Mike Cobb, 2nd Vice Chair of Fannin County Democrats and 9th District Vice Chair for Voter Protection

The North GA Blue: Getting into Good Trouble podcast covers democratic politics in North GA, the 9th Congressional District, and across the state of Georgia. The podcast comprises a Q&A/Interview format with various democratic politicos including county chairs, democratic operatives, politicians, and more. It is our mission to deliver crucial information to our listeners in a timely manner as we fight for community values and principles in the 3rd most Conservative district in the state. Our website is: https://www.fcdpga.com/podcasts

Our guests will highlight democratic activities and actions to work toward a Blue Georgia. The 9th Congressional District spans 20 counties across the region and covers a good deal of northern GA including Blue Ridge, Morganton, Fannin, Union, Banks, Athens/Clarke, Dawson, Elbert, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, and White counties. 

Our democratic party podcast also disseminates information and interviews powerful Democrats across the state of GA who are working to overthrow the suppression tactics of the GOP and ensure democracy and our values, grassroots efforts, and goals remain intact. 

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Transcript

Meral Clarke: 0:18

Hello and welcome back to the North Georgia Blue Podcast produced and distributed by the Fannin County Georgia Democratic Party. I'm your host Meral Clarke and we're getting into some good trouble today with our guest Mike Cobb, Fannin County Democratic Party Task Force captain for Voter Protection and first vice chair of Voter Protection for the ninth congressional district. Welcome to the show. Mike. We're happy to have you with us today

Mike Cobb: 0:46

was a pleasure to be here.

Meral Clarke: 0:47

Thank you. Mike is a native atlantan which is something we don't run into every day. He received his PhD from Georgia Tech in 1980, where He currently serves on the College of Sciences board. He retired earlier this year from a 40 year career as a scientist, entrepreneur and consultant. He spends much of his time in retirement fulfilling a lifelong passion creative writing. He is also the second vice chair of the Fannin County Democrats in the congressional district nine democratic Vice Chair for Voter Protection. He and Karen his wife of 44 years now reside in Blue Ridge on Lake on Lake Blue Ridge. Very nice. They are the proud parents of two daughters Mandy and Laura and two sons in law john and Keon, all of whom reside in metro Atlanta when he's not writing or volunteering on behalf of the North Georgia Democrats. He enjoys reading, traveling wine, cooking, Lake recreation and spending time with family and friends. How wonderful. Is this? Why you're democrat? Mike, because you're a scientist,

Mike Cobb: 1:55

that has a lot to do with it. That certainly has a lot to do with

Meral Clarke: 1:59

it. You actually believe in science, which is something that Democrats know is real,

Mike Cobb: 2:05

most definitely, most definitely.

Meral Clarke: 2:07

Have you always been a democrat? Or is this a Is this a new turn for you?

Mike Cobb: 2:12

I have, I will tell you that over the years, I have at times voted for Republican candidates, but only on on rare occasions. Okay. But I have always considered myself to be a Democrat.

Meral Clarke: 2:24

Right. Wonderful. So what prompted you to get involved with the Democratic Party in North Georgia and specifically Fannin County and district nine?

Mike Cobb: 2:33

Good question. Bottom line is to make a difference or to help make a difference. And what has traditionally, at least in recent years, been a very red county and a very red congressional district. I mean, I go back far enough in Georgia that I can remember when this part of North Georgia was democratic, right. But over the years, it has changed. And district nine, I believe, is the second or third reddest district in the United States.

Meral Clarke: 3:02

It's the third is the third most conservative districts. We've definitely changed. I assume they were blue dog democrats back in the day,

Mike Cobb: 3:11

ah, by and large, I believe that's the case. But anyway, I got involved because I really wanted to help make a difference. And I'll be honest with you, I've always been engaged politically. But until I moved to Blue Ridge, I was never very active. I certainly was an active voter. But I wasn't active in terms of volunteering and working to organize and mobilize and things like that. That's obviously changed, right? And if you think about the fact that my wife and I moved to Blue Ridge four years ago, and that's when I got more actively involved. So you can do the math. What led

Meral Clarke: 3:49

you what was there a specific event or something that happened that led you to become more involved?

