Iowa Conservative Radio Host Backs The South In The Civil War

GOP presidential candidates are flocking to a conservative talk show hosted by Jan Mickelson, along with programs hosted by Steve Deace and Simon Conway, since these Iowa-based radio personalities hold sway over the upcoming February 1 caucuses.

On Friday, Mickelson spoke to two announced candidates, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who told him during the show that President Obama is “redistributing poverty” to states like Iowa, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

When Graham tried to draw a parallel between the American Civil War and the current conflict in Iraq, Mickelson jumped in to defend the Confederacy: “I don’t consider the North amongst ourselves. You mentioned capturing territory, I’m considering [Fort] Sumter, Sumter was South Carolinian territory and you were invaded, pretty much like the Russians are invading the Ukraine.”

Graham pleaded: “I can’t go down that road. I’m all for the union.”

Mickelson is not alone, as Deace regularly hosts secessionist Michael Peroutka, who blamed the North’s victory on supposed societal ills such as gay marriage.