Political Rewind: Kemp's trip to Israel; Report highlights Georgia's non-competitive districts

Caption

Gov. Brian Kemp and Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during Kemp's May 2023 visit to the nation.

Credit: @GovKemp on Twitter

The panel:

Alan Abramowitz, professor emeritus of political science, Emory University, @AlanIAbramowitz

Andra Gillespie, professor of political science and director, James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University, @AndraGillespie

Tamar Hallerman, senior reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, @TamarHallerman

The breakdown:

1. Gov. Brian Kemp answers questions about Georgia's failed antisemitism bill during trip to Israel. 

• Kemp traveled to Israel in hopes of strengthening business ties with the country.
  • Some pundits think the international trip elevated Kemp's profile if he runs for president in 2024 or joins a ticket as VP.
  • Earlier this year he traveled to Davos, Switzerland.
• State Rep. Esther Panitch, sponsor of the failed bill, was invited to attend a reception with Kemp and members of Israeli government.
  • Panitch was not apart of Kemp's delegation, but was already in Israel traveling with family. 

2. A new report shows Georgia lacks competitive districts. 

• The Cook Political Report took a look at Georgia's House Districts. 
  • The report found Marjorie Taylor Greene had virtually no competition in her Rome-based district. 
  • One the other side of the aisle, the report highlights that younger Democrats could challenge longtime incumbents Sanford Bishop (GA-02) or David Scott (GA-13).

3. Republican Sen. Tim Scott is officially running for president. 

• Professor emeritus Alan Abramowitz writes how voters are disgruntled with the idea of a possible rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Trump. 
• The senator has represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2013.
• He portrays himself as a true conservative with a positive story to tell.

Wednesday on Political Rewind: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Heather Hendershot joins the panel for a look inward, as we examine how the media prepares to cover this next election cycle.