention in state matters.

This ideological split within the Democratic Party, exemplified by the clash between conservative Southern Democrats like Maddox and the more progressive northern and western factions, highlighted the fractures that would soon lead to a realignment in American politics. Georgia’s role in the 1968 DNC represented the old guard of Southern Democrats, clinging to segregationist values in the face of a rapidly changing political landscape.

You can connect with Parker Hudson online, here.

You can buy We Asked, “Why Not?” online, here.

You can connect with Taylor Branch online, here.

You can buy the Pulitzer Prize winning Parting the Waters, here.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We had a fiery debate this week from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, but we’ve got a lot more than that to cover on today’s episode. Buckle up.

Hitting on the big news of the week, we dive into post-debate analysis right off the bat. Our big takeaway is Donald Trump looks unprepared, rattled and at times, angry. Kamala Harris appeared to start nervous, but found her stride about 15 minutes in. Will it make a difference in the election? We discuss.

We also touch on updates to who is going to be on Georgia’s ballot in November and what it could mean for the important swing state.

Importantly, in wake of another school shooting, this time at Apalachee High School in Winder, we discuss what can be done (if anything) in the Georgia legislature to prevent more tragedies like this from happening in Georgia schools. Speaker Burns is signaling he wants to do something, but Preston expresses doubt that when push comes to shove we'll see any bills move to address the epidemic. We'll see.

Lastly, there is a small update on the Catoosa County GOP lawsuit and you know we’ve got details.

Races We’re Watching, Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-at-Home and much more on today’s jam packed episode!

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s special episode, we are joined by retiring Rep. Penny Houston to reflect on her nearly 40 years of public service in elected office.

Penny Houston (R-Nashville) has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 1997, representing House District 170, which includes Berrien, Cook, and parts of Tift counties. She is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and sits on several key committees, including Ways & Means, Banks & Banking, Economic Development & Tourism, and others. Houston has also held leadership roles in various state and national committees and boards. She recently announced that she will be retiring from elected office at the end of her term.

In her community, Penny is active in the Nashville United Methodist Church, the Methodist Home in Macon, and local chambers of commerce. She is an honorary member of the Nashville Rotary Club and has supported the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes for over 30 years. A rural Georgia native, she grew up in Leary, Georgia, and has lived in Nashville for nearly 50 years. Penny graduated from Stephens College and the University of Georgia, and she enjoys spending time with her three children and six grandchildren.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Georgia continues to be the center of the political universe and we’re here for it.

On today’s show, we kick it off with a roundup on the presidential election. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz hit the trail in (south) Georgia. This is on the heels of her first rally as the presumptive nominee taking place at Georgia State University. What does it say that they are spending so much time in Georgia, and not the blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan – long thought to be the road for Democrats to retain the Presidency?

While unusual for Democrats since Bill Clinton’s bus tour in 1992, for Republicans, visits outside metro Atlanta are the norm. Trump has held rallies in Commerce, Dalton, Perry, Rome and Valdosta.

Also, a lawsuit that has the support of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign was filed by the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Party of Georgia and Democrats on county election board to challenge new Georgia election certification rules, warning that they will “invite chaos” if the results are disputed. The state election board approved in a 3-2 vote to require that local election boards conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying election results. It did not clarify what is reasonable or what the inquiry would involve. The rule also calls for county election boards to hold a meeting to verify results on the Friday after Election Day, before the deadline for the return of overseas and military ballots. The lawsuit asks a Fulton County superior court judge to declare that election certification is a mandatory duty, that certification can’t be delayed, and to throw out State Election Board rules that conflict with Georgia certification laws.

Next, RFJ Jr. had officially dropped out of the race. Who benefits? In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll conducted July 8-19, about 8% of voters said they were supporting Kennedy for president. About 3% said they were undecided, and about 1% said they were favoring another candidate, including Libertarian Chase Oliver, Green Party candidate Jill Stein and the unaffiliated Cornel West.

We also preview what we might expect from next year’s legislative session, as Lt. Gov. Burt Jones signals he wants to revisit the issue of transgender athletes in sports when the legislature reconvenes in January. In 2022 the Legislature punted the issue of transgender athletes to local athletic associations by encouraging them to take up a ban. The Georgia High School Association answered the call and subsequently voted to ban transgender athletes from competing based on their gender identity.

Races We’re Watching, Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-at-Home and much more on today’s jam packed episode!

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s episode, we are highlighting the notable Democratic National Convention of 1968, which shares several parallels with this year's DNC, starting today.

The 1968 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago was a significant and turbulent event in American history, marked by widespread protests and police confrontations. The convention was held against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Georgia played a notable role, as its delegation was involved in the broader conflict over civil rights and party representation. Julian Bond, a prominent civil rights leader from Georgia, was controversially nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate by anti-war delegates, despite being only 28 years old and thus constitutionally ineligible.

Bond's nomination symbolized the deep divisions within the Democratic Party and highlighted the rising influence of the civil rights movement within the party. The 1968 DNC exposed the fractures within the Democratic Party and the country, signaling a shift in American politics.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show, we talk about the state of the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the battleground state of Georgia. Buckle up.

Also, we discuss the Georgia State Election Board’s new rule allowing county boards to demand more information before certifying an election. This looms large over November’s results in Georgia and has the potential to blow up in our face. Preston and Craig discuss.

Also, we go over a lot of other local (not Presidential!) races to watch for as we close in on election day.

Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-At-Home and much more on today’s jam packed episode!

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s episode, we mark the 50th anniversary of President Richard’s Nixon’s resignation from office.

The Watergate scandal is one of the most significant political scandals in American history. It began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972. The subsequent investigation revealed a web of political espionage, sabotage, and cover-ups involving high-level members of the Nixon administration.

As the investigation deepened, it became clear that Nixon had been involved in efforts to obstruct justice, including the infamous "Saturday Night Massacre," where he ordered the firing of the special prosecutor investigating the case. 

On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in a televised address to the nation. He acknowledged the loss of political support due to the Watergate scandal. The next day, August 9, Nixon left the White House, becoming the first U.S. president to resign from office.

His resignation marked a profound moment in American politics, shaking public trust in government and leading to significant reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today's show, Kamala Harris makes her pick for running mate.

Tim Walz is the 41st governor of Minnesota, serving since January 2019. He previously represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives and is known for his focus on education, healthcare, and veterans' issues. Walz has a background in teaching and military service.

The pick was a surprise for many who expected PEnnsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro to get the nod.

The Professor joins Craig to discuss.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s episode we are joined by Brad Carver and Trey Kelly, delegates for Georgia to the 2024 Republican National Convention.

On the show, Brad and Trey tell us about their experiences as delegates and what the scene was like – particularly in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on President Trump.

Taking place in Milwaukee on July 18, the convention featured a series of high-profile speeches and events. Former President Donald Trump accepted the GOP nomination for the 2024 election, with Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate. Key speeches were delivered by figures such as Mike Pompeo and Greg Abbott, who emphasized Republican priorities like immigration policy.

The convention saw appearances from the Trump family, including Melania and Ivanka Trump, who joined Trump during the nomination paperwork signing. The event included notable speakers from various sectors, such as Tucker Carlson and UFC CEO Dana White, adding a mix of political and entertainment elements​. The convention showcased strong support for Trump within the GOP​.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol