We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide.
As always, I'm joined by my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.
In this episode, we take a look at political developments in our states and we fire a few shots at the Republicans, especially Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who catcalled President Biden during the State of the Union address, pain in the behind Rep. Jim Jordan, the newly minted GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and many others.
The episode includes our observations about the U.S. taking down those unidentified flying objects in February, including the so-called Chinese spy balloon, that was knocked out of the sky by a U.S. fighter jet on Biden's orders, as well as a double murder trial in South Carolina in which a longtime big shot lawyer is charged with killing his wife and son, and another trial featuring so-called Tiger King "Doc" Antle.
So, there's lots to take in on this episode. Here's a bit of what we covered:
Arthur, what’s happening in North Carolina?
How about you, Robert. You’ve got a lot of action there in Georgia, what with wacko Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continuing to grab attention.
What’s happening in South Carolina?
Well, looks like we’re going to have to GOP challengers to Trump from South Carolina.
Former Gov. and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has just announced that she’s running for president and will challenge Trump for the GOP nomination.
Haley’s pretty popular in South Carolina, but most all of the Republican political leaders here have endorsed Trump, and he’s currently viewed as the favorite.
Expected to Join Haley is Sen. Tim Scott, an African American Republican who has supported the conservative GOP agenda right down the line.
There’s a long way to go, but both of these candidates – at this point – look like long shots for the nomination.
And, Robert, what about Greene? Will she be Trump’s runningmate?
Meanwhile, reports have South Carolina – which will be the Democrats first primary state in 2024 – moving up to the fourth position with the Republicans, giving the state considerable clout in both primaries.
In her announcement, Haley said it’s time for a new generation of leaders – which also is what Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in the Republican State of the Union response. Does Sanders really think she has a shot at the White House?
In other news, South Carolina was in the spotlight with the Chinese spy balloon being shot down over the Atlantic just off the coast of Myrtle Beach. Lots of excitement there, with Republicans complaining that Biden took too long to shoot this thing down.
South Carolina also is in the news for a couple of court cases that have drawn national attention…The so-called ‘Tiger King’ star, Doc Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, has been indicted on charges related to wildlife trafficking and money laundering, and faces 20 years in prison if convicted.
Not sure what the political significance of this is, but thought I’d pass it along.
And Alex Murdaugh, once a prominent lawyer in the state, is on trial for killing his wife and son as his finances and legal career went in the dumpster.
Murdaugh’s family has dominated the legal landscape in the southern part of South Carolina for a century, so that trial is sending shock waves throughout the state. Murdaugh’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served as top prosecutors here. Guess you could say Alex Murdaugh is the black sheep of that family.
Listen to the episode: