The Lean to the Left Podcast

The 2026 midterm elections delivered a stunning political earthquake, with Democrats sweeping into control of both houses of Congress and scoring major victories across the South.

But now comes the hard part: Can Democrats deliver the changes voters demanded, or will they squander their historic opportunity?

In this episode of The Dixie Dems, Bob Gatty of South Carolina, Arthur Hill of North Carolina, and Robert Thompson of Georgia examine the election results, the stunning setbacks for Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans, and the challenges facing Democrats as they prepare to take power in Congress in January.

Among the topics:

🔵 SOUTH CAROLINA'S POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE: Annie Andrews defeats Trump's handpicked Senate candidate, Darlene Graham, despite three campaign visits by Trump. Retired Navy Admiral Nancy Lacor also scores a congressional victory.

🔵 NORTH CAROLINA TURNS BLUE: Former Governor Roy Cooper wins a U.S. Senate seat, Democrats make dramatic gains in the congressional delegation, and the party gains control of the state House.

🔵 GEORGIA MAKES HISTORY: Keisha Lance Bottoms wins the governorship, and Robert Thompson examines the racial and political significance of her victory.

🔵 THE BLUE WAVE REACHES TEXAS: Democratic victories create new opportunities to address energy policy, reproductive rights, and other contentious issues.

🔵 DEMOCRATS' BIG TEST: Should the new Democratic Congress focus on investigating Trump administration abuses, tackling affordability and healthcare, or both?

🔵 TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP? The Dixie Dems debate whether Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are the right leaders for this new era.

🔵 PROJECT 2027: Robert Thompson argues that Democrats need an aggressive governing agenda to reverse damaging policies and deliver results for working Americans.

The message from all three Dixie Dems is clear: Winning elections is only the beginning. Democrats must now prove they can govern effectively, address the kitchen-table issues affecting American families, and build a lasting political movement.

And we want to hear from YOU!

As the Dixie Dems prepare for a new season in 2027, we're inviting listeners to help shape the show. What Southern political issues should we investigate? Who should we interview? What stories aren't getting enough attention?

Leave your suggestions in the comments below or visit https://leantotheleft.net.

🎙️ ABOUT THE DIXIE DEMS

The Dixie Dems bring together three progressive Southern voices:

Bob Gatty — South Carolina journalist, political commentator, and host of the Lean to the Left podcast.

Arthur Hill — Vice Chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina Democratic Party.

Robert Thompson — Georgia political commentator and tell-it-like-it-is podcaster.

Together, they examine politics and public policy from a Southern progressive perspective, challenging conventional wisdom and holding political leaders accountable.

THE SOUTH HAS A VOICE. AND IT'S BLUE.

The Dixie Dems is a production of Lean to the Left.

🌐 Website: https://leantotheleft.net

📺 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political commentary, interviews, and special reports.

👍 LIKE this episode if you believe Southern progressive voices deserve to be heard.

💬 COMMENT with your thoughts about the election results and what Democrats should prioritize.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you don't miss future episodes.

Substance, Not Sensationalism.

#DixieDems #Midterms2026 #Democrats #BlueWave #SouthernPolitics #Trump #LeanToTheLeft

Could South Carolina deliver a political earthquake that changes control of the U.S. Senate?

Democrat Annie Andrews is challenging Republican Sen. Darline Graham in one of the most surprising races of the 2026 midterm elections.

A New York Times/Siena poll released October 28 shows Andrews and Graham tied at 48% each in a state Donald Trump carried by nearly 18 percentage points in 2024.

In this Lean to the Left Special Report, host Bob Gatty shares his firsthand observations from Andrews' November 1 campaign rally at Valor Park near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

You'll see exclusive rally footage, hear Andrews make her closing argument to voters, and witness the enthusiastic crowd reaction as Election Day approaches.

Could South Carolina decide control of the Senate?

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten has explained that an Andrews victory would give Democrats approximately a 96% chance of winning Senate control.

That's not a prediction that Andrews will win. But it demonstrates just how consequential this election could be.

In this Special Report:

🔹 Annie Andrews makes her closing campaign pitch near Myrtle Beach.

