Why are Republicans trying to kill me? I know they have reasons that go way back, but why now? Maybe I’m just collateral damage. I walk, trying to stay ahead of age and infirmity. If I don’t walk, I lose ground. Walking is boring and hard to do, except for “Political Rewind.”
“Political Rewind” is, until this Friday, the highly regarded political talk show carried for the last nine years by Georgia Public Broadcasting, including WUGA 91.7 FM here in Athens and surroundings. Highly regarded? Hell, “Political Rewind” was beloved because, although it covered local, state and national politics, it was scrupulously fair, always careful to include bona-fide Republicans among the 40 or so reporters, academics and political insiders who regularly participated in the show. Those included Charles Bullock, the venerable (since 1968) UGA political science professor; his former student, the AJC ’s intrepid political reporter Greg Bluestein, and his AJC stablemate Patricia Murphy, editor of that paper’s political column “The Jolt,” and Jim Galloway, the retired AJC political columnist. Regulars also included Athens native and Dekalb County CEO Mike Thurmond, and Athenian and Emory Law prof Fred Smith, Jr. Oconee County’s Charlie Hayslett, progenitor of the blog about Georgia “Trouble in God’s Country,” was on from time to time, and so was Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz.
“Political Rewind” has been presided over since its inception by indefatigable former Atlanta television news reporter Bill Nigut, who made civil political discourse the hallmark of the show. Panelists were drawn from all over Georgia and were diversely experienced in Georgia politics. Bill knew and respected them all, and by example ensured that even when they disagreed, they carried on conversations that never, ever descended into rants.
But look: All those folks on “Political Rewind” were sharp observers of the political scene. They called ‘em like they saw ‘em. If politicians screwed up or were obviously lying, the “Political Rewind” gang called them on it. Professors and reporters and political insiders didn’t get where they are by fearing to face the truth. It’s what they do. They don’t do it because they’re liberal or conservative; they do it because they’re honest. If they were not honest, it would inevitably show in their work.
But, let’s be honest: Some people in politics aren’t, especially these days when so many people have staked their own careers on the Big Lie, and they see as enemies anybody who calls the Big Lie a big lie. That applies to a lot of people in the Georgia legislature, and, let’s face it: They’re Republicans, and they’re not the Republicans we used to be used to.
So the Republicans in the legislature cut $1.4 million out of the GPB budget. That didn’t really hurt “Political Rewind” because fundraising contributions covered its modest costs (all those experts worked for free), and it was one of the most popular shows on a financially healthy GPB.
But that cut must have come like a warning shot across the bow. GPB’s longtime director was one of the show’s most enthusiastic supporters, but she recently retired and was replaced by a director who knows a warning shot when he feels the splash, and he decided it’s time for a “rededication” to GPB’s “core mission.” So Nigut is out, and “Rewind” is finished on GPB as of Friday, June 30.
But wait! Maybe not finished elsewhere. When Nigut gave his farewell address on Monday, June 19, he hinted strongly that “Political Rewind” may bounce back. He said he couldn’t give details, but later, touched by the tributes from his interlocutors, he declared, “I’m not walking off into the sunset. There will be a future for ‘Political Rewind.’”
Hmm, maybe Atlanta’s WABE 90.1 FM? It’s an NPR station that is not part of GPB and not beholden to those radiophiles in the Georgia legislature. It’s not statewide, but with podcasts, who cares? It could still reach into all those news deserts across the state where people depend on “Political Rewind” to tell them matter-of-factly, without shouting, what the hell is going on. Whether it’s WABE or somebody else up Nigut’s sleeve, here’s hoping the transition is smooth and speedy. “Political Rewind” is a lifesaver for Georgians, especially those who can’t exercise without it.
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