Opportunities for Democrats in Red States
In this episode of Lean to the Left’s Dixie Dems, host Bob Gatty of South Carolina is joined by Arthur Hill of North Carolina, Robert Thompson of Georgia, and special guest Dan Schaefer.
Schaefer, who previously ran for Missouri State House and plans a 2026 run, discusses his motivations, key issues like women’s rights and labor unions, and the influence of political corruption. What are opportunities for Democrats in red states? This no-holds-barred conversation provides some answers.
The conversation touches on the challenges of running as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican state, the importance of grassroots organization, and key issues like women’s rights, labor, political corruption, and political communication. The hosts also discuss the state of the Democratic Party and strategies to counteract Republican messaging and the corruption that is prevalent within the GOP and Trump White House.
The conversation turns to Democratic strategies and the importance of local activism. Don’t miss insights from this monthly feature of the Lean to the Left podcast.
CHANNELS:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement
01:04 Meet Dan Schaefer: Background and Political Journey
03:09 Missouri’s Political Landscape and Challenges
07:31 The Role of Communication in Politics
15:13 Democratic Party Strategies and Challenges
24:29 Blame Game and Federal Judges
25:24 Tariffs and Technology
28:52 Women’s Rights and Personal Stories
32:02 Labor Unions and Workers’ Rights
38:07 Political Bribery and Corruption
41:26 State Politics and Upcoming Elections
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About Bob Gatty
Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He’s co-author of “Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s attack on America’s greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
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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.
