Blaze Interview: Can Young Former Army Capt. Beat Establishment For MN Senate Seat?

Pete Hegseth is no stranger to tough fights.  As an Army veteran who has led men in combat, run a national veteran’s affairs organization, and battled liberal ideology stretching back to his days as a college conservative, Hegseth has never shied away from struggle when principle or duty has called for it.

Blaze Exclusive Interview: Can Young Former Army Captain Beat Establishment For MN Senate Seat?

After serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a US Army National Guard Army Officer, Hegseth has turned his sights to a political battle: defeating an incumbent Democrat US Senator in the state of Minnesota. He seeks to win this upset victory with a ground-up campaign based on speaking simple but essential truths to the American people.

I had the chance to catch up with Pete recently for an interview in which he made his case that the time for refocused, honest conservatism is now. He insisted that despite his relative youth (only 31 years old) and lack of previous political experience, he would be a stalwart conservative in the Senate who would take the fight to entrenched big government interests.

“These are incredibly consequential times– if we had the leadership we needed, I wouldn’t run,” Hegseth said. Several times during our discussion he said he feels compelled to run for Senate now because of the lack of leadership displayed by incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and her fellow Democrats.

Senator Klobuchar passes as something of a moderate in Minnesota (despite a past that includes voting in lockstep with then-Senator Obama 92% of the time). But Hegseth doesn’t think that “a representative right now looking for soft easy issues and photo ops,” as he described Klobuchar, is the right person to be representing the state of Minnesota in the Senate.

Underlying all of Hegseth’s positions and appeals is a sense of urgency: he believes that America is headed in the wrong direction. “We can’t wait for our country to drift away from us, the time to act is now.”

While this is not Hegseth’s official motto, it is certainly a mainstay principle for his campaign. He believes America is spending too much, crushed under too much regulation, and needs to act before the hard choices are forced on the American people in a crisis. “By 2025— the interest on our debt and entitlement programs will overtake our revenue,” he said to illustrate his point. “My opponent Klobuchar will use this as a political football.”

With that in mind, economic concerns top the list of Captain Hegseth’s signature issues.

Jobs, The Economy, and Debt

“The Top three issues are jobs, the economy, and debt,” Hegseth said.

On Jobs, he offered this understanding of the government’s limited role in creating real employment opportunities:

I’m not going to create a single job. Senators and politicians do not create them. I want to create a business climate that’s conducive to hiring more workers. Simplification of the tax code is a good start. And lower taxes. We also need to lesson the regulatory burden for businesses.

Hegseth cited the estimated $10,000 of legal administration and fees that comes with each new hire due to the current regulatory environment in Minnesota. And on top of that,”regulations continue to grow,” he added. Hegseth expanded:

You see these concerns in the way that businesses plan. It’s really about the tax code, predictability, and regulation—understanding those and creating an environment in which the economy is tied to our ability to create jobs is critical.The debt/deficit problem we are facing is going to have an immediate impact on our economy. All those things determine whether our economy shrinks or grows.

I asked Hegseth if he believed he could win while running on a platform that would seek to cut spending and reform long-term entitlements. He didn’t hesitate for a second:

We have to, we have to find a way to message it. We do ourselves a disservice otherwise. We need to talk about reforming entitlements. Someone like Marco Rubio shows that you can do that. He talked about the issue in a sensible way. We are reforming it to make it around for future generations. It’s about messaging and having the ability to fight back hard.

He ripped the alternative: “The status quo is Medicare will be ended for us because it is literally unsustainable and financially does not add up.”

Blaze Exclusive Interview: Can Young Former Army Captain Beat Establishment For MN Senate Seat?

On National Security

Of course, Hegseth’s background as a former Captain in the National Guard means that he is well-versed in defense and national security matters. While he maintains that the economy is the primary issue right now for his campaign, he shared some thoughts on defense spending and the Obama administration’s handling of Iraq and Afghanistan:

“I want to beat back the idea that we will balance the budget on the DOD. Yes, protecting our nation is our top priority. But there are cuts to be made, there are no sacred cows. I can look at where the waste is, look at generals in the eye, and say ‘I don’t think contractors add the kind of value you do, for example.’”

