Live from Nashville, Tennessee Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Jeff Webb, founder and chairman of The New American Populist (TNAP), joined Leahy during the first hour to discuss Lamar Alexander’s decision and his mission to flip the House of Representatives red.
Leahy: And joining us on the line to comment about that is our good friend, Memphis entrepreneur, founder of Varsity Brands. And the founder of the New American Populist, Jeff Webb. Good morning Jeff.
Webb: Hey Mike, how are you? Good morning.
Leahy: So what do you think about Lamar Alexander’s decision to say no to witnesses?
Webb: Well, I think that everybody was very concerned about it. So many people from around the state and the country calling and asking me what they thought he would do. And up until yesterday, I was pretty worried about it. He kept everything close to the vest. But I think in the end, he did the right thing.
If he had gone the other way I think it would’ve been horrible for the country first of all. But, I don’t think it would have been good for his legacy. So I think Lamar did the right thing. And I think most people in Tennessee are appreciative of the position he’s taking.
Leahy: I think that’s the reaction among a lot of conservatives. There was a lot of concern about how he would decide. If you read his statement, it was a very thoughtful statement I thought. As you said, it does speak well for his legacy.
Webb: I think it does. And I agree with you about it being a thoughtful statement. Sometimes he’s a very smart and wise man. I think once again very appropriately here at the end of his career. He put the country and it’s citizens first. We’re all thankful and all proud of him.
Leahy: Among conservatives, there’s been lots of criticism of Senator Alexander, but I think as you point out Jeff, when he makes the right decision at the right time it has an impact and it has a very long-lasting legacy. I think he retires now.
The Senate race is up. There will be a nominee determined in August. And that nominee from the Republican Party will absolutely win in November. But when he retires in January 2021, how will people remember him? What will they say about him when he retires officially in January of 2021.
Webb: Well I think that the base and that the base of the party has definitely shifted and are more conservative certainly than when he first got elected. I think there was a lot of uneasiness about Lamar Alexander. And he is more of a traditional moderate Republican.
But I sort of believe that because of the gravity of the situation now and because it is at the end of his career. I think this is what he’s going to be remembered for. I think people will remember him fondly and appreciate the job he’s done.
Leahy: I think you’re right. Now there may be a few twists and turns in the impeachment trial. But it looks at this moment that a vote to acquit the president and end this trial should happen eminently we think. They’ll be twists and turns as always. But here’s my question for you Jeff.
You’re the founder of the New American Populist. Supporting the working-class Americans. What happens next? What’s the big public agenda next? Is it the battle for the House? Battle for the Presidency? What’s going to be the focus of your organization going forward?
Webb: Well it will be both of those. As you mentioned, our organization is about revitalizing America’s middle class. And President Trump is the first president in 30 years to really take up the mantel of the middle class and act in policies and trying to promote the progress of the middle class.
Certainly, President Trump will be one of our focuses on getting him reelected because of what he has done. There are a lot of people supporting President Trump. They’ve got a lot of money. So we think he’ll do really well. The House races are absolutely critical. And as you know Mike we’ve been focusing on these districts where President Trump won in 2016. And the Democrats flipped them in 2018.
And you can see what the result has been. We are living with it even today. With the impeachment. And it even goes beyond that. Nothing has been able to get through. No new laws. Nothing’s been able to get through to the middle class. We think getting those House seats back in the right hands’ is absolutely critical for progress in the middle class.
Leahy: Three of those House seats are in Iowa. Three of them are seats which are currently held by Democrats where President Trump won. I’m going to be out there Monday and Tuesday. We’ll be broadcasting live for the caucuses. I noticed at President Trump’s rally yesterday in Des Moines, a lot of working-class people.
My guess is, out in those three key congressional districts, what are you finding? Your folks are out there working. Are you sensing that there’s support for candidates who are identified with President Trump’s working-class agenda as opposed to the impeachment “bad man orange” Democrats?
Webb: I think there is no doubt about it. And the farmers are very much behind President Trump. And I think this really shocks the Democrats. I think the tariffs that he put in place did affect the farmers negatively. But they’ve hung in there for him which is absolutely unbelievable. This impeachment process has ironically as far as the Democrats are concerned has solidified Trump’s base and I think that will carry over into the candidates that are selected.
Leahy: Jeff Webb. The founder of The New American Populist. A good friend of the program. A very successful entrepreneur in Memphis. Thanks so much for joining us and will you come back again?
Webb: My pleasure.
Listen to the first hour here:
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Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 am to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
No reason to praise Alexander, the RINO, for doing the will of the people of Tennessee. The guy has been a loser for many years.