🔹 The New York Times/Siena poll shows a dead heat at 48% each.

🔹 Donald Trump's involvement in Darline Graham's appointment and campaign raises political questions.

🔹 The war in Iran, rising prices, and voter dissatisfaction create challenges for Republicans.

🔹 Bob Gatty examines whether Democrats could pull off a historic South Carolina upset.

South Carolina hasn't elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.

Could that change on November 3?

Watch this original Lean to the Left Special Report and share your thoughts in the comments.

📰 READ BOB GATTY'S FULL REPORT:

https://leantotheleft.net/annie-andrews-south-carolina-senate-race-2026/

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Lean to the Left for independent political reporting, interviews, and commentary.

🌐 Website: https://leantotheleft.net

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Substance, Not Sensationalism.

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#AnnieAndrews #SouthCarolinaSenate #Election2026

At 25, Courtney McClain is challenging South Carolina's political establishment—and she's bringing a new generation's perspective to the race for Congress.

In this first edition of Lean to the Left Special Reports, host Bob Gatty interviews Courtney McClain, the Democratic candidate challenging Republican incumbent William Timmons in South Carolina's Fourth Congressional District, representing Greenville, Spartanburg, and surrounding Upstate communities.

McClain discusses her family's 200-year history in Spartanburg, her experience leading the South Carolina NAACP Youth and College Division, and why she decided to move from grassroots activism into electoral politics.

The conversation explores some of the most pressing issues facing South Carolina and the nation.

Among the topics discussed:

Trump and William Timmons: McClain's assessment of the incumbent's record, Trump's influence, and political divisions in South Carolina.

Rising costs: Her proposals concerning Trump's tariffs, the Iran war, grocery prices, and the cost of living.

Healthcare: Her concerns about Affordable Care Act premiums, Medicaid funding, and rural hospitals.

Gun violence: Her personal experience losing two family members and her proposals for background checks, gun tracing, and closing the Charleston loophole.

Social Security: Her views on increasing contributions from high-income Americans.

Public education: Her concerns about school funding, vouchers, and educational opportunities in the Upstate.

Impeaching Trump: Why she believes Democrats should consider whether they have enough Senate votes before pursuing impeachment.

Gatty also asks McClain about the historic possibility of becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress from South Carolina—and what that milestone would mean to her.

LEAN TO THE LEFT IS BACK!

This interview launches a new format for Lean to the Left: occasional Special Reports featuring important voices, timely issues, and conversations that deserve special attention.

There won't be a fixed production schedule. Instead, Bob Gatty will return when breaking developments, compelling guests, or noteworthy issues warrant a closer look.

Important voices. Timely issues. When the story demands it.

📺 Subscribe to Lean to the Left and turn on notifications for future Special Reports.

🌐 Website: https://leantotheleft.net

About Lean to the Left

Hosted by journalist and author Bob Gatty, Lean to the Left features political commentary, independent journalism, and conversations exploring American democracy, public policy, and the issues shaping our future.

Stay Informed. Speak Up. Join the Conversation.

#CourtneyMcClain #SouthCarolinaPolitics #LeanToTheLeft #BobGatty #Election2026

After nearly 850 episodes, I’ve made the difficult decision to bring the Lean to the Left podcast to a close, at least for the foreseeable future.

My wife, Jackie, passed away on August 15 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, I’ve found it difficult to give the podcast the focus and energy needed to produce the kind of program my guests and audience deserve.

At 83, and after producing just short of 850 episodes, I’ve decided it is time to step away and consider what comes next.

Please view this short video for more information about what might come next.

But, to everyone who has watched, listened, subscribed, shared our programs, appeared as a guest, or supported Lean to the Left over the years: thank you.

For now, this is Bob Gatty, signing off for Lean to the Left.

#LeanToTheLeft #BobGatty #PodcastFarewell

Largely due to Donald Trump's energy policies, electricity bills are climbing across the country. But according to conservative energy advocate David Jenkins, much of what Americans are being told about renewable energy in order to protect the fossil fuel industry simply doesn’t hold up.

