Political Breakfast With Denis Ohayer

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 Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

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 wonder

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

Georgia starts 2019 with a new Governor, a new Legislature, some new members of Congress, a new transit agency for the Atlanta area--but coming to town for Atlanta’s Super Bowl, the same old Patriots. You remember them. Suddenly, that other team with its new old home in LA has a whole lot of new fans in the ATL! Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans continue their old no-gain scrimmage in DC. At least the Saints are staying in New Orleans (even though their billboards aren’t), and we can enjoy a new Political Breakfast. Who dat joining us? Our regulars, of course! 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. And trying to steer it all is WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr

New lawmakers are coming to the Gold Dome, including governor-elect Brian Kemp. How will shrinking Republican margins in the legislature affect this year's priorities? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the end of 2018 already! But we in Georgia managed to jam a whole lot of political news into just 365 days. So what did we learn this year? And which of the happenings from this year will be affecting us in 2019—and maybe even beyond? Settle back with the holiday beverage of your choice and explore it all with us on a special edition of the Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer is back; so are Tharon Johnson, a Democratic strategist and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign, and Brian Robinson a Republican strategist, public affairs consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Georgia had a little earthquake recently, but apparently that's not going to keep Nick Ayers from leaving the Trump administration--and a very big job offer--to come back home. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern will soon call Atlanta home; Governor-elect Brian Kemp makes his first major speech (without anything exploding behind him) a few days after he paid a peacemaking visit to Atlanta's City Hall and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. And who would have guessed a couple of years ago that a wildly popular soccer team would be the one to break Atlanta's long championship drought? That's just some of what's on the menu in this edition of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomes Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we hurtle toward the winter solstice, we’re still not finished with the fall elections! But the state is getting ready for a new tenant in the Governor’s mansion, while the candidate who came very close is launching what could be a long winter’s legal fight. That's just some of what’s on the menu for a new Political Breakfast, hosted by WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer. For this edition, Brian Robinson is back with us; he’s a Republican strategist, public affairs consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is away for this edition. Filling in this time: former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard, who’s also a public affairs consultant.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that Amazon won't be getting a private MARTA car, maybe we can reserve one for the Political Breakfast! While we wait for that, we bid you welcome to another un-subsidized edition. It’s a sumptuous feast this time, to say the least: the continuing legal and political war over the governor’s race; runoffs for a couple of other top posts; a special session of the legislature; and--oh, yes--that "thanks-but-no-thanks" from Amazon, followed by the delivery of the sweeteners Georgia was ready to offer the giant company. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomes a couple of folks who know a lot about all this: Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, public affairs consultant and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal; Michael Owens is the chairman of the Cobb County Democrats (he's filling in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, who is away for this edition).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson join host Denis O'Hayer on stage before a crowd of hundreds at Emory University's School of Law. As the midterm election draws near, heavy hitters like Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Mike Pence and Donald Trump head to Georgia to campaign for gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s getting toward the end of October; scary people will soon be knocking at your door--and then there are the trick-or-treaters! Yes, the political campaigns have launched their ground games, with volunteers trying to visit as many homes as possible--perhaps even yours. But, with polls showing a neck-and-neck race for governor, what else will it take to win?That question--and a lot more--are on the menu for another Political Breakfast! Our regulars, Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson, both got to-go orders this time. Joining WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer for this edition: former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard, and former State Senator and former state Republican chairman Chuck Clay, who is now with the law firm of Hall Booth Smith.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the number 14 hipster city in the United States, it's an oh-so-hip edition of the Political Breakfast!According to new polling, the Georgia governor’s race remains virtually tied, while outside help pours in to both major party candidates. We’ll check to see if the fight over Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination will affect how Georgians cast their ballots. And a couple of streets with old Confederate names got new ones.WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer is your host. Joining us again: Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is back, too. He’s a former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While the U.S. Senate was fighting over how to handle allegations against a Supreme Court nominee, here in Georgia there was a court fight on paper--paper ballots, that is.Meanwhile, the people on the November ballot for governor—which won’t be on paper—tried to figure out which messages will convince voters who haven’t made up their minds already. In Atlanta, the Gulch will stay the Gulch—at least for now, and some state lawmakers go public with their fears that the nuclear power plant expansion has run into a gulch of its own. It’s all on the buffet for this Political Breakfast.Joining WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer:  Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal, and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, who is a former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been another couple of weeks of “we’ve never seen anything like this before” in politics at the local and national levels.A new book and an anonymous White House official describe President Trump as off the rails, even as he blasts his own attorney general for the indictments of two of his supporters in Congress. More progressives have joined Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in the re-shaping of the national Democratic Party. Federal investigators are demanding travel and expense reports for former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s entire time in office.So much for the quiet end-of-summer news cycle.Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal, and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign, join host Denis O'Hayer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the coming years, when you catch a flight from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which has been owned by the City of Atlanta, will someone else be in charge?In fact, “who’s in charge here?” is a pretty good question about a lot of what’s gone on politically in these parts lately.The two major party candidates for governor accused each other of failing to be in charge of their own finances; a school superintendent appeared to go on a racist rant; Georgia Tech’s president felt compelled to promise he'll work really, really hard to stop financial abuse at the Institute.That's just some of the giant buffet for this edition of the Political Breakfast. And we’ve got the band back together! After weeks of sitting on the sidelines, Brian Robinson is back. He is a Republican strategist, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is on hand, too. He is a former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign.See Privacy Policy at https://art

It's back to school time! And today's lesson is: Don't get yourself indicted on corruption charges. We saw that happen to a sitting member of Congress in Washington, D.C.--and to a former top aide in the Reed administration in Atlanta. We'll look at the local implications from both of those events. Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp are launching their general election battle; we'll check out their strategies. And, a stunning story from Pro Publica alleges some Mar-a-Lago friends of President Trump have outsized--and secret--influence in the Veterans Administration. That poses a challenge for Georgia GOP Senator Johnny Isakson, who chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee. In this episode, WABE Political Contributor Denis O'Hayer talks with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, former national southern regional director of the Obama 2012 campaign, and Chuck Clay, a former Georgia state senator, and former chairman of the state GOP. He is now with the law firm Hall, Booth, Smith.See Privacy Policy at https:

After a brief summer hiatus, we’re back! And what a few weeks it’s been.The primary runoffs have come and gone and November’s general election contests are finally shaping up; the federal corruption investigation into Atlanta City Hall has expanded; the Trump Administration's trade fights continue to make waves in Georgia. All that and more on this week's menu.Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson (@TharonJohnson) and Georgia Republican Party chair Chuck Clay join Denis O'Hayer (@denisohayer) for a wide-ranging political conversation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summer has officially started, but the political news hasn’t slowed down one bit!The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to opine on Georgia’s fight over water and rivers with Florida as Justice Anthony Kennedy announces his retirement; with less than a month until the primary runoffs, we check in on the races; and we’ll consider what a surprise primary result in New York could mean for Georgia. All that and more on this week's menu.Former Atlanta City Council President, Democrat Cathy Woolard (@CathyWoolard) and former U.S. Congressman, Republican Lynn Westmoreland (@Westmoreland_GA) join Denis O'Hayer (@denisohayer) for a wide-ranging political conversation.Produced by Sam Whitehead (@sclaudwhitehead).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.