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Tuesday on Political Rewind, when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States tomorrow, he becomes the principal player in a transition marked by a surging pandemic, spiraling joblessness and aggrieved ranks of voters who refuse to believe he was legitimately elected. But previous American presidents have, too, faced daunting circumstances as they took the oath of office, and gone on to build brighter futures for the country. Today, our panel looked at some of the toughest transitions in American history and how new leadership wrestled with great challenges. Panelists: Dr. Michelle Brattain — Professor of History, Georgia State University Dr. Joe Crespino — Professor of History, History Department Chair, Emory University Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dr. Fredrick Knight — Professor of History, Morehouse College

Friday on Political Rewind: After a bruising year of contending with the coronavirus, feuds with the president and a bitter war with fellow Republicans, Gov. Brian Kemp delivered a State of the State speech calling for unity and painting a picture of a brighter future for Georgia. Still, partisans on both sides of the aisle found grounds for criticizing Kemp’s vision for the year ahead. Kemp made no mention in his speech of proposals to change Georgia’s rules for mail-in voting, but the GOP-led effort will likely be one of the most contentious issues on the legislative session. Also, we paid tribute to a giant of Georgia life: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Jim Galloway is retiring after more than four decades at the paper. The longtime panelist will remain a frequent guest of our show. Panelists: Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver — State Representative (D) Decatur Sam Olens — Former Georgia Attorney General Michael Thurmond — DeKalb County CEO

Thursday on Political Rewind: Georgia’s members of the U.S. House voted along party lines on impeachment of President Donald Trump. The debate continues over the president’s role in inciting insurrection when he directed angry crowds of his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol last week. Democrats accused trump of violating his oath to protect the country from its enemies, foreign or domestic. Many Republicans called the impeachment a political stunt that will further divide the country. Also: COVID-19 continue to spiral upward in Georgia. New cases are in unprecedented territory here, at some 9,000 per day. At the same time, public health officials are grappling with how to speed the delivery of the COVID vaccine to people across the state. Panelists: Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of Political Science and Director, James Weldon John Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University Eric Tanenblatt — Republican Insider and Global Chair of Public Policy, Dentons Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: We ask two former U.S. senators about the state of our democratic institutions. As we come to the end of the Trump era, just how fragile is the American experiment in democracy?  Former Sen. Gary Hart and former U.S. Rep. Richard “Dick” Gephardt are members of a bipartisan election integrity organization called Keep Our Republic, which seeks to strengthen democracy through targeted electoral reform. They map out the challenges that began developing before the time of President Donald Trump, and how meaningful political and communication reform can help propel us forward, and protect the fundamental values upon which the United States is built. Panelists: Sen. Gary Hart — Former U.S. Senator (Colorado), member of Keep Our Republic Rep. Richard “Dick” Gephardt — Former U.S. Representative (Missouri), member of Keep Our Republic

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Guest host Tamar Hallerman, senior reporter at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, leads the panel in a discussion of the U.S. House and its march toward a vote on impeachment for the second time. Included in one article of impeachment is language accusing President Donald Trump of trying to overturn the outcome of Georgia’s president election in his infamous phone call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp announced his support for a measure to tighten rules on absentee balloting. The proposal would require voters to submit a copy of a photo identification with their mail-in ballots. Kemp said he is open to further restrictions on absentee voting. Panel: Chuck Williams — Reporter, WRBL News 3 Columbus Adam Van Brimmer — Editorial Page Editor, Savannah Morning News Dr. Kurt Young — Professor of Political Science, Clark Atlanta University

Monday on Political Rewind, the weekend brought growing calls for President Donald Trump’s removal from office in the aftermath of the assault on the U.S. Capitol. In a letter to colleagues, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will call for a vote on a resolution demanding Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet immediately invoke the 25th amendment. A majority of House Democrats and at least some Republicans are prepared to move to impeach Trump as a next step. Meanwhile, as Georgia legislators begin their 2021 General Assembly session today, state Republicans face a reckoning. How will they come together to heal the bitter divide between those who supported Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election and Republicans like the governor, who pushed back against the President? Panelists: Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jake Sherman — Founder, Punchbowl News Julianne Thompson — Political Commentator, 2020 Republican Convention Delegate Tharon Johnson — Senior Advisor, Biden Georgia Campaign & President, Paramount Consulting

Friday on Political Rewind: Two new senators are poised to head to the U.S. Capitol to represent Georgia in the nation's highest legislative body. Sen. Kelly Loeffler conceded defeat to the Rev. Raphael Warnock. Loeffler said she called Warnock to congratulate him on his victory in their U.S. Senate race. As Georgia legislators prepare for the start of the 2021 session on Monday, proposed changes to the state's absentee election law will be one of the most contentious issues of the session. Some Republican lawmakers want to enact restrictions on absentee voting by mail, but the state’s top GOP lawmaker, Speaker of the House David Ralston, said he remains unconvinced change is needed. Panelists: Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Heath Garrett — Political Strategist, Former-Chief of Staff for Sen. Johnny Isakson Patricia Murphy — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rep. Calvin Smyre — Georgia House Representative, (D-Columbus)

Wednesday on Political Rewind: Georgia and the nation’s capital saw a day of triumph and turmoil on Wednesday. Democrats celebrated the twin victories of Georgians Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who now give their party control of the U.S. Senate. Warnock will be the first Black man to represent Georgia in Congress while Ossoff will be Georgia's first Jewish senator. Also, in the early hours of this morning, Congress officially affirmed the Electoral College victory of President-elect Joe Biden. But these milestone events were overshadowed, at least for a time, by chaos incited by President Donald Trump. His supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol, and forced an evacuation. Panelists: Rene Alegria — President and CEO of Mundo Hispanico Leo Smith — Political Strategy Consultant and CEO of Engaged Futures Group Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rep. Sam Park — State Representative (D-Lawrenceville)

This afternoon on Political Rewind: As the day the last votes are tabulated in Georgia's Senate runoff election, chaos erupts at the U.S. Capitol. Supporters of President Donald Trump assault the U.S. Capitol, storming the building. We covered the breaking news as situations in the capital escalated in the afternoon. This followed a rally nearby where Trump unleashed a barrage of baseless accusations of election fraud in Georgia and other states. Meanwhile, the Rev. Raphael Warnock has been elected the first African American U.S. senator from Georgia. His victory over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler puts Democrats within one seat of capturing a majority in the Senate. The focus turned to the race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican incumbent David Perdue, which has since been called for Ossoff. Panelists: Riley Bunch — Georgia Statehouse Reporter, CNHI News Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dr. Fred Smith — Emory University, School of Law Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University

Wednesday on Political Rewind: The Rev. Raphael Warnock has been elected the first African American U.S. senator from Georgia. His victory over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler puts the Democratic Party within one seat of capturing a majority in the Senate. Now, the focus turns to the race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican incumbent David Perdue, where Ossoff holds a small but potentially unbroachable lead over the state’s senior senator. Late into the night as the Democrats took the lead in both contests, President Donald Trump dipped into his well-worn playbook to unleash a barrage of tweets questioning the integrity of the vote. Panelists: Dr. Alan Abramowitz — Professor of Political Science at Emory Greg Bluestein — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of Political Science at Emory Mariela Romero — Journalist and Regional Community Empowerment Director, Univision

Today on Political Rewind: On the eve of today’s runoff election, President-elect Joe Biden urged Georgians gathered at the old Turner Field to turn out today for Democrats Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned his supporters in Dalton of the dangers of not voting. Many analysts say the Republican Party needs massive turnout today to counter a lead built by Democratic early voters. Our panel weighs in on this crucial election. Panelists: Tamar Hallerman - Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dr. Audrey Haynes - Professor of Political Science, University of Georgia Tia Mitchell - Washington Correspondent, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dr. Karen Owen - Professor of Political Science, University of West Georgia

Monday on Political Rewind: In an alarming hourlong phone call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, President Donald Trump cajoled, begged and threatened Raffensperger to find the votes to win him Georgia. Raffensperger pushed back on the president’s false claims and declined to meet with the president’s allies in person. We take a look forward to Trump's agenda when he makes a scheduled visit to Dalton tonight to campaign for Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Our panel looks at whether the president’s visit promises to do more harm than good to the GOP runoff candidates. Panelists: Rana Cash — Editor, Savannah Morning News Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver — State Representative (D-Decatur) Brian Robinson — GOP Political Consultant and President of Robinson Republic

Thursday on Political Rewind: It’s the last day of 2020 and have we ever longed more for a year to come to an end? 2020 has been a year of collective anxieties, griefs, and solitary sojourns. Some of us have lost people who are dear to us, or jobs, or the beautiful connections to those we love. And yet, as we rummage through the smoldering ruins of this awful, horrible year, we may find that in what we’ve missed, we’ve learned valuable lessons. Today, we speak to some of Georgia’s best-known and most inspiring faith leaders about what the year has meant to them and how they’ve found hope in difficult times. Panelists: The Rev. Dr. Kevin Murriel — Pastor, Cascade United Methodist Church Rabbi Peter Berg — Senior Rabbi, The Temple The Rev. Dr. Joanna Adams — Retired pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church Imam Plemon El-Amin — Imam Emeritus, Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: A methodical study of 15,000 Cobb County absentee ballot signatures by state law enforcement and election officials failed to turn up a single instance of fraud, according to the Secretary of State’s office. President Donald Trump and his Georgia supporters have argued for weeks that fraudulent absentee ballots contributed to his loss here. Panelists: Greg Bluestein — Politics Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham — Mayor of East Point Rep. Chuck Efstration — State Representative (R-Dacula)