In this episode of Lean to the Left, Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, challenges some of the most common myths surrounding solar, wind, fossil fuels, and the reliability of America’s power grid. He argues that renewable energy is no longer the expensive, unreliable alternative critics often portray—and that in many cases, it is now cheaper than coal and natural gas.

Jenkins also sharply criticizes Trump administration energy policies, including the cancellation of offshore wind projects and efforts to keep aging coal plants operating. He says those decisions can force utilities to rely on electricity that costs far more to produce, with the added expense ultimately landing on customers.

The discussion also explores:

Why wind and solar helped stabilize the Texas grid during extreme weather;

How battery storage has changed the renewable-energy equation;

Why some utility commissions may be protecting corporate profits instead of consumers;

How fossil-fuel interests help fuel misinformation about renewables and electric vehicles;

Why Jenkins believes conservation and responsible energy policy are fundamentally conservative values;

What consumers can do when utility rates keep rising.

Jenkins argues that the energy debate should not be about ideology.

“There is no red or blue or right or left energy. Energy’s just energy.”

And right now, he says, renewables often make the most economic sense.

Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship works on energy, conservation, public lands, and wildlife issues. Learn more at ConservativeStewards.org.

Chapters

00:00 Energy Bills and Renewables

01:28 Meet David Jenkins

01:36 Conservative Stewardship Roots

02:48 Myths About Reliability

05:07 Climate Change Reality Check

07:35 Trump Cancels Wind Projects

10:03 Coal Orders Raise Costs

13:31 Utility Commissions and Rate Hikes

15:27 Renewables Now Cheaper

17:32 Fossil Fuel Misinformation Machine

18:33 How Conservatives Fight Back

21:32 Get Involved and Closing Thoughts

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for conversations that challenge political spin and dig into the issues affecting our lives, our democracy, and our wallets.

America is deeply divided politically and economically, and the debate increasingly seems to come down to two choices: capitalism or socialism.

Chuck Marvin believes that’s the wrong choice.

Marvin, a longtime construction-industry consultant and author of America 5.0: The Principled Revolution Ending Division, joins Bob Gatty on Lean to the Left to explain his Prosperity Through Equality proposal—a plan he believes could appeal to both progressives and principled conservatives.

At the heart of Marvin’s contention is the belief that America’s economic system has been distorted by a complicated tax code filled with deductions, privileges and special treatment. His proposal would replace that with a single rate, eliminate deductions and special tax status, provide an income floor, establish universal healthcare, and require a balanced federal budget.

Marvin describes himself as a committed capitalist, but argues that the United States no longer operates under genuine free-market capitalism because government tax policies create economic winners and losers. He says the goal should not be equality of outcomes, but equality of opportunity and equal treatment under the law.

In this episode, Bob and Chuck discuss Marvin’s case for overhauling the tax system, his proposal for universal healthcare with no premiums, an $18,000 income floor, the impact of healthcare costs on entrepreneurs and small businesses, and why he believes both socialists and capitalists could find common ground in his approach.

Marvin also explains how his experiences in the military, living in South Korea, working with immigrant construction crews and building a successful national business shaped his thinking about inequality, opportunity and the sources of America’s divisions.

And while Marvin would like to see his ideas reach Washington, he acknowledges that entrenched political and special interests make that difficult. He believes meaningful change may ultimately depend on activists willing to push the issue from outside the political establishment.

📘 America 5.0: The Principled Revolution Ending Division is available on Amazon. Link: https://amzn.to/46beiFG

🌐 Learn more about Chuck Marvin’s work at ThePrincipledCapitalist.org.

What do you think? Is America’s problem capitalism itself—or the way the system has been structured? Let us know in the comments.

CHAPTERS:

00:54 Meet Chuck Marvin

02:36 Prosperity Through Equality

04:14 Tax Code Roots

06:22 Selling Both Sides

08:50 Healthcare And Income Floor

13:28 Nonprofit Distortions

16:59 Balanced Budget Revolution

21:24 Personal Journey To Tax Code

26:09 Book Profits And Where To Buy

27:52 Activists And Closing Thoughts

#ChuckMarvin #Capitalism #Socialism #TaxReform #LeanToTheLeft

Child abuse doesn't end when childhood does. A child abuse survivor, Sheryl Hauk knows that firsthand.

A retired educator, survivor of childhood sexual abuse and author of Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl spent decades keeping her own trauma private. Today, she is using her experience to fight for stronger protections, greater accountability and better support for abused children.

In this powerful Lean to the Left conversation, Sheryl explains how childhood trauma can affect learning, relationships, physical and mental health, homelessness and a survivor's ability to function decades later.

She also argues that America is failing abused children by underfunding prevention, early intervention and Child Advocacy Centers—and by maintaining statutes of limitations that can prevent survivors from ever holding their abusers accountable.

Sheryl discusses her own extraordinary story, including the abuse she endured until age 18, how she finally stopped it, and why she eventually decided to speak publicly after years of silence.

We also discuss:

• Why many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later

• The fight to reform statutes of limitations

• How trauma can interfere with a child's ability to learn

• Why perpetrators are often people children already know and trust

• The critical role of Child Advocacy Centers

• The shortage of resources for abused children

• Why Sheryl believes prevention and early intervention make fiscal as well as moral sense

• How creativity and music helped her survive

• Her memoir, Piece by Piece, and the resources she now provides for other survivors

Sheryl's message is ultimately one of both urgency and hope: childhood trauma can have lifelong consequences, but timely intervention, support and accountability can change lives.

Learn more about Sheryl Hauk and her work at SherylHauk.com. Here's a link to her book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qCNck0

CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet Sheryl Hauk

00:37 Survivor to Advocate

02:23 Hidden Trauma Costs

03:02 Prevention and Accountability

05:46 Statute Limits Fight

08:09 Trauma and Learning

09:47 Who Abuses Children

12:23 CAC Funding Crisis

15:03 Policy Priorities Debate

17:47 CACs and Recovery Support

20:18 How She Stopped It

23:33 Book and Resources

25:31 Closing Call to Action

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for conversations about politics, public policy, social justice and the issues shaping American life.

#ChildAbuse #ChildhoodTrauma #SherylHauk #ChildAdvocacy #SexualAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #LeanToTheLeft

Veterans are filing claims for benefits they earned — but some of those claims may be disappearing into what veteran advocate Steve Miller describes as a VA “black hole.”

Miller, a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division and president of Wellness for Veterans, says claims submitted through veterans service organizations are being transmitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs but are not always being entered into the VA system. He says the result is that veterans are left waiting, sometimes for months, without knowing what happened to their claims.

Miller says he learned about the problem from a VA representative and was told the system issue had been going on for at least four months. He also says veterans affected by the problem have not been notified.

That matters because these claims can determine access to disability compensation, medical care, and other benefits for veterans injured or made ill during their military service.

Miller has helped more than 800 veterans pursue service-connected benefits and says his work has helped secure more than $1.5 million annually for veterans — all without charging them for his assistance.

In this Lean to the Left interview, Miller explains what he believes is happening, why he says veterans are being left in limbo, and why he wants Congress and the VA to act.

Watch the full conversation and tell us what you think. Have you or someone you know experienced unexplained delays or missing VA claims?

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent interviews, political commentary, and conversations about the issues affecting Americans.

#Veterans #VeteransAffairs #VAClaims #VeteransBenefits #MilitaryVeterans #VA #LeanToTheLeft

CHAPTERS:

00:00 VA Claims Scandal Intro

00:45 Claims Lost in Limbo

01:53 Who Knows and Who Was Told

02:55 Why These Benefits Matter

03:58 Taking It to the Media

05:22 Politics and Accountability

06:12 Congressional Staff Should Help

07:12 Hotlines and No Resolution

07:37 Wellness for Veterans Mission

08:21 800 Vets Helped for Free

10:35 Beyond Claims Gear and Housing

11:16 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Mathew Toro is 32 years old—and says he is already preparing to run for president of the United States in 2036.

Toro says this is not a sudden ambition, but a 16-year effort he began planning in 2020, when he was just 26 years old.

He is building that effort around what he calls an “Economic Justice Revolution,” a proposal designed to return more corporate profits to the workers who helped create them.

But will Toro develop the experience, organization, and credibility required to become a serious presidential contender? And by 2036, will an America battered by economic inequality, corporate power, political division, and distrust be ready for the kind of revolution he proposes?

