Anyone who follows politics in Iowa is familiar with Jan Mickelson. Mr. Mickelson is arguably the most politically influential member of media in Iowa, with former coworker Steve Deace being the only person who comes close. Mickelson has been discussing politics on Reagan’s former home, WHO 1040am for as long as I can remember.
Ron Paul has been a frequent guest on Mickelson’s program over the years and it has always been clear that Mickelson held a great deal of respect for the Texas congressman. When Paul ran in 2008, Mickelson would frequently sing his praises, but frequently noted that the two were at odds when it came to foreign policy. Over the last few years of listening to his show, I got the sense that Mickelson, like many Americans, have evolved their foreign policy to the point where they are much more in agreement with Paul’s views.
Although Mickelson continues to have Paul as a frequent guest and speak very highly of him, I never really expected a public endorsement, because in all my years of listening to the host, I have yet to hear him publicly endorse a candidate to office. But then a private email conversation between Mickelson and progressive talk show host Ed Fallon was posted publicly by Mr. Fallon. In it Mr Mickelson appears to endorse Ron Paul.
An excerpt of the conversation:
Ed: Debate our respective plans to rid Wall Street and the halls of political power of “scumbags” (your term, not mine). You do have a plan, don’t you?
Jan: Yes, vote for Ron Paul. He’ll return us to honest money, constitutionally limited government, non-interventionist foreign policy, dismantled nanny state.
The full email conversation can be found here.
Ron Paul appears to be gaining momentum in Iowa. For the second time in a row, Ron Paul tops the Iowa Independent’s Political Power Rankings, a panel of our staff, academics, political consultants, GOP activists, local party officials and other state political reporters, each answering the question, ‘if the caucus were held today, who would win?’ Steve Deace, also has Paul at the top of his Power Rankings.
As Paul’s stock continues to rise in Iowa, a public (not just private) endorsement by Jan Mickelson could have a significant impact on the race.
For more great commentary on the email conversation, check out Steve Hoodjer’s Iowa Freedom Report, who was the first to pick up the story.
