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Every Tuesday and Thursday morning on the Political Breakfast podcast, veteran Atlanta journalist Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and Republican strategist Brian Robinson deliver Georgia’s best analysis of local politics with a weekly dose of informed, respectful and lively discussion.
During Georgia’s state legislative session, Political Breakfast presents the pop-up podcast Gold Dome Scramble every Friday morning as host Lisa Rayam talks with reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali from the WABE newsroom to break things down for our listeners — the issues being considered, and the bills getting sorted through various committees at the Georgia State Capitol.
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On this edition of Political Breakfast: Democrats are calling it "Brian's Blunder." That's referring to a campaign ad for Republicans to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff in 2026. In it, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is supporting former University of Tennessee football coach, and political outsider, Derek Dooley. The ad blames Dooley's opponents who already have power in Washington for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history: Republican U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson delve deeper with Lisa Rayam, into why state and national Republicans are criticizing Kemp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this edition of Political Breakfast, we talk about the very public rift between President Donald Trump, and Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene -- who Trump now calls Marjorie "Traitor" Greene. Greene said on CNN this week that she wants to "put down the knives in politics" and is rethinking her past divisive antics. What do Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson think about this very uncharacteristic apology, and how Greene will have to navigate the Georgia political landscape in the future? Both share their thoughts with host Lisa Rayam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new AJC poll shows former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is dominating early in the 2026 Georgia governor's race on the Democratic side. Behind her, is former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. On the Republican side, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones leads, with the endorsement from President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger trails behind him. It's important to note: Both parties still have a large swath of undecided voters. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in on this with host Lisa Rayam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this edition of Political Breakfast, the federal government shutdown may be nearing an end, but it hasn't happened just yet. A key vote took place in Washington but Georgia's two Democratic U.S. Senators were NOT on board with the majority. Why not? Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in with host Lisa Rayam on what Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock may have been thinking. How could they be against reopening the government in the midst of massive flight cancellations across the country, and TSA workers reporting malaise because they are not getting paid?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, we talk about some of the most hotly contested races in this November's election across metro Atlanta, and Georgia's only statewide race. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson break down the Georgia Public Service Commission results and their national implications with host, Lisa Rayam. Rising electricity bills have been worrying families across the state. They've gone up six times in the past few years, under the current, all-Republican commission. Plus, they analyze the very close race for Atlanta City Council President. Two-term Atlanta City Council member Marci Collier Overstreet declares victory even though her opponent, Rohit Malhotra, garnered almost 50 percent of the vote. What are Atlanta voters really trying to say?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's time for Political Breakfast's Election Day coverage -- but before you listen, if you haven't yet, get to your precinct before the polls close! The PSC has five elected members who have final say over Georgia Power’s rates and plans for making electricity. All five are currently held by Republicans. Two seats are being challenged by Democrats. Turnout will be key in determining if the Dems can flip those seats. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about some other races that should be on the radar. In the city of Atlanta, voters will choose the mayor, city council president, 15 city council seats, and several Atlanta school board seats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia: just a few days ahead of Election Day on November 4th. Some background: Manuel's opened decades ago, and was run by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof. It's a well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this edition of Political Breakfast, we discuss the specter of the No Kings Protest in Atlanta. Thousands turned out and actually PEACEFULLY protested Trump-era politics. Many high-profile speakers addressed enthusiastic crowds. One in particular was two-time Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. She's been quiet lately. Does her taking the podium signal she's ready to take on the political spotlight again? Executive Director of the Atlanta Civic Circle Saba Long, who is in for Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson, shared their thoughts with host Lisa Rayam See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two Republicans who sit on Georgia's Public Service Commission -- Tim Echols of District 2 and Fitz Johnson of District 3 — are being challenged by Democratic candidates Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard. It's a race that has gone under the radar: until now. All five seats are currently held by Republicans. So Democrats are stumping loudly about utility affordability Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson stress with host Lisa Rayam how voters need to pay attention: and turn out for race that ultimately affects their households.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Vernon Jones, who crowd-surfed at Georgia Trump rally, announced Monday he's running for the job of Georgia's chief elections officer. Jones joins a growing and competitive pool of candidates for Georgia Secretary of State. That includes former state elections official, Gabriel Sterling, who took a ton of heat in 2020 from Donald Trump and rebuked Trump's claims the 2020 presidential election results were rigged. Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson debate if Jones has a chance to compete.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast: Republican candidates are beefing-up their war chests in hopes the money will talk enough to help unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year. Ossoff's campaign reports he has 21 million in the bank. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss the numbers that are rolling in from his GOP opponents with host Lisa Rayam. Political outsider Derek Dooley announced Monday that he's raised nearly 2 million in his first stretch of the race. He's also got the endorsement of Governor Brian Kemp. Another GOP opponent, Congressman Mike Collins, went head-to-head with Dooley and said he's also raised $1.9 million, and that he is transferring another million from his congressional account. The final candidate, Congressman Buddy Carter, has not yet posted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this edition of Political Breakfast, it's week two of the federal government shutdown, and that's taking a toll on workers who are going without pay at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta. Many are already living paycheck to paycheck. Now: half a paycheck to half a paycheck, thanks to the stall in Washington. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss how this is becoming more entangled in Georgia, and national politics. Plus, we hear from a local union representative for TSA workers, Aaron Barker. If the shutdown lags on, could this become a national security issue?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Opened decades ago by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof, it's well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the clear frontrunner in the Democratic Primary for Georgia Governor. The left-leaning Public Policy Polling group surveyed 620 likely Democratic primary voters earlier this month, and found Bottoms is leading by 38 percent. That's while Michael Thurmond got 12 percent, Geoff Duncan 9 percent, Jason Esteves 4 percent, Derrick Jackson 2 percent, and Olu Brown 1 percent. 36 percent of respondents said they were undecided. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss the importance of name recognition and Bottoms' past decisions leading Atlanta, with host Lisa Rayam. Plus, a quick look at the State Senate special election runoff results. Republican Jason Dickerson defeated nationally-backed Democrat Debra Shigley in a special election runoff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam focus on the Tuesday State Sen. special election runoff. That's in deep-red District 21, that covers parts of northern Fulton and Cherokee Counties. It's getting national attention, as Democratic National Convention Chair Ken Martin is in Georgia campaigning for Democratic candidate Debra Shigley. Shigley is running to replace Brandon Beach, who resigned to join the Trump Administration. Voters will decide between Shigley and Republican Jason Dickerson. Is the GOP nervous? Shigley won 40 percent of the district's votes back in August. Plus, will the candidates running for Georgia Governor ever escape the shadows of the 2020 presidential election? Nearly six years later, what transpired between Georgia leaders and now-President Donald Trump is still on voter's minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the final episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics. Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pool of candidates running for Georgia Governor has grown by three this week alone. Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, now a Democrat, jumped in the race, along with Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Then came the lesser known businessman and board chair of the YMCA of metro Atlanta, Clark Dean. That's who strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson wanted to talk about with host Lisa Rayam. Plus, the team discusses the hundreds detained in an immigration raid at the multi-billion dollar Hyundai electric vehicle plant. More than 300 workers are now back in South Korea. The raid at the factory just outside Savannah was described as the largest immigration enforcement operation carried out at a single location by the United States Department of Homeland Security in its history. It now puts Georgia Republicans like Governor Brian Kemp in an awkward position. He spent years building relationships with South Korean companies to grow Georgia's economy. The raid alarmed South Korean leaders and also raised concerns about foreign companies investing in the United States in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss the "amplified discussions" surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that are taking place online and around the coffee table. Plus, a look back at political violence and its consequences throughout American history. The team also talks about Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers returning to the office after working from home for nearly a month. Many say they are still traumatized after a gunman shot-up the Atlanta campus, killing a DeKalb County police officer. Are they returning too soon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Georgia Republicans spent years building ties with companies in South Korea, culminating with Hyundai building a multi-billion dollar electric vehicle plant outside of Savannah. But last week, a battery factory at the site was raided by federal immigration agents, who detained more than 300 South Korean citizens. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a closer look at the ongoing fallout from the Hyundai raid. Plus, WABE Immigration Reporter Emily Wu Pearson takes listeners to a federal immigration detention facility in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam reflect on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The controversial debater and podcast host was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Thousands showed up to Kirk's first fall 2025 college event, which was set to kick-off a national tour. Kirk is credited with mobilizing young Republicans to the polls. He made stops in Georgia in the past, including at UGA last October. Georgia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are condemning the violence. Plus, this week Atlanta is honoring a 21-year veteran DeKalb County firefighter, who died battling a commercial fire in Lithonia. Preston Fant was trapped after trying to rescue another firefighter, as they worked to put out flames in a film studio warehouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brian: Who was the REAL victim here? White men.
the irony of forcing students to wear masks to prevent spread in schools, but not EVERYONE when they are out and about, is grating. Force the kids to do it! it's common sense! But dont force adults to do it! What?!