Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast Jennifer Welch & Lisa Graves
Oct 8, 2025
Jennifer Welch, host of the podcast I've Had It, shares her perspectives on how Republican state policies, especially in Oklahoma, have negatively impacted education and social services. She discusses the celebration of political villains and how the GOP's messaging has shifted from immigration concerns to crime. Lisa Graves, former chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of Without Precedent, reveals how the Roberts Court has undermined constitutional rights, including its involvement in partisan gerrymandering and executive overreach.
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Why MAGA Resonates In Bible Belt
- Jennifer Welch links MAGA support to religiously conditioned shame, secret-keeping, and a culture that rewards authoritarian leaders.
- She argues that Christian nationalism, prosperity gospel, and forced patriotism create a ready audience for Trump-style power.
Housekeeper Deportation Changed A Voter
- Jennifer Welch recounts a lifelong Republican in Oklahoma who thanked her after her housekeeper was deported and expressed gratitude for exposing harsh immigration policies.
- The story illustrates how policy harms become personal and can shift voters' views.
Policy Choices Made Oklahoma Decline
- Welch lists concrete policies that drove Oklahoma to the bottom rankings: abortion bans, defunding education, and scapegoating unions.
- She ties those policy choices to long-term decline in services and quality of life for residents.
