June 10, 2025 • 44 mins
The American Muckrakers podcast this week dives deep into the political landscape of Iowa as David Wheeler and Colonel Moe Davis sit down with Kevin Techau, a candidate for Congress in Iowa's 2nd district. This episode is packed with insights into the current political climate and the challenges faced by candidates from both sides of the aisle. Wheeler and Davis waste no time getting into the nitty-gritty of campaign strategies, discussing Techau's military background and his motivations for entering the political arena. Techau, a retired colonel, shares his experiences in the Air Force JAG Corps and highlights the importance of veterans stepping up to serve their communities once again. He draws parallels between his military service and the current state of politics, emphasizing the need for integrity and collaboration in Congress. As they chat, listeners are treated to a candid discussion about the issues plaguing the district, from economic uncertainty to the plight of farmers struggling under the weight of tariffs and government cuts. Techau is determined to bring a fresh perspective to the political scene, focusing on 'meat and potato' issues that resonate with everyday Iowans, such as healthcare and the economy. He argues that the current representation is failing to address these concerns, opting instead for performance politics that do little to help the constituents. This engaging episode not only highlights Techau's vision for Iowa but also sheds light on the broader challenges facing the Democratic Party as they strive to regain ground in a competitive political landscape.
Takeaways:
- Colonel Kevin Techau believes that government should uplift people, not push them down, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate political approach.
- He criticizes the current representative, Ashley Henson, for focusing on culture wars and neglecting real solutions for Iowans who need support in their everyday lives.
- The podcast highlights the importance of a ground game in campaigns, stressing that personal connections and discussions with constituents are essential to winning over voters.
- Kevin Techau's military background and experience as a U.S. attorney shape his belief in integrity and the value of serving the community through effective governance.
- Listeners learn about the struggles in agricultural communities due to uncertainty from tariffs and government cuts that threaten their livelihoods and economic stability.
- The conversation touches on the need for Democrats to re-engage with rural voters, emphasizing that they must address the real, everyday issues affecting people’s lives.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- American Muckrakers
- Kevin Techau
- Ashley Henson
- Tom Vilsack
- Tom Harkin
- Joni Ernst
- Chuck Edwards
- Ray Gun
- John Deere
- Collins Radio
- USC
- Grinnell College
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This is the AmericanMuckrakers podcast. Muck you. I'm
David Wheeler in Spruce Pine,North Carolina, here to gut the lies
and spill the filthy truth. Myco host, Mo Davis, is running to
be the next Congress dude fromNC11 coming to us today from Asheville.
Mo, let's get mucking.
All right, well, thanks,David, and thanks everybody for tuning
(00:21):
in again. It's a nice day herein western North Carolina, and we're
pleased to have another greatguest on today. And someone I've
got a lot in common with.Kevin Techau is someone I met many,
many years ago when we bothwere serving in the Air Force JAG
Corps. And Kevin's out inIowa. And like me, he's running for
Congress. So, I mean, I'malways happy to see veterans step
up and, and serve again.Sohe, he's running in Iowa, Iowa's
2nd congressional district.The incumbent, Republican, Ashley
Henson. Kevindid a number ofyears on active duty and then switched
over to the Iowa NationalGuard and served there for another
20 years and like me, retiredas a colonel. He was the Iowa's Commissioner
of Public Safety and morerecently, he was the U.S. attorney
for the Northern District ofIowa. So,hey, Kevin, thanks so much
for taking time to join ustoday on MUCK YOU!
(01:18):
Yeah, thank you. Reallyappreciate the opportunity to visit
with you guys.
Well, listen, let's start withwhat made you decide to run for Congress.
Well, the current situation,when I took a step back and I looked
at my record as a veteran, assomeone that's had the opportunity
to serve under Tom Vilsackwhen he was governor and Tom Harkin
(01:39):
recommended me to PresidentObama and served as U.S. attorney,
I looked at that record andlooked at what's going on with the
current representation. Ivoice believe that we work best when
we work together, and that'sjust not happening in Washington.
The current representative,Ashley Henson, she just votes for
headlines. She's not lookingfor solutions. She's not working
(02:00):
for Iowa. She's pushingculture wars, cutting services for
seniors and veterans, feedingthe chaos. It's performance politics
and it's just pure hogwash.And I think it's time to Iowa, in
this part of the state, got arepresentation that's going to work
for them and lift people up,not punch down.
Yeah. So tell us a little bitabout your district. What does it
(02:20):
encompass?
It's 22 counties. I wouldconsider it light purple. It went
for Obama twice and it's gonefor Trump since. Starts in the southern
part here in Cedar Rapids, butit goes all the Way up to the northeast
corner, Alami Key county, upalong the Mississippi Dubuque, Clayton
and Alamy county, and thenruns along the Minnesota border over
(02:43):
to Mason City and then downpicks up Waterloo and Cedar Rapids
and then goes down to Powasheecounty, which is where Grinnell College
is, and back over to CedarRapids. So it's a mixture of, of
agriculture, but there's somereally strong manufacturing in John
Deere, has two large plants inboth Dubuque and Waterloo. And then
Collins Radio here in CedarRapids is a very large military contractor.
(03:07):
So a good blend of agricultureand manufacturing and traditionally
has gone back and forth from Rto D. And I believe it's going to
be a good year for the D's.
Yeah, I think so too. It'shopefully, particularly with the,
the big beautiful wealthtransfer to the rich bill that is,
I guess, tied up in the Senateright now. I don't know about your
(03:29):
district, but I know here inwestern North Carolina, it's, if
it goes through, it's going tohave a dramatic impact on working
class people. So what kind ofreception is it getting out in your
area?
Very positive. I think peopleare, what I like to call are tired
of the chaos, the cruelty andthe hogwash. They're the meat and
potato issues are really whatI think are going to carry the day.
(03:52):
Ashley Henson, you know,campaigned on making prices go down.
The economy, she's turned herback on that. So when I talk to people,
they're very interested in,you know, they want to make sure
that they can make a living,pay the bills. They want an opportunity
for their kids, the Americandream. And they also want to make
sure that if they get sick,they're not going to go bankrupt
(04:12):
and then they're going to haveenough money to have a decent retirement.
And all those things rightnow, the chaos, the uncertainty of
what's going on. And if wecalled Ashley Henson a basketball
referee, she swallowed thewhistle. I mean, she's a rubber stamp
for what's going on and it'sjust not being well received. You
know, corners when I visitwith people.
(04:33):
Yeah. Oh, she sounds likeChuck Edwards in a skirt because
he's the same guy I'm runningagainst is just a rubber stamp. You
know, whatever he's told todo, he does. And whether it's good
for the district or not, hedoesn't care. It's, you know, he
looks out for. I don't know, Idon't know, like your opponent, what
her backers are like. I knowthe guy here, Chuck Edwards. I Mean,
(04:56):
he's financed by out of statemoney from big corporations that
don't do business here andfrom out of state billionaires that
have never set foot in thewestern North Carolina mountains.
But what kind of folks are.
Yeah, absolutely. There's a,there's a good share of that. And
you've probably heard the, thecontroversy over our Republican Sen.
Senator Joni Ernst. I mean,Ashley Henson is basically her political
(05:18):
twin. They vote the same.They've done a, a couple town halls
on video together and they,they vote the same. And so they,
they both really seem torelish punching down, you know, people
that need government serviceslike Medicare and snap rather than
lifting up. And the peoplethat really, you know, understand
(05:40):
this district and care aboutthis district, that's not where they
are. And so these, you'reright, these out that come in and,
you know, want to prop them upis really what's carried her through
a couple of these elections.
Yeah, I'm curious. I know Joniearned her comment about, hey, you
know, we're all going to die.How's that playing out in Iowa?
It's everywhere I go, peoplewant to talk about that. And I don't
(06:03):
know if there's a, a reallykind of a clever T shirt company
in Iowa called Ray Gun andthey put out a shirt that says, you
know, we're all going to die,Joni Ernst. And they're selling out
everywhere. So she's, andthen, you know, she doubled down
on it in her comments about,you know, filming that. I don't know
if it was a tick tock orwhatever it was in the cemetery,
you know, really sarcasticallyand then ending it with, I didn't
(06:26):
know I had to talk about thetooth fairy either. So, yeah, really,
really, I think is backfiringon her and she's doubled down on
it again today. And so AshleyHenson is really right there next
to her, really her politicaltwin for their philosophy and their
voting records.
Well, you mentioned, you know,you'd worked with Tom Vilsack and
he was one of the, one of thefirst guests we had on our podcast
(06:46):
and, and, and a realgentleman. And you know, my impression
of you is, you know, you'rekind of cut from that, that same
cloth. So what'd you learnfrom working with, with Tom Vilsack?
Well, I, I mean, I'll talkabout three of my political heroes.
So I met Tom Vilsack. Youknow, I came back to Iowa in 92 and
there hadn't been a Democraticgovernor, I don't know, like in 30
(07:08):
years. And so I met TomVilsack and decided that he could
be the guy that could take itback. And he talked a lot about it's
time to rotate the crops. Imean, that was kind of his theme.
And he brought, he reallyemphasized the rural economy and
how education in Iowa hadtaken a dip. And so, you know, worked
(07:29):
hard, listened to people. Asanother hero of mine, Tom Harkin,
you know, he stood, stood upfor fairness. He, the Americans had
disability, the LillyLedbetter, all those kind of actions
really have helped lift uppeople over the years. And I'll throw
on another hero is GovernorBob Ray, who was a governor when
(07:50):
I was younger, growing up andyou know, all this talk about immigration
and how it's not positive forthe United States. When Governor
Wray was governor, he saw whatwas going on in Southeast Asia after
the Vietnam War and welcomedthose people into Iowa, what they
called the boat people. And hedid it because of the integrity and
(08:11):
compassion and really thecourage to lead with purpose. And
so all three of those men inmy book are what it really takes.
I mean, they worked across theaisle. They work for solutions. They
tried to lift people up andfind solutions to problems. So all
three of them, I think, servedwith dignity and integrity and are
real heroes of mine.
Well, over on the, the, thetopic of integrity, who are you rooting
(08:36):
for in the feud between Elonand Trump?
I, I think it's a toss up. Ithink we're all, I think we're all,
all gonna lose out of thatone. But it's been fun to watch.
I guess it was just a matterof time until that, that bromance
blew up.
Yeah, that's what I said. Youknow, I, I don't want either one
to win, but it sure is funwatching them drag each other through
(08:58):
the mud. But, you know, it'slike having to pick in projectile
vomiting. I just assume, justas they not have either one.
Yeah, right.
Yeah. Hey, let's get back toyour, your, your time in the military.
I know you come like me. Yourdad served in the military. And then,
and then you did. What lessonsdo you, did you take away from the
(09:19):
military that you think arehelpful in your run for, for Congress?
Well, that sense of honor, Imean, the, the camaraderie I served
in three years in, in the UKand then three in Germany during
the Cold War. And I happenedto be in Berlin when the wall came
down. I was TDY at Tempelhofand I didn't agree with Ronald Reagan
(09:41):
a lot of things, but Boy, he,he knew what the Soviet Union was
all about. I mean, I don'tknow if you had that chance, but
had gone into East Berlin andit was kind of like one of those
movies where they go fromTechnicolor to black and white and
how dismal it was in EastBerlin. And, you know, that's where
Putin comes from. And havingseen that, I mean, and then where
(10:01):
we're at today, how, you know,it's kind of like the baton. I mean,
ever Since World War II, youknow, the baton has been passed generation
to generation. The NATO haskept us at peace in Europe. And it's
so disappointing, sodisgusting to see, you know, how
the current administration isreally wants to throw that in the
ash bins of history ratherthan recognizing that that's what
(10:22):
what's really generations havefought for to keep the peace. So
I think how much it, you know,the dignity and, and the camaraderie
that I saw interagency in ourinternationally, I mean, where I
went, people thanked me for,you know, the people that served
before me having served inEurope and won World War II. All
(10:43):
those things I think are bringus to today. And, and we need to
build on it, not tear it down.So I think it's the tradition and
that history that reallysticks with me and makes me proud
that I had an opportunity toserve during that time.
But Kevin, so I think you, ourlisteners probably know I've got
a background from Iowa. I grewup there in Norwalk south of Des
(11:04):
Moines and went to college atUniversity of Iowa. And I still can't
believe they gave me a degree,but I spent way too much time at
the field house. But that'sanother podcast. So, yeah, you talk
about your kind of yourfavorite politicians in Iowa, Bob
Ray, who you know, I was apage in the legislature and I got
to know him and his chief ofstaff, David Oman. Really terrific
(11:28):
people. I mean, good Iowans,good Americans, moderate in their
beliefs. Tom Vilsack, again,I, interestingly enough, I got, I
was out of politics for awhile. I restarted the Iowa Young
Democrats and then kind oftook a back seat for about 10 years.
And I got back involved inpolitics because of Tom Vilsack,
too. And Tom Harkin. My fatherwas county chair in Warren county,
(11:49):
and we helped Tom lose hisfirst congressional campaign. And,
and so we've got a lot ofsimilar history, but all three of
those gentlemen are from adifferent time. Kevin and or colonel
and are you. How are you goingto bridge the gap? I mean, those
guys, I think won because theywere decent people and they worked
(12:12):
their asses off, which I thinkyou've got both those characteristics.
But Democrats have got to geta lot tougher even in Iowa these
days. So how are you going tocampaign and win?
Well, I think it, there's beenso much misinformation and punching
down on people that I think weneed to remind them government can
be a force for good and that,you know, I mentioned the meat potato
(12:33):
issues that we have to addressso that people know that Democrats
are going to help people getback to where they, where they want
to be instead of alwaysstruggling to make ends meet. But
I've been, I'm thinking aboutthis. My mom died in 1978 at age
42 and my daughter is 22. Andmy opponent keeps talking about how
(12:53):
the federal government isworthless. So if you look at where
women in 1978 were compared totoday and I think mo, you have a
daughter as well. So like TomHarkin, the Lilly led better act
at that time. Women that couldget unequal pay and until they made
that act that, that was notprotected. If you were a woman In
(13:16):
1978, the Equal CreditOpportunity Act, I mean you had to
have a man sign for creditcards or get you a loan. You could
be fired if you're pregnant.So the Pregnancy Discrimination Act,
Tom Harkin fought hard for theADA bill. And then, you know, there's
a lot of talk about women andgirls, sports. Title IX came into
effect and, and really all thewomen that, and girls that compete
(13:39):
in sports have benefited fromthat. And that's what my opponent
calls worthless. And I thinkthey've gotten away with that too
much. I mean, you know, thepeople that we're talking about,
the heroes and I think thatthat tradition is still possible,
that it's only worthless whenyou have people like Ashley Henson
that, that don't reallyappreciate, you know, what it takes
(13:59):
to make a positive impact. Imean she's come out for the cuts
to Medicaid. Half the half thebabies born in my district are were
born with Medicaid services.And so, so many people, so many kids
rely upon the SNAP program,the food, whether it's at school
or for the food stamps. Andall those things really show what
(14:23):
a force positive governmentcan have. And there's been so much
information about howgovernment doesn't do anything. It's
worthless. Fraud, waste andabuse. I mean, I worked for, I led
two organizations that wentafter fraud, waste and abuse, Inspection
and Appeals where we had aMedicaid fraud unit brought in of
dollars in fraud at the U.S.attorney's office. Going after fraud,
(14:45):
waste and abuse was one of ourbiggest goals and we had great success.
So there's a lot of good workthat's been done by the federal government
that goes unrecognized becausewe have so many politicians like
Ashley Henson just punchingdown, saying it's worthless. And
I think we need to do a betterjob of telling those stories and
(15:05):
fighting for what's right andwhat's going to make people's lives
better.
Yeah, you're right. You know,I think a lot of that is based upon
people like your opponent'signorance. They have no idea because
they've never had to rely uponany help from the government or help
from folks. So. And the otherproblem, Kevin, is, you know, the
(15:25):
people that you're talkingabout helping and protecting, they
don't vote at a high enoughrate. So how are we going to, you
know, there's an economy here.I mean, we want to help people and
that's the spirit that publicservants bring. And, but we got to
win a campaign and we'redefending and trying to help people
that frankly aren't listeningto us and aren't voting. So how do,
(15:46):
how do we change that in Iowa?
Well, it's a ground game. Imean, I talked to a former congressman
from this part of Iowayesterday, Dave Nagel, and talked
about him about the groundgame he used, you know, back in the
day. It's a few, a fewelections ago. But, you know, it
starts people to people,neighbor to neighbor. And, you know,
candidly, Iowa lost a lot ofthat when we lost first in the nation
(16:10):
caucus because the Iowa Partyhad really relied upon the national
candidates to come in andprovide staff. And so that's taken
a step back. There's some newenergy in a group called Grassroots
that's going to connect thatactually for the first time has listed
all these interest groups thatare interested in what we're talking
about that want to work atdifferent aspects of it. So they
(16:30):
even know who, you know, theleft hand knows what the right hand
hands doing and where they'regoing to meet. The indivisible group
has had some very strongrallies in, in Iowa, small cities
and big cities coming out andthey're working hard to get those
people to register the vote.So it's going to be a, you know,
the ground game people, butpeople working with organizations
(16:52):
that, you know, have the samegoals and aspirations and fighting
for the, the good stuff.
Yeah. Let me, I want to getback to you're Talking about your
time, you know, being over atTempelhof when the wall. Wall came
down, you and I spent, youknow, countless hours, you know,
sweating our asses off in chemwarfare gear, preparing to, you know,
to take on the Soviet Unionand Russia. And now we. We learned
(17:15):
that Canada is our enemy andRussia is our friend. Can you. Could
you ever imagine that we wouldbe in the place that we're in now?
Absolutely not. It's. It'scompletely upside down. It makes
no sense. And it really makesyou wonder, you know, what's going
on under the hood with. Whypeople would even consider that to
be a worthy policy goal. Imean, right. I. I have a T shirt
(17:39):
that says NATO equals good,Putin equals bad. And I think that
sums it up pretty bad pretty well.
So, yeah, it seemed to be apretty, you know, we had a pretty
clear picture of who ourfriends were and who our enemies
were. And to do a 180 likewe've done is just hard to imagine,
if you go back 10, 15 years,that we'd be at the place that we
(18:02):
are now. And I'm reallydisappointed. Like I said, I'm really.
I'm glad to see veterans runand particularly former members of
the JAG Corps. You know, we'vegot other, you know, some of our
colleagues. You know, Ted Lieuis serving from California, of course.
On the Senate side, we gotLindsey Graham and Roger Wicker.
So, you know, the Air ForceJAG Corps is stepped up and done
(18:28):
pretty well, and I think canbring some skills to the. To the
table that would be good forthe country. But, you know, I got
to say, I'm disappointed thatsome of our former colleagues, like
Lindsey Graham and RogerWicker seem to aid in a bit this
tearing down of ourtraditional alliances and denigration
of. Of the military.
(18:49):
Yeah, I. I mean, I think we.We shared that. We both knew Lindsey
Graham way back in the day. Hewas the first. He was a. A circuit
trial counsel in the firstcase I ever heard as a judge advocate.
So I've known Lindsay a longtime. Didn't talk a lot of politics
back then, but never saw, youknow, followed him through his time
with John McCain. I mean, Iadmired a lot of things about John
(19:09):
McCain. And then to see himnot stick up for John McCain's memory
in recent times, it's beenreally disappointing and hard to
understand.
Yeah, it is. Yeah. I'm thesame way. My first trial I ever did
was in 1984, and my.1 of myopponents, I was on the, you know,
as Folks that don't know, inthe JAG Corps, you typically start
out on the prosecution side.So it was my first trial. I was a
(19:32):
member of the prosecutionteam, and one of the members of the
defense team was a youngcaptain from South Carolina named
Lindsey Graham. And so, likeyou, I've known him for, you know,
over 40 years and worked with,I worked with him and John McCain
on drafting the legislationto. For the military commissions
at Guantanamo Bay. And theywere the two that were pushing back
against the Bushadministration and complaining about
(19:54):
the abuse of executiveauthority and that you're not seeing
that out of them now. And thatreally is disappointing. What's your
take now on. I was always abig advocate. You know, I taught
at Howard University of thelaw school for four years. And a
number of my students, Iencourage them to consider a career
(20:14):
in the military. You know, Idon't know that I would do that today
because, you know, when youand I served, whether it was Reagan
or Clinton or Obama, you know,whoever it was, Democrat, Republican,
I maybe didn't agree onpolicy, some of their policies, but
I never questioned that theyhad my back. And I just don't have
that feeling with our currentcommander in chief. So what, what's
your take on the current stateof our military?
(20:36):
Well, I watched theconfirmation hearing with Hegseth
and where he basicallydenigrated judge advocates, I mean,
called jags jagoffs, and wastotally dismissive. I mean, and I've
talked to my colleagues thatserved and those that served at a
higher level than I did, andthey said the same sentence that
I did. You know, that's justnot the way it's done. I mean, rule
(20:59):
of law, law of armed conflict,the Geneva Convention, those are
all cornerstones of, of what'smade America America. I mean, we
do it the right way, we do itthe honorable way. Doesn't mean that
there hasn't been mistakes. Imean, I mean, I admired how you stuck
up for what you believe to beright in Guantanamo Bay. And, and,
you know, you paid a pricesometimes for giving your opinion.
(21:20):
But that's the integrity thatreally takes to be a leader in the
military. And when you putsomebody like Hegseth at the top,
he's done things that anairman that I defended as a circuit
defense counsel would havebeen court martial. And so that.
That's just not right. And,you know, our senator Joni Ernst
got a lot of kudos when sheran as being a combat veteran. I
(21:44):
mean, she served in the Guard,and she's turned her back on that
heritage completely. So Ithink overall, I mean, you mentioned
some leaders earlier that, youknow, served in the first Trump administration
and left because they didn'tappreciate his leadership or agree
with his leadership. I thinkoverall, that's going to. That's
going to carry the day. But Ithink we have to stay true and, you
(22:06):
know, band together and notlet this moment take over where this
country needs to head and isalways headed in the past.
Yeah, it's really sad that,you know, you mentioned a couple
of things like the Geneva, theGeneva Conventions. You know, the
US led the effort to createthe Geneva Conventions and the law
of war. The Convention againsttorture. We led the effort to create
(22:28):
the Convention againstTorture. But all the. In NATO, you
know, we led the effort to. Tocreate NATO and all these institutions
and norms that, that we wereso proud of. To see them just go
by the wayside is. I mean, Ithink, you know, we can do more damage
in a couple of years than wecan make up for in a couple of decades.
So I think it's going to be along road to repair. I mean, if.
(22:50):
If I was from another countrythat, you know, I would question,
you know, the, the US'scommitment to being an ally, given
what's happened over the lastcouple years.
Well, absolutely. And I thinkall we can do is, you know, be a
voice for, for what we believeand what we know and the heritage
that we come from. And I got.I mean, I, I'm optimistic. I think
(23:13):
it's going to carry the day,and this is going to be a blimp on
the larger American history,but doesn't mean that we can't ignore
all these transgressions,that's for sure.
Yeah, I hope so. I mean, youknow, it seems like a pendulum. You
know, it swings from one sideto the other. So I hope we've kind
of reached the zenith ofwherever we're going to the, to the
right and we start swingingback towards the middle. But again,
(23:35):
you know, it's hard toimagine, you know, you know, the
headset debacle with sharingwar plans with his wife and others
on a, you know, a phone youcan buy at your mall. It's just unimaginable,
you know, like, you know, youand I have seen people go to jail
and lose their careers forlesser transgressions. But, you know,
(23:56):
if you don't hold people atthe top accountable, then that rot,
you know, permeates down. So Iwas really disappointing. Our senator
from here, Tom Tillis, youknow, is going to lead the effort
to derailed the headsetnomination. But then Trump threatened
to find a primary challengerin our Senator Cave. Not exactly
a profiling courage, but it'sdisappointing to see someone like
(24:22):
Headset at the head of the. Atthe helm in the Pentagon.
Absolutely. Yeah. The onlytime I'd ever tried to contact Joni
Earnest was after that hearingand let her know I thought that he's
a terrible candidate to be theSecretary of Defense. And I got a
letter back two weeks afterthe vote happened, and she said she
thought he was the right guyfor the race. So terrible, terrible
(24:45):
all the way around.
All right, what gives youhope? I mean, obviously, you don't
step up and take on the taskthat you're taking on if you didn't
have, you know, hope in yourheart. So what is it that.
Well, I think it goes back tothat. That heritage that I talked
about. I mean, I think I wasat, at its core, has been a force,
positive going back throughtime, and I think that's still there.
(25:07):
You know, I mentioned thatthis district had gone for Obama
twice. I think that when Italk to people, I think, you know,
I think this district is kindof a third. A third, A third. There's
a third of people that are.They're going to be with the MAGA
crowd, you know, no matterwhat. There's a third in the middle
that have gone back and forthand, and depending on where the pendulum
(25:28):
is on those issues that wetalked about. And then there's a
third that, that's going to bethere for the Democratic candidates.
And so where we've slipped isthat middle group. And so I think
there's been lack of focus onthose meat and potato issues. And
when I go out and talk topeople about, you know, making sure
that, that we, that we'regoing to work on making sure that
the American dream is stillalive and their kids are going to
(25:49):
have a life, have anopportunity for a life better than
they have, and they're notgoing to go bankrupt if they get
sick and they're going to havea decent retirement. Those are all
the issues that people, Ithink, are at the top of mind. And,
you know, so often the racehas been taken off into these issues
that aren't important, youknow, trying to talk about these
culture wars, and we've kindof, kind of got caught up in that,
(26:12):
and we need to push that asideand talk about where, where people
live and what they really care about.
So, Kevin, tell us a littlebit about your opponent. Where is
she vulnerable? How can youbeat her? And, and yeah, absolutely.
Well, this race has been ratedas competitive. We've got one more
notch to go until it's a tossup, but it's been rated as competitive.
(26:34):
So that's a strong start. Andactually our long, long, long time
Senator Charles Grassley hassent out emails to Republican donors
saying that, that this iswhat, this is one of those districts
that could flip the House backfrom red to blue. So I'm going to
work hard and run through thefinish line and it's gonna, it's
gonna take your listeners. Imean, I could use your support. I
(26:57):
mean it. And as Mo knows itruns into. You got to have the resources
that you have to defineyourself before your opponent defines
you. And they're gonna,they're gonna try their best to do
that and take off medicine ortake it off message. When I first
announced, they wanted to callme a radical left wing socialist,
which, anybody takes a look atmy record knows that that's just,
(27:20):
you know, garbage. But I meanthat's, that's the game plan they
do. So I'mavailable@KevinForIowa.com you can
go to my website, it'll talkyou about my history and the race.
And Ashley Henson comes from amuch different place. She comes from
a bit of a blue blood familyin Des Moines, West Des Moines. She
doesn't talk about that. Shewent to the University of Southern
(27:41):
California, which Iaffectionately call the University
of Spoiled Children. I guessshe couldn't get into University
of Iowa, Iowa State orUniversity of Northern Iowa or many
of our other fine smallcolleges. And she doesn't have any
sense of, of the advantagesthat she had growing up. She was
one of those people that waskind of born on third base and thinks
she hits a triple and doesn'trealize how much people count on
(28:04):
for government to, you know,the Medicaid, she's, you know, basically
the hogwash that she'sslopping around talking about, you
know, young men in theirbasement, that, that's gonna, that's
a magnificent problem thatshe's gonna cure, that's gonna make
Medicaid stronger is justhogwash. And so I look forward to
(28:25):
having those discussions withher because as she was a newscaster,
she went to Southern Cal andthen came back and she was a newsreader
really. And if we measured herstatements by a journalistic, you
know, I think she gets a bigfat F because the things she says
are just not accurate, they'rejust not true. She talks talking
points. She likes to Slaplabels. And I think people are hungry
(28:47):
for a real discussion on theissues and drill down. And that's
what I'm looking forward to.And that's why I'm optimistic that
we can flip this race and flipthis seat back to blue.
And I doubt USC even plays inIowa. They. I think they've beat
the Hawkeyes in a couple gamesthat probably are not helpful. I
think you need to rub that in.I know actually USC pretty well.
(29:10):
There used to be a client ofmine, and I couldn't agree with you
more. It's a bunch of richlittle that have no, no concept of
reality. So, anyway, Iencourage you to take the gloves,
Kevin. I mean, I know there'sa tradition in the Democratic Party
to, you know, let's not gothere. Let's go high when they go
(29:33):
low kind of shit. And thosedays are over. And unless you're
willing to play the game theyplay, you know, it's going to be
a tough road to hoe and. Or atough road to hoe. And I say that
out of experience. You know,we went after Boebert and in Colorado
and almost got rid of her, notby taking the high road, but by putting
(29:55):
facts out about her. And I'mnot suggesting, you know, that you
as an attorney go against yourinstincts for the truth and facts
and the law, but I think inorder to win in a district like this,
you've got to take the glovesoff and, and come at her with facts
about this USC stuff. I thinkthat plays well. It will play well
(30:17):
for you. So are you going totake the gloves off or are you going
to play the traditionalDemocrat, hope we win kind of strategy?
Well, yeah, I take your pointswell taken, that we have to talk,
have to talk tough. I mean,I'm a fighter. I. But I, you know,
my record backs that up. Imean, you know, I. I've served, led
the largest law enforcementagency in the state of Iowa, a U.S.
(30:39):
attorney's office. And so Iknow what it takes to, you know,
and I don't just talk tough.We've. I've led tough. And so I think
those are kind of things thatI've learned through my time to make
progress. And so, yeah, I lookforward to having that discussion
and talking about where, wherethe state has been, where it needs
to go and how we got there.And, you know, you guys use the word
muck, I use the word hogwash.And so we're going to. We're going
(31:02):
to cut through the hogwash andget to the facts and Tell the truth.
Well, we'll help you with thattoo, Kevin. I mean, I think one of
the things we've done well iskind of be the bad cops in some of
these races. So you've gotthat commitment from us to help you
in any way we can. I highlyencourage folks, even if it's just
five or ten or fifteen bucks,you know, go to Kevin's website and
(31:25):
give him a vote of confidence.I mean, this is early money. It's
important that Kevin raisesome money over the summer so we
can have a fighting chancenext year. And. And now's the chance
to get on the ground floor ofthis too, because Kevin will remember
your help and, and we willcertainly encourage folks to go to
his website. So, Kevin, giveus the website one more time, please.
(31:46):
Yeah, the easiest way toremember it is just Kevin for Iowa.com.
Perfect. That's very easy toremember. So listen, I a big fan
of candidates. You're a firsttime candidate. What's. I think you
are.
