Cleared Hot Episode 418 Summary

Guest: Aaron Croft
Host: Andy Stumpf
Date: December 1, 2025
Theme: Military Service, Politics, and Why a Combat SAR Pilot Is Running for Congress

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and wide-ranging conversation between host Andy Stumpf and Aaron Croft, a recently retired USAF combat search and rescue (SAR) helicopter pilot. Aaron is running for Congress as an independent in Washington's 5th District. The discussion delves into Aaron’s military experiences, journey away from organized religion, frustrations with the current political climate, why he's seeking public office, the complexities of bipartisan issues like term limits and campaign finance, the realities of flying combat helicopters, and what effective and meaningful public service should look like.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Run for Congress?

• Motivation: Aaron stresses the importance of service and wanting to make an impact beyond his military career. He credits his wife as an integral supporter throughout.
• Desire for Change: He’s dissatisfied with increasing division and negativity in US politics, and feels compelled to do something rather than just complain.
• Service Mindset: Running for office is framed as a continuation of his lifelong service.

Quote:
_"Service has always been something that was important to me." – Aaron ([01:38])

2. On Military Service and Transition

• Background: Aaron served nearly 22 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel (O-5), and flew both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, primarily for search and rescue.
• Military Life’s Impact: Lessons learned on teamwork, diversity, finding common ground, and shared sacrifice are central to his worldview.
• Leaving Military: He turned down a promotion to focus on his family and future – a choice met with mixed reactions.
• Post-military Plans: Initially intended to teach, but was encouraged to consider public office.

Quote:
_"My plan was to get another master’s…go teach high school Spanish and French. But my wife said, 'Maybe take a breather before you jump in.'" – Aaron ([57:02])

3. Faith, Morality & Organized Religion

• Faith Journey: Aaron grew up Mormon, served a mission in Mexico, and found value in the moral framework, but drifted due to discomfort with organized religion’s silence on critical issues.
• Religious Foundations: Expresses continued respect for Christ as a moral example, even as his church attendance has lessened.

Quote:
_"I’m very grateful for the moral foundation it gave me…I still look at Christ as, like, the perfect example of how you could live your life." – Aaron ([03:54])

4. Political Polarization & The Case for Centrism

• Diagnosis: Both agree that extreme left/right partisanship dominates the news cycle and online discourse, while most people sit close to the center.
• Military as a Model: The military’s forced collaboration among diverse groups stands as a microcosm for what society should strive for.

Quote:
_"The overwhelming majority of us, we’re all, you know, within a couple of millimeters of that center line." – Aaron ([13:39])

5. Accountability, Term Limits & The Political System

• Lobbyists & Money: Strong criticism for how corporate interests and big donors pull political strings, undermining genuine constituent representation.
• Term Limits: Both firmly agree that term limits are needed for Congress, and discuss the historical failure to enact them despite broad popular support.
• Transparency: Advocates for simple language, regular town halls, and accountability.

Quotes:
_"Term limits are 100%. Single-issue bills are another." – Andy ([25:37])
_"We have to be able to have those conversations. If you look at polling, that's what people care about. They don’t care about all these distractions." – Aaron ([150:13])

6. Online Negativity & The Dead Internet Theory

• Social Media’s Role: Discusses the prevalence of bots and manufactured outrage, emphasizing the importance of in-person discourse.
• Advice to Candidates: Aaron is encouraged to eschew “hashtags and polish” for sincerity and authenticity online.

Memorable Exchange:
_"A lot of really smart people…believe that a number between 70 to 85% of Internet traffic is actually occurring through bots." – Andy ([29:07])

7. Helicopter War Stories & SAR Realities

• Training Progression: Fixed-wing basics to helicopters is the typical Air Force track; Aaron argues it enhances safety and airmanship.
• Combat SAR Challenges: Vivid stories of difficult landings in zero-visibility brownouts, mechanical failures, and the trust between pilots and crew.
• Humor in the Cockpit: Light moments about mustached Vietnam-era instructors, the agony of beards in the military, and cross-branch ribbing.

Quote:
_"When you’re a brand new pilot…you need to give it gas 13 seconds before you need it." – Andy ([40:08])
_"Don't do mini airshows for people." – Aaron ([132:21])

8. "Common Ground" Policy Priorities

• Healthcare: Calls for affordable, accessible care to avoid bankrupting Americans.
• Housing & Wages: Addresses the stark realities of rising home costs versus stagnant wages, particularly for young and lower-income workers.
• Political Independence: Makes a case for running as an independent to prioritize district needs over party lines.

Quote:
_"If we focus on the things that we all share, that we all care about, then we can make some changes." – Aaron ([149:54])

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• Why Politics?
  "Why do you want to get involved in politics, man? It might be the toughest question of the day." – Andy ([01:04])

• On Military-Marital Partnership:
  "I just always include her for everything because there is no way I am where I am today without her." – Aaron ([01:49])

• On Political Discourse:
  "We all have so much more in common than we do dividing us…on the day to day, we're not fighting." – Aaron ([10:18])

• On Lobbying:
  "You gotta shit can the lobbyists." – Andy ([25:53])

• On Social Media Bots:
  "Rows and rows and rows of storage systems and racks of cellphones…these are the people that they train to be contrarian." – Andy ([29:07])

• On Helicopter Flying:
  "The 60 was originally…186 for max gross weight. We flew around at 22. When I first started flying, they were getting cracks in the 308 beam…" – Aaron ([48:29])

• On Political Reform:
  "If you allow the government to shut down, you are immediately no longer eligible for reelection." – Andy ([63:44])

• On Local Engagement:
  "My plan is to have a town hall every 45 days…so that people can hold my feet to the fire." – Aaron ([153:33])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Why Run for Office ([01:04] – [05:00])
• Faith & Organized Religion ([03:53] – [09:21])
• Political Polarization & Military as Microcosm ([13:39] – [16:27])
• Term Limits & Lobbyists ([25:29] – [28:25])
• Combat SAR & Helicopter Stories ([34:00] – [52:00], [132:02] – [137:34])
• The Dead Internet Theory ([28:49] – [31:39])
• Economic Issues: Housing, Wages, and Flat Tax ([111:04] – [124:51])
• Ideas for Political Reform ([63:44] – [66:10], [94:02] – [100:19])
• Candidacy Platform & Closing Pitch ([149:54] – [156:47])

Closing Summary

Aaron Croft presents himself as a pragmatic, service-minded leader, disillusioned by today’s polarized, unresponsive politics. Drawing on decades of military teamwork, personal humility, and a focus on centrist, practical solutions, his Congressional campaign centers on restoring accountability, public trust, and a focus on shared needs—especially healthcare, housing, and fair wages. The conversation is a blend of firsthand war stories, wry humor, and serious policy concerns—all grounded in lived experience and a desire to reconnect American politics to the real lives of its citizens.

To learn more or support Aaron Croft:
croftforcongress.com (number "4" in the URL).

Memorable Quote:
_"If we can get rid of the rhetoric, bring the temperature down…get people to see each other as community members and neighbors, then we can make huge gains in this country." – Aaron ([150:37])