The Lean to the Left Podcast

Bob Gatty
  • 0.0 (0)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

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 hypocrisy, and speak out against extremism and division in American politics. Bob Gatty brings decades of experience to the microphone as a journalist, communications executive, and former congressional chief of staff and press secretary for both Republican and Democratic members of Congress. He is also co-author of the three-volume series, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness. Whether you're looking for expert insight, progressive perspectives, political commentary, or thought-provoking conversations, Lean to the Left offers smart, independent content for listeners who care about what’s happening in America — and what we can do about it. Subscribe today and join the conversation. Visit us at leantotheleft.net Lean to the Left Podcast: podcast.leantotheleft.net Twitter x.com/leantotheleft1 Facebook facebook.com/notfakenews.2 Instagram instagram.com/leantotheleft1 Tik Tok tiktok.com/@leantotheleft

  1. 2d ago

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

    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

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

  2. Jul 26

    Democrats Must Get Tough to Win Congress and Defeat Trump

    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

    Democrats Must Get Tough to Win Congress and Defeat Trump

  3. Jul 20

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

    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

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

  4. Jul 17

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

    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

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

  5. Jul 14

    Why Democrats Lose the Message War—and How They Can Win It Back | David Fenton

    Why do Democrats so often lose the message war and allow Republicans to dominate the political conversation—even when Democrats and progressives have popular policies? Legendary progressive strategist and activist David Fenton says Democrats are practicing what amounts to “unilateral disarmament” in today’s information war. After more than 50 years helping movements win public support, he believes progressives must simplify their language, repeat compelling messages, reconnect with working people and build mass movements capable of defeating concentrated wealth and political corruption. In this wide-ranging Lean to the Left interview, Fenton explains why good policies do not sell themselves—and why Democrats must stop relying on academic language, insider terminology and messages that ordinary voters do not understand. Fenton discusses: • Why Republicans have become better at framing political issues • How simple language and repetition influence voters • Why Democrats must speak to affordability and working-class concerns • The danger of allowing specialized identity language to divide potential allies • Why the central struggle is not simply left versus right—but top versus bottom • How Democrats should connect climate change to higher costs and political corruption • Why effective metaphors such as “Make Polluters Pay” can move public opinion • How mass movements have changed America—and can do so again • What today’s activists can learn from Abbie Hoffman, the antiwar movement and decades of progressive organizing Fenton also shares hilarious stories from an extraordinary career that included the No Nukes concerts, the campaign to free Nelson Mandela, efforts to reform marijuana laws, environmental campaigns and work with activists, political leaders and cultural figures including his mentor, Abbie Hoffman, and Jane Fonda, Jesse Jackson, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. His message is blunt: Democrats and progressives cannot win merely by being correct. They must learn how to communicate, reach a mass audience and give people a reason to join something bigger than themselves. David Fenton is the author of The Activist’s Media Handbook, available here https://amzn.to/4gDYmSH, and host of The Fenton Forecast podcast. Watch the full conversation, then tell us in the comments: What is the single biggest change Democrats should make in the way they communicate with voters? Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent progressive commentary, political analysis and conversations with the people documenting—and shaping—America at a crossroads. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet David Fenton 02:00 Dropping Out Into Activism 02:46 Underground Press Days 04:13 Abbie Hoffman Lessons 07:37 John Sinclair Freedom Concert 08:49 Ann Arbor Human Rights Party 10:53 High Times To Rolling Stone 11:52 No Nukes And Starting Fenton 13:05 Why Progressives Lose Media Wars 14:24 Framing And Simple Messages 17:20 Climate Language That Works 19:40 Woke Sectarianism Debate 20:40 Stop Divisive Messaging 22:00 Socialism Label Problem 22:30 Woke Pitfalls and Attacks 23:16 Plainspoken Progressives 25:58 Climate as Cost and Corruption 27:32 Senate Map and Party Future 29:04 AOC Versus Old Guard 30:37 Fixing Disinformation Platforms 33:58 Trump Costs and Vance Threat 37:24 Podcast Book and Farewell