Yes. First time.
First time can. All right, sothat's. You've got a little bit of
a learning curve, but you'vebeen around politics. I remember
(32:11):
my first time I ran, I had noidea what I was doing, but it was
great. Ended up being such agreat experience for me because I
was new to North Carolina andI. And I got a chance to get to know
where I live and people. Andso I, I assume you're hitting the
trail.
Absolutely. Going to startdoing all the. Well, I've met many
of the county chairs already,but, you know, as summer comes around,
(32:33):
there's more and more eventsbeen invited to actually a couple
of churches to make, you know,a talk about issues. And so, yeah,
near and far going to be up toAlami Key county, which is the far
northeast corner. Really abeautiful place. Really one of the
most beautiful sites in the world.
Culver families from that partof Iowa.
(32:54):
Well, they were. Yeah, theywere down in McGregor. They had a
place up there.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's.
Yeah, it's a beautiful placealong the Mississippi river. And,
and so do you have a primary?
No one is officiallyannounced. There's some scuttlebutt.
I mean, if we used a baseballanalogy, I'd say I'm up on the field
playing ball. There's maybesomebody in the dugout and there's
maybe a couple people out inthe parking lot. It's a long ways
(33:14):
to that. But no one officiallyhas jumped in yet.
All right. And I assume you'llget the two Toms is an Endorsement
or help along?
Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah.
Okay. So, Phil, that's a goodsign. Tom Vilsack and Tom Harkin
behind Kevin. They are. Thestall works in the Democratic Party.
And, and Christy Vilsack aswell. I mean, she's Christine as
a candidate.
Yeah, yeah. And she ranagainst that knucklehead up in Northeast,
(33:37):
Steve King.
Yeah. So, yeah, there'sNorthwest, a good history of really
strong candidates that haveall Lynn lent their support and,
you know, are going to bethere. And so there's a, there's
a real hunger to take thestate back, you know, since we have
entirely our delegation. So,you know, we got, and hey.
Christy and Tom are back home. So.
Absolutely.
(33:58):
They were the ones that turnedit around, you know, back in the,
what was it, early or late 90sor late 80s.
And we've, we've got a reallystrong governor's race going. We
got strong candidates. Sowe're going to have a tough ticket,
a real strong ticket top tobottom. And it's going to be a good
year for Democrats in Iowa. Ihave a strong belief.
Well, I hope so. And whatabout farmers? I assume that the
(34:22):
uncertainty of the.
Tariffs is killing them. Youknow, just like small business or
big businesses, you need thatcertainty. And these tariffs where
the largest chunk of theirselling soybeans to China is all
in jeopardy. And so last timethat Trump did this, he tried to
make it go away and cut him acheck to take away some of the economic
(34:43):
pain. But there's a lot ofuncertainty, a lot of angst in the
agricultural community, and ithasn't played out all the way yet.
But it's not headed in apositive direction for the economy
in Iowa because the farmeconomy is, you know, a cornerstone
so often in not only the smallcities, but, you know, the big cities
as well.
Yeah.
And the last thing a farmerreally wants is another check from
(35:05):
the government. I mean, I knowthey'll take it and they'll, you
know, begrudgingly use it, butthey just soon sell the product and
earn that stuff without agovernment check. So what you're
saying.
Yeah, there's other parts ofthat, too. I mean, you know, there
was a rural, I mean, more andmore farming is, is rely upon the
Internet services and, youknow, broadband. And so that program
(35:25):
has been cut out. And sothat's in jeopardy. There's, there's
a program at the University ofIowa hospitals called the Holden
Cancer, which is to try tobring cancer services for rural health
with the cuts and that, that'sbeen wiped out so we can go down,
we could probably have anotherhour. Of all the programs that have
been cut. SNAP is a strongprogram for the Agriculture Committee.
(35:49):
That's been gashed, too, inthis budget. So, you know, top to
bottom, many, many programsthat the rural community, farm communities,
smaller cities count on havebeen gutted in this budget and Doge.
And so the pain of that isjust starting to be felt. And there's
a lot of angst, a lot ofconcern where this is all headed.
Yeah, people don't realizethat, you know, that what we used
(36:11):
to call food stamps, you know,it actually employs a lot of people
because, you know, folks thatneed food are getting food. Well,
that product's being sold atit at full price. You know, there
aren't any discounts on that.So that's another area that I think
people often overlook. So Ihave one more question. One more
(36:32):
question.
So what's your strategy ongetting out to connect with farmers?
It's a group we've lost. Theyused to be with us. Fdr, Trump or
Trump, Truman and jfk. Youknow, the farmers used to be with
us. How are you going to getsome of those folks back to vote?
Well, I have some good farmfamily friends and we're going to
(36:53):
just have discussions. Youknow, I don't know, you call them
town halls, you tell themmedia in the barn. But, you know,
so that's going to begin.We're going to go around county to
county and invite thoseconversations and talk about, you
know, what, what we call wherethe rubber meets the road and because
we need to rotate the cropsbecause where there's a huge farm
(37:14):
bill that's due this, it wassupposed to pass last year and they
just kicked the can down theroad again. And so that's critical.
And so those components areall up for grabs. It's going to be
in the, in the authorization,you know, coming up in the next,
next Congress. And so we'regoing to talk about that, what's
most important. And you know,Tom Harkin was one of the real good
(37:35):
architects of that when he wasin the Senate. And I know that he's
interested in that and wantsto, you know, be a force positive
of that along the way as. As well.
Yeah. Is it interesting tohear you mention about, you know,
how they've tried to labelyou? I had the same, you know, when
I ran Back in 2020, I got thesame kind of, you know, communist,
socialist, globalist,pedophile. All the buzzwords that
(37:58):
they've been taught toregurgitate. And it's really annoying.
Like, you know, with yourbackground, you know, military, U.S.
attorney, public safety, to,to get labeled or mislabeled like
that by the other side isjust, I don't know, to me, it's disgusting
to that people stoop to that,that level. So how are you going
to fight back against that?Because, you know, you know it's
(38:20):
coming.
Well, that was one of the, thepieces of advice that Tom Vilsack
gave me. He said, you know,I'm very sure there's not any skeletons
in your closet, but doesn'tmean they're not going to make some
about you. And so, I mean,what we're talking about, you need
to have resources, you have toraise money because most people don't
pay that much attention tothis until the very end. And so that's
why it's early. That's why Istarted this early. Because you need
(38:43):
to build your team, you needto build the support. So this time
next year and beyond, you havethe resources to make sure you don't
get buried in negative ads.And unfortunately, that's the system
we have. You can do the groundgame, you can do as much as you can
that way. But, and, and that'schanged. You know, that's digital.
It's YouTube. It's not onlyradio and TV. So it's really changed
(39:05):
the dimensions and it's a,it's critical part of this is what
I've learned.
Yeah, I'm hoping, you know,one thing that really hurt last time
is for me, right after theprimary, like two days later, the
headlines were nothing butCovid. And I think Democrats did
the right thing and took theresponsible approach and chose not
to hold big mega spreaderevents. But, you know, this is, a
(39:26):
lot of our counties here arepretty, pretty remote. And you mentioned
the defunding the program tohelp expand broadband. We have, we
have 80,000 households inWestern North Carolina that don't
have broadband. So, you know,during COVID trying to, you know,
campaign using zoom justdidn't work in those outlying areas
where you got to be there onthe ground to, to meet the people.
(39:49):
And I think being there on theground and meeting the people makes
it harder for the other sidethan to, to mislabel you. I mean,
I think once they meet you andget to know you, it's, it's harder
to sell that, you know, thisguy's a globalist or a socialist
or a, whatever, you know,derogatory term, they're going to
Try to peg you with.
Yeah, I agree. Yeah. That'swhy that ground game is so important.
Yeah. You got to meet peoplewhere they are. Well, listen, I really,
(40:11):
I really appreciate youstepping up. It, you know, we're.
I think, you know, when I ranlast time, I talked about how, you
know, the phrase, you know,this, this the most important election
in our lifetime gets, youknow, used every, every time there's
an election. But damn, this,you know, this one coming up really,
you know, really that, thatlabel fits. So, man, I really admire
(40:32):
you for, for, for stepping upand doing this is not a. Not an easy
job to take home.
Well, likewise. You're one ofthe people that, when I. People mentioned
that I should consider this,I, you know, I knew your example
and so admire your stepping upas well. So I appreciate that support.
Absolutely.
Well, Kevin, rememberVilsack's first campaign for governor?
When Lightfoot tried to labelhim as a. That he was for strip clubs
(40:55):
near schools. He had voted for.
Yeah.
He had voted for strip. Stripclubs near schools.
Right.
And that was a breaking pointfor voters. They said, you know what?
We know Tom Vilsack wellenough to know he's not for this.
Now you're lying to us. So Iimagine you're going to have a close
race and it's going to comedown to the wire. But the more we
get to know her, the morevoters and I will get to know her.
(41:17):
I'm sure the, the more votesare going to be swinging your way,
man. So we wish you the bestout on the campaign trail. Hope you'll
come back and give us updates.We're inviting candidates to come
back and just do a five minute update.
Yeah.
And again, folks, we've hadKevin take out on our podcast today.
Kevin for Iowa.com. please goover there and, and toss Kevin a
(41:41):
couple bucks to encourage him.He's got Tom Vilsack, Tom Harkin
and other folks in Iowa behindhim and he needs your help today.
Not in August or September. Heneeds it now, so.
Oh, hey, Kevin, I was going toask one more thing. If you win, would
you guys take David Wheeler back?
I gotta rethink this. Yeah.
(42:05):
Yeah. I, I think the Vilsacks,Christy and Tom would probably move
back to Washington if I wentback to Iowa. So anyway, God, Kevin,
it's been great to reconnectwith you and.
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Reallyappreciate the guys and I've been
listening to your podcast. Iespecially like the Paul Begalo.
Yeah.
One.
Yeah.
He's been a long time hero ofmine and I think we both share. The
(42:27):
buck up Suck up book is one ofour go to's. So.
Yeah, yeah. And you know,don't, don't hesitate to use Mo's
phrase that kick an ass forthe working class. You know, I, I
think that works and I thinkprobably works in rural Iowa too.
So take it when you, when youcan get it. I guess so. All right,
(42:47):
well, that's it for thisepisode. American Muck Breakers Podcast
Buck you. I'm David Muellersigning off with the Colonel Mo Davis.
