Robin Johnson

Host of Heartland Politics

Robin A. Johnson is a governmental relations, public policy and political consultant. He is an expert on government reform issues and has consulted with numerous local governments on consolidation/merger, public-private partnerships and full-cost accounting of public services. Robin has also helped candidates win elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, state legislature, judiciary and local government. Robin served as a consultant to the Office of Statewide Performance Review in the Illinois Governor’s Office and is former director of the Illinois Center for Competitive Government, a partnership between the Illinois Comptroller’s Office and the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. Prior to that, he was Director of the Local Government Affairs Division of the Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Robin served on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) in 1999-2000.

Speaking with Tim Carney

By • Sep 22, 2020

Tim Carney discusses his book, Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse, and why many Trump voters view the American Dream as dead, the economic and cultural divide that separates America, and why we should be more worried about churches closing than factories closing. This book adds to the ongoing analysis of the 2016 election outcome and its meaning for America.

Speaking with Mariannette Miller-Meeks

By • Sep 17, 2020

Iowa State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-41) is running for the open 2nd congressional seat which includes Scott County. She discusses the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, the need for further Covid recovery assistance, relations with China and health care.

Speaking with Theresa Greenfield

By • Sep 15, 2020

Theresa Greenfield, Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Iowa, discusses additional Covid relief funding, trade, relations with China, the ag economy and much more. She also talks about how Democrats can appeal to working class voters especially in the critical river counties in eastern Iowa that voted for Obama twice in 2008 and 2012 and then Trump in 2016.

Speaking with Michael Kruse

By • Sep 11, 2020

Michael Kruse, Senior Staff Writer for POLITICO and POLITICO magazine, discusses his focus on ‘Trumpology’ including the president’s recent “rhetorical evolution” and ability to “tell history his way.” He also talks about the 2020 presidential race, whether there are still undecided voters, and the key voting demographic that will likely decide the race.

Speaking with Joe Klein

By • Sep 8, 2020

Joe Klein, former TIME columnist, author and political commentator, talks about the 2020 election, historical comparisons and the impact of civil unrest as the campaign heads into the post-Labor Day final stretch. He also discusses the continuing relevance of Woody Guthrie to American labor, culture and music on the 40th anniversary of the publication of his biography Woody Guthrie: A Life.