Welcome to Dixie Dems, the monthly roundtable from the Lean to the Left Podcast focused on progressive politics across the South.
Host Bob Gatty (South Carolina) is joined by Arthur Hill, Vice Chair of the Brunswick County (NC) Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, a bold progressive voice from Georgia.
Our special guest this episode is Robin Biro—a South Carolina native, Army Ranger veteran, former campaign director for the Barack Obama campaign, and longtime political commentator on Fox News and Newsmax.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Trump’s influence on U.S. military and foreign policy, including Venezuela and oil politics
• Concerns about political retaliation within the armed forces
• Georgia’s evolving political landscape, including the Senate race and figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene
• South Carolina’s gubernatorial race, featuring Mullins McLeod and Dr. Jermaine Johnson
• Fractures inside Southern Republican parties—and opportunities for Democrats
• Veterans’ voices in politics and the risks facing democratic institutions
• Social justice, ICE accountability, systemic racism, and protest movements
• A powerful firsthand story exposing healthcare inequities in Georgia
As Trump looms over upcoming elections and Southern politics continue to shift, Dixie Dems remains committed to honest conversation, accountability, and progressive action.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Dixie Dems
00:39 Meet Our Special Guest: Robin Biro
01:57 Venezuela and US Military Strategy
06:56 Political Climate in Georgia
08:20 Marjorie Taylor Greene and Upcoming Elections
12:26 South Carolina Political Landscape
15:21 Balancing Life and Politics
15:56 Campaign Strategies and Fundraising
17:18 Political Landscape in South Carolina
18:37 Republican Party Fractures
20:01 Trump’s Controversial Election Ideas
22:18 Protests and Police Shootings
27:14 Healthcare System Failures
28:43 Closing Remarks and Farewells
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For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.
Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).
After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.
His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.
Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.
Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .
In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.
The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.
The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.
