Political Breakfast With Denis Ohayer

It’s still more than a year before the presidential election, but we’re less than three months away from the first caucuses in Iowa. And Georgia takes center stage in a month, with the next Democratic debate, and the rapidly-changing events in Washington and overseas could have a big effect on the plans for both major parties here. Meanwhile, a new look at what our region will look like in the next 30 years might change the decisions our political leaders make now. And speaking of decisions, what are the odds Georgia voters will face a yes-or-no on gambling?  It's another Political Breakfast!  Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is back; he’s a public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. Working across the aisle: WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i

It’s football season now, but the real head-knocking is happening in politics--where some of the players are going after each other without helmets. Meanwhile, the state’s strict new abortion law ran into a block in Federal court, and it’s a blitz of candidates who want to succeed Johnny Isakson in the U.S. Senate. We’ve got great seats for you in this edition of the Political Breakfast. Brian Robinson is back; he's a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is away; former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard is filling in. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer is in the middle of it all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got your resume up to date? Then you, too, can apply for the soon-to-be open job of U.S. Senator from Georgia! But President Trump might be reading that resume, and pass on his thoughts to the Governor who’ll make the decision. Meanwhile, the race for the other Georgia Senate seat got a high-profile new contestant. And the Atlanta school system has to figure out what next, after the superintendent’s contract was not renewed. So there's a whole smorgasbord in this serving of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer is back--along with our regulars: Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020 was already forecast to be a very windy political year in Georgia. Then Senator Johnny Isakson’s resignation announcement guaranteed it’ll be a category 5! There’s also a continuing storm over hazardous emissions at a Cobb County chemical plant. And it hasn’t exactly been calm at Atlanta’s City Hall, either. So much to dive into on this edition of the Political Breakfast. And we finally have both of our regulars on hand at the same time. Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer tries to keep the whole thing on the rails.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's senior U.S. Senator, Republican Johnny Isakson, is speaking about his resignation, and what he wants to do before he leaves the Senate at the end of the year. Isakson made the announcement on Wednesday, August 28. The three-term Senator, who began his political career in 1974, cited increasing health problems as the reason for his resignation. Isakson suffers from Parkinson's Disease, and recently had a growth removed from his kidney. He spoke by phone on August 30 with Political Breakfast host Denis O'Hayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s something in the late summer air--and it’s got a lot of Georgia folks concerned, along with the people who ask for their votes. Speaking of voting, the timer is running on the state’s new elections system, even as a legal fight continues. Meanwhile, the legal battle lines are more clearly drawn in the showdown over the state’s new abortion laws. There's all that and more in this helping of the Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson, a communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal, and--filling in for Tharon Johnson this time--Gwinnett County Democratic chair Bianca Keaton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s August, but the folks who run things in Georgia are not getting much of a vacation. They face some very serious questions: Does this state needs tougher gun laws? What to do about hazardous chemicals in the air near some Atlanta area neighborhoods? Should Governor Kemp finally expand the state’s Medicaid program for low-income Georgians? And how can lawmakers do all of this when the Governor is warning state agencies that funding cuts are coming? We get into all of that in this serving of the Political Breakfast. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is back; he’s a public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Republican strategist Brian Robinson is away. Filling in this time: former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, a Republican who’s also a former chair of the Cobb County Commission. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer hosts the proceedings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that Robert Mueller has spoken to Congress about Russian interference in the last presidential election, what’s being done here in Georgia to ensure the security of the next one? And it’s not just the 2020 presidential contest that’s stirring things up around here; there are quite a few would-be members of Congress in both parties. And a former Georgia governor has been busy lately in his new job as Agriculture Secretary. Those are just a few of the items on the bill of fare for this Political Breakfast, and we’ve got a place waiting for you! WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer returns with Tharon Johnson, who is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Republican strategist Brian Robinson is away; filling in this time: former Georgia Republican Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, who knows a thing or two about high-profile hearings. During his time in Congress, he was a member of the House Intellige

While Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue builds his re-election war chest, another Georgia Democrat jumps into the race to challenge him. But is the party waiting and hoping for someone else? Meanwhile, the new child sex trafficking charges against Jeffrey Epstein in New York have brought new focus to Georgia’s efforts to fight sex trafficking. And, if Georgia and some other states win their lawsuit against Obamacare, do Republican leaders have a plan for what next for patients here? A lot to think about on this Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer serves it up--with the help of some very bright political minds. Tharon Johnson is back; he’s a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Republican strategist Brian Robinson is away. Filling in this time: former Georgia Republican Party chairman Chuck Clay, now with the law firm Hall, Booth, Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener fo