In this Lean to the Left interview, host Bob Gatty presses Toro about his background, qualifications, political philosophy, economic proposals, campaign strategy, education, foreign policy views, and the enormous challenge of building a credible national campaign.

Toro explains his proposal to require highly profitable corporations to return 36 percent of their net income above $1 billion to their employees. Using Apple as an example, he argues that workers could receive substantial annual payments representing what he calls the true value of their labor.

The discussion includes:

• Why Toro began planning his presidential run in 2020

• His experiences with homelessness and economic hardship

• Why he believes corporate greed and political corruption are connected

• His plan to build a grassroots campaign through social media

• Whether he would seek another elected office before running for president

• His support for universal preventive healthcare

• His views on labor unions and working-class power

• The current Democratic Party and political polarization

• How he would confront opposition from Congress and corporate interests

• What he still must accomplish before voters should consider him qualified

Toro acknowledges that he currently lacks the staff, funding, national organization, and political infrastructure required for a presidential campaign. But he insists the years ahead give him time to build a movement and establish credibility.

“I’m barely half the man I’ll be in 2036,” he says, describing that election year as “a date with American history.”

Will Mathew Toro be ready by then?

And after another decade of economic and political upheaval, will America be ready for him?

Watch the interview and decide for yourself.

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for interviews, political commentary, and independent reporting focused on democracy, economic fairness, government accountability, and the issues affecting working Americans.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and Setup

01:28 Meet Matthew Toro

01:46 Origins of His Mission

03:59 Homelessness and Solutions

05:55 Why Aim for 2036

08:37 Corruption and Bipartisanship

09:40 Economic Justice Plan Explained

13:18 Is It Socialism

14:59 Unions Healthcare Housing

16:31 Building a Real Campaign

18:10 Books and Fundraising Online

20:09 Democrats and Misinformation

23:13 Getting Congress Onboard

27:10 Foreign Policy and Trump

28:24 Background and Weaknesses

30:05 How Voters Should Judge

31:32 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

#MathewToro #Election2036 #EconomicJustice #WorkingClass #PresidentialElection #ProgressivePolitics #CorporateGreed #LaborRights #PoliticalInterview #LeanToTheLeft

Democrats must get tough to win Congress and defeat Donald Trump and his MAGA allies in the House and Senate, says longtime activist Patrick Reynolds.

Watch four killer ads he produced to hammer Trump and his MAGA allies in the key House and Senate races that could determine control of Congress.

The grandson of tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, Patrick became nationally known when he turned against the industry that made his family wealthy and spent decades fighting Big Tobacco -- largely because RJR's products caused his father's death.

Now, he's taken on a new political battle: helping Democrats regain control of Congress.

As leader of the Congress Majority PAC, Reynolds argues that Democrats must fight harder, sharpen their message, and directly confront Trump and the Republican Party as a whole—not simply rely on traditional candidate-versus-candidate advertising.

In this Lean to the Left interview, Reynolds explains what Democrats must do to win the critical House and Senate races that will determine control of Congress.

You will also see four killer political ads Reynolds produced for use in key races across the country. The ads target:

Donald Trump and his MAGA allies

Republican policies on climate change

The economy and cost of living

Disaffected voters who no longer feel loyal to the Democratic Party

Reynolds intends to place these hard-hitting, nationally relevant messages in the battleground races where they could make the greatest difference.

Can Democrats finally stop playing defense, get tough, and win back Congress?

Watch the interview, see the four ads, and share your reaction in the comments.

Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political commentary, interviews, and analysis.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Trump Party Cold Open

00:11 Meet Patrick Reynolds

01:39 Why Start a Super PAC

03:30 Vote Democrat Ad Strategy

05:23 Privilege and Family Fallout

07:28 Tobacco Legacy and Disinheritance

09:58 Introducing the Ad Lineup

10:43 Ad 1 Anti Trump Message

11:50 Ad 2 Climate Change and Big Oil

14:07 Ad 3 Economy and Cost of Living

16:02 Ad 4 Disaffected Democrats

17:27 Whats at Stake and Call to Action

21:11 Closing Thanks and Support