Majority 54

It’s hard to think of a more polarizing issue than the wall Trump wants to build on our southern border. The conversation you’re about to hear was recorded in a wooden barn, on Tony Sedgwick’s ranch in Nogales, Arizona. Tony’s a Republican who didn’t vote for Donald Trump. In fact, Trump drove Tony all the way out of the party. He’s a small-town lawyer turned full-time Arizona rancher working the land that’s been in his family for generations. If President Trump is going to build his wall, he’ll have to build part of it on Tony’s ranch, which won’t be the first time the federal government has been in a fight with Tony Sedgwick. But as you’ll hear, Tony’s objection isn’t just about keeping the government off his property. As an independent-minded conservative westerner, he fundamentally disagrees with the President’s wall and calls it a bunch of hooey. I drove down to Tony’s 3,600 acre ranch where his nearest neighbors live in Mexico to record what turned out to be an incredible conversation with an absolutely brilliant guy.   Important Links: @Majority54 @JasonKander hellomajority54@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I spoke to my friend Steve Droske, an elementary school principal, about the way public education gets treated by politicians. This episode is pure fire! We covered everything including: Betsy Devos, teacher pay, school choice and much more! Be sure to listen to the very end for a behind the scenes conversation where Steve talks about the fear of using his platform. Important links: @droskes @Majority54 @JasonKander hellomajority54@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sat down with my friend Salam, an Afghan man from Kansas City, who I first met in Afghanistan in 2006 when he was assigned as my main translator. I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s hard to argue issues like national security, terrorism, or foreign policy anymore without the other side pulling you into a debate about Islam itself, so given that, it makes sense to dedicate a whole episode to Islamophobia.  That's why I also address the following Republican arguments: Islam is an inherently violent religion. “Moderate” American Muslims need to take responsibility and do more to condemn violence in the name of Islam. Important links:   @Majority54  @JasonKander hellomajority54@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m introducing you to former CIA officer A.J. Twombly for insight on the Trump Administration’s campaign against the American intelligence community. The President does a lot of talking about them and they don’t get to answer back. As a former Army intelligence officer myself, I know how I feel about his rhetoric, and I thought it was important to talk to a non-military individual in intelligence to see how they view the current environment.  Common talking points we'll answer: Whether the intelligence community has a political agenda Whether we should just move on from all the Russia stuff Important links: AJ Twombly: @ajftwombly Jason: @jasonkander Kemet Coleman: @kemetthephantom ​Comments and Questions: ​ @Majority54 O'Hara's Restaurant & Pub: http://www.oharaspubnyc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Franks (https://twitter.com/brucefranksjr) joins the show to discuss Ferguson, Black Lives Matter and the relationship between the African American community and the police.    You’ll find out about the importance of making people uncomfortable, Bruce’s take on American History, and surprisingly, that I am a battle rapper. Important links: Bruce: @brucefranksjr Jason: @jasonkander  Cathy’s Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/CathysKitchenrestaurant/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Kander is an army veteran from Kansas City, Missouri and the first millennial elected to statewide office in the United States. He's traveling the country to help the 54% of us who didn't vote for Donald Trump talk to those of us who did about the most divisive issues in our country.  Majority 54, coming November 17th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices