The Republican Legacy Podcast

With Election Day just over a week away, Chris Vance, Lynn Schmidt, and Merrill Matthews examine the growing signs of a potential Democratic wave in the midterm elections. From declining approval ratings for President Trump to early voting numbers and increasingly competitive races in traditionally Republican territory, the panel discusses whether Republicans are headed for an electoral defeat that could fundamentally reshape the party.The conversation takes a closer look at three states where Republicans are facing unexpected challenges. In Missouri, Congresswoman Ann Wagner faces a competitive race against Democrat Fred Wellman. In Texas, James Talarico continues to challenge Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton as Democrats show signs of renewed strength. And in Washington State, congressional races in traditionally Republican districts demonstrate just how far the political landscape may be shifting.But the discussion goes beyond the midterms. The panel examines the Trump administration’s approach to Russia and Ukraine, the growing national debt, tariffs, and the economic consequences of abandoning traditional conservative principles.With the 2028 presidential race beginning immediately after the midterms, what will Republicans learn from the results? Will the party double down on MAGA, or will a new generation of leaders emerge to restore fiscal responsibility, free enterprise, and peace through strength?For Our Republican Legacy, the real battle for the future of the Republican Party is about to begin.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Election Night Preview02:00 – The Midterm Outlook: Is a Blue Wave Coming?03:30 – Congressional Forecasts & Early Voting Numbers06:18 – Why Republicans Are Struggling08:00 – Inflation, Tariffs & the Economy10:01 – Missouri: Ann Wagner’s Unexpectedly Competitive Race13:17 – Texas: Ken Paxton, James Talarico & the Senate17:14 – Washington State’s Changing Congressional Map20:38 – Will Republicans Change Course After the Midterms?21:52 – Ukraine, Putin & Republican Foreign Policy25:08 – The National Debt & America’s Fiscal Future26:56 – The Coming Battle for the Republican Party in 2028LinksOur Republican Legacy WebsiteThe Latest ORL Media HitsORL’s Policy StatementsMake a Contribution to Our Republican LegacyMerrill Matthews’ Latest ArticlesLynn Schmidt's Latest Articles

With Election Day just around the corner, Chris Vance, Lynn Schmidt, Merrill Matthews, and Our Republican Legacy Florida State Chair Jake Walsh examine the rapidly changing midterm landscape. Could Republicans face a historic electoral defeat? The panel takes a closer look at increasingly competitive races in Florida, Texas, and the Midwest, the impact of immigration enforcement and affordability on voters, and what younger Republicans are looking for in political leadership. The conversation also explores continued Republican support for Ukraine, the growing national debt, and whether the party can return to its traditional conservative principles as the 2028 presidential race approaches.Then, Chris and Lynn welcome former California Congresswoman Mimi Walters, one of Our Republican Legacy’s 34 founding members. Walters reflects on her career in public service, her commitment to Ronald Reagan’s conservative philosophy, and the challenges facing Republicans in California. She discusses free enterprise, tariffs, fiscal responsibility, the importance of rebuilding the party from the grassroots, and California’s competitive political environment. The conversation turns to 2028, including Gavin Newsom’s presidential ambitions, Congressman Don Bacon’s potential candidacy, and what it will take to rebuild a Republican Party focused on enduring conservative principles.00:00 – Welcome & Election Night Preview01:44 – The Midterm Outlook: How Big Could the Wave Be?04:44 – Florida, Texas & the Expanding Battleground09:18 – Affordability & the Next Generation of Republicans12:49 – Ukraine, Russia & Republican Foreign Policy16:39 – The National Debt & Fiscal Responsibility19:59 – What Should Republicans Look for in 2028?26:42 – Final Midterm Predictions & the Presidential Race29:58 – Former Congresswoman Mimi Walters Joins the Podcast32:23 – Lessons from Public Service34:49 – Free Enterprise, Tariffs & the National Debt37:59 – The Future of California Republicans43:43 – Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris & 202845:26 – Don Bacon’s Potential Presidential Run47:16 – Rebuilding the Republican Party After TrumpLinksOur Republican Legacy WebsiteThe Latest ORL Media HitsORL’s Policy StatementsMake a Contribution to Our Republican LegacyMerrill Matthews’ Latest Articles

With the midterm elections less than three weeks away, Pollster Whit Ayres of North Star Opinion Research joins Chris Vance and Merrill Matthews for a deep dive into the state of the race. Ayres breaks down President Trump’s approval ratings, voter concerns about the economy and inflation, the growing divide between MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans, and why the political environment currently favors Democrats. The panel also looks at the role of the war in Iran, tariffs, campaign spending, voter enthusiasm, and whether Republicans can change the trajectory before Election Day.Then, they take a state-by-state look at the battle for control of the Senate, including key races in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Alaska, Kansas, Maine, and Nebraska. Could 2026 look like the Democratic wave of 2006? And what happens to the Republican Party if the midterms go badly? The conversation concludes by looking ahead to the wide-open race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, Congressman Don Bacon’s potential candidacy, and Ayres’ intriguing revelation that some former governors are already seriously considering jumping into the race.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Election Night Preview01:36 – Whit Ayres: The State of the Midterms02:31 – Trump’s Approval Rating & the Economy05:11 – Inflation, Gas Prices & Voter Frustration07:36 – Tariffs and the Republican Economic Message08:23 – The MAGA vs. Non-MAGA Divide10:13 – How Much of the GOP Is Still MAGA?11:14 – The War in Iran & Republican Voters12:29 – Can Republican Money Overcome the Political Environment?14:25 – The Senate Battleground: Georgia, Michigan & New Hampshire15:25 – Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine & Nebraska16:45 – North Carolina & Ohio17:42 – Could Republicans Lose Texas?19:22 – How Big Could the Democratic Wave Get?20:16 – Is 2006 the Best Comparison?21:54 – The Races That Could Surprise Everyone22:43 – Why Internal Polling Is Different24:41 – Are Trump Voters Being Missed by the Polls?25:44 – Can Campaign Spending Still Change the Race?27:47 – The Democratic Enthusiasm Advantage28:36 – What the Midterms Could Mean for 202829:48 – Don Bacon & the Emerging Presidential Field30:17 – Former Governors Considering 2028?LinksOur Republican Legacy WebsiteThe Latest ORL Media HitsORL’s Policy StatementsMake a Contribution to Our Republican LegacyMerrill Matthews’ Latest ArticlesWhit Ayres - North Star Opinion Research

