In this special edition of The Republican Legacy Podcast, Chris Vance and Lynn Schmidt are joined by Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), retired Air Force Brigadier General and one of Congress’s leading bipartisan voices, along with Courage Can Save Us author and With Honor CEO Rye Barcott and Bacon’s longtime Chief of Staff Mark Dreiling. They discuss the role courage has played throughout Bacon’s life and career, how military service shaped his approach to leadership, the political cost of putting principle ahead of party, and why relationships, civility, and bipartisanship still matter in Congress.
The conversation also explores what it means to be a “legacy Republican,” the future of traditional Republican principles, America’s role in the world, and what the next generation can learn from leaders willing to stand against political pressure. Then, Bacon answers the question many within Our Republican Legacy have been asking: Would he consider running for President in 2028? He discusses what he believes the country needs from its next president and his desire to help build a Republican Party grounded in decency, free enterprise, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional leadership.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction and guest overview
4:00 Personal reflections and the story behind the book
6:37 Military service shaping congressional approach
7:58 Service before self in modern politics
9:38 Respect for election results and political integrity
10:41 Dealing with social-media pressure and public backlash
12:59 Trust and relationships across party lines
14:46 The bipartisan veterans caucus and its significance
17:22 Decisions, character, and leadership in Congress
19:13 Congressman Bacon’s approach to difficult choices
21:08 Principled stands and political risks
23:01 Legacy Republican values and the party’s direction
24:59 Civility and respect in politics
27:27 Bipartisanship among congressional staff
31:03 Future service and the next generation of leaders
34:53 Congressman Bacon’s plans after Congress
37:47 Courage in public life today
41:33 Historical examples of courage
42:58 What true courage looks like
44:25 Closing remarks and call to action
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