Political Breakfast: Charlottesville, Confederate Monuments and More

A sign saying Hether Heyer Park is placed at the base of the statue of Confederate Army of Northern Virginia Gen. Robert E. Lee stands in Emancipation Park in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. Heyer was killed while protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville Saturday August 12. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Cliff Owen / Associated Press

Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson, speaking with Denis O'Hayer on “Morning Edition” (Broadcast Version)Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson, speaking with Denis O'Hayer on “Morning Edition” (Expanded Version)

It was a stunning few days in politics: President Donald Trump drew fire from across the political spectrum when he said both sides were equally to blame for the deadly violence in Charlottesville; Georgia’s political leaders faced calls for stronger statements about the president and hate groups; there were renewed questions about the future of Confederate monuments and memorials; and the two major state parties engaged in sometimes noisy internal debates among candidates for their nominations for governor.

It made for an all-you-can-eat buffet on this edition of the Political Breakfast on “Morning Edition.” Denis O’Hayer spoke with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.  Robinson is a former deputy chief of staff and communications director for Governor Nathan Deal; Johnson is a former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign.