In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the recent impeachment inquiry out of Washington, along with what Georgia lawmakers are saying or not saying about it. Also, the two discuss a recent high-profile online application for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2019•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Likely the biggest question to end 2019 is: Who will Gov. Brian Kemp appoint to fill U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat following his retirement? Last week, Kemp encouraged anyone interested in the job to apply online. Within hours, more than 150 people submitted their resumes. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the serious applicants who have applied for the position as well as potential Democratic candidates. Bluestein and Hallerman also ...
Sep 23, 2019•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the Ossoff’s decision to run against U.S. Sen. David Perdue, the endorsements he’s already received and how his 2017 special election loss can both hurt and help him. The two also discuss why Ossoff decided to challenge Perdue’s seat and not that of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, and Hallerman also gives a glimpse of Isakson’s first week back at work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
Sep 17, 2019•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the potential appointees Gov. Brian Kemp could assign to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat following his retirement as well as potential Democratic challengers. The two also discuss Isakson’s return to the U.S. Capitol and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 09, 2019•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced earlier this week that he will step down from office at the end of 2019. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC editor Shannon McCaffrey share immediate reactions to Isakson's retirement and also dig into Isakson’s career to talk about why he is so well-respected in Georgia politics. The two also discuss how a second Georgia U.S. Senate seat on the ballot in 2020 impacts both state politics and Georgia's status as a battleground state ahead of the preside...
Aug 30, 2019•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fear and doubt linger still linger over toxic emissions, as a regulatory battle rages in Georgia. In the latest episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC investigative reporter Scott Trubey discuss the recent controversy involving toxic emissions, after a 2018 EPA report identified three areas in Georgia that showed potential for elevated risk of cancer from ethylene oxide exposure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 26, 2019•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week, former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams announced a national expansion of her voting rights program and said she would not be running for president. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Tia Mitchell discuss the details of Abrams’ announcements and what they mean for Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 19, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following two mass shootings, President Donald Trump used a national address to support “red flag” laws, which intensified both a national and local debate over guns. In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss how Georgia officials and 2020 candidates reacted to the idea of “red flag” legislation in Georgia, where residents stand, and how the gun debate may impact Georgia in 2020, from the legislative session t...
Aug 12, 2019•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence headlined an event in Buckhead, where he warned conservatives of the spread of socialism, at the same time the Democratic Socialists of America’s national convention was taking place in downtown Atlanta. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein chats with AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu, about what took place at each event and share clips from Pence’s speech and interviews with local DSA members. Bluestein and Prabhu also discuss what these events mean as ...
Aug 05, 2019•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and and AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu provide an update on the anti-abortion law, which includes new efforts to block the legislation from going into effect on January 1. Also, the two discuss how supporters of the law are using it to jumpstart a civil rights debate. Also, Bluestein and AJC reporter Jennifer Brett discuss the situation involving State Rep. Erica Thomas at Publix that drew national attention. Learn m...
Jul 29, 2019•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week was a busy one in Georgia politics. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss Georgia politicians’ response to President Donald Trump’s recent “go back” attacks and provide an update on U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (who has been released from the hospital). Hallerman also provides context on why the moment between U.S. Rep. Doug Collins and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was historic. Bluestein and Hallerman also talk about the growing...
Jul 22, 2019•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve reached the halfway mark of 2019, but the campaign season feel of 2018 hasn’t gone away. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss what the recent second-quarter fundraising deadline means for some 2020 candidates and why the deadline serves as a test for others. Bluestein and Hallerman also discuss the questions that remain following the recent announcement of relief expected to be given to Georgians affected by Hurricane Michael. Learn ...
Jul 08, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Opponents of Georgia's "heartbeat" law have filed a lawsuit challenging the measure. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC statehouse correspondent Maya T. Prabhu discuss the lawsuit, reactions to the lawsuit and potential strategies opponents may use to stop the law from going into effect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 28, 2019•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are months to go before we reach the qualifying deadline for the 2020 elections, yet the races for Georgia's 7th Congressional district and David Perdue's U.S. Senate seat are already drawing plenty of big names. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the names entering the races and the issues that may become a part of their campaigns. Bluestein and Hallerman also discuss Stacey Abrams' trip to Hollywood and how it impacts Georgia. Le...
Jun 19, 2019•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week, Kevin Riley, the AJC's top editor, appeared as a witness before Congress. Riley testified about the importance of local journalism, and the impact that social media and large tech companies are having on it. In this episode, Riley shares with host Greg Bluestein the importance of the testimony and local news, how he prepared to appear before Congress and many other tidbits about the experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2019•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the visits of multiple presidential candidates, the role Georgia will play along the road to 2020 and the disaster relief bill that will allow aid money to flow to Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 10, 2019•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC film and TV reporter Rodney Ho discuss the latest fallout with Hollywood following the signing of Georgia's anti-abortion ‘heartbeat’ bill, including the latest discussion of boycotts from major Hollywood studios and comments from Georgia state officials. Also, Bluestein chats with producer Bria Felicien about former gubernatorial candidate Michael Williams pleading guilty to fraud charges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Jun 03, 2019•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Joshua Sharpe discuss suspended Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck, who was indicted earlier this month with charges of fraud and money laundering. Sharpe, who was in the courtroom for Beck's hearing, and Bluestein, who was at the Georgia GOP convention days later, discuss the charges, the fallout and Beck himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27, 2019•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many actors, directors and producers who make films in Georgia threatened to boycott the state following the signing of Georgia's anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter/editor Jennifer Brett give insight into Georgia's relationship with Hollywood and discuss how the signing of the "heartbeat" could affect the relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu were inside Gov. Brian Kemp's ceremonial office as he signed Georgia's anti-abortion 'heartbeat' bill into law. In this episode, Bluestein and Prabhu discuss the signing, the details of the law itself and what's next for the legislation. You'll also hear from both supporters and opponents of the law who were at the State Capitol on Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 07, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey Abrams said she will not challenge Georgia Sen. David Perdue and run for U.S. Senate in 2020. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC government reporter Tia Mitchell discuss Abrams' decision, what’s next for the former gubernatorial candidate and how her decision impacts Georgia's Senate race moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 30, 2019•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss and analyze the results of an April 2019 poll of Georgia voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 29, 2019•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the big and small donations already coming into Georgia’s top 2020 congressional races. Plus, the two chat about presidential candidate Cory Booker’s visit to Atlanta and their interview with the New Jersey senator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 22, 2019•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Political Insider Jim Galloway recap Georgia's 2019 legislative session and give an update on one of the top races for 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 08, 2019•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein takes you inside the Capitol with his dispatches from the last full week of Georgia’s 2019 legislative session (March 25-29). The week was busy, with lawmakers looking to pass major bills ahead of Sine Die on Tuesday, April 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 01, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Amanda Coyne discuss and analyze Gwinnett’s failed MARTA referendum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2019•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein spoke with AJC reporters Kelly Yamanouchi, Mark Niesse and Maya T. Prabhu about three major pieces of legislation and their likelihood of passing before the end of the legislative session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 18, 2019•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we’re celebrating one year of the Politically Georgia podcast! In this episode, host Greg Bluestein looks back at the last year in Georgia politics as heard on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 11, 2019•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Greg Bluestein takes a call from AJC veteran Jim Galloway, and the two catch up on the latest news from Georgia’s 2019 legislative session. Bluestein and Galloway chat about the return of social legislation, the latest proposals for gambling in Georgia and a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the fallout following an AJC-WSB investigation involving House Speaker David Ralston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Mar 04, 2019•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Greg Bluestein and the AJC's Gwinnett reporter Tyler Estep discuss everything you need to know – from the history to the logistics and politics – about Gwinnett County's historic transit referendum on March 19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 25, 2019•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast