A Democrat and a Republican Walk Into a Bar
Bipartisan discussion on political issues What happens when a Democrat and a Republican sit down with a beer to talk about the biggest issue of the day? Let’s find out! Time to break down party barriers! Host Sean Hartman (Republican) and Cindy Banyai (Democrat) get together every other week at Ollie’s Records and Beer to have a drink and chat across party lines. Join in the fun!
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode hosts Dr. Cindy Banyai and Sean Hartman engage in a lively discussion from their unique political perspectives. They address local Florida politics, including Byron Donald's 2026 gubernatorial bid, and the potential candidates for the open congressional seat. They also examine proposed bills by Florida legislators that could impact voter suppression and citizen initiatives. On the national stage, the hosts passionately debate Trump's recent interactions with President Zelensky and the shifting U.S. foreign policy toward Russia. Adding to the discourse, they touch upon the potential budget impasse and its political ramifications. The episode concludes with a look ahead at upcoming events and a call for support from their audience. Don't miss this insightful and spirited conversation about the current political landscape!
00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Updates
01:55 Local Politics and Byron Donalds' Governor Bid
03:20 Republican Primary Speculations
06:54 Democratic Candidate Howard Sapp
08:22 Casey DeSantis and Political Dynamics
12:19 Cindy's Announcement for Florida House 78
14:23 Controversial Bills and Legislative Session
26:49 Stricter Regulations for Organizations
28:17 Voter Suppression Bill
30:05 Debate on Voter ID Laws
35:12 Trump's Actions and Ukraine
40:58 U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Impact
51:11 Budget Debate and Political Strategy
54:50 Conclusion and Hiatus Announcement

Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Join Democratic host Dr. Cindy Banyai and Republican host Sean Hartman as they dive into the latest events including their thoughts on the controversy surrounding Ron DeSantis' recent legislation. They also discuss the implications of President Trump's foreign policy moves, with a specific focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Plus, discover the heartwarming story of The Flat Fairy in Cape Coral who is spreading random acts of kindness. This episode, filmed at Millennial Brewing, brings light-hearted banter and serious political discourse in a fun, engaging format.
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:44 Super Bowl Recap
04:20 Valentine's Day Highlights
04:50 Political Debate: Ron DeSantis and Legislation
07:29 Immigration and Law Enforcement
15:36 Edison Light Parade and Local Traditions
19:55 Nostalgia and Fundraising
21:30 Elitism and Community Events
22:15 Trump World Updates
22:25 Foreign Policy and Libertarianism
25:47 America First and Nationalism
28:24 Russia-Ukraine Conflict
35:15 Budgetary Issues and Government Shutdown
38:55 The Flat Fairy: A Heartwarming Story
40:33 Closing Remarks and Invitations

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
In this episode, hosts at Millennial Brewery, Fort Myers, discuss their show’s third anniversary, recent Republican infighting in Tallahassee, and Governor Ron DeSantis' strained relationship with the legislature. The conversation covers immigration policy, legislative independence, and the impact of potential gubernatorial runs. They also touch on issues with U.S. foreign policy, party strategies, and the upcoming Super Bowl. Tune in for an engaging bipartisan discussion on current political dynamics and governance concerns.
00:00 Welcome to the Democratic Republican Bar
00:37 New Location and Celebrations
01:24 Beach Adventures and Red Tide
02:17 Political Drama in Tallahassee
03:13 Legislative Power Struggles
06:34 Special Session and Political Maneuvering
09:21 Immigration Policies and Controversies
14:26 Deportation and Due Process
21:04 Government Overreach and Fiscal Conservatism
23:41 The Impact of Tariffs on Inflation
27:33 Democratic Party Leadership and Strategy
31:33 Special Elections and Political Dynamics
36:22 Concerns Over Elon Musk's Influence
40:30 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
In this quick episode of 'A Democrat and a Republican Walk Into a Bar,' hosts Sean Hartman (Republican) and Cindy Banyai (Democrat) discuss the tumultuous first week of Donald Trump's presidency in 2025. They delve into the hundreds of executive orders signed by Trump, including controversial moves like pardoning January 6th offenders, establishing a new military command center, and ending birthright citizenship. The hosts analyze the implications of these actions, from military deployment at borders to FEMA reforms and potential shifts in U.S.-China relations.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:29 Reflecting on Trump's First Week
01:03 Executive Orders and Their Implications
03:05 Military and Border Policies
05:04 FEMA Reform and State Autonomy
06:31 Birthright Citizenship Debate
12:01 Concerns Over TikTok and China
13:48 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Join Democratic host Dr. Cindy Banyai and Republican host Sean Hartman for the final episode of 2024, discussing the year's most significant political events and sharing their predictions for 2025. They reflect on their holiday breaks, the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the contentious 2024 election, and Trump's shocking popular vote win. The hosts debate the future of American politics, including the influx of more radical candidates, Joe Biden's decision to run, and the impact of Kamala Harris's unexpected campaign. In a lively conversation, they also delve into 2024's biggest local issues in Southwest Florida, including the Cape Coral City Council flip and the growing scandal involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno. As they look ahead to 2025, Banyai and Hartman share their thoughts on possible Speaker of the House chaos, Trump's immigration plans, and potential conflicts with Greenland and Panama. Buckle up for a year of political drama and surprising twists!
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:43 Holiday Recap
01:59 Remembering Jimmy Carter
07:19 2024 Election Recap
25:11 Local Politics in Southwest Florida
31:12 Political Betrayal and Party Switching
33:32 Local Political Scandals: Carmine Marceno
35:32 Corruption Allegations and Campaign Contributions
38:26 Sheriff's Office and Political Accountability
44:49 Universal Healthcare and Political Violence
49:26 2025 Predictions and Political Speculations
58:33 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
In this episode, Democratic host Dr. Cindy Banyai and Republican host Sean Hartman celebrate and analyze the shocking results of the 2024 presidential election. With Donald Trump securing the presidency in a landslide, they delve into the implications for both parties, discuss Kamala Harris' defeat, and explore the reasons behind Democratic strategy failures. They also cover key local election outcomes, voter behavior, and possible election integrity issues. The hosts share insights on future Trump policies, the role of Congress, and their upcoming in-person tapings at Cruisers Bar in Cape Coral.
00:00 Introduction and Celebrations
01:27 Election Night Recap
02:27 Trump's Unexpected Victory
6:32 Democratic Postmortem
12:02 Kamala Harris's Campaign Challenges
18:42 Concerns About Trump's Second Term
23:33 Immigration and Deportation Debate
29:27 Congressional Dynamics and Future Policies
32:27 Foreign Policy and Presidential Powers
33:49 Local Election Results and Analysis
34:38 Cape Coral City Council Races
38:43 The Role of Anger in Politics
50:43 Election Integrity Concerns
57:00 Amendments and Future Plans
01:01:07 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Join us for a lively discussion with hosts Dr. Cindy Banyai and Sean Hartman from Big Mouth Media as they navigate through the intricacies of the ongoing election season. Cindy voices concerns about long early voting lines in Fort Myers and discusses obstacles faced by voters without driver's licenses. Sean shares his personal preference for paper ballots due to technical issues with voting machines and stresses the importance of checking receipts post-voting. They also touch upon the concerning increase in voter aggression, particularly in Cape Coral, and speculate on potential last-minute October surprises. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on voting experiences, local elections, and the power dynamics influenced by grassroots versus corporate-funded campaigns.
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:46 Early Voting Experiences
01:57 Voting Machine Issues and Paper Ballots
05:28 Campaign Season and Aggression
08:52 Election Signs Mystery
13:52 Final Week Before Election Day
27:55 Election Day Voting Details
28:26 City Council Race Insights
28:42 Ward 2 Candidates Overview
30:29 District Changes and Their Impact
32:50 Poop Water Crisis in Fort Myers
41:38 October Surprises and Conspiracy Theories
44:00 International Tensions and Their Implications
45:52 George Santos and Political Scandals
50:14 Final Thoughts and Voting Encouragement

Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Join Democratic host Dr. Cindy Banyai and Republican host Sean Hartman as they analyze crucial battleground states for the 2024 elections, focusing on key insights from Florida and Georgia. Explore discussions on election integrity, voter turnout, and political strategies amidst recent events. Delve into Florida’s ballot amendments, debating topics like partisan school board races and the right to hunt and fish. Learn about Trump’s campaign blunders and the community-driven efforts for Hurricane Milton relief, including a VIP meet and greet with country star Trey Taylor.
Concert for Unity Tickets - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/concert_for_unity
Trey Taylor - https://www.treytaylormusic.com/
Save Our Democracy - https://www.save-our-democracy.com/
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
01:19 Election Countdown and Predictions
02:07 Florida Senate Race Analysis
06:22 Voter Turnout and Undecided Voters
08:44 Georgia Voting Laws and Turnout
14:22 Election Integrity and Fraud
21:02 Amendments and Ballot Measures
27:37 Debating the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment
29:03 Political Power of the Seminole Tribe
31:14 State Matching Funds for Campaigns
38:38 Confederate Monuments and Local Government
42:50 Trump's Campaign Missteps
51:09 Hurricane Milton Relief Concert
53:15 Closing Remarks and Subscription Appeal

Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Join co-hosts Dr. Cindy Banyai, a Democrat, and Sean Hartman, a Republican, as they share personal experiences and discuss the broader impacts of recent hurricanes in Florida. They cover recovery efforts, the challenges faced by the elderly during evacuations, and political implications on government response and election dynamics. The conversation delves into voting patterns, election integrity, and the influence of global conflicts on voter turnout, especially among young voters and minorities. Tune in for a balanced, insightful discussion on resilience, community support, and the current political landscape, featuring both lighthearted moments and serious dialogue.
Donate or apply for hurricane relief - https://www.save-our-democracy.com/
Report price gouging - https://www.myfloridalegal.com/consumer-protection/price-gouging
00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Background
00:45 Experiences During the Hurricane
04:11 Community Support and Relief Efforts
05:48 Price Gouging and Legal Measures
07:30 Impact on Senior Citizens
10:27 Political Implications of the Hurricane
16:32 Hurricane Impact on Voter Turnout
17:24 Republican Concerns Over Vote by Mail
18:24 Voter Turnout Post-Hurricane Ian
19:14 Potential Political Shifts in Florida
21:55 Countdown to Election Day
22:54 Jack Smith Indictments and Redaction Issues
25:19 Undecided Voters and Election Dynamics
27:26 Impact of Israel-Palestine Conflict on U.S. Elections
29:04 Halloween Fun Amidst Political Chaos
29:35 Closing Remarks and Subscription Appeal

Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Join Republican host Sean Hartman and Democratic host Dr. Cindy Banyai as they dive into the ongoing Hurricane Milton threatening Florida, exploring their personal plans and safety measures. The duo discusses emergency management, the role of local authorities, and the importance of preparedness, reflecting on past storms like Hurricane Ian. They also tackle the complexities of U.S. political maneuvering, including FEMA funding, budget disagreements, and the balance between supporting Ukraine and addressing domestic needs. Furthermore, the episode delves into the Israel-Lebanon conflict's implications, and its influence on U.S. politics, highlighting ethical considerations when candidates meet foreign leaders. Wrapping up, they evaluate the vice-presidential debate's highlights amidst heavy political topics, all while maintaining a light-hearted touch by finding common ground in infrastructure improvements and avoiding storm surges of 'poop water.'
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:58 Hurricane Milton Preparations
01:45 Power Infrastructure and Evacuation Plans
03:47 Hurricane Helene Aftermath
08:01 FEMA Funding and Political Debates
11:23 Budget and Appropriations
18:36 Vice Presidential Debate Analysis
25:27 Jack Smith Indictments and Transparency
27:10 Hurricane's Impact on Politics
28:35 Election Logistics Amidst Natural Disasters
31:47 Vote by Mail and Voter Guides
33:03 Lee Health Board Privatization Debate
36:13 Israel-Lebanon Conflict and U.S. Politics
48:35 Environmental Concerns: Poop in the Water
51:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts