Seventeen years ago, Lowman Henry invited me to supply a five-minute commentary on the political subject of my choice to his then-new syndicated radio program American Radio Journal. I was honored to be asked and have enjoyed the opportunity ever since. However, all good things come to an end, and I have decided that today’s will be my last contribution to the program.

In that time, American Radio Journal has grown to over 280 radio stations around the country. As its host, Lowman has produced a remarkable product, a true service to the American public by assembling a cadre of writers, scholars, elected officials and subject experts on everything from economic policy to foreign policy, cultural trends, Constitutional issues, political philosophies and elections. All of these topics have been addressed from the perspective of what Ronald Reagan famously defined in his “Time for Choosing” speech: limited government, free markets, a strong national defense, and traditional values. Lowman has maintained the intellectual integrity of these, updating them without diluting them, because they are rooted in truth, and truth is durable, not trendy.

I’m delighted that Keith Rothfus, a former Member of Congress whom I’m proud to call a friend will be succeeding me as one of American Radio Journal’s tri-weekly commentators.  Keith and I first met in 2012, when he was candidate for Congress. I have met quite a few candidates for Congress over the years, and I suspect many of you listeners to American Radio Journal have also. Most of them are wrapped up in themselves and exude a kind of nonstop artesian pride whenever they speak.  I once attributed that phenomenon to the fact that a political candidate is both salesperson and product. Many of them fall in love with their product — themselves. Few are better at listening than they are at speaking. Keith is one of the few exceptions to that rule. He is attentive, thoughtful, analytical, principled and courteous. He has been properly described as a servant leader. That’s a rare quality. Jesus Christ will always be known as the greatest servant leader in history. While Keith is no Jesus, he is a lot closer than most. It’s no surprise that he’s also a man of quiet but solid faith. I look forward to hearing his commentaries right here on this program.

I leave the program at a fascinating time in American history. Last week we saw President Donald Trump succeed where his more conventional predecessors failed: achieving a cease-fire with the potential to grow into a lasting peace in the Middle East. He has radically shifted his position on the Russia-Ukraine war to one that I believe is more realistic than his earlier naïve embrace of Vladimir Putin. His tariffs may prove to have beneficial foreign policy effects in addition to their economic effects, although some were probably too hastily conceived and therefore subject to numerous unsettling later tweaks. But he’s proving to be right when most of his detractors are looking wrong. He has profoundly reset Americans’ views on illegal immigration, even while turning a somewhat blind eye to human rights abuses in implementing immigration reforms and deportation strategies. He has broadened the application of Reagan’s famous Peace Through Strength concept from one largely focused on foreign policy to one that incorporates economic strength as well as military strength.

And yet not even his most ardent supporters would ever suggest that Donald Trump is better at listening than he is at talking. He is indeed on his way to becoming the single most consequential President of our lifetimes, with not all of those consequences necessarily being beneficial ones. The risks of fomenting such widespread disruption and instability are high, and yet the long-term goals of worldwide peace and prosperity are unlikely to be reached within the confines of accepted practice. In short, he cannot be characterized with one or two catchwords. The next few years will be a wild ride for our nation and the world. Keith Rothfus, Paul Kengor, Jonathan Williams, Lowman  Henry and the rest of American Radio Journal’s staff and guests are well positioned to make sense of it all. I will be listening regularly and intently. So, it is with optimism and the durability of our principles that I take my leave.

This has been Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring, signing off.