366. John Opdycke. Our Broken Election Day. The Parties Rigged the Game and Screw Independents—NYC is Proof. CA’s Terrible Prop 50 and a New Fight in Maryland. We Decide Elections–But Not the Narrative. Taking Kids to Vote. Wisdom From Kurt Vonnegut.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Daily News, Veteran, News, Politics, News Commentary, National Security

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this Election Day special, we’re bringing a take unlike any other you’ll hear. Your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) digs in with John Opdycke (@jbopdycke), President of Open Primaries and a Godfather of the independent reform and open primaries movement, for a smart, fast and urgent conversation about what’s really happening today in elections nationwide. Our elections are dominating news today–but they’re badly broken. You’ll learn about why democracy is losing in many places nationwide today. But also, how John, his team, and our independent movement are fighting back–in states ranging from Oklahoma to Texas to Pennsylvania to Maryland–where a new threat to independents and democracy was just launched by the Democrat Governor there. John and Paul explain the movement to dismantle closed party systems, the impact of open primaries on America’s future, and why fixing the rules of our elections could be the key to reclaiming our democracy. And giving independent voters a real voice–and independent candidates a real shot to win. Learn why open primaries could be the key reform to empower voters, restore trust, and shake up the system. If you're tired of party bosses, the corrupt and failing Democratic and Republican party, frustrated by rigged elections, or searching for ways to take power back, this episode is your guide. Election Day class is in session with Professor Opdycke! Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Watch or listen now for an authentic, independent take on what’s broken—and what we can fix together. Especially on this Election Day. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. Its independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -John Opdycke’s previous appearances: April 20, 2023 - Episode 219. May 19, 2022 - Episode 171 -Learn more about John’s work with Open Primaries and sign up to help. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Ways to listen:Social channels:

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Powered by righteous media.
0:16.4	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 36. It is Tuesday, November 4th. I'm your host, Paul Reikoff. And it is Election Day. We've got a great show to dig into what is the most compelling story in the country and probably in the world. And the great John Opdike is here, friend of the show,
0:39.6	returning champion, true godfather of reform and open primaries.
0:45.6	Before we get to that, the shutdown continues,
0:48.1	not getting a lot of attention in most places.
0:50.8	Former Vice President and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney has died at age 84.
0:56.3	Laura Lumer, the radical conspiracy theorist and extremist, now has a penning on press pass.
1:02.7	But most of all, today is Election Day. So happy Election Day, America. And that means now
1:08.8	is most definitely, most definitely a time to stay vigilant.
1:21.0	And helping us stay vigilant today on this national holiday of civics and frustration and elation and bureaucracy is a returning
1:31.3	champion, a man that I consider a mentor, a dear friend, a partner in the movement to empower
1:37.6	independence, somebody who's been kind of like a pillar of this show for five years and all
1:42.5	the work we've been trying to do to reform our democracy
1:45.3	and our elections for this country. One of the smartest guys, and I think the person we have to talk to
1:50.6	on this election day, the great and powerful John Updike is back on Independent Americans. Welcome back,
1:56.3	my friend. Hey, it's great to be here. Thank you for all the kind words. And, you know, I'm an avid listener to your show. And it's been a real pleasure to watch you grow, to watch you become a real voice for independent thinking, independent action, independent candidates. So really keep it up. It's great.
2:16.6	Thank you, man. I appreciate that. We're excited to be
2:19.5	going daily. I've told you for a couple years. Once I get going daily, I want to have you on
2:24.2	regularly to help us look under the hood of this machine that is our democracy and our elections
2:29.9	in all its glory and in all its frustration. And we're daily now, folks. A reminder, hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, wherever you're listening or watching.
2:39.2	If you haven't been watching, go to YouTube.
2:40.9	Chris is doing a fantastic job of producing this show.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Righteous Media | Bleav, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Righteous Media | Bleav and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.