Republicans in South Carolina's 7th Congressional District believe they are in the catbird seat, that they are virtually unbeatable in what they call "Trump Country." It's the same old story in South Carolina politics.

But Democrat John Gregory Vincent, a small business owner and retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, believes he can knock off the MAGA GOP incumbent, Russell Fry in this slice of red

America, and has launched a vigorous MAGA challenge campaign to prove it.

We welcome John Vincent as our guest In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast's special monthly feature, The Dixie Dems in which he talks about challenging Fry and why he believes he can win. It's a race with national implications, because if he can defeat this committed Trumper in a ruby red district in the South, Democrats will have a great chance of winning control of Congress in 2026.

Hosted by Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty, the discussion covers John's motivations for running, his campaign pillars focusing on the middle class, veterans, national debt, and actually representing his constituents.

They also discuss the challenges of addressing misinformation, the importance of voter engagement, and strategies for effectively messaging to constituents.

Tune in for a compelling conversation about bringing much-needed change to a traditionally Republican district. John Vincent for Congress.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:15 John Gregory Vincent's Motivation to Run

02:07 Challenges in the District

02:57 Campaign Strategy and Town Halls

05:30 Campaign Pillars: Middle Class, Veterans, National Debt, Representation

11:22 Constituent Services and Representation

13:32 Fundraising and Special Interests

14:50 Electoral Strategy and Voter Engagement

19:22 Social Security and Government Efficiency

23:04 Combating Market Delays

23:46 The Importance of Social Security

25:30 Messaging and Communication Strategies

26:46 Veterans and Social Issues

28:42 Campaign Strategies and Challenges

33:46 Military Service and Leadership

37:44 Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

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📖 Learn more about John Vincent at https://vincent4congress.org

📚 Get Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty: [https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7]

🌐 Visit our blog: [https://leantotheleft.net]

🎧 Listen to more episodes: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]

👇 Join the conversation in the comments.

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.

If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

What happens when a Republican author slams Trump’s tariffs, calls out Medicare cuts, and pushes back on RFK Jr.'s health claims—all on a progressive podcast?

In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty speaks with Michael Goodwin, Florida Republican and author of the political satire Vice Versa. With Wall Street experience and a sharp pen, Goodwin offers a rare, candid take on Trump’s economic missteps, the Supreme Court’s troubling direction, and the damage being done to Medicaid, Medicare, and biomedical research.

🧠 Expect a sharp, no-BS bipartisan discussion that spans:

* Trump’s “boneheaded” tariffs and market fallout

* RFK Jr.’s controversial health stances

* The Supreme Court’s role in fueling extremism

* The future of Social Security, veterans’ care, and public health

* Why real political dialogue is dying on social media

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:55 RFK Jr.'s Controversial Health Comments

02:24 Trump's Picks and Dictatorial Tendencies

02:59 Faith in the System and Supreme Court Concerns

06:18 Stock Market and Tariffs Discussion

06:46 Trump's Trade Policies and Manufacturing Ideology

12:34 Elon Musk and Federal Government Critique

17:43 Democratic Party's Challenges and Underlying Issues

23:55 Cuts in Biomedical Research and Public Health

25:41 Medicare and Medicaid: The Real Impact

27:51 Social Security and Veterans' Issues

31:38 The Struggle of Serious Content on Social Media

33:42 Potential Political Candidates and Future Elections

37:31 Trump's Foreign Policy and Economic Concerns

40:54 Concluding Thoughts and Reflection

🔔 Subscribe for smart, fearless commentary that cuts through the noise.

🎧 Full podcast: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]

📖 Read more from Michael Goodwin: [https://amzn.to/4lRblAu]

📚 Get Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty: [https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7]

🌐 Visit our blog: [https://leantotheleft.net]

🎧 Listen to more episodes: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]

📚 Learn more about Michael Goodwin https://amzn.to/4lRblAu

👇 Join the conversation in the comments. Your voice matters.

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.

If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

In Elon Musk's Tesla backlash, his EV car company's profits have plunged 72%—and it's no mystery why. As Musk plays co-president with Trump, slashing federal programs and putting thousands out of work, the backlash is hitting his wallet hard.

In this fiery commentary, Bob Gatty breaks down why Americans are fed up with Musk’s ego-driven wrecking ball approach to governance—and why Tesla’s fall from grace is well-deserved. From falling sales and plummeting resale values to grassroots protests and nationwide anger, the electric vehicle icon is getting jolted by reality. It's true Tesla backlash.

Political activist Jennifer Cousins calls Musk a bigger threat to democracy than Trump. And in this episode, we explore what that means, and why so many Americans—even in Trump country—are cheering Tesla’s tumble.

🔥 Protest power is rising. ⚡ The EV movement is shifting. 💥 And we’ve got something to say about it.

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for more unfiltered truth.

CHAPTERS;

00:00 Elon Musk's Controversial Actions Impact Tesla

00:34 Tesla's Financial Decline

01:09 Public Backlash and Protests

01:34 Personal Anecdote and Public Sentiment

02:17 Conclusion and Personal Opinion