Mike Cobb: 3:56

had everything to do with the 2016? election?

Meral Clarke: 3:59

Yes, yes, I keep hearing that. So that's, yeah. So

Mike Cobb: 4:03

when I say do the math, that's what I mean, right? We've been in blueish for four years. And it just made eminent sense to me. It wasn't only the 2016 election, but you alluded to the fact that I was a scientist, I still consider myself to be. So even though I retired and not it wasn't just the 2016 election, but I could not sit on the sidelines and see the respect for truth, respect for science, respect for knowledge, a road, and that goes hand in hand with the political changes that have occurred throughout the country. And I just couldn't sit on the sidelines and see what happened without doing something to help. Okay, be a part of making a difference.

Meral Clarke: 4:42

That's great. And certainly under the GOP leadership that we have in the State of Georgia now it's only roaded further than it should so we're very lucky to have you here with us. So what do you believe are the greatest challenges facing north Georgia democrats and Devon Kratz in general across the state?

Mike Cobb: 5:02

Well, let me just I will address that. But let me just also say that I can see even since I moved, since my wife and I moved to Blue Ridge four years ago, the Democratic Party has a growing presence in North Georgia. And I expect that to continue. So there are challenges facing north Georgia Democrats. And if we are to continue to grow, we have to address the challenges. I will tell you that my political positions aligned by and large with the I don't know what I would call the traditional pro labor contingent of the Democratic Party, working class and middle class Americans, by and large, non democratic working class and middle class Americans forget how important the party has been over the decades, in securing the benefits we enjoy today. One of the biggest challenges I believe that the party faces is to help voters understand the fact that the Democratic Party is responsible for those benefits that we all enjoy today. Right. And also, helping voters understand that the Democratic Party is most ideally suited to help them out to effectively address the overarching issues that I think keep them up at night.

Meral Clarke: 6:14

Tell us about some of those issues. Okay, what are those overarching issues? And and how are we working to combat them?

Mike Cobb: 6:22

In my mind, there are three big issues, and they are all what I call kitchen table issues. That's not to say that there aren't a lot, and I'll tell you what those three are, but there are other issues that are really important. Sure. And by focusing on three, I don't mean to diminish a lot of other issues. But the three most important, yes, the three most important kitchen table issues that I believe voters in North Georgia care about and the democratic party can effectively address them. The first is jobs, wages in the economy. And when I say economy, I'm not talking about gross domestic product GDP growth, you know, that's the metric that we always focus on to measure how well the country is doing. But at the end of the day, there are a lot of other factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as wage growth. Sure, we can talk about the unemployment rate all day. But we need to talk about wage growth and job security and the growing income gap. I mean, all you got to do is spend a little bit of time googling reliable sources, and see and living color, if you will, the extent to which the income gap has continued to grow and grow and grow. It's horrendous. And you know, middle class, marginalization and diminished disposable income and quality of life, all of these things should factor into the equation when we're talking about how we're doing economically. So that's an overarching issue that we have to address. And again, it is fundamentally and I said earlier that I'm I consider myself to be a traditional pro labor, Democrat. Those were all issues are all issues that the Democratic Party has traditionally focused on and traditionally outperformed the republicans on with respect to effectively addressing those jobs and economic issues.

Meral Clarke: 8:13

As far as I know, Republicans haven't even addressed it. Hey,

Mike Cobb: 8:18

correct. You're correct. Certainly not in recent history

Meral Clarke: 8:22

now. And it seems that our leaders, you know, starting with cam and moving downward throughout the GOP are completely uninterested in addressing those topics, as long as their wealthy donors get their tax cuts, exactly, certainly feels that way. Why do you believe that the Democratic Party is ideally suited to deal with these issues, and then effective manner,

Mike Cobb: 8:46

because we've always been the party of the people, the party of the middle class, not the party of big business and the 1%, right. We've always been the party that cares about the common man and woman and making sure that the right policies are put in place to ensure the success of the middle class in the working class. And without a thriving. My position is not to get too philosophical, but a country can only survive so long without a thriving middle class and working class.

Meral Clarke: 9:18

Certainly our democracy, which is now in peril, thanks to the Republicans, right. I agree. You can wax philosophical all you want. on this show. I completely agree with you. So tell me a little about your efforts to help democrats throughout our district and respond to sb

2: 9:35

02am. To frankly, ensure Voter Protection, which Voter Protection and voter rights are continually being eroded across the country right now, including in Georgia.

Mike Cobb: 9:47

Okay. Let me just focus on those other two overarching issues. If you don't mind. Just Just quickly.

Meral Clarke: 9:52

Oh, no, please go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah, yeah,

Mike Cobb: 9:55

just just very quickly, I believe the second one is health care. When I say healthcare, I mean, the availability of high quality, affordable health care. I think this is a major issue in rural North Georgia. Right. And something needs to be done about it

Meral Clarke: 10:10

and rural hospitals are closing due to lack of funding and lack of Medicaid, Medicare expansion. Well, Medicaid, exactly. Medicaid expand pacifically across the state, which is a huge problem. It is. I know that a couple of rural hospitals have already closed in South Georgia. So there may be more, but it's definitely worrisome. Yeah. Especially where you have to drive to get health care in rural areas.

Mike Cobb: 10:34

Exactly. And also affordable healthcare. I mean, I will tell you that one of my biggest concerns in Fannin County is the paucity of good options with respect to health care insurance, hardly any. Yeah. And the third issue, and this might come as a bit of a surprise, but I really believe the third issue is the environment. North Georgians want expect and deserve clean water, clean air, and pristine natural habitats, natural landscape. That's one of the reasons that a lot of us live in North Georgia. That's one of the reasons that we move those of us who moved to North Georgia, that's one of the reasons that we moved here. And it's sacrosanct, I believe, to North Georgians. And we want to protect what we have. And we certainly don't take kindly You know, when we hear about waste being surreptitiously dumped in the Lake nottely, for example, because of a backroom deal that was cut without the public's knowledge, right. And I'm not talking about the green New Deal I'm talking about, again, these are kitchen table issues. These are issues that people in North Georgia care about, and that impact their lives every day. And again, I think the Democratic Party's is ideally positioned to address them, because I mentioned that the Democratic Party being a party of the middle class, not the big business, but it's also the party that traditionally has cared about protecting the environment and the only party that has put forward in a meaningful plan to effectively address the healthcare problem. Exactly.

Meral Clarke: 12:11

That is so true. As a matter of fact, we're going to have Daniel Blackman, who is on the board of the Sierra Club of Georgia to talk more about democratic initiatives and environmental policy throughout the state. And I couldn't agree with you more. So tell me a little more about what you're doing across the district and sb 202. And Voter Protection issues, which is something that is flabbergasting to me that it's even a question at this point. But republicans all over the country are passing these suppression bills, and it's going to affect everyone, especially in urban areas. So what are your thoughts on that?

Mike Cobb: 12:50

Well, I will tell you, I was heartened to see what just happened in Texas. I am disheartened by the fact that the victory in Texas is probably short lived. And your right this is happening all over the country. But you know, our focus is on on Georgia, as it should be, at this point, sharper than our efforts. I would say our focus on three areas, I would say organization, education and mobilization. If I had to sort of describe in a nutshell at a high level, what I'm doing and we are doing throughout district nine and throughout Fannin County to respond to sb 202. And to ensure Voter Protection.

Meral Clarke: 13:28

Can you drill down a bit? Yes. So

Mike Cobb: 13:30

let's talk about organization for us. So I've been going around the district in collaboration with DPG, the Democratic Party of Georgia, and they have a Voter Protection arm kilvo Pro is headed by a young woman named Syrah who is just phenomenal rate. So I've been going around to help to talk to county democratic committees throughout district nine to help them mobilize the establishment of Voter Protection task forces. county by county, we set up our own Task Force and Fannin County. It's been in place for several months now. And I'm using it as a template if you will to help other counties set up similar task forces understanding that every county is going to have to figure out how to do it their way. So there will always be some variations on a theme, if you will. But my goal is to educate them as to what we're doing right so they can figure out how to do it in their own respective counties.

Meral Clarke: 14:27

Fantastic height, the Trailblazer Mike, we're so happy to have you here.

Mike Cobb: 14:31

Well, I'm not expecting accolades for doing this. I mean, we have a really, really strong Voter Protection Task Force in place and Fannin County, and it's because of that task force. It's a seven member Task Force. It's really because of that task force and all the work that they've done, that I'm able to go out and talk to these other counties and share with them you know what we're doing and Fannin County and our task force focuses on educating voters about sb 202 And mobilizing to mitigate the impact of the outside draconian, yes anti democratic with with a small d anti democratic provisions of this new law. So I mentioned that I'm doing all this in collaboration with with DPJ, the Democratic Party of Georgia, they have set up a system that they are implementing, or endeavoring to implement statewide county by county, that's a pod system. And we are making sure that we're aligning our Fannin County Voter Protection taskforce to be aligned with and in close coordination with that pod system. And so as I go around and talk to accountings throughout the state, I'm also explaining the pod system to them and on behalf of vo pro GPG vo Pro. I am rallying or trying to rally hopefully I'm rallying the various democratic committees in the various counties to be inspired not only to set up task forces, but also to set up pods that are aligned with and hierarchically organized by and managed by GPG vo pro

Meral Clarke: 16:06

fantastic. So you're you're actually getting a lot of support from the state party and of course from the ninth District, which is wonderful to hear.

Mike Cobb: 16:15

Yes, and I'll just say this to one of the reasons that I'm very excited about this is when we set up the Voter Protection Task Force and Fannin County, we were concerned about a not reinventing the wheel. Okay. There are 159 counties in Georgia now 100. I think that I think it's 129 counties now have democratic committees. So I don't All right, but we didn't want to be doing our thing, if you will, and Fannin County and setting up the SAS for us, and perhaps not implementing best practices, and trying to sort of do it our own way. And several of us so the taskforce, we're really concerned about that, when I found out about the DPG vo pro and about the pod system, and about the fact that they are putting this protocol in place and this mechanism in place to communicate the same message provide the same guidance. Sure provide the same direction, yes. To every county throughout Georgia that has a democratic committee, I was ecstatic. Because that told me Okay, we can be a part of something much bigger, we can make sure that we are implementing best practices and we're just not up here in Fannin County, you know, reinventing the wheel, if you will.

Meral Clarke: 17:32

Right. We spoke of that with Sarah Todd, who was our previous guest prior to you coming on. And she spoke of that as well, the consistency and branding, messaging, marketing, education across the board. It's so important. And I'm happy to see that happening under her leadership and the rest of the DPG. That's wonderful and very helpful. Yeah,

Mike Cobb: 17:55

I will tell you that just not to get off too much on a tangent. But there are several organizations doing great things. And Georgia, there's firefight action, which we all know about and Stacey Abrams organization. sure there's the new Georgia project, which is a nonpartisan, not for profit that is working hard in collaboration with ACLU to ensure Voter Protection. But I really believe that given that we are a democratic committee in the State of Georgia, we are integrally part of the Democratic Party of Georgia. And DPG is uniquely suited with boots on the ground to mobilize and deal with a lot of these issues. But at the same time, we are keeping in close contact with verified action. And several of us have also been involved in the Voter Protection initiatives that have been implemented by new Georgia project and ACLU through an LLC called the peanut gallery. So you've got all these things going on. And we're involved in all of them. But fundamentally, I believe that we need to take our marching orders, if you will, and get most of our direction from the party organization in the State of Georgia.

Meral Clarke: 19:09

Right? Do you work on the federal level with the National Party at all?

Mike Cobb: 19:13

I haven't personally Well, I have as an individual, one of the things that our task force, so if you go back to the Voter Protection Task Force and Fannin County, right, our task force has certainly not only focused on SB 202, but also focused on what is being done at the federal level. And we've encouraged individuals to write letters send emails, make phone calls, in an effort to influence what's going on at the federal level, but as a task force we have not that's that's all we've done. We've just done things as individuals Sure. And the JPG vo pro organization is really focusing on doing what we need to do in the State of Georgia to keep Georgia blue Right. Well let me back up from psyche Georgia blue, Georgia is not blue. Now we're purple or purple. Yeah, exactly. We won't be blue until we have a democratic governor. And until we do something about the imbalance in the state legislature,

Meral Clarke: 20:10

exactly, which is horrendous, that needs to change.

Mike Cobb: 20:15

It definitely needs to change. And the other thing, by the way that we're keeping close tabs on are the lawsuits. And there are several in play. And so we've been, you know, following them. And a fair fight action has, I mean, certainly fair fight action is doing a lot to influence what's going on at the federal level. And so we're sort of watching all of that as well. So there are a lot of balls in the air. And we're trying to stay involved in all of them. But fundamentally, we're focusing a lot of our effort on Voter Protection in the State of Georgia.

Meral Clarke: 20:46

What are the odds that any of these lawsuits are going to be successful in overturning these repressive laws?

Mike Cobb: 20:53

Okay, so I will hasten to just point out, but I'm not an attorney. So

Meral Clarke: 20:57

okay. Fair enough.

Mike Cobb: 21:00

So anything I say, is one lay person's opinion,

Meral Clarke: 21:04

in your opinion, and you're educated with any of us. Right?

Mike Cobb: 21:07

So I will tell you that I believe jpgs position is there, there probably going to be some marginal clawbacks of some of the provisions in sb 202. But perhaps nothing. Real substantial. I think that cpgs position, but I don't, I don't want to speak for DPG. But I believe that that's the case. I will tell you, I think there are some very specific provisions within the law that are not constitutional. And I've talked to some attorneys about this, and I believe they agree with me, one of them has to do with this 28 day runoff window. Yes, the provision that will basically shorten the time from a general election to a runoff to 28 days. Now, for those voters in the State of Georgia resident in the State of Georgia, it's going to be difficult enough for them. It's going to be difficult for ballots to be printed runoff ballots to be printed, to be sent out to voters, and for voters to be able to vote absentee and get their absentee ballots back in time. It's gonna be very difficult. But here's the unconstitutional part. I believe they legislators realize they had to do something about two cohorts of voters. And those cohorts are military voters and overseas voters overseas civilian voters. Sure. And so what they did in the sb 202, is they carved out a provision that says that military voters and overseas voters will do what's called ranked voting in the general because they simply is not enough time for them to vote in a runoff if there's a 28 day window. Wait, wait, what is the right right voting means that in the general, they will decide their first I think for a second and probably third choice, okay. So that then if there is a runoff, they don't have to vote in the runoff because they've done ranked voting in the general because there's simply not enough time to get Roth ballots to them and have the balance return within a 28 day window, seems the

Meral Clarke: 23:04

GOP can't win unless they cheat. It certainly feels that way.

Mike Cobb: 23:08

Well, so my issue with respect to that provision is I do not believe the constitution affords a state the ability to treat different cohorts of voters differently.

Meral Clarke: 23:19

I wouldn't think so. That doesn't even make sense. So again, I'm not

Mike Cobb: 23:23

an attorney. Right. But I believe that's one provision that may very well get thrown out. And if it's thrown out, the only two options I see are to allow everyone to do ranked voting. And some states do that already. Or to lengthen the window between the general and the runoff,

Meral Clarke: 23:45

right? Or re lengthen it

Mike Cobb: 23:46

or re lengthen it. Exactly, yes.