The Colonel Mo Davis. If youenjoyed this show, follow us, share
it and check out americanbuckrecords.com for more or to support
us. Thank you to our guests,Kevin Take out. Learn more about
Kevin at kevin for iowa.comuntil next time, keep your eye on
(43:10):
the long game. Don't stopbelieving truth matters. And whenever
a MAGA annoys you, just tellthem. What do you tell them?
Muck you.
This has been Muck you, cohosted by Colonel Mo Davis in Asheville,
North Carolina and DavidWheeler in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Thanks to our guest today,Colonel Kevin Tetkow, a candidate
(43:30):
for Congress in Iowa's 2nddistrict. Please donate and learn
more about Colonel Tetkow'scampaign at Kevin T E C-H-A U.com
follow us on bluesky underamericanmuckrakers.com and on substack@americanmckrakers.substack.com
Muck you is produced byAmerican Muckrakers. Copyright 2025.
(43:51):
You can learn more and donateat American Muckrakers.com David
and Mo hope y' all come backsoon for a new episode. And remember
to never take from anyone,especially Trumpers.
This is the AmericanMuckrakers podcast. Muck you. I'm
David Wheeler in Spruce Pine,North Carolina, here to gut the lies
and spill the filthy truth. Myco host, Mo Davis, is running to
be the next Congress dude fromNC11 coming to us today from Asheville.
Mo, let's get mucking.
All right, well, thanks,David, and thanks everybody for tuning
(00:21):
in again. It's a nice day herein western North Carolina, and we're
pleased to have another greatguest on today. And someone I've
got a lot in common with.Kevin Techau is someone I met many,
many years ago when we bothwere serving in the Air Force JAG
Corps. And Kevin's out inIowa. And like me, he's running for
Congress. So, I mean, I'malways happy to see veterans step
up and, and serve again.Sohe, he's running in Iowa, Iowa's
2nd congressional district.The incumbent, Republican, Ashley
Henson. Kevindid a number ofyears on active duty and then switched
over to the Iowa NationalGuard and served there for another
20 years and like me, retiredas a colonel. He was the Iowa's Commissioner
of Public Safety and morerecently, he was the U.S. attorney
for the Northern District ofIowa. So,hey, Kevin, thanks so much
for taking time to join ustoday on MUCK YOU!
(01:18):
Yeah, thank you. Reallyappreciate the opportunity to visit
with you guys.
Well, listen, let's start withwhat made you decide to run for Congress.
Well, the current situation,when I took a step back and I looked
at my record as a veteran, assomeone that's had the opportunity
to serve under Tom Vilsackwhen he was governor and Tom Harkin
(01:39):
recommended me to PresidentObama and served as U.S. attorney,
I looked at that record andlooked at what's going on with the
current representation. Ivoice believe that we work best when
we work together, and that'sjust not happening in Washington.
The current representative,Ashley Henson, she just votes for
headlines. She's not lookingfor solutions. She's not working
(02:00):
for Iowa. She's pushingculture wars, cutting services for
seniors and veterans, feedingthe chaos. It's performance politics
and it's just pure hogwash.And I think it's time to Iowa, in
this part of the state, got arepresentation that's going to work
for them and lift people up,not punch down.
Yeah. So tell us a little bitabout your district. What does it
(02:20):
encompass?
It's 22 counties. I wouldconsider it light purple. It went
for Obama twice and it's gonefor Trump since. Starts in the southern
part here in Cedar Rapids, butit goes all the Way up to the northeast
corner, Alami Key county, upalong the Mississippi Dubuque, Clayton
and Alamy county, and thenruns along the Minnesota border over
(02:43):
to Mason City and then downpicks up Waterloo and Cedar Rapids
and then goes down to Powasheecounty, which is where Grinnell College
is, and back over to CedarRapids. So it's a mixture of, of
agriculture, but there's somereally strong manufacturing in John
Deere, has two large plants inboth Dubuque and Waterloo. And then
Collins Radio here in CedarRapids is a very large military contractor.
(03:07):
So a good blend of agricultureand manufacturing and traditionally
has gone back and forth from Rto D. And I believe it's going to
be a good year for the D's.
Yeah, I think so too. It'shopefully, particularly with the,
the big beautiful wealthtransfer to the rich bill that is,
I guess, tied up in the Senateright now. I don't know about your
(03:29):
district, but I know here inwestern North Carolina, it's, if
it goes through, it's going tohave a dramatic impact on working
class people. So what kind ofreception is it getting out in your
area?
Very positive. I think peopleare, what I like to call are tired
of the chaos, the cruelty andthe hogwash. They're the meat and
potato issues are really whatI think are going to carry the day.
(03:52):
Ashley Henson, you know,campaigned on making prices go down.
The economy, she's turned herback on that. So when I talk to people,
they're very interested in,you know, they want to make sure
that they can make a living,pay the bills. They want an opportunity
for their kids, the Americandream. And they also want to make
sure that if they get sick,they're not going to go bankrupt
(04:12):
and then they're going to haveenough money to have a decent retirement.
And all those things rightnow, the chaos, the uncertainty of
what's going on. And if wecalled Ashley Henson a basketball
referee, she swallowed thewhistle. I mean, she's a rubber stamp
for what's going on and it'sjust not being well received. You
know, corners when I visitwith people.
(04:33):
Yeah. Oh, she sounds likeChuck Edwards in a skirt because
he's the same guy I'm runningagainst is just a rubber stamp. You
know, whatever he's told todo, he does. And whether it's good
for the district or not, hedoesn't care. It's, you know, he
looks out for. I don't know, Idon't know, like your opponent, what
her backers are like. I knowthe guy here, Chuck Edwards. I Mean,
(04:56):
he's financed by out of statemoney from big corporations that
don't do business here andfrom out of state billionaires that
have never set foot in thewestern North Carolina mountains.
But what kind of folks are.
Yeah, absolutely. There's a,there's a good share of that. And
you've probably heard the, thecontroversy over our Republican Sen.
Senator Joni Ernst. I mean,Ashley Henson is basically her political
(05:18):
twin. They vote the same.They've done a, a couple town halls
on video together and they,they vote the same. And so they,
they both really seem torelish punching down, you know, people
that need government serviceslike Medicare and snap rather than
lifting up. And the peoplethat really, you know, understand
(05:40):
this district and care aboutthis district, that's not where they
are. And so these, you'reright, these out that come in and,
you know, want to prop them upis really what's carried her through
a couple of these elections.
Yeah, I'm curious. I know Joniearned her comment about, hey, you
know, we're all going to die.How's that playing out in Iowa?
It's everywhere I go, peoplewant to talk about that. And I don't
(06:03):
know if there's a, a reallykind of a clever T shirt company
in Iowa called Ray Gun andthey put out a shirt that says, you
know, we're all going to die,Joni Ernst. And they're selling out
everywhere. So she's, andthen, you know, she doubled down
on it in her comments about,you know, filming that. I don't know
if it was a tick tock orwhatever it was in the cemetery,
you know, really sarcasticallyand then ending it with, I didn't
(06:26):
know I had to talk about thetooth fairy either. So, yeah, really,
really, I think is backfiringon her and she's doubled down on
it again today. And so AshleyHenson is really right there next
to her, really her politicaltwin for their philosophy and their
voting records.
Well, you mentioned, you know,you'd worked with Tom Vilsack and
he was one of the, one of thefirst guests we had on our podcast
(06:46):
and, and, and a realgentleman. And you know, my impression
of you is, you know, you'rekind of cut from that, that same
cloth. So what'd you learnfrom working with, with Tom Vilsack?
Well, I, I mean, I'll talkabout three of my political heroes.
So I met Tom Vilsack. Youknow, I came back to Iowa in 92 and
there hadn't been a Democraticgovernor, I don't know, like in 30
(07:08):
years. And so I met TomVilsack and decided that he could
be the guy that could take itback. And he talked a lot about it's
time to rotate the crops. Imean, that was kind of his theme.
And he brought, he reallyemphasized the rural economy and
how education in Iowa hadtaken a dip. And so, you know, worked
(07:29):
hard, listened to people. Asanother hero of mine, Tom Harkin,
you know, he stood, stood upfor fairness. He, the Americans had
disability, the LillyLedbetter, all those kind of actions
really have helped lift uppeople over the years. And I'll throw
on another hero is GovernorBob Ray, who was a governor when
(07:50):
I was younger, growing up andyou know, all this talk about immigration
and how it's not positive forthe United States. When Governor
Wray was governor, he saw whatwas going on in Southeast Asia after
the Vietnam War and welcomedthose people into Iowa, what they
called the boat people. And hedid it because of the integrity and
(08:11):
compassion and really thecourage to lead with purpose. And
so all three of those men inmy book are what it really takes.
I mean, they worked across theaisle. They work for solutions. They
tried to lift people up andfind solutions to problems. So all
three of them, I think, servedwith dignity and integrity and are
real heroes of mine.
Well, over on the, the, thetopic of integrity, who are you rooting
(08:36):
for in the feud between Elonand Trump?
I, I think it's a toss up. Ithink we're all, I think we're all,
all gonna lose out of thatone. But it's been fun to watch.
I guess it was just a matterof time until that, that bromance
blew up.
Yeah, that's what I said. Youknow, I, I don't want either one
to win, but it sure is funwatching them drag each other through
(08:58):
the mud. But, you know, it'slike having to pick in projectile
vomiting. I just assume, justas they not have either one.
Yeah, right.
Yeah. Hey, let's get back toyour, your, your time in the military.
I know you come like me. Yourdad served in the military. And then,
and then you did. What lessonsdo you, did you take away from the
(09:19):
military that you think arehelpful in your run for, for Congress?
Well, that sense of honor, Imean, the, the camaraderie I served
in three years in, in the UKand then three in Germany during
the Cold War. And I happenedto be in Berlin when the wall came
down. I was TDY at Tempelhofand I didn't agree with Ronald Reagan
(09:41):
a lot of things, but Boy, he,he knew what the Soviet Union was
all about. I mean, I don'tknow if you had that chance, but
had gone into East Berlin andit was kind of like one of those
movies where they go fromTechnicolor to black and white and
how dismal it was in EastBerlin. And, you know, that's where
Putin comes from. And havingseen that, I mean, and then where
(10:01):
we're at today, how, you know,it's kind of like the baton. I mean,
ever Since World War II, youknow, the baton has been passed generation
to generation. The NATO haskept us at peace in Europe. And it's
so disappointing, sodisgusting to see, you know, how
the current administration isreally wants to throw that in the
ash bins of history ratherthan recognizing that that's what
(10:22):
what's really generations havefought for to keep the peace. So
I think how much it, you know,the dignity and, and the camaraderie
that I saw interagency in ourinternationally, I mean, where I
went, people thanked me for,you know, the people that served
before me having served inEurope and won World War II. All
(10:43):
those things I think are bringus to today. And, and we need to
build on it, not tear it down.So I think it's the tradition and
that history that reallysticks with me and makes me proud
that I had an opportunity toserve during that time.
But Kevin, so I think you, ourlisteners probably know I've got
a background from Iowa. I grewup there in Norwalk south of Des
(11:04):
Moines and went to college atUniversity of Iowa. And I still can't
believe they gave me a degree,but I spent way too much time at
the field house. But that'sanother podcast. So, yeah, you talk
about your kind of yourfavorite politicians in Iowa, Bob
Ray, who you know, I was apage in the legislature and I got
to know him and his chief ofstaff, David Oman. Really terrific
(11:28):
people. I mean, good Iowans,good Americans, moderate in their
beliefs. Tom Vilsack, again,I, interestingly enough, I got, I
was out of politics for awhile. I restarted the Iowa Young
Democrats and then kind oftook a back seat for about 10 years.
And I got back involved inpolitics because of Tom Vilsack,
too. And Tom Harkin. My fatherwas county chair in Warren county,
(11:49):
and we helped Tom lose hisfirst congressional campaign. And,
and so we've got a lot ofsimilar history, but all three of
those gentlemen are from adifferent time. Kevin and or colonel
and are you. How are you goingto bridge the gap? I mean, those
guys, I think won because theywere decent people and they worked
(12:12):
their asses off, which I thinkyou've got both those characteristics.
But Democrats have got to geta lot tougher even in Iowa these
days. So how are you going tocampaign and win?
Well, I think it, there's beenso much misinformation and punching
down on people that I think weneed to remind them government can
be a force for good and that,you know, I mentioned the meat potato
(12:33):
issues that we have to addressso that people know that Democrats
are going to help people getback to where they, where they want
to be instead of alwaysstruggling to make ends meet. But
I've been, I'm thinking aboutthis. My mom died in 1978 at age
42 and my daughter is 22. Andmy opponent keeps talking about how
(12:53):
the federal government isworthless. So if you look at where
women in 1978 were compared totoday and I think mo, you have a
daughter as well. So like TomHarkin, the Lilly led better act
at that time. Women that couldget unequal pay and until they made
that act that, that was notprotected. If you were a woman In
(13:16):
1978, the Equal CreditOpportunity Act, I mean you had to
have a man sign for creditcards or get you a loan. You could
be fired if you're pregnant.So the Pregnancy Discrimination Act,
Tom Harkin fought hard for theADA bill. And then, you know, there's
a lot of talk about women andgirls, sports. Title IX came into
effect and, and really all thewomen that, and girls that compete
(13:39):
in sports have benefited fromthat. And that's what my opponent
calls worthless. And I thinkthey've gotten away with that too
much. I mean, you know, thepeople that we're talking about,
the heroes and I think thatthat tradition is still possible,
that it's only worthless whenyou have people like Ashley Henson
that, that don't reallyappreciate, you know, what it takes
(13:59):
to make a positive impact. Imean she's come out for the cuts
to Medicaid. Half the half thebabies born in my district are were
born with Medicaid services.And so, so many people, so many kids
rely upon the SNAP program,the food, whether it's at school
or for the food stamps. Andall those things really show what
(14:23):
a force positive governmentcan have. And there's been so much
information about howgovernment doesn't do anything. It's
worthless. Fraud, waste andabuse. I mean, I worked for, I led
two organizations that wentafter fraud, waste and abuse, Inspection
and Appeals where we had aMedicaid fraud unit brought in of
dollars in fraud at the U.S.attorney's office. Going after fraud,
(14:45):
waste and abuse was one of ourbiggest goals and we had great success.
So there's a lot of good workthat's been done by the federal government
that goes unrecognized becausewe have so many politicians like
Ashley Henson just punchingdown, saying it's worthless. And
I think we need to do a betterjob of telling those stories and
(15:05):
fighting for what's right andwhat's going to make people's lives
better.
Yeah, you're right. You know,I think a lot of that is based upon
people like your opponent'signorance. They have no idea because
they've never had to rely uponany help from the government or help
from folks. So. And the otherproblem, Kevin, is, you know, the
(15:25):
people that you're talkingabout helping and protecting, they
don't vote at a high enoughrate. So how are we going to, you
know, there's an economy here.I mean, we want to help people and
that's the spirit that publicservants bring. And, but we got to
win a campaign and we'redefending and trying to help people
that frankly aren't listeningto us and aren't voting. So how do,
(15:46):
how do we change that in Iowa?
Well, it's a ground game. Imean, I talked to a former congressman
from this part of Iowayesterday, Dave Nagel, and talked
about him about the groundgame he used, you know, back in the
day. It's a few, a fewelections ago. But, you know, it
starts people to people,neighbor to neighbor. And, you know,
candidly, Iowa lost a lot ofthat when we lost first in the nation
(16:10):
caucus because the Iowa Partyhad really relied upon the national
candidates to come in andprovide staff. And so that's taken
a step back. There's some newenergy in a group called Grassroots
that's going to connect thatactually for the first time has listed
all these interest groups thatare interested in what we're talking
about that want to work atdifferent aspects of it. So they
(16:30):
even know who, you know, theleft hand knows what the right hand
hands doing and where they'regoing to meet. The indivisible group
has had some very strongrallies in, in Iowa, small cities
and big cities coming out andthey're working hard to get those
people to register the vote.So it's going to be a, you know,
the ground game people, butpeople working with organizations
(16:52):
that, you know, have the samegoals and aspirations and fighting
for the, the good stuff.
Yeah. Let me, I want to getback to you're Talking about your
time, you know, being over atTempelhof when the wall. Wall came
down, you and I spent, youknow, countless hours, you know,
sweating our asses off in chemwarfare gear, preparing to, you know,
to take on the Soviet Unionand Russia. And now we. We learned
(17:15):
that Canada is our enemy andRussia is our friend. Can you. Could
you ever imagine that we wouldbe in the place that we're in now?
Absolutely not. It's. It'scompletely upside down. It makes
no sense. And it really makesyou wonder, you know, what's going
on under the hood with. Whypeople would even consider that to
be a worthy policy goal. Imean, right. I. I have a T shirt
(17:39):
that says NATO equals good,Putin equals bad. And I think that
sums it up pretty bad pretty well.
So, yeah, it seemed to be apretty, you know, we had a pretty
clear picture of who ourfriends were and who our enemies
were. And to do a 180 likewe've done is just hard to imagine,
if you go back 10, 15 years,that we'd be at the place that we
(18:02):
are now. And I'm reallydisappointed. Like I said, I'm really.
I'm glad to see veterans runand particularly former members of
the JAG Corps. You know, we'vegot other, you know, some of our
colleagues. You know, Ted Lieuis serving from California, of course.
On the Senate side, we gotLindsey Graham and Roger Wicker.
So, you know, the Air ForceJAG Corps is stepped up and done
(18:28):
pretty well, and I think canbring some skills to the. To the
table that would be good forthe country. But, you know, I got
to say, I'm disappointed thatsome of our former colleagues, like
Lindsey Graham and RogerWicker seem to aid in a bit this
tearing down of ourtraditional alliances and denigration
of. Of the military.
(18:49):
Yeah, I. I mean, I think we.We shared that. We both knew Lindsey
Graham way back in the day. Hewas the first. He was a. A circuit
trial counsel in the firstcase I ever heard as a judge advocate.
So I've known Lindsay a longtime. Didn't talk a lot of politics
back then, but never saw, youknow, followed him through his time
with John McCain. I mean, Iadmired a lot of things about John
(19:09):
McCain. And then to see himnot stick up for John McCain's memory
in recent times, it's beenreally disappointing and hard to
understand.
Yeah, it is. Yeah. I'm thesame way. My first trial I ever did
was in 1984, and my.1 of myopponents, I was on the, you know,
as Folks that don't know, inthe JAG Corps, you typically start
out on the prosecution side.So it was my first trial. I was a
(19:32):
member of the prosecutionteam, and one of the members of the
defense team was a youngcaptain from South Carolina named
Lindsey Graham. And so, likeyou, I've known him for, you know,
over 40 years and worked with,I worked with him and John McCain
on drafting the legislationto. For the military commissions
at Guantanamo Bay. And theywere the two that were pushing back
against the Bushadministration and complaining about
(19:54):
the abuse of executiveauthority and that you're not seeing
that out of them now. And thatreally is disappointing. What's your
take now on. I was always abig advocate. You know, I taught
at Howard University of thelaw school for four years. And a
number of my students, Iencourage them to consider a career
(20:14):
in the military. You know, Idon't know that I would do that today
because, you know, when youand I served, whether it was Reagan
or Clinton or Obama, you know,whoever it was, Democrat, Republican,
I maybe didn't agree onpolicy, some of their policies, but
I never questioned that theyhad my back. And I just don't have
that feeling with our currentcommander in chief. So what, what's
your take on the current stateof our military?
(20:36):
Well, I watched theconfirmation hearing with Hegseth
and where he basicallydenigrated judge advocates, I mean,
called jags jagoffs, and wastotally dismissive. I mean, and I've
talked to my colleagues thatserved and those that served at a
higher level than I did, andthey said the same sentence that
I did. You know, that's justnot the way it's done. I mean, rule
(20:59):
of law, law of armed conflict,the Geneva Convention, those are
all cornerstones of, of what'smade America America. I mean, we
do it the right way, we do itthe honorable way. Doesn't mean that
there hasn't been mistakes. Imean, I mean, I admired how you stuck
up for what you believe to beright in Guantanamo Bay. And, and,
you know, you paid a pricesometimes for giving your opinion.
(21:20):
But that's the integrity thatreally takes to be a leader in the
military. And when you putsomebody like Hegseth at the top,
he's done things that anairman that I defended as a circuit
defense counsel would havebeen court martial. And so that.
