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 Bob McDonnell’s emerging ethics scandal. The hosts were stunned that a political donor—whose company was under SEC investigation—paid $15,000 for McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding reception at the Governor’s Mansion. They rejected the governor’s defense that the gift was to his daughter, not him, pointing to the First Lady’s recent promotion of the donor’s dietary-supplement company. The trio argued the episode exposed flaws in Virginia’s one-term governorship and questioned McDonnell’s viability as a future presidential contender. Turning to Georgia, they analyzed dueling campaigns targeting Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss over federal background checks. A fringe group, the National Association for Gun Rights, attacked Isakson from the right—a strategy the hosts deemed ineffective. In contrast, a national ad featuring a bearded hunter urging support for background checks was praised as persuasive to moderate gun owners and politically influential across states. The final segment focused on the 2014 Georgia Senate race. With Republicans crowding the field, Democrats were eyeing Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light and daughter of Sam Nunn. The hosts viewed her as a strong, risk-free candidate who could clear the primary field. They contrasted her clean slate with Rep. John Barrow, debating whether Barrow should instead pursue the governorship to strengthen Democrats statewide.
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