The Lean to the Left Podcast

Welcome, Thoughtful Americans If you're concerned about the future of our democracy, social justice, human rights, the environment, healthcare, or political extremism, you belong here at Lean to the Left. Hosted by veteran journalist and political commentator Bob Gatty, Lean to the Left delivers sharp progressive commentary, timely political analysis, engaging interviews, and conversations with fascinating guests — from authors, activists, and political insiders to everyday people with extraordinary stories. No scripts. No corporate spin. No sugarcoating. Just independent journalism, honest discussion, a little humor, and the occasional dose of sarcasm. Now in its sixth year, the Lean to the Left podcast grew out of the LeantotheLeft.net blog, launched in 2017 in response to Donald Trump’s attacks on democratic institutions, the mainstream press, and basic political norms. Since then, the show has continued to challenge misinformation, expose political

The Lean to the Left Podcast is a news podcast hosted by Bob Gatty, with 835 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Bob Gatty hosts The Lean to the Left Podcast, a news show with 835 episodes published.

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  Episode #842

  VA Claims Vanishing? Veteran Sounds Alarm

  Aug 11, 202612 minS6

  Veterans are filing claims for benefits they earned — but some of those claims may be disappearing into what veteran advocate Steve Miller describes as a VA “black hole.” Miller, a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division and president of Wellness for Veterans, says claims submitted through veterans service organizations are being transmitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs but are not always being entered into the VA system. He says the result is that veterans are left waiting, sometimes for months, without knowing what happened to their claims. Miller says he learned about the problem from a VA representative and was told the system issue had been going on for at least four months. He also says veterans affected by the problem have not been notified. That matters because these claims can determine access to disability compensation, medical care, and other benefits for veterans injured or made ill during their military service. Miller has helped more than 800 veterans pursue service-connected benefits and says his work has helped secure more than $1.5 million annually for veterans — all without charging them for his assistance. In this Lean to the Left interview, Miller explains what he believes is happening, why he says veterans are being left in limbo, and why he wants Congress and the VA to act. Watch the full conversation and tell us what you think. Have you or someone you know experienced unexplained delays or missing VA claims? Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent interviews, political commentary, and conversations about the issues affecting Americans. #Veterans #VeteransAffairs #VAClaims #VeteransBenefits #MilitaryVeterans #VA #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 VA Claims Scandal Intro 00:45 Claims Lost in Limbo 01:53 Who Knows and Who Was Told 02:55 Why These Benefits Matter 03:58 Taking It to the Media 05:22 Politics and Accountability 06:12 Congressional Staff Should Help 07:12 Hotlines and No Resolution 07:37 Wellness for Veterans Mission 08:21 800 Vets Helped for Free 10:35 Beyond Claims Gear and Housing 11:16 Wrap Up and Next Steps

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  Episode #841

  Mathew Toro Plans to Run for President in 2036. Will He and America be Ready?

  Aug 2, 202633 minS6

  Mathew Toro is 32 years old—and says he is already preparing to run for president of the United States in 2036. Toro says this is not a sudden ambition, but a 16-year effort he began planning in 2020, when he was just 26 years old. He is building that effort around what he calls an “Economic Justice Revolution,” a proposal designed to return more corporate profits to the workers who helped create them. But will Toro develop the experience, organization, and credibility required to become a serious presidential contender? And by 2036, will an America battered by economic inequality, corporate power, political division, and distrust be ready for the kind of revolution he proposes? In this Lean to the Left interview, host Bob Gatty presses Toro about his background, qualifications, political philosophy, economic proposals, campaign strategy, education, foreign policy views, and the enormous challenge of building a credible national campaign. Toro explains his proposal to require highly profitable corporations to return 36 percent of their net income above $1 billion to their employees. Using Apple as an example, he argues that workers could receive substantial annual payments representing what he calls the true value of their labor. The discussion includes: • Why Toro began planning his presidential run in 2020 • His experiences with homelessness and economic hardship • Why he believes corporate greed and political corruption are connected • His plan to build a grassroots campaign through social media • Whether he would seek another elected office before running for president • His support for universal preventive healthcare • His views on labor unions and working-class power • The current Democratic Party and political polarization • How he would confront opposition from Congress and corporate interests • What he still must accomplish before voters should consider him qualified Toro acknowledges that he currently lacks the staff, funding, national organization, and political infrastructure required for a presidential campaign. But he insists the years ahead give him time to build a movement and establish credibility. “I’m barely half the man I’ll be in 2036,” he says, describing that election year as “a date with American history.” Will Mathew Toro be ready by then? And after another decade of economic and political upheaval, will America be ready for him? Watch the interview and decide for yourself. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for interviews, political commentary, and independent reporting focused on democracy, economic fairness, government accountability, and the issues affecting working Americans. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:28 Meet Matthew Toro 01:46 Origins of His Mission 03:59 Homelessness and Solutions 05:55 Why Aim for 2036 08:37 Corruption and Bipartisanship 09:40 Economic Justice Plan Explained 13:18 Is It Socialism 14:59 Unions Healthcare Housing 16:31 Building a Real Campaign 18:10 Books and Fundraising Online 20:09 Democrats and Misinformation 23:13 Getting Congress Onboard 27:10 Foreign Policy and Trump 28:24 Background and Weaknesses 30:05 How Voters Should Judge 31:32 Closing Thoughts and Farewell #MathewToro #Election2036 #EconomicJustice #WorkingClass #PresidentialElection #ProgressivePolitics #CorporateGreed #LaborRights #PoliticalInterview #LeanToTheLeft

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  Episode #840

  Democrats Must Get Tough to Win Congress and Defeat Trump

  Jul 26, 202622 minS6

  Democrats must get tough to win Congress and defeat Donald Trump and his MAGA allies in the House and Senate, says longtime activist Patrick Reynolds. Watch four killer ads he produced to hammer Trump and his MAGA allies in the key House and Senate races that could determine control of Congress. The grandson of tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, Patrick became nationally known when he turned against the industry that made his family wealthy and spent decades fighting Big Tobacco -- largely because RJR's products caused his father's death. Now, he's taken on a new political battle: helping Democrats regain control of Congress. As leader of the Congress Majority PAC, Reynolds argues that Democrats must fight harder, sharpen their message, and directly confront Trump and the Republican Party as a whole—not simply rely on traditional candidate-versus-candidate advertising. In this Lean to the Left interview, Reynolds explains what Democrats must do to win the critical House and Senate races that will determine control of Congress. You will also see four killer political ads Reynolds produced for use in key races across the country. The ads target: Donald Trump and his MAGA allies Republican policies on climate change The economy and cost of living Disaffected voters who no longer feel loyal to the Democratic Party Reynolds intends to place these hard-hitting, nationally relevant messages in the battleground races where they could make the greatest difference. Can Democrats finally stop playing defense, get tough, and win back Congress? Watch the interview, see the four ads, and share your reaction in the comments. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political commentary, interviews, and analysis. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Trump Party Cold Open 00:11 Meet Patrick Reynolds 01:39 Why Start a Super PAC 03:30 Vote Democrat Ad Strategy 05:23 Privilege and Family Fallout 07:28 Tobacco Legacy and Disinheritance 09:58 Introducing the Ad Lineup 10:43 Ad 1 Anti Trump Message 11:50 Ad 2 Climate Change and Big Oil 14:07 Ad 3 Economy and Cost of Living 16:02 Ad 4 Disaffected Democrats 17:27 Whats at Stake and Call to Action 21:11 Closing Thanks and Support

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  Episode #839

  Lindsey Graham Political Aftermath: Can Democrats Break Through in the South?

