Political Breakfast from WABE

On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson, Brian Robinson, and Host Lisa Rayam talk about the art of debating. The debate season kicks off in Georgia just as early voting gets underway. Do the candidates truly benefit from participating in this long-established routine? Also, the team focuses on the Gubernatorial candidates and what the debate process specifically means for the top two candidates from each party. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the team was pleased to record the podcast in front of a live studio audience at the Brookhaven City Centre. More than a hundred listeners showed-up to hear host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson. They started off by discussing the latest in the Georgia Governor's race, GOP infighting and if the top candidates are focused on the needs of ordinary Georgians? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the candidates in the Georgia Governor's race are in the final weeks to reach voters -- whether that's through big ad spending, or showing up for public forums and debates. The front-runners are still Republican billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, and former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The May 19th primary is fast approaching, and polls show there's still a ton of undecided voters. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson tell host Lisa Rayam that the remaining weeks will make a huge difference. Plus, Atlanta leaders say they're deeply troubled by the recent uptick in gun violence. Much of that violence has happened during so-called 'Teen Takeovers' across the metro. The Atlanta Police Department is still investigating many of these shootings, and are urging parents to know where their kids are...or else face charges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the final gavel banged on Sine Die. Georgia's 2026 Legislative Session is over. But as the dust settles and bills head to Governor Brian Kemp's desk for his signature, host Lisa Rayam asks Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson about the overall vibe under the Gold Dome. The gang shares that the session ended with more animosity than normal between both chambers, and some hard feelings. That's as lawmakers begin clearing out their desks and refocus on the upcoming elections. Besides major offices like Georgia Governor, Secretary of State and U.S. Senate, all of our state Representatives and Senators are up for re-election this year. Plus, the potential for a special session? State lawmakers failed to pass legislation on the final day of the Georgia General Assembly to tackle a self-imposed July 1st deadline, to end the use of QR codes to count votes. Now they could be summoned back in May or June, to tackle how Georgians will vote in future elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam goes live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson. That's as some metro Atlanta voters line up to cast their ballots in a special election, to fill the seat of former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Georgia's 14th Congressional District stretches from the northwest corner of the state down into Cobb County. Voters will decide whether Republican Clay Fuller or Democrat Shawn Harris will represent them in Congress. Greene resigned from her seat in January. She left Congress after a falling-out with her former ally, President Donald Trump. The war in Iran has been one dominating issue on the campaign trail. Fuller, who is endorsed by Trump, backs the Trump Administration's strikes in Iran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we cover majoring bickering between Republicans running for Georgia Governor. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson are on the attack. Jones has accused Jackson's company, Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, of allowing doctors to perform transgender treatment on minors and prison inmates, and placing staff inside Planned Parenthood facilities. Jackson has accused Jones of using corrupt fundraising methods, and being a "stone cold liar." Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk with host Lisa Rayam about how that's affecting the other top GOP candidates and the Democrats too. In addition, the team talks about the travel troubles at the nation's airports, including Hartsfield Jackson International in Atlanta. The partisan divide in Congress over voting on funding the Department of Homeland Security, has translated into TSA agents working weeks without a pay check. Many have called it quits -- which means if you're flying, airport officials say you'll be waiting at least 4 hours to get through security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's first edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam. All have thoughts about the race to represent Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, formerly held by Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene resigned in January after a falling-out with her once-ally, President Donald Trump. The top two candidates in a special election last week are now advancing to an April 7th runoff. One, surprisingly, is a Democrat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson are back from spring break -- and are immediately bombarded with political headlines to catch up on. On Tuesday there's a crowded field of candidates vying to fill Georgia's 14th Congressional District seat, left vacant by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. One person watching this race closely is MTG's former ally, President Donald Trump. Plus, Brian and Tharon wrap-up 2026 General Election candidate qualifying news, and analyze which bills "crossed over" to the state House or Senate on Crossover Day -- the halfway mark during Georgia's legislative session. What's now getting all the attention under Georgia's Gold Dome? The group also recaps the U.S.-Israeli airstrkes on Iran and the escalating geopolitical conflict in the region. That's spiking gas prices at the pump across Georgia and the nation. The current average price of regular gas in Atlanta is $3.36 cents. It's gone up 68 cents in the last month, when prices were at an average of $2.68, according to AAA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam and are honing-in on next week's candidate qualifying period for the 2026 General Election cycle. The period runs from next Monday to Friday. Candidates have until then to officially qualify for state races like Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. All Georgia Senators, Georgia Representatives and U.S. Representatives are up for re-election this year. So is one U.S. Senate seat, held by Democrat Jon Ossoff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California Governor Gavin Newsom came to town to stump for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Georgia governor's race over the weekend. He stressed how important it is for voters to mobilize, especially in wake of the recent federal raid on Fulton County's election office. But some comments Newsom made alongside moderator and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sparked controversy -- and parts of his speech, edited and shared without full context, are being amplified by MAGA media and some Republican lawmakers, including President Trump himself. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson calls it rage bait. Republican strategist Brian Robinson says, it's all part of politics. Both break down this viral Newsom video with host Lisa Rayam. Plus, a federal judge just ruled against Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, deciding that Jones can no longer raise millions for his campaign through a special fundraising committee. It's a blow to Jones' campaign. 