An illustration of different images from the top news stories this week.

The Panelists:

Patricia Murphy — Politics reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sam Olens — Former Georgia attorney general

Michael Thurmond — CEO, DeKalb County

 

The Breakdown:

1. GOP deals with aftermath of former Sen. David Perdue’s big announcement: 

  • Perdue endorsed Gov. Brian Kemp’s campaign in 2018. 

  • The Perdue campaign announcement said Kemp caved on the 2020 elections. But the Georgia’s governor and secretary of state aren’t allowed to overturn the results of the election.

  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Patricia Murphy said the last time an incumbent governor lost a primary in Georgia was almost 100 years ago.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Patricia Murphy said the GOP primary will get much national attention because it will provide insight into what it takes to win as a Republican following Donald Trump's presidency.

2. Abrams lays out her political agenda.

  • Meanwhile, Abrams spoke with our political reporter Stephen Fowler.  

  • In the interview, she highlighted her ‘One Georgia’ campaign theme and did not mention her GOP opponents, Gov. Brian Kemp or David Perdue, by name. 

  • DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said Democrats in Georgia should worry about directly addressing their constituency's basic needs.  

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said he is concerned Democrats are not connecting with their constituency on the party's efforts to improve conditions.

3. Congress raises debt ceiling.

  • The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to raise the debt ceiling. The House passed the legislation on Tuesday by a vote of 222-212. 

  • The bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. 

  • Congress is planning to raise the debt limit by $2 trillion ahead of next week’s Dec. 15 default deadline. 

4. The Latest on the Buckhead city movement 

  • An increase in crime in the affluent neighborhood is driving the movement.  

  • Atlanta's new Mayor-elect Andre Dickens says he's against Buckhead splitting off from the city. 

  • Patricia Murphy said top Republican lawmaker Speaker David Ralston will continue to mull over the Buckhead referendum in the new year.  

 

A bright note for your weekend: The Elf on the Shelf tradition was started by from a book by Cobb County author Chanda Bell and her mother, Carol Aebersold.

Tags: Political Rewind  Politics  Georgia Politics  Georgia  Macon  Savannah  Atlanta  David Perdue  Brian Kemp  Stacey Abrams