Mike Cantone on Polls After the Conventions, Georgia GOP Controversies, and Take Back Georgia’s Campaign Against Saxby Chambliss

This episode takes place just after both national party conventions, marking the true start of the general election season. With Tim absent, Scott Akemon joins Catherine and David to analyze early post-convention polling, including several tight 42–42 surveys and others briefly showing McCain–Palin ahead. The hosts agree the race remains volatile, noting that 60 days is an eternity in politics and that polls may not reflect massive new voter registration, particularly in states like Georgia. The discussion compares the Democratic and Republican conventions, with the panel criticizing the GOP gathering as low-energy and backward-looking, aside from Sarah Palin’s speech. They argue Democrats succeeded by highlighting grassroots activists, young leaders, and “ordinary” Americans, while Republicans relied heavily on familiar figures like Rudy Giuliani. The group also reflects on how Democrats may have underestimated Palin by setting expectations too low.Attention then shifts to Georgia politics. The hosts condemn Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s use of racially charged language toward Barack and Michelle Obama, framing it as part of a troubling pattern. In contrast, they discuss State School Superintendent Kathy Cox’s positive national attention after winning $1 million on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? for Georgia schools, while debating whether such moments mask deeper education funding problems.The featured guest, Mike Cantone of Take Back Georgia, joins to outline his organization’s mission to hold Republicans accountable. He details their radio ad campaign targeting Senator Saxby Chambliss over energy policy, oil industry ties, workers’ rights, and children’s health care. Cantone previews upcoming clean-energy, labor, and health-care campaigns, emphasizing professional messaging aimed at independents and swing voters ahead of November.