While the Democratic presidential candidates debated in Miami, we’ll see if local Democrats need to focus on a different battle here, Meanwhile, Atlanta’s mayor unveiled an affordable housing plan, which critics argue isn’t very specific. And the Supreme Court blocked a census citizenship question, while Atlanta’s immigrant community waits to see if President Trump’s threatened raids will actually happen. All that and more is on the table for this Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomes Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. Our other regular, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, is away this time. Filling in: Gwinnett County Democratic chair Bianca Keaton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could it be the presidential campaigns will actually treat Georgia as more than just a cash machine? Democratic candidates made all the right noises during their recent visits. But do they have the keys to winning the state? Meanwhile, the state’s Republican governor makes some key appointments by selecting African-American and Hispanic candidates--and Stacey Abrams goes to Hollywood. It’s a big and varied menu for this edition of the Political Breakfast, which also includes the possible role of African-American sororities in the Georgia Democratic presidential primary. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer sits down again with our regulars: Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal, and Tharon Johnson, a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia’s new abortion law is signed into law, but the fight may only be starting. Meanwhile, Georgia political types in both parties try to navigate the ongoing turbulence from the Russia probe and Robert Mueller’s invitation to Congress. And while Stacey Abrams ponders her next move, state ethics regulators move in on her, starting another battle. So let’s dig in to a Political Breakfast! Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. At the serving table: WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are some political storms on Georgia’s summer radar: an indictment for the state’s insurance commissioner; a potential landmark fight over the new abortion law; and Democrats and Republicans are trying to figure out how to navigate all the 2020 turbulence and uncertainty. But you can fortify yourself with a nourishing Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back for this one. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. They talked it all over with WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re just over a quarter of the way through 2019, but the mad scramble for 2020 is already on. With a single "no, thanks" from Stacey Abrams, Democrats are lining up to run for a Georgia seat in the U.S. Senate, while would-be members of the House are piling up in both parties. A retiring state Supreme Court justice opens the way for another high-profile battle, and a sitting state attorney general opens a probe into years of sex abuse by some members of Georgia's Catholic clergy. It's all in this edition of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer welcomes Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. And filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson this time: former Georgia Democratic congressman Buddy Darden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Kemp gets out his pen to sign or veto bills the Legislature sent him in the past few months. But some of those new laws mean he’s got some major future homework. Meanwhile some other Republicans and quite a few Democrats are already thinking about their political futures. And…oh, yes...there was that Tiger guy and his win for the ages in Augusta. It's tee time for another Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer returns with Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. And coming back from a really nice vacation: Tharon Johnson, a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia’s legislature lurched to its close for the year. So, as the old saying goes, it’s all over but the shouting. But there’s plenty of shouting--about everything from abortion, to the new election machines, to medical marijuana. And the Gold Dome isn’t even the only place where voices are raised, so we bring some calmer ones to serve up this edition of the Political Breakfast. Brian Robinson is back: he is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal. Tharon Johnson is off this time. Filling in is Michael Owens, who is the immediate past chairman of the Cobb County Democrats. The man in the middle is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gwinnett County voters opted not to get on board the MARTA train. So what’s next for the traffic-smothered county? Meanwhile, at the State Capitol, big fights over abortion and an airport takeover headed into their final rounds. And on a visit home from the U.S. Capitol, Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson went after President Trump for his continued attacks on the late Senator John McCain. Those are just a few of the selections on the menu for this Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back: Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff to former Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. The man in the middle is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world under Georgia’s Gold Dome right now--even more than usual. It’s that crossover time of year, when bills hit a critical deadline. One of them, the proposed state takeover of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, made it through the Senate ahead of the deadline. And it happened just as a new indictment was handed down in the investigation of corruption at Atlanta's City Hall. And it’s voting time, too, at least in Gwinnett County, even though it’s not November. But the stakes are just as big, with transit on the line, so to speak. And some bills favored by GOP conservatives ran into big hurdles under the Gold Dome. It's all on the menu for another Political Breakfast. Our regulars, Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, are both involved in the Gwinnett County transit campaign, so they are sitting out this time. Joining WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer: Democrat Cathy Woolard, a former Atlanta City Council president, and most recently, a candidate for Mayor. Als

That slow start to 2019 in Georgia politics didn't last long. Midway through the legislative session, there's plenty of sound and fury at the state Capitol--over how to change the state's voting machines and rules; a lawsuit over the current voting system and the 2018 election; a bid to for a state takeover of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; and the debate over House Speaker David Ralston's use of a rule allowing lawyer-lawmakers to get cases delayed so they can attend to their legislative duties. So, there's a lot on the Political Breakfast table this time. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomed our regulars: Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is a public affairs and government conusltant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign; Republican strategist Brian Robinson is a communications consultant and former deputy chief of staff for former Governor Nathan Deal. And we had lots of company this time! The podcast was taped before a wonderful liv

Now that all those Super Bowl visitors have left, Georgia political leaders have to get back to the task of hashing out our own homegrown issues--you know, the ones we didn’t want all those strangers to know about. There are some difficult negotiations to be had on everything from casino gambling, to Medicaid expansion, to proposed rules for new hospitals (and some of those issues could get thrown together!) Then, there's talk of a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the top of Stone Mountain, and a big bank from out of state is buying one of Atlanta's iconic financial institutions. It all makes for a big, crunchy Political Breakfast. Our regulars are back with us again: Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign; Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. WABE political consultant Denis O'Hayer is the pe