Podcast

James and Nick welcome Rep. Suzanne Weber, the newly elected representative from House District 32 representing the area in and around Tillamook, OR and Adam Schwend her campaign manager and chief of staff. 

James and Nick felt the need to discuss the events of January 6, 2021 where Trump supporters storm the Capitol in Washington DC. We fully and completely denounce the violence taking place in our nation's capitol today. 

James and Nick welcome Rohan Gulati and Kyle Henson from Nick's old podcast "Unnecessary and Proper" to bring a crossover episode "Rational and Proper".  We talk about the future of the GOP and how National politics are different from Oregon politics and the strategies needed to win each. 

James and Nick welcome Jim Fitzhenry, a prominent local businessman and former staffer to Sen. Mark Hatfield and Pres. George H. W. Bush. We discuss Oregon's relationship to business and how our Democratic leaders are driving business away from the state with their poorly thought-out tax policies. 

Dr. Lisa Reynolds is the Representative Elect for House District 36 (James' Democratic opponent). Dr. Reynolds is a pediatrician in Washington County who cut her political teeth fighting to reduce gun violence and promoting early childhood wellbeing. 

Our guest this episode is Aaron Withe, national director of The Freedom Foundation, an organization that seeks to educate public employees about their rights regarding union membership. 

Shelly Boshart Davis represents Oregon House District 15 which includes parts of Linn and Benton counties. Boshart Davis grew up in rural Oregon and is proud to represent agriculture and transportation in the Oregon Legislature. 

Scott Jorgensen worked on staff for the late Secretary of State Dennis Richardson and authored a book titled "Our Friend Dennis" available on Amazon or at the Rainier Public Library. We talk policy, the current SoS race, and about the book. 

This is a special podcast without Nick because James met up with Sean Scorvo, Democratic candidate for HD23. This episode turned into a 1-on-1 conversation between a Democrat running in a heavily Republican district and a Republican running in a heavily Democratic district. 

Nick is on vacation, so James sat down with Jacob Vandever and Xander Almeida to take on the 6th article of the Democratic Party of Oregon's platform. 

James and Nick were able to sit down with Nick Smith, Executive Director of Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities, a nonprofit that describes themselves as grassroots coalition that supports the need for active, sustainable forest management. 

James and Nick had the opportunity to speak with Rep. Bill Post about elections, the future of the Republican Party in Oregon and some inside baseball of life in the Legislature. 

James and Nick welcome House Minority Leader Rep. Christine Drazan to discuss the Cap & Trade Republican walkout and other issues facing the Oregon Legislature. 

James and Nick welcome Eilidh Lowery to the show. Eilidh is Chair of the Portland Public School Board and was the officiant in Nick's wedding! We talk about what's going on with PPS going back to school in the fall, the achievement gap and state funding for schools. 

No guest this time, but we felt it was necessary to address the racial tension going on in the world right now. Email james@jamesaball.com if you want to get involved. 

In a bit of a change from our regular style of guest, James and Nick welcome Ray McMillin, a former Democrat, comedian, and strip club DJ who operates the Facebook page Rainman McMillin to talk about our various frustrations with party politics. 

James and Nick welcome back Xander to discuss the 5th Article of the Democratic Party of Oregon platform.