Hegseth also lambasted “antiquated appropriations processes that go back to the Eisenhower administration.” He thinks we should always be asking two question about military expenditures: “How does it affect our interest?“ and ”How many resources are we putting into it to affect the outcome?”

Those questions, along with his time in battle, inform his critique of the Obama administration’s approach in Afghanistan:

Just 3 months ago I was in Afghanistan. You can’t be successful in a war front when you surge and then say you are going to leave. As someone who has been at the tactical and operational level on the ground, I have seen that. You can’t tell the enemy when you are going to leave.

Hegseth added that Obama “Ended the war in Iraq without signing a security agreement and effectively handed the country over to Iranians.”

“Our sacrifice must be honored, so we don’t create more instability in the world.”

The Political Road Ahead

In a month, Hegseth faces an endorsement convention in St. Cloud. Other than Hegseth, there are two Republicans in the race, but he remains confident that among that group, he is best suited to defeat Klobuchar in a general election. Why? He believes he has a unique combination of demonstrated managerial acumen and a long track record of true conservatism.

He told me that his experience growing Veterans for Freedom into an organization with 95,000 members alongside his history of taking the ideological fight to liberals also puts him in a special position to build an organization that can beat a strong democratic incumbent:

It is Important to put candidates forward who are principled and able to win. Even though I’m 31, we run on experience. And I’ve always been a conservative with deeply held conservative beliefs. I was the publisher of a conservative publication at Princeton. I’ve been in the belly of the beast and made the tough arguments in tough places. It‘s not just that I’ve been shot at on the battlefield— I’ve also made the conservative case in liberal enclaves.

Now, he’s trading the mountains of Afghanistan for a different battlefield — the Senate.

“There is a culture of cronyism in Washington—who benefits and who doesn’t—but nobody owns me,” he said. “The word courage is overused in politics, but I’m going to go to Washington, and I’m not going to hedge, not going to make friends. I swore an oath to the constitution. I’m going to get our country back on track.”

Comments (29)

  • MTNSKYGUY
    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 7:36pm

    Please if you are a Minnesota voter realize there is another option. Kurt Bills http://kurtbills.com/about/ . At least check him out. Just the possibility of Pete being the GOP choice scares the hell out of me. That is not a knock on Pete its a knock on the GOP. I am tired of the tried and failed “Any body but…” candidate. As long as we vote this way we will have anything but change. This being said I have heard Pete speak, he has great ideas. I am just not sold on him.

    Report Post »  
    • DRSAVAGE24
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:14pm

      I’ve heard him compared to another Rand Paul in the U.S. Senate. If you like Rand Paul, please find out more about Kurt Bills! He’s not only the best candidate, but the most electable candidate to take the fight to Klobuchar.

      Report Post »  
    • BLancaster82
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:31am

      Ronulans are trolling a thread about a Army Captain running for Senate?

      Report Post » BLancaster82  
  • tmplarnite
    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:32am

    Aimless ‘the hack’ Klueless…is as worthless an asian carp…miss sell out got voted in on her name by clueless MN voters…She is in the back pocket of the traitor fraud O’Vomit……He’s got my vote!

    Report Post »  
  • Murph45acp
    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 8:57am

    I also would not vote for him. Kurt Bills is who we need. Pete’s membership in the CFR should be enough to make everyone walk away. Its the CFR that has caused a whole host of problems for the US. I’ve heard it said that electing Pete would be like having a spy in the CFR or at the least a conservative voice to reform the CFR. The CFR cant be reformed. You don’t just join the CFR. I’m pretty sure you need to be invited. They must want to groom him for something. This alone should make you run away. The transgressions of his past with his divorce and mistress and child out of wedlock is just more reason to run away, run very fast. If you can not keep fidelity to your family and hold your marriage vows as sacred how is one expected to keep is oath of office sacred?! I love this nation but to have some one in a leadership roll that would continue to help keep us in foreign preemptive wars is dangerous to our country. If Ron Paul can support Kurt Bills So can I.

