Retired U.S. Congressman Thomas 'Tommy' Hartnett sits down with Bill Macchio to discuss his remarkable political career, from South Carolina to the U.S. Congress. Beyond the stories, Hartnett leaves viewers with a compelling personal message at the end, a direct appeal to our community.

In the 1960s in South Carolina, as well as other Southern states, more conservative Democrats were known as Blue Dog Democrats. The Blue Dogs could not remain part of the Democratic Party, which at that time had shifted far left.

George McGovern was seeking to run for the Democratic Party nomination with a proposal to establish a national minimum income that would not require people to work. Hartnett says that at that time the idea was very liberal, and McGovern's platform wasn't one that Hartnett felt he could support. Since he didn't feel he could stay true to himself and his values as a Democrat, he left the party with no plans for what would come next.

After Hartnett left the Democratic Party, Republicans asked to meet with him and suggested he run for the South Carolina State Senate as a Republican. He agreed and was elected to South Carolina's State Senate in 1972, serving until 1981 for two terms.

Later, in 1981, Hartnett became a Republican Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving until 1987.

Hartnett also shares personal stories during this captivating episode, including controversial, interesting, and humorous ones.