Meral Clarke: 23:48

Because they they got they got rid of that. So all of that said, What do you believe is the most egregious action that the GOP is currently taking in the state as it pertains to Voter Protection? Okay. And the rights?

Mike Cobb: 24:02

Yeah, I will tell you what I believe is the most egregious action as it pertains to Voter Protection in the state, not necessarily in congressional district nine. Okay. Okay. And that is the fact that the state board of elections, basically the power that the Secretary of State had of oversight of the State Board of Elections has been removed from the Secretary of State and has been, which

Meral Clarke: 24:28

is pure insanity, as far as I'm concerned.

Mike Cobb: 24:31

Yes. Well, it's an abrogation of his job. It's part of his job description. And that power has been vested in the legislature and the governor,

Meral Clarke: 24:40

all of whom are Republican, overwhelmingly Republican, yes,

Mike Cobb: 24:45

overwhelmingly, and the State Board of Elections can go into individual counties and basically take over a county board of elections. Now. If you read the fine print, and I've read The 98 pages of SB 202. I don't know how many times if you read it carefully, there is a provision that in an election cycle, the State Board of Elections can only go in and do that, if you will. And for four counties, okay. Ah, so what do you think the four counties are going to be? four counties or probably if anything were attempted, the four counties are probably going to be Fulton DeKalb. Common. Gwinnett. Exactly. So I think that provision, and there's got to be some reason that the legislators chose

Unknown: 25:33

four. Okay. And those four specifically. Yeah, that's right. Yes.

Mike Cobb: 25:39

So that's not to say that in Fannin County and in congressional district nine, a lot of nefarious things can still be done. In the county boards of election in congressional district nine, the counties can go in and remove the board members and pack the board's with Republicans. So I mean, there's a lot of nefarious stuff that still can be done. But I think the most egregious and most concerning provision is that provision where the State Board of Elections can go in and take total control over a board of elections. I mean, the bottom line is in a very red County, like Fannin County. I mean, frankly, we have a board of elections. That is very good. We have a very good, reasonable supervisor. And so I'm not terribly worried about Fanon. And throughout most of District nine, I think we were probably okay. I mean, we're red counties. So yeah, there's some nefarious stuff that can be done. But I think most of the attention, frankly, needs to be focused probably not by us, because we're really focusing on Fanon and district nine. But since you asked about the most egregious things in the bill, most of the focus statewide needs to be on those counties that the republicans view as the greatest threat to them.

Meral Clarke: 27:01

And the demographics are constantly changing, and they're changing appear to Let's face it, yes. So I'm happy to see that and hopefully that will continue to influence Democratic voters to come out and vote for who they believe is the best candidate.

Mike Cobb: 27:17

Well, I will tell you I've seen a lot of change there are a lot of democrats moving into Fannin County. Yes, Fannin County is changing underneath our feet, you know, as we speak, is changing. And it's changing. I think, in a good way politically, the demographic trends are positive. Yes, they are. And I'm very excited about that. And I look forward to the day that we might end up having another podcast like this interview where you can ask me, gosh, what do you think were the biggest factors in turning Fannin County blue?

Meral Clarke: 27:56

Oh, I can't wait. Okay. I cannot wait to have that discussion. I'm ready, I'm ready to have that talk.

Mike Cobb: 28:05

But you know, it's not going to happen tomorrow. And it's not going to happen next year. But we have to just continue to chip away and chip away one voter at a time. And I really believe those issues that I talked about if the party focuses on bread and butter sorry for to mix the metaphors, what sort of bread and butter kitchen table issues feel free. I guess that's not

Meral Clarke: 28:28

really bread and butter goes on a kitchen table. So there you

Mike Cobb: 28:31

go. Yeah, exactly. And again, that's not to say that there are not a lot of other issues that are really important. But I really believe that to be successful and Fannin County and in district nine, so we need to continue to build on the momentum that we've generated and that we continue to generate, that's really important. We need to rally voters to turn out like never before in response to sb 202. I will tell you that I've talked to a lot of voters who are so upset that I mean, they're fired up, right. And my hope and expectation is that sb 202 is going to backfire on those who were instrumental in passing it, and there will be a turnout next year like we've never seen.

Meral Clarke: 29:13

I hope so I hope it eclipses 2016 turnout.

Mike Cobb: 29:17

Yes. We also need to focus, by the way on putting really good candidates forward. Yes. And we have to address the issues. Again, kitchen table issues, and for goodness sake, we've got to listen to the voters and connect with them with empathy and meet them where they live. I mean, look, it's so easy. And I'm pointing my finger at myself right now. It's so easy to have this polarized mindset that you know, us and them and those red voters are bad and we're good. I get it. But I really, really believe that we need candidates who are I'm going to go out and listen to everybody. Sure, and connect with everybody and understand what keeps them up at night and understand what their overriding concerns are, and help them understand why the democrats are best suited to meet their needs. because, frankly, a lot of the very, very conservative voters in North Georgia, is this likely that their grandparents were Democrats. It's likely that their grandparents were union members, right, that the party has changed. The party has changed

Meral Clarke: 30:28

so much, especially the GOP. So how do we go about fighting all the disinformation from the republicans that they put out, it seems that Republicans are just happy to get their talking points and go with it. And their voters many times don't seem to be interested in doing the research themselves. So how do we combat that disinformation?

Mike Cobb: 30:49

mural? I don't know. I really don't know. I mean, all we can do is things like this things like this podcast. I mean, if we can get people not necessarily to mine, but all the podcasts that you're doing, if we can get the word out there about these podcasts, not just among our, you know, kindred spirits, not just among people to whom you know that we're preaching to the choir. Sure. We have to meet them where they live. Exactly, yes. We have to meet them where they live, and let them know

Meral Clarke: 31:17

that we have more in common than we do not. I truly believe that. Especially with the average Joe, the average voter, the average citizen to me, we all have the same concerns. And me we all we do. Yes. So you mentioned the midterms, looking ahead, to 22 aside burden, ensuring Voter Protection, of course, what do we need to do to retain and win seats throughout the state? In your opinion,

Mike Cobb: 31:47

I think put great candidates forward who will connect with voters? I think we suffered a lot last year, because of COVID. It's very, very difficult to campaign against big money. It's very difficult to campaign against Republican candidates who are raising millions of dollars. Yes, it was doubly difficult to do that during COVID. Okay, well, we now have an opportunity to get out there. I think it's going to take shoe leather, if you will, right? Good old fashioned retail politicking. Going to church socials going to places where everybody Congrats, Republic, Republicans, Democrats, independents, and talking to them, listening to them, hearing their needs, not telling them they're stupid, not telling them that they can't think for themselves, not telling them that they're making a mistake, but listening to them, and helping them understand how the party and how the individual candidates that are running can be instrumental and helping them address the issues that keep them up at night,

Meral Clarke: 32:46

I would have to agree. And there's certainly plenty of issues that are worrisome to everyone, everyone. Yeah. And you had touched on that topic earlier.

Mike Cobb: 32:55

I worry about things like campaign slogans and names. I will tell you that rightly or wrongly, it has always been my nature to sort of try to help work, I don't know, behind the scenes, to try to help do some of the things we're doing like mobilizing and dealing with Voter Protection. I've never been big on names and slogans. And I mean, all of that's good. I'm not saying it's, it's not good. And if it can sway swing voters, that's great. But I just don't think that those kinds of things necessarily, they make us feel good. And I know I'm stepping on some toes when I say this, and I know I'm probably gonna upset some people when I say this, but I'm just speaking the truth. As I see, those things make us feel good. And they may sway some voters. But I don't think that's what by and large changes the hearts and minds of voters who are on the fence.

Meral Clarke: 33:49

What do you think does just talking to them one on one connecting

Mike Cobb: 33:53

with them, and also figuring out ways to disseminate information to them that might strike a chord with them that isn't loaded with slogans and names and the stable stuff that they hear all the time? That immediately turns them off? And they say, Oh, well, this is this is not what I'm about, or this doesn't, this doesn't help me anyway. Okay. I don't know if that makes sense or not, it does. I really believe that as hard as it is to do. And it's very, very time consuming to the extent that we can connect with people. And so connecting with people is not necessarily getting out and connecting with people one on one, but it certainly through different forums, whether they're face to face speaking to a group or like this podcast, or other ways to get the message out to people in a way that it will resonate to them. I think all of that will have a positive impact. I would have

Meral Clarke: 34:45

to agree. So what makes you most proud to be in North Georgia democrat? What do you practice step?

Mike Cobb: 34:50

Oh, my gosh, that's a really easy question to answer. Great, good, first and foremost, the wonderful people I get to collect With every day down to earth, you know, sincere folk who care deeply about this country care deeply about the diversity of his people and people who are committed to everybody's well being and prosperity. And I'll be honest with you, I'm honored. I'm really honored and fortunate to be able to walk among them as a mind. Yes, yeah. Great. Yeah, exactly. I mean, that's what I'm most proud of. I'm most proud of the energy, the enthusiasm and the authenticity of the people I get to work with on a regular basis, and Fannin County and district nine

Meral Clarke: 35:32

I have to throw in a plug for our producer and engineer Susan demora, without whom this podcast would not be possible. Thank you, Susan. And, of course, Doug demora and everyone that participates throughout our Fannin County Democratic Party. One last question we've gone over time, but this has been such a great conversation. Well,

Mike Cobb: 35:53

I apologize for my loquacious. No, no,

Meral Clarke: 35:57

no apologies necessary. We appreciate it. So one last question before we let you go. Tell us a fun fact about yourself. So I politics Okay, something that most people don't know about you and that our listeners might be interested in hearing something fun?

Mike Cobb: 36:13

Well, I guess I would have to say So you mentioned when you were telling a little bit about me in the beginning that that I had a passion for creative writing, I have completed a novel and historical novel that is probably we had originally expected a release the spring didn't quite happen. We're still working on some details, but I'm expecting that it will come out in the summer. This is historical novel about an unsolved murder that occurred in Atlanta and at 95.

Meral Clarke: 36:41

Exciting congratulations. I can't wait to read it.

Mike Cobb: 36:44

Yeah, so anyway, that's that's a little I guess a little fun fact about my that's a

Meral Clarke: 36:49

huge Fun fact. When will it be available? And do you have a working title or an actual title?

Mike Cobb: 36:54

the working title is dead, beckoning, dead

Meral Clarke: 36:57

beckoning. I'm going to put that on my list. Okay, along with Stacey Abrams novels, well,

Mike Cobb: 37:04

I'm excited because you will probably be one of the two dozen people who end up reading

Meral Clarke: 37:09

I will definitely read it as I am a professional copywriter. I was in a former life. So that is something I'm really looking forward to. Excellent, fantastic. Well, this has been wonderful. Mike, we really appreciate your being on here. Thanks for joining us today and sharing more about your crucial work to maintain our democracy. I'm Meral Clarke and on behalf of Susan demora, and the rest of our team, I'd like to thank everyone for listening to the North Georgia Blue Podcast. We hope you'll join us again when our special guest will be Daniel Blackman, a respected thought leader, policymaker and advocate for environmental justice as the Executive Committee Chair of Georgia's Sierra Club chapter to learn more about the Fannin County democrats where to get ahold of Mike and the work that we're doing, visit us online at Fannin County, Georgia Democratic party.com and consider sharing the North Georgia Blue Podcast with your friends and family. Join us again as we get into some more good trouble