Disagree Better over Waffles and Wine
April 30, 2024
The Alley Stage
Marietta, GA 30064
From Left to Right: Michael Owens and Jason Shepherd
From Left to Right: Roy Barnes and Don Balfour
“A rare burst of unity in an election year, courtesy of some of the biggest bipartisan political figures in Cobb County.” - Greg Bluestein, Atlanta Journal And Constitution
In April 2024, Jason M. Shepherd, former chair of the Cobb County Republican Party, and Dr. Michael Owens, former chair of the Cobb County Democratic Party, co-hosted "Disagree Better over Waffles and Wine." This bipartisan gathering of top Cobb County leaders was inspired by the Disagree Better initiative of the National Governors Association, which aimed to restore civility in civic discourse. Shepherd’s account of the event was published in the Peach Pundit, and below, please find clips from the speakers during what was an inspirational evening.
Part One
Sen. Don Balfour, Co-Lead Georgia Democracy Resilience Network
"I appreciate Governor Barnes and all he has done. There are times where we saw the same problem but saw a different solution, but we were both looking out for the State of Georgia and the United States of America."
Governor Roy Barnes (D), Former Governor of Georgia
"This country is too great to be divided and to devour itself with hatred and personal interest from either party. We have to learn, again, that we can discuss and disagree, but we can come together in the end."
Dr. Michael Owens, Mayor of the City of Mableton and Former Chair of Cobb County Democratic Party
"This event is about bridging divides. It's about fostering healthy agreement and disagreement."
Dr. Michael Owens, Former Chair of Cobb County Democratic Party
"I hope that our examples can inspire each of you to listen to each other and... approach disagreements with respect and dignity."
Jason M. Shepherd, Former Chair of Cobb County Republican Party
"We can try to beat each other... But we don't have to do it with the negativity, vitriol, and toxicity that we are seeing politics today.”
Jason M. Shepherd, Former Chair of Cobb County Republican Party
"At the end of the day, both of us love our nation, we love our state, and we want to see the best for it."
Secretary Tom Price (R), Former Congressman and Secretary of HHS
"There is a coursening in our society and there is a coursening in our politics. And when good folks don't run, the coursening gets rewarded."
Edward Lindsey, Former GA House Majority Whip
"We have to figure out a way to pull [people who are angry] back in and get them to be a constructive part of the dialogue or we are going to lose this Republic that Benjamin Franklin warned us that we needed to try to keep."
George "Buddy" Darden, Former United States Representative
"When Jimmy Carter lost and returned to Plains, he said, "I've got the highest office I'll ever hold, and that's private citizen"
Doug Stoner, Former Georgia State Representative
"Reform... can't just come from the folks at the top. It has to come from the citizen's themselves."
Part Two
Part Two
Pastor Kerrick Butler, Senior Pastor of Faith Christian Center
“If we're always going at each other's throat because they voted this way or they’re from this background, we're not following the rule of love... We have to be a hopeful people if we're going to have a better day.”
Rabbi Steve Lebow, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Kol Emeth
“Somebody may be your political enemy. They may be your worst enemy. They may be a national threat to you or you to them. Not so fast, recognize that everyone is created from love and for love and about love.”
Reverend Joe Evans, Senior Pastor of Marietta First Presbyterian Church
“The price of all this division is that we're not solving problems… you can get a lot done by just letting go your divisive opinions… we forget how beautiful it is when a group of people can stand up and say the same thing together.”
Watch The Full Event Here
Faith Forward Democracy is part of the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network, which is supported by The Carter Center.