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. That includes the latest in the Georgia Governor's race -- as California Governor Gavin Newsom is coming to headline a fundraiser for the frontrunner on the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Tharon and Brian Robinson break down the polarizing opinions on this Newsom visit, and the latest shake-up in the field of Republican candidates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Political Breakfast, we're talking taxes. Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones introduced officially introduced legislation in the Senate to cut the state's income tax for most Georgians. His proposal includes phasing-out the tax over the next six years, fully eliminating it by 2032. Meanwhile on the House side, there's a similar proposal to cut property taxes. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam respond to the questions many are asking: Will these bills ultimately help working Georgians? Are they going to make it past crossover day under the Gold Dome? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like a two-way race for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's gubernatorial race, between frontrunner and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. That's as the latest polling and campaign contributions are reported. But Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson tell host Lisa Rayam, It's not over till it's over -- the numbers are still murky, and there's still a chance for candidates in the single digits to push forward. Meanwhile on the Republican side, GOP titans are dominating campaign contributions in this race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about the latest candidate to jump into Georgia's gubernatorial race. It's already a crowded race on both sides. Now billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, founder and CEO of Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, has made a million-dollar splash. But will Jackson's spending power be able to compete with high-profile names in the Republican primary, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, as well as Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, along with prominent lawmakers like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, traveled to Sea Island for a state Department of Natural Resources fundraiser. However, the talk of the benefit was the recent FBI raid in Fulton County, and the seizure of 2020 election records. Republicans like Raffensperger are breaking their silence on the issue, urging the GOP to stop trying to "rerun" President Donald Trump's 2020 election grievances. Trump has repeatedly insisted the 2020 election was stolen, despite multiple recounts and audits confirming his loss to former President Joe Biden. Plus, legislation to ban phones and other electronic devices in Georgia public high schools is underway at the Gold Dome this week. House Bill 1009 would ban devices starting in the 2027-28 school year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's latest edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about some jarring election news. The FBI raided Fulton County’s election operations center Wednesday in Union City, in a search for voting records tied to the 2020 election. President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted the election was stolen, with a particular focus on ballots in Fulton County. That's despite multiple recounts and audits confirming his loss to former President Joe Biden. Georgia Democrats and Fulton elections officials are blasting the raid, where 700 boxes of 2020 election records were taken. The Democratic Party of Georgia chair Charlie Bailey called Trump's governance "increasingly manic." Georgia Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff called the raid Trump's "sore loser's crusade." Tharon and Brian respond to the question: Is this return to Trump's political grievances from more than 5 years ago, going to damage the Republican party? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about a looming partial government shutdown. Congress has until this Friday to pass a series of appropriation bills, and U.S. Senate Democrats are rallying to reject a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. That's in response to the latest shooting of the 37-year-old ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, that involved federal immigration agents. Now Georgia Democrats, and even some Republicans, are criticizing how the Trump Administration has handled the fallout. Stephen Miller, Trump's homeland security adviser, called Pretti a “domestic terrorist.” Videos from bystanders do not show Pretti brandishing a weapon -- but do show a group of agents tackling Pretti and shooting him several times. Officials say he was legally armed. Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have both announced they will oppose the government funding package. Former Georgia U.S. Rep. Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene also defended Pretti, and said there was nothing wrong with him legally peacefully protesting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's live version of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam examine Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's last budget. Kemp laid it all out in his final 'State of the State' address last week, where he also set his priorities at the start of the legislative session. His budget includes a billion in tax rebates for Georgians, a 20-point reduction of the state income tax, a two thousand dollar check for teachers and other state employees and a new need-based scholarship for those attending Georgia colleges and universities. It also includes nearly 2 billion for new toll lanes on I-75 south of Atlanta, to unclog the interstate, and more money for money for new interchanges on Georgia 316 and local road projects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, we're going into the first week of Georgia's legislative session -- which means strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam are keeping busy and keeping up with lawmakers' top priorities. In this economy, everyone wants to focus on "affordability." The Senate wants to start eliminating the state income tax by 2032. A proposal by Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones would get rid of income taxes for two-thirds of Georgians, and phase out the rest over six years. On the House side, GOP lawmakers want to slow the growth of Georgians' property taxes. Democrats ask: How are we going to pay for essential services? And who will ultimately benefit? Plus, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp prepares to deliver his last 'State of the State.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this live edition of Political Breakfast, we cover how two-time Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams announced that she is not running for office in 2026. Abrams said in a statement that instead she'll continue her work fighting against what's happening in Washington, as "since January 2025, we have watched our nation descend into authoritarianism.” There's already a crowded field on the Democratic side, including familiar names like former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react. Plus, a quick look ahead at some priorities for Georgia's 2026 legislative session, which starts on Monday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.