  Jul 20, 202632 minS6

  The political aftermath of Lindsey Graham’s death sees South Carolina politics suddenly thrown wide open—but the political consequences could extend far beyond one Senate seat. In this special summer edition of Dixie Dems, Bob Gatty of South Carolina, Arthur Hill of North Carolina, and Robert Thompson of Georgia examine the fight to replace Graham, Donald Trump’s endorsement of Graham’s sister, and the Democrats hoping to capitalize on a rapidly changing political landscape. The discussion also covers: • Whether Democrats can pull off major upsets in South Carolina • Republican efforts to restrict early and Sunday voting in North Carolina • Growing election controversy and FBI involvement in Georgia • The campaigns of Roy Cooper, Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jermaine Johnson, John Vincent, and Dr. Annie Andrews • Allegations involving voter-roll manipulation and so-called “ghost voters” • Why voters throughout the South should check their registration before the midterms Could Lindsey Graham’s death help trigger a political transformation in the South—or will Republicans tighten their grip on elections to protect their power? Join the conversation in the comments. Dixie Dems: The South has a voice—and it’s blue. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for progressive news, interviews, and political commentary from across the South. #DixieDems #LindseyGraham #SouthCarolinaPolitics #SouthernPolitics #Democrats #ElectionIntegrity #VoterSuppression #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome to Dixie Dems 00:35 Graham Death Fallout 01:11 Trump Endorsement Talk 04:09 GOP Field Opens Up 05:18 North Carolina Race Update 07:56 Election Board Power Grab 10:17 Turnout and Registration Surge 11:09 Georgia Election Fiasco Claims 15:00 Ossoff Humor and Debate Talk 17:13 Georgia Senate Stakes 18:36 Downballot Races Spotlight 19:19 Voter Roll Purges Warning 20:49 Martha Zoller Backstory 22:29 South Carolina Fry vs Vincent 24:03 Haley Talk and Upset Scenarios 26:01 Ghost Voters Investigation 28:50 How to Volunteer and Wrap-Up

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  Episode #838

  Since Trump Claims Elections are Rigged, Can South Carolina Trust Its Voter Rolls

  Jul 17, 202637 minS6

  Since Donald Trump constantly claims U.S. elections are rigged, can South Carolina trust its voter rolls? Following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina is preparing for a special election that could have major consequences for the state—and for control of the U.S. Senate. But before voters choose Graham’s successor, investigative journalist Alison Greene says South Carolina’s voter-registration records need close scrutiny. In this interview with Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty, Greene explains why she has begun filing public-records requests for county voter rolls across South Carolina and why she is recruiting volunteers to help compare those records before the election. In several other states, including Texas and Florida, Greene has found that indeed elections have been rigged, due to voter roll tampering that largely benefited Republican candidates, not Democratic candidates. Will she find the same in South Carolina? The discussion covers: • How legally registered voters can disappear from voter rolls • Why voters should verify their registration before Election Day • Concerns about inaccurate, fraudulent, or “ghost” voter records • How county-by-county comparisons can reveal suspicious changes • Why the final 90 days before an election may be especially important • What South Carolinians can do to help examine the records • Why election transparency matters regardless of which candidate wins Greene stresses that unusual voter-roll changes should be investigated, not automatically assumed to be illegal. Her goal is to identify potential problems early enough for election officials, campaigns, and affected voters to address them before ballots are cast. Whether Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews wins or loses, South Carolinians deserve confidence that every eligible voter can participate and that the result reflects the will of the people. To volunteer with Greene’s voter-roll research project, visit: itsuptous.grassrootsspeak.com This episode is part of the Lean to the Left Truth Under Attack series examining election integrity, investigative journalism, whistleblowers, and threats to democratic accountability. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political reporting, interviews, and progressive commentary. #SouthCarolina #LindseyGraham #ElectionIntegrity #VoterRolls #AlisonGreene #AnnieAndrews #GhostVoters #VotingRights #TruthUnderAttack #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 Special Election Stakes 01:09 Why Graham 2020 Looked Off 02:53 ES&S Machine Pattern 05:23 Shift to Voter Rolls 06:01 FOIA Plan for Counties 07:51 Voters Vanishing Example 10:42 How Roll Hacking Works 14:33 Ninety Day Danger Window 18:40 Volunteer Roles Needed 20:43 Ghost Voters and IDs 26:36 ERIC and Cross State Checks 28:33 Russian Fake ID Case 32:56 How to Help and Wrap Up 35:27 Truth Under Attack Outro

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