Notes on my Interview with Denny Roth

Talking about kitchen table issues while seated at a kitchen table

Nov 18, 2023

Introduction

Due to a busy schedule, I recently paused my weekly podcast production. This break was necessary to manage other commitments effectively. During this pause, things seemed to go well; the pressure eased a bit, and I was able to devote my free time to other matters. But in a sense, I missed doing the podcasts. When I finally got back into interviewing people and putting together more podcasts, it was like returning to your favorite pet after a long journey abroad.

I enjoy podcasting. It’s a labor of love. Our listener base is growing steadily, and I'm excited about reaching more people in the future. In the meantime, I get to meet lots of interesting people and have fulfilling conversations.

The Interview

Such was the case last Tuesday when I met with Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth. Denny is gearing up for a challenging campaign for the U.S. Congress, representing the 8th District in Missouri. As a Democrat, his opponent in the primary will be Randi McCallian, whom we’ve hosted here on the podcast on two previous occasions.

The reason I say his campaign will be difficult is because the incumbent, Jason Smith, a Republican, handily beat his Democratic opponents in the past five elections. During this time, no Democratic opponent ever managed to get more than 25% of the popular vote. Furthermore, Representative Smith is currently the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, a powerful group in Washington that has great influence over legislation, which adds to his list of credentials during his upcoming campaign next year.

Despite a relatively caustic current political climate, rife with heated debates on women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and the events of January 6, the incumbent’s standing is largely unaffected. The well-entrenched Republican base in the 8th district remains largely unswayed by Democratic challengers. This phenomenon might not solely reflect the district's moral stance, but rather, it highlights broader dynamics within our political system. The Democrats, for various reasons, are not perceived as a substantially better alternative by many voters in this district. As a result, any Democrat vying to unseat Jason Smith faces a daunting challenge.

Addressing these challenges in the 8th district is Denny Roth. His campaign website presents a range of proposals aimed at tackling the district's most pressing issues. A critical concern is the district's economic status. Among Missouri's eight districts, the 8th has the lowest per-capita income and is ranked in the 10 most distressed congressional districts nationwide, according to a November 3 report last year by the Economic Innovation Group. A stark illustration of these economic woes is Dexter, Missouri, a town that recently faced the closure of a Tyson Foods' chicken processing plant, resulting in the loss of approximately 700 jobs. This closure has had a ripple effect, impacting not only the workers but also local farmers who had invested in supplying the plant, as well as related industries like trucking, food service, and hospitality. These events underscore the significant economic challenges faced by the district.

During my interview with Denny, we talked a bit about his background as a farmer and a truck driver while working his way through college. Regarding current issues, we touched on the following topics:

The Economy
Healthcare
Reproductive Rights
Social Security
Education
Equal Rights and Immigration
Firearm Regulation

In my interaction with Denny, I gained insightful perspectives on his views and approach. Our meeting took place at his residence outside Hillsboro, Missouri, set amidst a serene backdrop of woods and farmlands. I was greeted warmly by Denny and his wife, Sandy, and we convened at their kitchen table for an in-depth political discussion. It's often my practice to engage in preliminary talks before formal recording, which allows for a more natural and thoughtful dialogue. This approach was particularly effective in this instance, as it provided a relaxed atmosphere for a candid and reflective conversation about the pressing issues and challenges facing the 8th district.

I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed producing it. As I said in the beginning, I love podcasting because I get to meet some of the most fascinating people and really probe into the issues to gain a better understanding of different perspectives and different ideas.

Happy listening!

P.S. - The interview will drop on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 4PM Central. Just click on the “Podcast” link in the menu bar.

Show Notes

I need to make a correction: During the interview, I guessed that Dexter Missouri’s population is around 3,000. According to the latest census, it’s actually about 7,800.

For the list of the 10 most distressed districts in the nation, see the Economic Innovation Group’s website at https://eig.org/economic-wellbeing-of-congressional-districts/

You can find Denny Roth’s campaign website at https://fdrii4mo.com/