You almost knew when you heard the name "First Liberty" that the people running said business were aiming for a specific kind of client.It turns out that clientele was "easily duped conservative," as we learned last week that a Newnan, Georgia-based lender was hawking "patriot notes" to help fuel a movement of "America First patriots."

You just know it's gross when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Trump administration is going after 'em. Or, as I surmise, maybe they're quashing competition for Trump's ceaseless business empire targeting the same rubes. It's lead to a potential class action lawsuit by some of the conservatives duped by it.

It's also been heavily scrutinized by the staff at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who's followed the money to PACS, the state GOP and a handful of far-right politiicans and even the current governor and lieutenant goernor (like he needs it).

Here's the thing: anyone who's listened to conservative talk radio or watched OANN or Fox News has seen or heard that same kind of icky sales pitch. Hell, I caught a bourbon brand utilizing the deaths of the 13 American servicemembers who died in Kabul as fodder in their pitch on an Atlanta Braves radio commercial campaign. Ick.

On to discuss this and the makeup of the 2026 gubernatorial field is Atlanta-based political consultant Andrew Heaton.