On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss a jury awarding $148 million to Fulton election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, following the defamation trial of former New York Mayor and ex-Donald Trump lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani falsely claimed the mother and daughter illegally tampered with election ballots in a mass voting precinct in 2020. Plus, what do Americans think about Vice ...
Dec 20, 2023•35 min•Ep. 302
On this week's LIVE edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss the defamation case engulfing former Donald Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani. The federal trial started this week in Washington, DC to decide how much Giuliani must pay in damages to two former Fulton County election workers. Giuliani falsely claimed the workers -- Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss -- interfered with the 2020 election vote...
Dec 14, 2023•8 min•Ep. 301
This week on Political Breakfast, it's all about redrawing Georgia's Congressional and state political maps ahead of this Friday's deadline. Democrats are preparing for a court fight over the new U.S. House map proposed by Georgia's GOP majority. The new map does create a majority Black district in west Atlanta, but at the expense of Democrat U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath's seat in Gwinnett and north Fulton. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in with host...
Dec 05, 2023•38 min•Ep. 300
It's back to the drawing board on this week's live episode of Political Breakfast. State lawmakers are convening at the Georgia Capitol for a special session to redraw maps for Congress and the state legislature. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones recently found the current GOP-drawn maps from 2020 violate the federal Voting Rights Act, and dilute the power of Black voters. But voting rights plaintiffs -- including the ACLU of Georgia -- say they still have "legal concerns" about a newly-proposed s...
Nov 29, 2023•8 min•Ep. 299
On this week's episode of Political Breakfast, the FBI intercepted a letter sent to the Fulton County Elections hub in Fairburn that is possibly laced with the powerful opioid fentanyl. The letter is connected to mail sent to Washington state elections offices. The FBI is currently running tests. Gainesville's WDUN talk show host Martha Zoller fills-in for Republican Strategist Brian Robinson, along with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam. Plus, protesters and police who st...
Nov 14, 2023•32 min•Ep. 298
This week on Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson look at the latest New York Times poll showing despite his several felony indictments, Donald Trump is leading in 5 critical battleground states, including Georgia. According to the poll, voters said they trusted Trump over President Joe Biden on the economy, foreign policy and immigration. Plus, Trump's outbursts while testifying on the stand during his civil fraud trial in New York. And Georgia lawmakers sat on a s...
Nov 08, 2023•43 min•Ep. 297
Georgia has been tasked with drawing new congressional and state legislative maps before the 2024 election. This comes after a federal judge ruled the current GOP-backed maps violate the federal Voting Rights Act and dilute the power of Black voters. Host Lisa Rayam has strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson weigh-in on the bipartisan boundary shifting that has a Dec. 8th deadline. Plus, the latest proposal from GOP Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, to give teachers a 10 thousand dollar stipend to be ...
Oct 31, 2023•39 min•Ep. 296
On this week's Political Breakfast, Project South's La'Die Mansfield joins the podcast to represent opposition to Atlanta's planned public safety training center -- dubbed 'Cop City.' Mansfield specifially responds to Mayor Andre Dickens' stance on moving ahead with the center's construction and his promises that the entire process will stay transparent. Plus, host Lisa Rayam and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson discuss what the 2024 campaign rhetoric will sound like now that a chal...
Oct 24, 2023•43 min•Ep. 295
This week on Political Breakfast, as the U.S. House of Representatives strives to elect a new speaker, Georgia Congressman Austin Scott, volunteers to pit himself against Representative Jim Jordan for the job. Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson break down what the wrangling could mean for state Republican leaders. Plus, their reaction to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' stance in favor of building a public safety training center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 17, 2023•35 min•Ep. 294
On this week's Political Breakfast, a long-anticipated appearance from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Dickens gives the latest on so-called 'Stop Cop City' ballot referendum efforts. Dickens has seen the body camera footage of former Atlanta police officer Kiran Kimbrough trying to arrest Atlanta church deacon Johnny Hollman. Hollman died after being tased during a traffic incident back in August. Why Dickens feels this case supports the reasoning for building a public safety training center. Plus...
Oct 10, 2023•45 min•Ep. 293
A new poll suggests most Georgians seem to support the construction of Atlanta's planned public safety training center. Why were Georgians polled and not just Atlantans? Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Director Saba Long weigh-in. Plus, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's leading political action group launches a campaign to reform Georgia's tort laws. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 03, 2023•30 min•Ep. 292
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is still injecting himself into the national conversation, as a potential government shutdown looms. During a conversation with The Jolt's Greg Bluestein during the Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, Kemp slammed far-right Republicans for in-fighting and delaying passing legislation to fund the federal government before money runs out on September 30th. A short-term bill is possible, but the GOP can't agree on what should be in it: including omitting Ukraine aid in the...
Sep 26, 2023•31 min•Ep. 291
City of Atlanta officials say they'll scan and release copies of petition signatures against the proposed public safety training center. Mayor Andre Dickens says he wants to know "exactly what is in those boxes," and that he supports allowing the process to run its course in a transparent manner. Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson weigh-in on if there are 116 thousand signatures of Atlanta's electorate protesting the planned training site, and who want to force a ballot referendum. Th...
Sep 19, 2023•30 min•Ep. 290
This week on Political Breakfast, Governor Brian Kemp declares a state of emergency in Georgia over record-high inflation and suspends the state's gas tax. Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson also weigh-in on Kemp being a part of the national conversation for a potential run for U.S. Senate. And the latest in Atlanta's so-called 'Cop City' saga. City officials announced Monday they are not able to start verifying tens of thousands of signatures submitted by activists trying to stop the...
Sep 12, 2023•26 min•Ep. 289
This week on Political Breakfast, far-right Republican and Georgia state Senator Colton Moore recently ranted online that civil war could break out over the prosecution of Donald Trump, saying "I don't want to have to draw my rifle." Moore also called for de-funding Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis. Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam also talk gun safety measures, and dozens of Georgia mayors sending a letter over the issue to Governor Brian Kemp and the Genera...
Sep 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 288
On this week's Political Breakfast, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam react to Donald Trump's historic mug shot selling mugs. Trump's election campaign announced that the scowling photo of the former president taken during booking in the Fulton County Jail has raised more than 7 million dollars, with much of the money coming from merchandise. Plus, the latest poll from the Atlanta Journal Constitution shows that Trump is still leading with Republicans in Georgia, ...
Aug 29, 2023•29 min•Ep. 287
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' critics. Or at least one in particular---State Senator Clint Dixon. After Donald Trump and others were indicted for election tampering, Dixon took to social media to say he's filing a complaint against Willis with the newly created Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission. Her crime? He says because he says she's making moves to become what he calls a "leftist celebrity." Plus,...
Aug 22, 2023•24 min•Ep. 286
This week on a live version of Political Breakfast, the team tackles the news of the Fulton County grand jury's 41-count indictment of Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants, accusing them of conspiring to overturn Trump's 2020 presidential loss in Georgia. Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones was NOT named in the indictment, but many believe he played an integral role. Brian and Tharon discuss the fact that a special prosecutor may be appointed soon to look into Jones' involvement. See omnystudio.com/lis...
Aug 16, 2023•11 min•Ep. 285
This week on Political Breakfast, the team tackles the prospect of a former president being indicted by a Fulton County grand jury. Host Lisa Rayam along with strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson address the severity of another Trump indictment and how that could weigh on Georgia's constituency. Plus, the race for Georgia governor in 2026 is simmering with more and more names of potential Democratic and Republican candidates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 09, 2023•26 min•Ep. 284
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, more on Georgia Rep. Mesha Mainor's switch-a-roo. Formerly a Democrat, Mainor is now the first Black Republican woman to ever serve in the state General Assembly. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle head Saba Long discuss what Mainor's move means for both Democrats and Republicans. Plus, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he will support any GOP nominee picked to run against President Joe Biden, including Donald Trump. The team a...
Jul 18, 2023•29 min•Ep. 283
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, will Georgia Governor Brian Kemp seriously consider running for President? More and more Republicans are calling on Kemp to join the crowded pool vying for the GOP nomination . Kemp hasn't taken any concrete steps to run, but he remains a part of the national conversation. Plus, the Political Breakfast team reflects on the lives of Marvin Arrington, Sr. Bill Shipp and Dr. Christine King-Farris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 12, 2023•28 min•Ep. 282
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is calling on lawmakers to make tampering with a voting machine a felony that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years. That's Raffensperger's response to critics who say he should instead upgrade the Dominion Voting system software ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Host Lisa Rayam asks Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson to weigh-in. Plus, the team talks ab...
Jun 28, 2023•35 min•Ep. 281
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, the national spotlight was once again on former President Donald Trump and his fractured relationship with some of Georgia’s top politicians. Trump again reiterated his false claims about election fraud in Georgia. Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson also weigh in on delegates picking former state Sen. Josh McKoon as the new GOP chair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 27, 2023•26 min•Ep. 279
This week on Political Breakfast, a group of Democratic lawmakers including Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams are pushing a joint resolution to negate a clause in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- that permits the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. Currently the 13th Amendment says, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States,...
Jun 21, 2023•44 min•Ep. 280
In a marathon City Council meeting with hundreds of people speaking in opposition, members eventually approved the city giving millions to build the Atlanta Public Safety Training Facility in South Dekalb County. Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to reflect on the process, reactions from public officials and concerns following the vote. Plus, former President Donald Trump recently congratulated North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for...
Jun 07, 2023•25 min•Ep. 278
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, former President Donald Trump is set to give the keynote address at Georgia's GOP convention in June. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger say they will not attend the convention, as they urge the party to move on from the 2020 widespread election fraud rhetoric. Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to discuss if Trump coming to town forces state Republica...
May 31, 2023•35 min•Ep. 277
Florida is Georgia's neighbor, but according to the NAACP, the Sunshine State may not open the front door for everyone. The civil rights organization issued a formal travel advisory calling the state "openly hostile” to minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals. Plus, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms are both on a list of Americans banned from going to Russia. And the latest on Governor Brian Kemp's economic development trip to Israel in an effo...
May 24, 2023•11 min•Ep. 276
Governor Brian Kemp's re-election campaign manager is taking over a new GOP super PAC, "Committed to America." That's in support of former Vice President Mike Pence's possible bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Director Saba Long, who is in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, weigh in. Plus, drama over Fulton County's Election Board. The League of Women Voters in Atlanta are opposing a move to nominate Republic...
May 17, 2023•9 min•Ep. 275
On this week's live edition of Political Breakfast, will gun control legislation be picked up by GOP state legislators in the aftermath of another mass shooting in Atlanta? Republican Strategist Brian Robinson rehashes the issue with podcast veteran Atlanta Civic Circle director Saba Long, filling-in for Tharon Johnson. Plus, the far-right Georgia Republican Assembly is looking to block candidates who aren't conservative enough from running as a Republican. That could supposedly be considered at...
May 10, 2023•13 min•Ep. 274
On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson sort through a new poll conducted by a GOP firm that has Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leading President Joe Biden in Georgia if the presidential race took place today. Live on Morning Edition, Brian and Tharon zero in on what this means for Republicans and Democrats since Desantis is not an official candidate running for president. See omnystudio.com/list...
May 03, 2023•9 min•Ep. 273