    Report Post »  
    • roder005
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:06am

      What a shame. The guy has every quality I look for in a person to be elected. I talked to him personally to ask him tough questions. He wants to edit, not end, the Fed. He belongs to the CFR and the reasons he gave me for these issues were the same. He wants to do it that way to reform them. I find it very hard to negotiate with and reform the devil. Enough said.

      Report Post »  
  • Vote4ShepardAug142RemoveKlobuchar4GOPWinNov6
    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 4:55am

    I personally like Pete because he has National ID and can raise money, but Dan or Bill are just as great and wonderful a candidate as Pete for the U.S. Senate. The major problem is how Minnesota is going to elect a Republican U.S. Senator on Nov 6 because Klobuchar has conned Minnesotans into being 61% popular & worse has 5 million dollars in her campaign war chest and the polls have her winning by over 20%.For Minnesota to elect a Republican U.S. Senator, you have to be sure that Sen. Klobuchar’s name is not on the Ballot in the Nov. 6. General Election. There is only one way and here’s how! We have a good chance because in Minnesota Primaries only about 12% of Minnesota Voters who vote in the General Election vote in Minnesota’s August Primaries. (that’s over 900,000 Minnesota Republican Voters in 2006 Amy Klobuchar won her DFL Primary with only 240,000 votes got elected with over 1,300,000 votes gneral election so the only election Republicans Voters can easily defeat Sen. Klobuchar’s re-election is to upset her in the DFL Primary with a Rush Limbaugh style Republican crossover vote for Jack “Doc” Shepard on Aug 14. Because is even 1/3 of the Republicans voters that normal don’t even vote in Minnesota Primaries jcome out with one thing in mind to vote for Jack “Doc” Shepard just to remove Amy Klobuchar’s name from General Election Ballot.that would assure that Minnesota can easily elect a Republican U.S. Senator learn more http://www.jackshepardforsenate.com

    Report Post » Vote4ShepardAug142RemoveKlobuchar4GOPWinNov6  
  • Commonsenseville
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 10:35pm

    Kurt Bills is the man we need to kick Klobuchar out. I know Kurt personally and I can tell you Kurt will not dissapoint if we send him to DC.

    Report Post » Commonsenseville  
  • thewaymaker
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:27pm

    Keep up the good work Pete! His experience in battling the libs will serve MN well. He is well spoken on all issues, would love to see him debate Senator Klobuchar.

    Report Post »  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:36pm

      He sounds like a reasonable responsible man that is needed in the Senate. The Senate is short on people of his caliber.

      Report Post »  
    • MinnConservative
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 11:05pm

      I’m sorry to bring up personal issues, but this guy cheated on his first wife and con conceived his child out of wedlock and he’s only 31! Washington does not need any more people of his “caliber”. He’s also in the council of foreign relations. Not our best candidate people! I’m supporting Doc Severson, a true man of character.

      Report Post »  
    • MarcieAnn
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 8:37pm

      I, too, hope for good things for Pete Hegseth and his campaign, having followed his career for a number of years. I have noted a couple of disparaging personal comments from another poster and have thought long about what to say and how to respond to that person who seems to have a personal animus against Pete, citing specifics on his marriages, 2nd wife and son. First off, the admonition to “let it go” may be helpful for this person who seems to have been emotionally injured by Pete’s actions. Secondly, no one comes out unscathed from a failed marriage and gossipy judgmentalism via printed word by an outsider (or perhaps an insider) is inappropriate in this forum, especially when the purpose seems to be to wound, cause harm and disparage. If every citizen had his or her life shouted from the rooftops, there would be cringing from all quarters and an unwillingness to show our faces for quite some time. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” is always good to follow. So, checking your motives is called for, don’t you think, MC? Learning to forgive will bring you to a better place and free up your life for productive endeavors and love.

      Report Post »  
    • MinnConservative
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:09am

      I have never met Pete Hegseth and feel that I have nothing to forgive him for as I don’t feel personally wronged by him. Any one who runs for office opens themselves up for public scrutiny and voters have a right to know the whole truth about a person. I, for one, do believe that character matters in a leader. I have had enough of the Clinton, Weiner, Sanford, Gingrich style sex scandals. That is why I am supporting Doc Severson. No one is perfect, but from what I know of him, I respect his character very much.

      Report Post »  
    • MarcieAnn
      Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:14am

      Minnconservative: Proverbs 18:8 “Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?”

      Report Post »  
  • kbroberg
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:51pm

    I too am much more impressed with Kurt Bills. Pete is a very establishment Republican who is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. I am just saying if you like the Washington D.C. Republican establishment in the U.S. Senate then Pete should be your guy. If not look at any of the other candidates.

    Report Post »  
  • just looking
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:33pm

    That is good to know SLR4528. I assume all three will be at the state convention in St. Cloud next month. It is good to see that we have a choice amongst some excellent candidates.

    Report Post »  
  • slr4528
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:13pm

    There is actually another candidate Kurt Bills running for this seat in MN and I saw him speak with Pete on three different occasions and I personally think Kurt would be the better choice to defeat Klobuchar.

    Pete is a good guy but Bills is a persuasive speaker and he really knows economics since he teaches economics. He is a teacher who is for right to work laws and who could debate Klobuchar effectively on the economy. He strongly believes in the citizen legislator as opposed to the career politician.

    I am rather curious as to why Pete is receiving all of the press. I am a MN delegate and I will be pulling for Kurt Bills in St. Cloud. I firmly believe if we do not elect politicians who understand economics who can effectively address the 16 trillion deficit…this country is toast.

    Report Post »  
    • C-Delta Conductor
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 9:29pm

      SLR4528, I too am a MN state delegate, and am enamored by Representative Bills. I think the reason why Mr. Hegseth is getting both main-stream and alternative media coverage is his work with national veterans organizations… Although he is hardly a household name, he is well known with the powers that be. For this reason I believe that the Republican establishment has chosen Hegseth as their candidate; this is evidenced by the fact that Severson is running his campaign as a quasi-libertarian: talking about the Fed, NDAA, and civil liberties. I think that the party abandoned Severson (an establishmentarian) for Hegseth (an establishmentarian who did not lose a bid for SOS). It will be an interesting State convention.

      Report Post » C-Delta Conductor  
    • DRSAVAGE24
      Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:13pm

      I’m also a delegate to the MN convention and am supporting Kurt Bills! You’d think Glenn would have him on speed dial, that is if Glenn is really concerned about the debt and all the spending. Of course, Glenn used to be for the Wall Street bailouts, too, so it would make sense that he’d promote a big spending Republican.

      Hey, I’m hearing about this CFR…can someone please explain to me what it is and what makes it so terrible?

      Report Post »  
  • just looking
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Fine candidate. Here in Le Sueur county, Mn, “Doc” (as in top gun pilot) Severson was nominated to run against Amy K. The Blaze should interview him as well! http://danseverson.com

    Report Post »  
  • KP
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:51pm

    I will definitely vote for him! Nice to see common sense on the ballot in Minnesota for a change. Just wish he was running against stupid Al Franken instead.

    Report Post » KP  
  • leonardo44
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 4:03pm

    This candidate sounds impressive, i hope he’s as geniune as he sounds. Conservatives need his voice and dedication.

    Report Post »  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:35pm

    This guy is going to need financial support. I hope the republicans are listening.

    Report Post »  
  • sham
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:27pm

    Good Luck!!!! Pete Hegseth I will be Praying for you.

    Report Post »  
  • dangmc
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:04pm

    WOW! Glenn, is this our new ‘George Washington’?

    Report Post » dangmc  
    • MinnConservative
      Posted on April 25, 2012 at 11:56pm

      Definitely not! George Washington didn’t cheat on his wife, take half her money and have a baby with his mistress before he was 30 like Pete Hegseth did. Just what MN Republicans need; another sex scandal. The democrats would have a field day with this.

      Report Post »  
  • Danzig
    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:59pm

    Good luck Sir in your Senate campaign. We hope that Minnesota sees the light that you provide and elects you.

    Also, thank you for your service.

    Report Post »  

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