Tangle Podcast Summary

Episode: PREVIEW - The Friday Edition: Behind the scenes of our time with Rep. Auchincloss
Host: Isaac Saul
Senior Editor/Reader: Will Kbach
Date: August 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This Friday edition of Tangle offers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes reflection about the team’s recent YouTube video shadowing Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) for three days on Capitol Hill. Senior Editor Will Kbach addresses viewer questions with candid responses covering feedback, process, and insights into congressional life, bipartisan relationships, fundraising habits, and pragmatism in legislative work. The episode is structured as a mailbag, providing transparent answers to questions sent by listeners from around the globe.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Video’s Goal and Reception

• Purpose: Tangle followed Rep. Auchincloss through his everyday work to capture what the life of a Congressman is really like—beyond the televised soundbites.
• Audience Engagement: The resulting video stirred significant feedback, prompting this episode to address follower questions and criticisms.

Notable Quote

“The idea of this video was to get a behind the scenes look at what it's actually like to be a member of Congress ... give you a peek behind the curtains at what this incredibly important and serious job is actually like.”
— Will Kbach [02:24]

2. Plans for More Behind-the-Scenes with Politicians

• Q: Will you make "day-in-the-life" videos with Republicans, independents, or Libertarians?
• A: The Tangle team wants to expand the series, including members from diverse political backgrounds—possibly even judges, campaign managers, or city officials.
• Access: Success depends on gaining full access and representatives’ willingness to participate.
• Support: Memberships and donations directly fund such journalistic projects.

Notable Quote

“...we definitely want to do more videos like this. And if we can do A Day in the Life video with a Republican representative, we'd absolutely do it.”
— Will Kbach [03:41]

3. Why Rep. Auchincloss? The Selection Process

• Q: How was the featured congressperson chosen?
• A: Auchincloss, a Tangle reader, organically offered the opportunity to shadow him; there was no formal selection from a pool.
• Future Criteria: For similar content, Tangle wants access, unique insight, and representatives who haven’t participated in similar profiles elsewhere.

Notable Quote

“The opportunity came together organically with a specific representative who was already familiar with Tangle.”
— Will Kbach [05:26]

4. The Fundraising Question

• Q: Did Auchincloss spend time fundraising during your time with him?
• A: No. Not a minute. Explanations include foreknowledge of being shadowed, his unopposed election (safe district), and a focus on distributing PAC funds rather than actively raising.
• Auchincloss’ Direct Response:

  “Hey, yes, fundraising is part of the job. I don't spend nearly as much time doing it as some readers may think, especially in Washington. It's not unusual for me to go weeks in Washington without fundraising...”
  — Rep. Jake Auchincloss [08:35]

Notable Insight

Fundraising habits vary widely based on district competitiveness and personal style.

5. Bipartisan Dynamics—Real vs. Media Portrayal

• Q: How did you reconcile Auchincloss’ reasonable exchanges with Rep. Dusty Johnson with negative portrayals of Republicans (and Democrats) in mainstream media?
• A: Both parties act differently off-camera; the most polarized figures are spotlighted because they generate “ratings, clicks, and views,” whereas most members are reasonable.
• Media Critique:

  “Flamethrowers are much more popular. Why? Because they are good for ratings, clicks and views... our honest take of the 535 members of Congress, we think a lot more are like Auchincloss and Johnson than Greene or Crockett.”
  — Will Kbach [12:08]

6. How Cross-Party Engagement Was Arranged

• Q: How did Dusty Johnson become involved?
• A: Tangle asked Auchincloss' staff for a Republican collaborator; Johnson fit the bill due to previous bipartisan work, particularly on China-related committees.
• Johnson’s Impression:

  “...based on what he knew, tangle is ‘good stuff’. Personally, one of my favorite quotes of the time that we were in D.C.”
  — Will Kbach [14:20]

7. Party Line vs. Personal Principle

• Q: Does Auchincloss ever compromise his values for party expectations?
• A: Observations suggest that while he’s pragmatic and sometimes toes the line, he also bucks the party when it matters; effective politicians weigh when to fight and when to compromise.
• Example:
  Deliberation over votes condemning anti-Semitic attacks—he supported both, with reasoning regarding political realities and constituent communication.

Notable Quote

“Thoughtful politicians understand there are battles worth fighting and places where it's okay to give a little... representatives have to consider compromising on some immediate smaller battles so they can win allies for bigger future battles.”
— Will Kbach [15:40]

8. Legal Concepts on the Hill: “Posse Comitatus”

• Q: Can you explain Posse Comitatus in context?
• A: Raised during discussion of National Guard deployment to LA under President Trump, the team explains how Auchincloss planned to use the concept as a legal argument during a media appearance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Realities:

  “It's unavoidable that politics is theater in this case ... He'd probably act very differently during a primetime cable hit on Fox News ... the same way Auchincloss took on a very different tone when he was doing his hit on msnbc.”
  — Will Kbach [13:20]

• On Series Expansion:

  “There are a lot of different options and we had a blast making this video. We're really proud of the result.”
  — Will Kbach [04:08]

• On Compromise in Congress:

  “People who don't understand how DC Works can often have misconceptions about how easy it is to just walk into Congress and vote your conscience every single time.”
  — Will Kbach [15:54]

Important Timestamps

• 02:24 — Will Kbach introduces the Friday Edition and main mailbag topic.
• 03:41 — Plans for more “day-in-the-life” videos with other political figures.
• 05:26 — Discussion on how Representative Auchincloss was selected.
• 08:35 — Direct answer about fundraising from Rep. Auchincloss.
• 12:08 — Reflection on media portrayals versus congressional realities.
• 13:20 — Insights into political theater and pragmatism.
• 14:20 — How Rep. Dusty Johnson’s involvement came about.
• 15:40 — Observations on balancing party loyalty and personal values.

Tone & Style

The episode stays true to Tangle’s non-partisan, inquisitive, and transparent ethos. Will Kbach’s responses are earnest and conversational, with a focus on demystifying congressional procedures and correcting misconceptions. There’s also an undercurrent of humor and humility, bridging the gap between the audience’s curiosity and the complexity of American politics.

For further detail, check out Tangle’s newsletter or the video referenced in the episode.