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are among the Republicans that President Donald Trump has put on the hot seat. Will they help deliver the first override of a Trump veto after he refused to sign the Defense Authorization Act? Also, Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock is facing a barrage of partisan attacks accusing him of being anti-Israel, a charge that borders on suggesting he may be anti-Semitic. Warnock vehemently denies the accusations, and supporters say the attacks are an insult to the longstanding ties between Atlanta’s Black and Jewish faith leaders. Panelists:  Sam Olens — Former Georgia Attorney General Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of Political Science & Director James Weldon Johnson Institute on Race, Emory University  Rep. James Beverly — (D-Macon) Minority Leader, State House of Representatives  Tamar Hallerman — Senior Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Political Rewind team is back as we take a look at the top stories of the day. It’s the last week of early in-person voting for the Jan. 5 runoff election. Candidates in the Senate runoff elections are moving into the closing days of their campaigns even as more than 2 million Georgians have already cast ballots early mail or in-person early. Fundraising in the election continues to soar to new heights as campaigns approach a staggering half-billion dollars in spending before the last ballot is cast. Also, the debate over relief for American citizens struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Last night, a recalcitrant President Donald Trump signed a massive coronavirus relief package he had threatened to veto. What does this latest move mean to Georgia's pair of Republican U.S. senators? Panelists: Hardie Davis Jr. — Mayor of Augusta Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Patricia Murphy — Political Writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Julianne Thompson — Political Strategist, Commentator

The holiday tradition continues with "Political Rewind" host Bill Nigut and his reading of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory." Capote's short story describes the Christmases he spent with an elderly, distant cousin when he was a young boy living in Monroeville, Alabama. Capote was an American novelist who found his love for writing at 8 years old. He wrote several acclaimed short stories and novels that contributed to both nonfiction and fiction genres. Some of his most popular work includes Breakfast at Tiffany's, "Miriam" and In Cold Blood. He died in 1984.

As the world navigates a holiday season unlike any other, in a year marred by struggle and uncertainty, it can be hard to make sense of it all. And while 2020 may be exceptional, author Bruce Feiler argues that life's disruptions are not out-of-the-ordinary events. In fact, he has written a new book which comes along at just the right time. It’s called Life is in the Transitions, which reframes how we approach life’s upheavals — or, as Feiler calls them, “lifequakes.” For this book, he interviewed hundreds of people to learn how they had coped with major life changes, like losing a job, getting a divorce, or any other number of destabilizing events. His book tells their stories and offers us insight into how we can utilize skills and tools to emerge on the other side of a transition. "Political Rewind" host Bill Nigut spoke with Feiler in a program sponsored by the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum earlier this month. We hear their conversation about Life is in the Transitions and how these stories can provide meaning and value behind life’s turbulence.

Monday on Political Rewind: a conversation with best-selling author Julian Zelizer about the roots of toxic partisanship in the United States. In his latest book, "Burning Down The House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker," and the Rise of the New Republican Party, Zelizer explores the fame and fortunes of Newt Gingrich. President Donald Trump’s four years in the White House were marked by hyper-partisanship heightened by his demonization of those who oppose him. But long before the presidency of Trump, an obscure West Georgia college professor employed similar tactics on his way to becoming one of the most powerful Republican leaders in Washington. In Zelizer's new book on Newt Gingrich, the Princeton professor follows Gingrich through his first win in Congress and up the leadership of the GOP. Gingrich brought a unique ruthlessness which would change the tone of political discourse for years to come. Panel: Julian Zelizer — Professor at Princeton University and Author, Burning Down The House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party

Friday on Political Rewind: our panel discusses a wide array of topics, from the coronavirus vaccine to the dynamics of the Senate runoff races. Also, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger received widespread acclaim for refusing to bow to pressure to label President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia a fraud. However, a new report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution finds Raffensperger’s office might have inflated its investigations in cases of voter fraud for political purposes. Our panel weighs in on how the allegations may play into voter mistrust of the election process. Our panelists included Mary Margaret Oliver, State House Representative (D-Decatur); Brian Robinson, GOP Political Consultant and President of Robinson Republic; Kevin Riley, editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; and Jim Galloway, lead political writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.