121 Comments
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Linda GF's avatar

Would never trust MTaylor Green. She softened her tone just as she sees the tide turning against MAGA. She has no integrity and cannot be trusted.

Camille Wilson's avatar

Unfortunately, there are people who believe Trump’s version of January 6.

Patricia Mei's avatar

And she never revealed the names on the Epstein files as she promised….

Sheila Anthony's avatar

I am a lifelong DEMOCRAT. My husband served 14 years in the House of Representatives. I served as an attorney 7 years in the Federal Government in various positions. It was a privilege.

I am shocked to my socks at the turn the Trump administration has taken our country. Scary and dangerous.

Continue your journey and keep those of us informed who respect service to USA.

Thank you from the other side of the aisle.

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

Wow! Thanks for your service! Proud to have ya here

Bill Konigsberg's avatar

This was good to watch. I felt like I understood the way “reasonable” Republicans felt after Jan. 6 better after having watched this, and I found it illuminating to hear your thoughts about the subsidies and what was likely going to happen. Personally, I’m new to what you’re doing with Country First, and as a progressive, what I’d love to hear is what you’d like from those of us who might disagree with some aspects of your platform but overall would be very willing to put country over party if it meant ending the insanity of this particular moment.

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

Thanks! At the moment i don’t have a platform…. Who whole focus is defeating Trump and the GOP and focusing on restoring our democracy

Bill Konigsberg's avatar

Thanks for the response. I will happily let fellow progressives know in case they’d like to be aware of this movement. And I think a lot of us would. Good luck and thanks for what you’re doing.

James Stoner's avatar

Welcome, Zach, I think you will be a great addition to the podcast.

One thing, and I'm not being woke: Let's not use the pronoun "we" when referring to Republican Congresspeople and their strategy or status. Just as I am no longer saying "our" State Department, DOJ or HHS. It's theirs, not ours.

Paula Nordhoff's avatar

Exciting news…looking forward to the new format. Thank you for all you do!

Kimberlie Hammerschmidt's avatar

As a member of the of country first since the inception, can we do more joining with other organizations and get out and peacefully protest… get Country1st name out there more…? What turned me on to the organization is because of the country over party mindset… I was a Republican but went independent after Jan 6. my new mantra is vote “character”! Someone with effective communication and maybe even a White House that represents both parties?! I think that would end the divide…neither party has all the answers. I don’t think we could look at someone objectively depending on whether they have an R for a D in front of their name!? I don’t know how to get past the finger pointing…. But we need solutions

🙏🇺🇸🙏

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

Thanks for being a memeber! And ya i agree….

Bill Konigsberg's avatar

This is smart, Kimberlie. A man I know who worked in the Reagan Administration once said to me, "We need a two-party system because Democrats move the agenda forward, and Republicans get things done." I think that's a smart way of looking at it, and I do think at one time it was like that. Would be nice to get back to a system that works for all of us. Best to you.

Katina's avatar

Vote for character! Absolutely!

Susan Troccolo's avatar

Character and Capacity

State of Play's avatar

not tone deaf. i appreciate these kinds of conversations. i think we need more of them. plus i like hearing your perspective on more things more in depth. keep up the good work.

Cathy Bell's avatar

Right around 13:00, referring to US troops in Venezuela: "Hats off to the boys." Come on, Zach. This retired USAF major thinks you can do better. Otherwise, nice to meet you.

Ginger's avatar

Love this. I would say to keep both of you on the screen the whole time. For me it’s very distracting to keep changing the screen back and forth.

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

Good point thanks!

Yvette Hall's avatar

I am a life long Democrat and am older person who has great respect for you and your messaging . You are not a conspiracy theorists and get what the madman is doing . Thanks for your messaging which holds MAGNA to the fire

Scoopie's avatar

Welcome to the fray, Zach!

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

It is a fray!!

77 Square Miles's avatar

Ok, FWIW I'm going to give you some honest feedback (of course from my perspective, I'll let you judge whether it has merit or not) because I'm 100% sure that's what you'd want, and can take it. (1) Unequivocally, a worthwhile format. Do more! (2) The biggest mistake interviewers make is spending more time on THEIR opinions than on the views of their invited experts. My bet is if you count talking time, the expert you had on had a lot less talking time than you did. You have a total forum where you can spend as much time as you want whenever you want on what you think and why. The whole point of having the expert on is to hear what they have to say, and why. This particular expert had/has expertise if I understand in nuts and bolts of communications, and working with and for congresspersons, I think doing policy analysis? and others. Pick his brains on those topics. Let your audience learn from that vantage point. What are your experts' areas of expertise? Give your audience THAT. Sorry for blathering on here, all meant in good faith honest feedback and I could well be wrong, but maybe you'll find it worthwhile.

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

I agree. In this case he’s not a guest he is a cohost…. So we will both be talking from our perspective to share. I’m not interviewing him. Also it’s his first one so I’m driving the convo mostly.

77 Square Miles's avatar

Totally understand, makes sense. Co-host different role than guest expert, much more back-and-forth on perspectives, amplifying.

Susheila Khera's avatar

I like this expansion of the conversation. Thank you! And just to say, it does take a lot of courage to speak up and also to leave your career. People who take that step because they want to improve the world deserve a lot of credit and respect.

Thanks for your work.

Katie's avatar

I like the concept. Nice to hear behind the scenes stuff from a variety of perspectives, even though its so cynical (though clearly true) to hear no one wants to legislate in an election year. But this exchange left me with questions. 1. Are you really for US led regime change through direct intervention, i.e. entering a country and taking people? Even if he's a terrible, sinister leader, this is not the way it should go down...it just sets a precedent of regime change by other "strong" countries, 2. Once Trump is gone, are you guys going back to fighting the left on "healthcare for everyone", which is what we all wanted but Obama knew it would never get through your side of the aisle? You only gave up on "repeal and replace" because Obamacare won (bless McCain!)? So, in your heart, you don't believe our wealthy country can provide healthcare access for all its people? Say it ain't so Adam! 3. How do we safeguard the rule of law after this regime is gone and what other changes should we make to preserve the reasonable middle; voting protection, get rid of electoral college, revise pardon power, strengthen civil service protection, etc?? We have to start now in order to be ready when things change. 4. Should there be a Truth and Reconciliation -like process to hold the leaders of this regime accountable once they are out of power, like you tried to do with the Jan 6 process? Or would you just shrug it off and move forward.

Pamela Sawall's avatar

I want the nuanced informational and perhaps oppositional perspective that you always bring. I appreciate the passion you wear on your sleeve; it makes the conversation real. You are strong and relentless. Stay safe and best to you and yours.

Mick F's avatar

I do like different perspectives on governing, current events, financial corruption, and the like that are informed, keep trying this type of stuff. Thanks!