    Why Democrats Lose the Message War—and How They Can Win It Back | David Fenton

  6. Jul 14

    Voter Roll Purges: What You Can Do Right Now

    What if you arrived at your polling place on Election Day and discovered your name was no longer on the voter rolls? Investigative journalist Alison Greene returns to Lean to the Left to explain why that scenario may be more common than many Americans realize—and, more importantly, what voters can do now to protect themselves before the 2026 midterm elections. In this follow-up conversation, Greene discusses her ongoing investigation into voter roll irregularities, explains how voters can verify their registration, why provisional ballots matter, and how volunteers across the country are working to identify voters who may have been removed from registration lists. Whether you agree with Greene's conclusions or simply want to better understand how voter registration systems work, this conversation offers practical steps every voter should consider before heading to the polls. In this episode: ✅ What to do if your name is missing from the voter rolls ✅ Why checking your voter registration now matters ✅ How provisional ballots work—and their limitations ✅ Greene's nationwide volunteer effort to monitor voter rolls ✅ How citizens can help protect election integrity before the midterms If you believe every eligible American deserves the opportunity to vote, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode. Previous episodes in our Democracy & Election Integrity Series: • Marcel Reid: They Want Us Silent — Why protecting journalists, whistleblowers, and truth-tellers is essential to defending democracy. • Lilli McGregor: Can We Trust the Vote? — The Election Truth Alliance examines alleged election irregularities and why they deserve closer scrutiny. • Alison Greene (Part 1): Ghost Voters? What Florida Investigators Found — Greene discusses her investigation into alleged voter-roll irregularities and explains why she believes they warrant further investigation. 🎙️ Lean to the Left with Bob Gatty features in-depth interviews and commentary on politics, democracy, healthcare, social justice, and the issues shaping America's future. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: What You Can Do Before the Midterms 02:01 Why "Cleaning the Voter Rolls" Can Mean Different Things 05:28 Ghost Voters vs. "Ghosted" Voters Explained 07:09 What Happens If Your Name Is Missing on Election Day? 10:03 Why Registered Voters Couldn't Be Found in Florida 13:02 Should You Bring Proof of Registration? 15:34 Building a National Voter Registration Database 16:39 How Citizens Can Volunteer to Help 18:17 Reviewing the "Ghost Voter" Investigation 19:12 Michigan Case and Other Election Investigations 23:21 Election Fraud Claims and Public Confidence 25:19 Funding the Technology to Protect Voters 27:14 The Plan to Restore Eligible Voters to the Rolls 30:19 Final Thoughts

    Voter Roll Purges: What You Can Do Right Now

  7. Jul 3

    How Two Supreme Court Decisions Could Change American Democracy

    Two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions may have far greater consequences than most Americans realize. One gives presidents significantly more authority over independent federal agencies. The other removes limits on coordinated campaign spending, allowing political parties and candidates to work together with far fewer restrictions. Individually, each ruling is important. Taken together, they may create new opportunities for wealthy donors to influence government policy and for presidents to reward political allies after taking office. In this commentary, Bob Gatty explains why these two cases should be viewed together—and why they could reshape American democracy for years to come. Do you agree? Or am I connecting dots that don't belong together? Let me know in the comments. 👍 Please Like 📺 Subscribe 🔔 Click the notification bell For more independent political analysis, visit: https://LeanToTheLeft.net CHAPTERS 00:00 Why these two Supreme Court decisions matter 00:53 Decision #1: Expanding presidential power 02:05 Decision #2: More money in politics 02:57 Why the two rulings belong together 03:01 The FTC example 03:57 What this could mean for American democracy 04:29 Final thoughts

    How Two Supreme Court Decisions Could Change American Democracy

  8. Jun 30

    Jermaine Johnson's Plan for South Carolina | 4-Minute Highlights

    What does South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Jermaine Johnson want to do if elected governor? In this 4-minute highlight reel, Johnson outlines his plans to improve roads, strengthen public schools, expand healthcare access, reform taxes, address affordable housing, regulate AI data centers, and tackle other key issues facing South Carolina. 🎥 Hear the full exclusive interview on the Lean to the Left channel. Do you think Jermaine Johnson's plan would move South Carolina in the right direction? Let us know in the comments. #SouthCarolina #JermaineJohnson #GovernorRace #Politics #Election2026 #LeanToTheLeft

    Jermaine Johnson's Plan for South Carolina | 4-Minute Highlights
See All (834)

About

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 hypocrisy, and speak out against extremism and division in American politics. Bob Gatty brings decades of experience to the microphone as a journalist, communications executive, and former congressional chief of staff and press secretary for both Republican and Democratic members of Congress. He is also co-author of the three-volume series, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness. Whether you're looking for expert insight, progressive perspectives, political commentary, or thought-provoking conversations, Lean to the Left offers smart, independent content for listeners who care about what’s happening in America — and what we can do about it. Subscribe today and join the conversation. Visit us at leantotheleft.net Lean to the Left Podcast: podcast.leantotheleft.net Twitter x.com/leantotheleft1 Facebook facebook.com/notfakenews.2 Instagram instagram.com/leantotheleft1 Tik Tok tiktok.com/@leantotheleft

Information