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Independent Political Strategist Bill Hillsman has masterminded some of the most effective and innovative election campaigns in the modern era. Hillsman first rocked the political world when he helped elect the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone in 1990 in one of the biggest political upsets in decades. In 1993, Hillsman took over a floundering Minneapolis… Continue reading 275. Bill Hillsman. The Godfather of Independent Politics. Lessons from Jesse Ventura’s Win 25 Years Later. No Labels = No Candidate. Dems Ramp up Attacks on Kennedy, But Maybe They Shouldn’t. Presidential Primaries Are Broken. Hell to the Naw Season.

This week, it’s time for real talk. Overdue real talk. On America’s terrible withdrawal from Afghanistan. On accountability for those failures that resulted in the 13 American servicemembers dying at Abbey Gate. On the fragile independent brand. On disgraced New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez considering running as an independent (Yes, really). On newly self-proclaimed independent… Continue reading 273. A Week Of Real Talk and Reckonings. Afghanistan. Trump. Ukraine. Netanyahu. Crime In America. RFK Jr’s Latest Ridiculous VP Name. March Madness in Our Politics.

In case you missed it, newly-self-proclaimed independent RFK Jr. floated some VP names. Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura. Exactly what the independent movement does NOT need.  And our Paul Rieckhoff is going to dig into why. He’ll also share the backstory behind why Kennedy’s involvement in a scheduled panel at the South By Southwest conference… Continue reading 272. Breaking Down Kennedy, Aaron Rodgers, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, South By Southwest and All The Other Recent Independent Drama.

Welcome to a special State of the Union recap special edition episode of Independent Americans.  Normally, the State of the Union address is a civics lesson, pageantry and performance. Normally, it doesn’t move the needle.  But last night was different. It was the most important SOTU in a generation. Voters were watching. Including millions who… Continue reading 271. State of the Union Special Edition. How Did Biden Do? Did He Move Independents? Dissecting The Big Night From Cannabis to Ukraine to Veterans to Forgotistan.

Welcome to Independent Americans. And welcome to March.  The weather is changing. It’s warming up and spring is so close you can almost smell it. But instead you’re probably smelling something different in the air. Something a lot less pleasant. It’s a smell that’s always been pervasive in Washington, DC and also on television and… Continue reading 270. Tim Mak. Ukraine at a Crossroads. Has Ukraine Given Up on America? The Battle of Antonov Airfield. Haley is Out. Sinema is Out Too. Super Tuesday Was Not Super for 6M Independents. America Says Biden is Too Old. SecDef Austin’s Rough Time.

The story that remains underreported is how much Trump ISN’T getting. He’s a freight train as nominee—but still NOT getting 30%. AND, he’s continuing to struggle with moderates in his own party and especially with independents (as revealed most vividly in New Hampshire). It continues to underscore his general election weakness. Which is revealed (AND… Continue reading 269 Michael Steele. Michigan & South Carolina Primary Insights. Where Will Haley Voters Go? Being the only Republican Host on MSNBC. Does Biden Have a Harris Problem? More Congressional Chaos. Will RFK Jr & No Labels Spoil Everything?

This episode is a little different. It’s a quick hit episode from host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff)–with a reading of his recent op-ed that appeared on Smerconish.com (co-authored with John Opdycke(@jbopdycke, the President of Open Primaries). It highlights the influence of independent voters in the New Hampshire primary, making specific note of independent’s support of candidates… Continue reading 268. Will Anyone Listen to Independents in 2024? A Special Short Episode with Paul Rieckhoff.

The Super Bowl is over and the Chiefs are the champs. MAGA is sad about that for some reason, but don’t worry they’ll have something new to be upset about soon enough. From mysterious new Russian space nukes, to Biden’s old age to another looming government shutdown. It’s a lot. And then throw Trump’s 91… Continue reading 267 Asha Rangappa. Is Trump Going to Jail or Not? What Did The Hur Report Really Say About Biden? MAGA vs NATO, Ukraine and More. Russia’s Secret Space Nukes. Long Island’s Special Election Takeaways. Best Super Bowl Ever. The Tragic Parade Shooting.

It’s Super Bowl week in America. And it’s a Super Bowl year of politics and national security. And as the world focuses on America’s big game, it’s also focused on America’s dysfunction. And so are we. The border deal has collapsed, funding for Ukraine and Israel is stalled, and the election division across the country… Continue reading 266. Matt Gallagher. Super Bowl Politics. How F#cked Up is America Right Now? Speaker Johnson is a Terrible Quarterback. Border Bill Fumble. Haley is QB2. Is the US Soft? SC and NV Primaries. Civil War or World War? Daybreak: Matt’s Powerful New Novel.