The Rational Republican

James and Nick are joined by Allen Alley. Allen is former chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, candidate for Treasurer and for Governor. Allen hosts a podcast Alley & Pasero which airs live on Facebook Sundays at 8:30am and is available on all your favorite podcasting services.

James and Nick welcome Jeff Stone, Executive Director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries to talk about his experience working for Sen. Bob Packwood, immigration, and agriculture.

James and Nick are joined by Mayor Stan Pulliam of Sandy, OR. Mayor Stan has been in the news recently for leading the #NewYearsDay movement to reopen businesses ahead of the Governor's mandate. Take a listen to a great conversation about how small-town Oregonians are being impacted by the Governor's shut-down order.

James and Nick welcome Rep Suzanne Weber, the newly elected representative from House District 32 representing the area in and around Tillamook, OR and Adam Schwend her campaign manager and chief of staff.

James and Nick felt the need to discuss the events of January 6, 2021 where Trump supporters storm the Capitol in Washington DC. We fully and completely denounce the violence taking place in our nation's capitol today.

James and Nick welcome Rohan Gulati and Kyle Henson from Nick's old podcast "Unnecessary and Proper" to bring a crossover episode "Rational and Proper". We briefly discussed the title "Unnecessary Republicans" but decided against it. We talk about the future of the GOP and how National politics are different from Oregon politics and the strategies needed to win each.

James and Nick welcome Jim Fitzhenry, a prominent local businessman and former staffer to Sen. Mark Hatfield and Pres. George H. W. Bush. We discuss Oregon's relationship to business and how our Democratic leaders are driving business away from the state with their poorly thought-out tax policies.

Dr. Lisa Reynolds is the Representative Elect for House District 36 (James' Democratic opponent). Dr. Reynolds is a pediatrician in Washington County who cut her political teeth fighting to reduce gun violence and promoting early childhood wellbeing.

Our guest this episode is Aaron Withe, national director of The Freedom Foundation, an organization that seeks to educate public employees about their rights regarding union membership.

Shelly Boshart Davis represents Oregon House District 15 which includes parts of Linn and Benton counties. Boshart Davis grew up in rural Oregon and is proud to represent agriculture and transportation in the Oregon Legislature.

Scott Jorgensen worked on staff for the late Secretary of State Dennis Richardson and authored a book titled "Our Friend Dennis" available on Amazon or at the Rainier Public Library. We talk policy, the current SoS race, and about the book.

This is a special edition podcast without Nick because James met up with Sean Scorvo, Democratic candidate for House District 23 running against Mike Nearman. This episode turned into a 1-on-1 debate/conversation between a Democrat running in a heavily Republican district and a Republican running in a heavily Democratic district.

Nick is on vacation, so James sat down with Jacob Vandever and Xander Almeida to take on the 6th article of the Democratic Party of Oregon's platform.

James and Nick were able to sit down with Nick Smith, Executive Director of Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities, a nonprofit that describes themselves as grassroots coalition that supports the need for active, sustainable forest management.

James and Nick had the opportunity to speak with Rep. Bill Post about elections, the future of the Republican Party in Oregon and some inside baseball of life in the Legislature.

James and Nick welcome House Minority Leader Rep. Christine Drazan to discuss the Cap & Trade Republican walkout and other issues facing the Oregon Legislature.

James and Nick welcome Eilidh Lowery to the show. Eilidh is Chair of the Portland Public School Board and was the officiant in Nick's wedding! We talk about what's going on with PPS going back to school in the fall, the achievement gap and state funding for schools.

No guest this time, but we felt it was necessary to address the racial tension going on in the world right now. Email james@jamesaball.com if you want to get involved.

In a bit of a change from our regular style of guest, James and Nick welcome Ray McMillin, a former Democrat, comedian, and strip club DJ who operates the Facebook page Rainman McMillin to talk about our various frustrations with party politics.

James and Nick welcome back Xander to discuss the 5th Article of the Democratic Party of Oregon platform.

James and Nick welcome Allen Alley and Jim Pasero from the show Abrams, Alley and Pasero on 101FM KXL (8am Sunday mornings). We started talking about COVID-19 and the conversation turned to China and culture.

Since everyone is on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic we thought it was a good time to revisit the DPO Platform. Nick and James welcome podcast regular Xander Almeida to break down Article 4.

James and Nick welcome an anonymous guest who works in the medical field to talk about vaccines and take the opposing view that the state should not require vaccines.

James had the opportunity to sit down with Alyssa Vinsonhaler who is running for Portland City Council. As of posting, Alyssa has suspended her campaign. Alyssa is an activist in Portland, fighting ANTIFA and standing up for 2nd Amendment rights.

For the first time in many episodes, we don't have a guest! In this episode, Nick interviews James and we discuss why James is running for office in House District 36 and what he's going to focus on once elected.