Joining me today is an Iraq war veteran, a political analyst, and America's favorite

black gay Republican Rob Smith.

Welcome to the Ruben Report.

Thanks for having me, Dave.

America's favorite black gay Republican.

That's a lot of pressure to put in a Twitter bio.

You know, it's a lot of pressure.

I feel that about a year ago about this time because I came out as conservative a year

ago.

I out as conservative a fascinating phrase that we're going to talk a little bit.

We'll get into that.

Absolutely.

But when I came out, I said, I want something pithy and catchy and kind of funny because

it's a joke.

You know, America's favorite black gay Republican.

I want there to be a sense of humor in it because as you know, you know, you use humor to

bring people in, then you hit them with the facts.

So a lot of people are going to be going, wait a minute, wait a minute.

These guys are supposed to hate identity politics, but he's saying he's America's favorite

black gay Republican.

So here's my thing with that.

I think that there's a number one, all politics is identity politics.

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