Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers: Loyalty Tests, Closed Primaries, and Structural One-Party Rule

Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers with a Microphone Talk America's 250th Birthday

In this episode of Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers with a Microphone, Scott and I discuss America's 250th birthday, some of the celebrations planned, and how this year compares to the 200th in 1976 (yes, we're old enough to remember the Bicentennial as adults). Why the heck does Trump want a UFC fight on the White House lawn? Why are music artists pulling out of the National State Fair? We poke a bit of fun, but make no mistake: America is a special nation with all its warts. We've both fought to defend it and don't plan to stop. Follow us on Socials: https://linktr.ee/FoggyBottomLine [https://linktr.ee/FoggyBottomLine] Politics VLog #Politics #Economics #america250 #ufc #AmericanBirthday #declarationofindependence #trump

Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers Sit Down with Jason Knapp, Virginia CD01 Congressional Candidate

Now that the redistricting question is settled (for now at least), Congressional candidates are ramping up for the last two months before the Democratic primary in August. In this special episode of Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers with a Microphone, Scott and I sit down with retired Navy Commander Jason Knapp, candidate for Congress in Virginia's First Congressional District. Jason grew up in a single-parent home and knew he wanted to fly for the Navy very early in life. He was commissioned after completing an aeronautics degree, flew FA-18's, and served on the staff at NATO Headquarters before retiring. Join us for another in a our series of discussions with Virginia candidates during this primary and midterm season here in the Commonwealth. Jason Knapp for Congress Website: https://jasonknappforcongress.com [https://jasonknappforcongress.com] Jason Knapp for Congress Act Blue page: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jkforcongress_web [https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jkforcongress_web] #Congress #JasonKnapp #Midterms #Democrats #Wittman #elections #NATO #Politics #Virginia

Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers: Loyalty Tests, Closed Primaries, and Structural One-Party Rule

Donald Trump has had a good week. He wanted Massie gone from Congress for pushing the Epstein Files release. He wanted Cassidy gone from the Senate for voting to impeach him after the J6 insurrection. He wanted Indiana legislators gone for refusing to gerrymander Congressional districts when he demanded it. His candidates beat them all. Then his lickspittles in the Department of Justice agreed to a settlement in his frivolous IRS leak lawsuit that would create a $1.8B slush fund he can distribute to the insurrectionists from J6 as well as any other Trump crony who committed a crime and got prosecuted for it. Trump the felon wants to make committing felonies great again. In this episode of Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers with a Microphone, Scott Konopasek and I break down some of the political infrastructure - closed primaries, presidential immunity, and gerrymandering, for example, and how the MAGA movement under Trump is working to transform American politics into a system increasingly driven by activist bases instead of persuadable voters. The conversation explores how loyalty tests are reshaping both major parties, why moderates are disappearing from public life, and how closed-primary systems may be accelerating political polarization at every level of government. We examine the strategic incentives behind party gatekeeping, the role of media ecosystems, and what these trends could mean for future elections, governance, and political stability in the United States. Topics discussed include: Closed primaries vs. open primaries Political loyalty tests inside both parties Why moderate candidates struggle to survive Activist influence on nominations Media incentives and ideological sorting Polarization in Congress and state politics Voter disengagement and independent voters The long-term consequences for American democracy If you follow American politics, election reform, party strategy, constitutional debates, or the future of U.S. governance, this episode provides a direct and often blunt analysis of where the system may be heading next. Subscribe for more episodes from Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers with a Microphone and more political analysis from Foggy Bottom Line Media. #ClosedPrimaries #ElectionReform #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalPolarization #FoggyBottomLine #Podcast #USPolitics #PrimaryElections #PoliticalAnalysis #Democracy #IndependentVoters #Congress #Elections #TwoCrustyOldCombatSoldiers #VirginiaPolitics

Two Crusty Old Combat Soldiers Connect the Iran War and China Trip Dots

Right in the middle of the Iran war Trump started but can't figure out how to finish, he heads off to China with an entourage of family members and billionaire CEOs, including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang, NVIDIA CEO. Why? Does he need China to save his ass in Iran? Will he sell out the US by agreeing to sell AI computer chip technology? Will he find a way to line his own pockets even more in the process? Right before he boarded Air Force One, Trump said he doesn't think about Americans' financial situation "...even a little bit. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody." Scott and I discuss the purposes of Trump's trip and whether he can find a way out of the mess he stepped off in. Check it out, and don't forget to subscribe.

Washington Post Reports Extensive Damage to US Persian Gulf Bases - Why No Casualty Reports?

Earlier this week we reported an interesting lack of Iran War news coverage and discussed the structural reasons for these media choices and some reasons the Trump Administration might want to suppress news about the war. Now the Washington Post has published an extensive article outlining the extensive damage Iranian missiles have done to US military installations in the region and the depletion of munitions needed to continue the war: https://wapo.st/4w8pfDL [https://wapo.st/4w8pfDL]. This only raises new questions, including the extent to which the Administration is covering up US casualties and whether Trump had to pause hostilities to preserve resources. Tune in to this update for more on the war and media coverage. Don't forget to subscribe.