Kudzu Vine

Southern Politics

The podcast episode opens with the host, David , welcoming co-hosts Tim Shiflett and Catherine Smith , and announcing their special guest, former sportswriter Mike Tierney , for a discussion blending sports and politics. The immediate topic of discussion is the mandated change to Georgia's primary election dates . A U.S. district judge ordered the federal primary elections (for U.S. Senate and Hou...

In this episode of The Kudzu Vine, host David McLaughlin is joined by Tim Shiflett and guest Louis L. Rod, former chair of the Young Democrats of Georgia, to discuss major developments within the Democratic Party at both the state and national levels. The conversation opens with the resignation of Georgia Democratic Party Chair Mike Berlon, prompting an unexpected leadership election. Rod notes th...

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

This episode of The Kudzu Vine focuses heavily on the sudden resignation of Georgia Democratic Party Chair Mike Berlon and the ensuing uncertainty about party leadership. Hosts David McLaughlin, Catherine Smith, and Tim Shiflett unpack the timeline of Berlon’s departure and debate what should happen next. They discuss the two early candidates for chair—Mary Squires and Steve Perkins—both of whom h...

On the June 2, 2013 program, host David McLaughlin and co-hosts Catherine Smith and Tim Shiflett unpack the unfolding leadership turmoil within the Democratic Party of Georgia, centered on Chair Mike Berlon. The discussion begins with David Worley’s public call for Berlon’s resignation and Berlon’s ambiguous statement that he is “prepared to resign.” What initially sounded like an imminent departu...

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

Southern politics

 On the April 7, 2013 episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosts David McLaughlin, Catherine Smith, and Tim Shiflett began with Atlanta’s Final Four celebrations—massive crowds, free concerts, and the economic impact on downtown. They noted how the Georgia Dome’s location made such events possible and hinted that city leaders should recognize its value. The conversation shifted sharply to Virginia Governor...

The podcast, recorded on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, opens with hosts David McLaughlin, Tim Shiflett, and Catherine Smith discussing the oddity of Easter falling close to April Fool's Day. The main agenda involves Southern political races and legislative wrap-ups, featuring an upcoming interview with Georgia State Senator Jason Carter. South Carolina Special Election and Mark Sanford's Comeback...

 On the March 24, 2013 episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosts David McLaughlin, Catherine Smith, and Tim Shiflett examined a wide swath of political issues, beginning with President Barack Obama’s major trip to Israel. Tim argued the visit was largely a goodwill mission anchored by a successful speech, while Catherine emphasized Obama’s effective diplomacy with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,...

Southern politics

The discussion opens with the hosts reacting to Senator Rand Paul’s 12-hour filibuster of John Brennan’s CIA nomination. While Paul’s performance revived the old-style talking filibuster, the hosts agree it was largely a political stunt aimed at drawing attention—especially from Tea Party supporters—and boosting fundraising. Paul’s true motive, they note, centered on protesting the Obama administr...

On the March 3rd episode of The Kudzu Vine, hosts Tim Shiflett and Catherine Smith open the show without co-host David McLaughlin, who is out with the flu. After brief weather banter, they turn to Georgia’s biggest news story: the crisis within the DeKalb County School Board. The State Board of Education has recommended that Governor Nathan Deal suspend six of nine board members for governance fai...

In this episode, host David McLaughlin and co-hosts Catherine Smith and Tim Shiflett delve into a wide range of political topics, beginning with national issues like the Oscars and President Carter’s comments on Argo before turning to state politics in Georgia. The primary focus is a growing movement among several Republican state legislators to repeal the 17th Amendment, which mandates the direct...

Southern politics

The discussion begins with host David McLaughlin and co-host Tim Shiflett briefly mentioning the Super Bowl XLVII power outage , noting the event's evolution from a simple football game to a major cultural event. The focus shifts to politics and the hacking of the Bush family emails by a person named "Guccifer." The hosts express concern over the security lapse, especially regarding an ex-presiden...

Southern politics