That's just not right. And,you know, our senator Joni Ernst
got a lot of kudos when sheran as being a combat veteran. I
(21:44):
mean, she served in the Guard,and she's turned her back on that
heritage completely. So Ithink overall, I mean, you mentioned
some leaders earlier that, youknow, served in the first Trump administration
and left because they didn'tappreciate his leadership or agree
with his leadership. I thinkoverall, that's going to. That's
going to carry the day. But Ithink we have to stay true and, you
(22:06):
know, band together and notlet this moment take over where this
country needs to head and isalways headed in the past.
Yeah, it's really sad that,you know, you mentioned a couple
of things like the Geneva, theGeneva Conventions. You know, the
US led the effort to createthe Geneva Conventions and the law
of war. The Convention againsttorture. We led the effort to create
(22:28):
the Convention againstTorture. But all the. In NATO, you
know, we led the effort to. Tocreate NATO and all these institutions
and norms that, that we wereso proud of. To see them just go
by the wayside is. I mean, Ithink, you know, we can do more damage
in a couple of years than wecan make up for in a couple of decades.
So I think it's going to be along road to repair. I mean, if.
(22:50):
If I was from another countrythat, you know, I would question,
you know, the, the US'scommitment to being an ally, given
what's happened over the lastcouple years.
Well, absolutely. And I thinkall we can do is, you know, be a
voice for, for what we believeand what we know and the heritage
that we come from. And I got.I mean, I, I'm optimistic. I think
(23:13):
it's going to carry the day,and this is going to be a blimp on
the larger American history,but doesn't mean that we can't ignore
all these transgressions,that's for sure.
Yeah, I hope so. I mean, youknow, it seems like a pendulum. You
know, it swings from one sideto the other. So I hope we've kind
of reached the zenith ofwherever we're going to the, to the
right and we start swingingback towards the middle. But again,
(23:35):
you know, it's hard toimagine, you know, you know, the
headset debacle with sharingwar plans with his wife and others
on a, you know, a phone youcan buy at your mall. It's just unimaginable,
you know, like, you know, youand I have seen people go to jail
and lose their careers forlesser transgressions. But, you know,
(23:56):
if you don't hold people atthe top accountable, then that rot,
you know, permeates down. So Iwas really disappointing. Our senator
from here, Tom Tillis, youknow, is going to lead the effort
to derailed the headsetnomination. But then Trump threatened
to find a primary challengerin our Senator Cave. Not exactly
a profiling courage, but it'sdisappointing to see someone like
(24:22):
Headset at the head of the. Atthe helm in the Pentagon.
Absolutely. Yeah. The onlytime I'd ever tried to contact Joni
Earnest was after that hearingand let her know I thought that he's
a terrible candidate to be theSecretary of Defense. And I got a
letter back two weeks afterthe vote happened, and she said she
thought he was the right guyfor the race. So terrible, terrible
(24:45):
all the way around.
All right, what gives youhope? I mean, obviously, you don't
step up and take on the taskthat you're taking on if you didn't
have, you know, hope in yourheart. So what is it that.
Well, I think it goes back tothat. That heritage that I talked
about. I mean, I think I wasat, at its core, has been a force,
positive going back throughtime, and I think that's still there.
(25:07):
You know, I mentioned thatthis district had gone for Obama
twice. I think that when Italk to people, I think, you know,
I think this district is kindof a third. A third, A third. There's
a third of people that are.They're going to be with the MAGA
crowd, you know, no matterwhat. There's a third in the middle
that have gone back and forthand, and depending on where the pendulum
(25:28):
is on those issues that wetalked about. And then there's a
third that, that's going to bethere for the Democratic candidates.
And so where we've slipped isthat middle group. And so I think
there's been lack of focus onthose meat and potato issues. And
when I go out and talk topeople about, you know, making sure
that, that we, that we'regoing to work on making sure that
the American dream is stillalive and their kids are going to
(25:49):
have a life, have anopportunity for a life better than
they have, and they're notgoing to go bankrupt if they get
sick and they're going to havea decent retirement. Those are all
the issues that people, Ithink, are at the top of mind. And,
you know, so often the racehas been taken off into these issues
that aren't important, youknow, trying to talk about these
culture wars, and we've kindof, kind of got caught up in that,
(26:12):
and we need to push that asideand talk about where, where people
live and what they really care about.
So, Kevin, tell us a littlebit about your opponent. Where is
she vulnerable? How can youbeat her? And, and yeah, absolutely.
Well, this race has been ratedas competitive. We've got one more
notch to go until it's a tossup, but it's been rated as competitive.
(26:34):
So that's a strong start. Andactually our long, long, long time
Senator Charles Grassley hassent out emails to Republican donors
saying that, that this iswhat, this is one of those districts
that could flip the House backfrom red to blue. So I'm going to
work hard and run through thefinish line and it's gonna, it's
gonna take your listeners. Imean, I could use your support. I
(26:57):
mean it. And as Mo knows itruns into. You got to have the resources
that you have to defineyourself before your opponent defines
you. And they're gonna,they're gonna try their best to do
that and take off medicine ortake it off message. When I first
announced, they wanted to callme a radical left wing socialist,
which, anybody takes a look atmy record knows that that's just,
(27:20):
you know, garbage. But I meanthat's, that's the game plan they
do. So I'mavailable@KevinForIowa.com you can
go to my website, it'll talkyou about my history and the race.
And Ashley Henson comes from amuch different place. She comes from
a bit of a blue blood familyin Des Moines, West Des Moines. She
doesn't talk about that. Shewent to the University of Southern
(27:41):
California, which Iaffectionately call the University
of Spoiled Children. I guessshe couldn't get into University
of Iowa, Iowa State orUniversity of Northern Iowa or many
of our other fine smallcolleges. And she doesn't have any
sense of, of the advantagesthat she had growing up. She was
one of those people that waskind of born on third base and thinks
she hits a triple and doesn'trealize how much people count on
(28:04):
for government to, you know,the Medicaid, she's, you know, basically
the hogwash that she'sslopping around talking about, you
know, young men in theirbasement, that, that's gonna, that's
a magnificent problem thatshe's gonna cure, that's gonna make
Medicaid stronger is justhogwash. And so I look forward to
(28:25):
having those discussions withher because as she was a newscaster,
she went to Southern Cal andthen came back and she was a newsreader
really. And if we measured herstatements by a journalistic, you
know, I think she gets a bigfat F because the things she says
are just not accurate, they'rejust not true. She talks talking
points. She likes to Slaplabels. And I think people are hungry
(28:47):
for a real discussion on theissues and drill down. And that's
what I'm looking forward to.And that's why I'm optimistic that
we can flip this race and flipthis seat back to blue.
And I doubt USC even plays inIowa. They. I think they've beat
the Hawkeyes in a couple gamesthat probably are not helpful. I
think you need to rub that in.I know actually USC pretty well.
(29:10):
There used to be a client ofmine, and I couldn't agree with you
more. It's a bunch of richlittle that have no, no concept of
reality. So, anyway, Iencourage you to take the gloves,
Kevin. I mean, I know there'sa tradition in the Democratic Party
to, you know, let's not gothere. Let's go high when they go
(29:33):
low kind of shit. And thosedays are over. And unless you're
willing to play the game theyplay, you know, it's going to be
a tough road to hoe and. Or atough road to hoe. And I say that
out of experience. You know,we went after Boebert and in Colorado
and almost got rid of her, notby taking the high road, but by putting
(29:55):
facts out about her. And I'mnot suggesting, you know, that you
as an attorney go against yourinstincts for the truth and facts
and the law, but I think inorder to win in a district like this,
you've got to take the glovesoff and, and come at her with facts
about this USC stuff. I thinkthat plays well. It will play well
(30:17):
for you. So are you going totake the gloves off or are you going
to play the traditionalDemocrat, hope we win kind of strategy?
Well, yeah, I take your pointswell taken, that we have to talk,
have to talk tough. I mean,I'm a fighter. I. But I, you know,
my record backs that up. Imean, you know, I. I've served, led
the largest law enforcementagency in the state of Iowa, a U.S.
(30:39):
attorney's office. And so Iknow what it takes to, you know,
and I don't just talk tough.We've. I've led tough. And so I think
those are kind of things thatI've learned through my time to make
progress. And so, yeah, I lookforward to having that discussion
and talking about where, wherethe state has been, where it needs
to go and how we got there.And, you know, you guys use the word
muck, I use the word hogwash.And so we're going to. We're going
(31:02):
to cut through the hogwash andget to the facts and Tell the truth.
Well, we'll help you with thattoo, Kevin. I mean, I think one of
the things we've done well iskind of be the bad cops in some of
these races. So you've gotthat commitment from us to help you
in any way we can. I highlyencourage folks, even if it's just
five or ten or fifteen bucks,you know, go to Kevin's website and
(31:25):
give him a vote of confidence.I mean, this is early money. It's
important that Kevin raisesome money over the summer so we
can have a fighting chancenext year. And. And now's the chance
to get on the ground floor ofthis too, because Kevin will remember
your help and, and we willcertainly encourage folks to go to
his website. So, Kevin, giveus the website one more time, please.
(31:46):
Yeah, the easiest way toremember it is just Kevin for Iowa.com.
Perfect. That's very easy toremember. So listen, I a big fan
of candidates. You're a firsttime candidate. What's. I think you
are.
Yes. First time.
First time can. All right, sothat's. You've got a little bit of
a learning curve, but you'vebeen around politics. I remember
(32:11):
my first time I ran, I had noidea what I was doing, but it was
great. Ended up being such agreat experience for me because I
was new to North Carolina andI. And I got a chance to get to know
where I live and people. Andso I, I assume you're hitting the
trail.
Absolutely. Going to startdoing all the. Well, I've met many
of the county chairs already,but, you know, as summer comes around,
(32:33):
there's more and more eventsbeen invited to actually a couple
of churches to make, you know,a talk about issues. And so, yeah,
near and far going to be up toAlami Key county, which is the far
northeast corner. Really abeautiful place. Really one of the
most beautiful sites in the world.
Culver families from that partof Iowa.
(32:54):
Well, they were. Yeah, theywere down in McGregor. They had a
place up there.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's.
Yeah, it's a beautiful placealong the Mississippi river. And,
and so do you have a primary?
No one is officiallyannounced. There's some scuttlebutt.
I mean, if we used a baseballanalogy, I'd say I'm up on the field
playing ball. There's maybesomebody in the dugout and there's
maybe a couple people out inthe parking lot. It's a long ways
(33:14):
to that. But no one officiallyhas jumped in yet.
All right. And I assume you'llget the two Toms is an Endorsement
or help along?
Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah.
Okay. So, Phil, that's a goodsign. Tom Vilsack and Tom Harkin
behind Kevin. They are. Thestall works in the Democratic Party.
And, and Christy Vilsack aswell. I mean, she's Christine as
a candidate.
Yeah, yeah. And she ranagainst that knucklehead up in Northeast,
(33:37):
Steve King.
Yeah. So, yeah, there'sNorthwest, a good history of really
strong candidates that haveall Lynn lent their support and,
you know, are going to bethere. And so there's a, there's
a real hunger to take thestate back, you know, since we have
entirely our delegation. So,you know, we got, and hey.
Christy and Tom are back home. So.
Absolutely.
(33:58):
They were the ones that turnedit around, you know, back in the,
what was it, early or late 90sor late 80s.
And we've, we've got a reallystrong governor's race going. We
got strong candidates. Sowe're going to have a tough ticket,
a real strong ticket top tobottom. And it's going to be a good
year for Democrats in Iowa. Ihave a strong belief.
Well, I hope so. And whatabout farmers? I assume that the
(34:22):
uncertainty of the.
Tariffs is killing them. Youknow, just like small business or
big businesses, you need thatcertainty. And these tariffs where
the largest chunk of theirselling soybeans to China is all
in jeopardy. And so last timethat Trump did this, he tried to
make it go away and cut him acheck to take away some of the economic
(34:43):
pain. But there's a lot ofuncertainty, a lot of angst in the
agricultural community, and ithasn't played out all the way yet.
But it's not headed in apositive direction for the economy
in Iowa because the farmeconomy is, you know, a cornerstone
so often in not only the smallcities, but, you know, the big cities
as well.
Yeah.
And the last thing a farmerreally wants is another check from
(35:05):
the government. I mean, I knowthey'll take it and they'll, you
know, begrudgingly use it, butthey just soon sell the product and
earn that stuff without agovernment check. So what you're
saying.
Yeah, there's other parts ofthat, too. I mean, you know, there
was a rural, I mean, more andmore farming is, is rely upon the
Internet services and, youknow, broadband. And so that program
(35:25):
has been cut out. And sothat's in jeopardy. There's, there's
a program at the University ofIowa hospitals called the Holden
Cancer, which is to try tobring cancer services for rural health
with the cuts and that, that'sbeen wiped out so we can go down,
we could probably have anotherhour. Of all the programs that have
been cut. SNAP is a strongprogram for the Agriculture Committee.
(35:49):
That's been gashed, too, inthis budget. So, you know, top to
bottom, many, many programsthat the rural community, farm communities,
smaller cities count on havebeen gutted in this budget and Doge.
And so the pain of that isjust starting to be felt. And there's
a lot of angst, a lot ofconcern where this is all headed.
Yeah, people don't realizethat, you know, that what we used
(36:11):
to call food stamps, you know,it actually employs a lot of people
because, you know, folks thatneed food are getting food. Well,
that product's being sold atit at full price. You know, there
aren't any discounts on that.So that's another area that I think
people often overlook. So Ihave one more question. One more
(36:32):
question.
So what's your strategy ongetting out to connect with farmers?
It's a group we've lost. Theyused to be with us. Fdr, Trump or
Trump, Truman and jfk. Youknow, the farmers used to be with
us. How are you going to getsome of those folks back to vote?
Well, I have some good farmfamily friends and we're going to
(36:53):
just have discussions. Youknow, I don't know, you call them
town halls, you tell themmedia in the barn. But, you know,
so that's going to begin.We're going to go around county to
county and invite thoseconversations and talk about, you
know, what, what we call wherethe rubber meets the road and because
we need to rotate the cropsbecause where there's a huge farm
(37:14):
bill that's due this, it wassupposed to pass last year and they
just kicked the can down theroad again. And so that's critical.
And so those components areall up for grabs. It's going to be
in the, in the authorization,you know, coming up in the next,
next Congress. And so we'regoing to talk about that, what's
most important. And you know,Tom Harkin was one of the real good
(37:35):
architects of that when he wasin the Senate. And I know that he's
interested in that and wantsto, you know, be a force positive
of that along the way as. As well.
Yeah. Is it interesting tohear you mention about, you know,
how they've tried to labelyou? I had the same, you know, when
I ran Back in 2020, I got thesame kind of, you know, communist,
socialist, globalist,pedophile. All the buzzwords that
(37:58):
they've been taught toregurgitate. And it's really annoying.
Like, you know, with yourbackground, you know, military, U.S.
attorney, public safety, to,to get labeled or mislabeled like
that by the other side isjust, I don't know, to me, it's disgusting
to that people stoop to that,that level. So how are you going
to fight back against that?Because, you know, you know it's
(38:20):
coming.
Well, that was one of the, thepieces of advice that Tom Vilsack
gave me. He said, you know,I'm very sure there's not any skeletons
in your closet, but doesn'tmean they're not going to make some
about you. And so, I mean,what we're talking about, you need
to have resources, you have toraise money because most people don't
pay that much attention tothis until the very end. And so that's
why it's early. That's why Istarted this early. Because you need
(38:43):
to build your team, you needto build the support. So this time
next year and beyond, you havethe resources to make sure you don't
get buried in negative ads.And unfortunately, that's the system
we have. You can do the groundgame, you can do as much as you can
that way. But, and, and that'schanged. You know, that's digital.
It's YouTube. It's not onlyradio and TV. So it's really changed
(39:05):
the dimensions and it's a,it's critical part of this is what
I've learned.
Yeah, I'm hoping, you know,one thing that really hurt last time
is for me, right after theprimary, like two days later, the
headlines were nothing butCovid. And I think Democrats did
the right thing and took theresponsible approach and chose not
to hold big mega spreaderevents. But, you know, this is, a
(39:26):
lot of our counties here arepretty, pretty remote. And you mentioned
the defunding the program tohelp expand broadband. We have, we
have 80,000 households inWestern North Carolina that don't
have broadband. So, you know,during COVID trying to, you know,
campaign using zoom justdidn't work in those outlying areas
where you got to be there onthe ground to, to meet the people.
(39:49):
And I think being there on theground and meeting the people makes
it harder for the other sidethan to, to mislabel you. I mean,
I think once they meet you andget to know you, it's, it's harder
to sell that, you know, thisguy's a globalist or a socialist
or a, whatever, you know,derogatory term, they're going to
Try to peg you with.
Yeah, I agree. Yeah. That'swhy that ground game is so important.
Yeah. You got to meet peoplewhere they are. Well, listen, I really,
(40:11):
I really appreciate youstepping up. It, you know, we're.
I think, you know, when I ranlast time, I talked about how, you
know, the phrase, you know,this, this the most important election
in our lifetime gets, youknow, used every, every time there's
an election. But damn, this,you know, this one coming up really,
you know, really that, thatlabel fits. So, man, I really admire
(40:32):
you for, for, for stepping upand doing this is not a. Not an easy
job to take home.
Well, likewise. You're one ofthe people that, when I. People mentioned
that I should consider this,I, you know, I knew your example
and so admire your stepping upas well. So I appreciate that support.
Absolutely.
Well, Kevin, rememberVilsack's first campaign for governor?
When Lightfoot tried to labelhim as a. That he was for strip clubs
(40:55):
near schools. He had voted for.
Yeah.
He had voted for strip. Stripclubs near schools.
Right.
And that was a breaking pointfor voters. They said, you know what?
We know Tom Vilsack wellenough to know he's not for this.
Now you're lying to us. So Iimagine you're going to have a close
race and it's going to comedown to the wire. But the more we
get to know her, the morevoters and I will get to know her.
(41:17):
I'm sure the, the more votesare going to be swinging your way,
man. So we wish you the bestout on the campaign trail. Hope you'll
come back and give us updates.We're inviting candidates to come
back and just do a five minute update.
Yeah.
And again, folks, we've hadKevin take out on our podcast today.
Kevin for Iowa.com. please goover there and, and toss Kevin a
(41:41):
couple bucks to encourage him.He's got Tom Vilsack, Tom Harkin
and other folks in Iowa behindhim and he needs your help today.
Not in August or September. Heneeds it now, so.
Oh, hey, Kevin, I was going toask one more thing. If you win, would
you guys take David Wheeler back?
I gotta rethink this. Yeah.
(42:05):
Yeah. I, I think the Vilsacks,Christy and Tom would probably move
back to Washington if I wentback to Iowa. So anyway, God, Kevin,
it's been great to reconnectwith you and.
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Reallyappreciate the guys and I've been
listening to your podcast. Iespecially like the Paul Begalo.
Yeah.
One.
Yeah.
He's been a long time hero ofmine and I think we both share. The
(42:27):
buck up Suck up book is one ofour go to's. So.
Yeah, yeah. And you know,don't, don't hesitate to use Mo's
phrase that kick an ass forthe working class. You know, I, I
think that works and I thinkprobably works in rural Iowa too.
So take it when you, when youcan get it. I guess so. All right,
(42:47):
well, that's it for thisepisode. American Muck Breakers Podcast
Buck you. I'm David Muellersigning off with the Colonel Mo Davis.
The Colonel Mo Davis. If youenjoyed this show, follow us, share
it and check out americanbuckrecords.com for more or to support
us. Thank you to our guests,Kevin Take out. Learn more about
Kevin at kevin for iowa.comuntil next time, keep your eye on
(43:10):
the long game. Don't stopbelieving truth matters. And whenever
a MAGA annoys you, just tellthem. What do you tell them?
Muck you.
This has been Muck you, cohosted by Colonel Mo Davis in Asheville,
North Carolina and DavidWheeler in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Thanks to our guest today,Colonel Kevin Tetkow, a candidate
(43:30):
for Congress in Iowa's 2nddistrict. Please donate and learn
more about Colonel Tetkow'scampaign at Kevin T E C-H-A U.com
follow us on bluesky underamericanmuckrakers.com and on substack@americanmckrakers.substack.com
Muck you is produced byAmerican Muckrakers. Copyright 2025.
(43:51):
You can learn more and donateat American Muckrakers.com David
and Mo hope y' all come backsoon for a new episode. And remember
to never take from anyone,especially Trumpers.
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