Ep. 15 - Rep. Dave TrottIn this episode of The Republican Legacy Podcast, Chris Vance, Lynn Schmidt, and Merrill Matthews are joined by R.J. Lyman, Our Republican Legacy’s Massachusetts State Chair and president of the Niskanen Center, for a wide-ranging discussion about the Republican Party, the midterm elections, and the future of the conservative movement. Lyman discusses the tradition of moderate Republicanism in New England, what it means to view America as a creedal nation, and why Republicans from very different ideological traditions can still find common ground around shared principles. The panel also surveys key races across the country, including contests in New Hampshire, Missouri, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio, as Election Day approaches.Then, Chris, Merrill, and ORL Michigan State Chair Chuck Brown sit down with former Michigan Congressman and ORL founding member Dave Trott. Trott reflects on how the Republican Party has changed during the Trump era, his experiences serving in Congress during Trump’s first term, the state of the Republican Party in Michigan, tariffs and trade, and what he expects from the midterms. The conversation also turns to 2028, Congressman Don Bacon’s potential presidential run, and the coming debate over the future direction of the Republican Party.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Election Night Preview02:10 – Meet R.J. Lyman: Massachusetts Chair & Niskanen Center President03:08 – The New England Republican Tradition04:46 – What Could Win New Hampshire in 2028?07:31 – Missouri Politics and the Midterm Environment09:24 – New Hampshire’s Senate Race & America as a Creed11:44 – Finding Common Ground Across the Republican Party13:06 – The Expanding Midterm Battleground13:22 – Texas and the Senate Map15:59 – Could Split-Ticket Voting Make a Comeback?17:00 – Are the Polls Pointing to a Wave Election?18:24 – Iowa, Ohio & Other Races to Watch20:13 – Why ORL Is Focused on 202821:17 – Former Congressman Dave Trott Joins the Podcast23:14 – ORL’s Five Core Principles & the Republican Party24:37 – Congress, Trump & Standing Up to the President27:27 – What Happened to the Michigan Republican Party?31:18 – 2028 and Don Bacon’s Potential Presidential Run33:11 – Republican Enthusiasm & Michigan’s Senate Race36:16 – Tariffs, Canada & the Michigan Economy38:35 – Is a Blue Wave Coming?39:57 – Michigan’s Battleground House Races43:06 – The Coming Fight for the Republican Party in 2028LinksOur Republican Legacy WebsiteThe Latest ORL Media HitsORL’s Policy StatementsMake a Contribution to Our Republican LegacyMerrill Matthews’ Latest ArticlesLynn Schmidt's Latest Articles

Ep. 14 - Captain Mark DreilingIn this episode of The Republican Legacy Podcast, Chris Vance, Lynn Schmidt, and Greg Wilson are joined by Captain Mark Dreiling, Congressman Don Bacon’s Chief of Staff and a Legacy Guardian of the United States Space Force. Drawing on his background in missile warning and space operations, Dreiling discusses the creation and evolution of the Space Force, the role of space-based missile warning systems, and what he describes as a new “space race” with China. Unlike the Cold War-era race for prestige, Dreiling argues that today’s competition has direct implications for national security, economic power, GPS and navigation systems, communications, and the infrastructure Americans rely on every day. The conversation also explores what “peace through strength” means in the space domain and the importance of deterrence as the United States confronts emerging threats.Later, Merrill Matthews joins the discussion as the panel turns to Ukraine, recent sanctions legislation, continued congressional support for Ukraine, and Congressman Bacon’s role in those debates. Dreiling also reflects on the reaction to Bacon’s recent comments on this podcast about considering a run for President in 2028, the interest those remarks generated, and his view that many younger voters are looking for political leadership focused less on acrimony and more on service, seriousness, and working across party lines.Chapter List00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:34 Legacy Guardian Recognition04:39 Why the Space Force Matters08:08 Missile Warning: A No-Fail Mission10:06 Space Force Progress and Growing Pains15:03 Space-Based Missile Warning18:41 Deterrence and the New Space Race23:17 Ukraine: The War and Sanctions27:49 Ukraine Policy and Congressional Action31:25 Congressman Bacon’s Leadership34:05 A More Constructive Political Future36:20 The Future of the Republican PartyLinksOur Republican Legacy WebsiteThe Latest ORL Media HitsORL’s Policy StatementsMake a Contribution to Our Republican LegacyMerrill Matthews’ Latest ArticlesLynn Schmidt's Latest ArticlesU.S. Space ForceLegacy Guardian Act