In hour 3, Mark is joined by Duane Patterson, senior producer of The Hugh Hewitt Show, writer for HotAir.com, and host of the Duane's World podcast, to dissect the catastrophic midterm election results for the Republican Party. Patterson explains his theory that Donald Trump's "dual superpower" faltered because a key portion of the MAGA base felt betrayed by the war in Iran and chose to sit out, allowing the anti-Trump vote to dominate across battlegrounds like Kansas, Iowa, and Texas. The two also debate whether the military action was worth losing the Senate for the next six years, discuss the impact of high gas prices and inflation on working families, and look ahead to potential GOP primary challengers like Ron DeSantis. Mark is later joined by David Barklage, GOP political strategist and consultant, to conduct an election post-mortem following dramatic Republican losses both nationally and across Missouri. Barklage breaks down the $60 million influx of progressive and dark money that helped dismantle the GOP's legislative supermajority and flip key seats, explains why the swing against Republicans exceeded post-Watergate 1974 levels, and examines the erosion of suburban support in St. Charles County that contributed to Congresswoman Ann Wagner's defeat. He also outlines how Governor Mike Kehoe and state lawmakers must refocus on core issues like infrastructure and education to rebuild voter trust, analyzes the national shifts in Texas, and assesses where polling turnout models missed the mark. He wraps up the show with the Audio Cut of the Day.
