Guy Benson, State Senator John Braun, and radio host Ari Hoffman were the guests of honor Thursday in downtown Vancouver at a dinner presented by Americans for Prosperity, an organization with the goal to empower every citizen to pursue their American dream

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

The guests of honor praised the Waterfront in downtown Vancouver.

They also warned that it might not stay so beautiful if the state continues its current direction.

“When a party has full power, they get fat, happy, arrogant, stupid, extreme,” radio host and Fox News contributor Guy Benson told a large gathering Thursday night. “At some point, there is a breaking point for the public. I think the dominant party in this state keeps pushing the envelope further and further about how crazy it can get. I just have to believe there will be a line in the sand for the electorate.”

Benson, conservative radio host Ari Hoffman of Seattle, and Washington State Senator John Braun were the guests at a dinner presented by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), held at the AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront

They discussed “The State of Your Wallet.”

“We want to highlight how everything is becoming unaffordable, especially in Washington state,” said Heather Andrews, western regional director for AFP. “We want to help people make the connection to why and what they can do about it and help them feel empowered to understand how policy affects everyday items.”

Founded in 2004, AFP is a grassroots organization that has a presence in all 50 states. The mission, Andrews told the gathering, is to empower every American to pursue their own version of the American dream.

The presentation opened with Andrews interviewing Braun, the top Republican in the Washington state senate and hopeful Republican nominee for U.S. Representative of Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Among the many topics he discussed was the state income tax that was just passed by Democrats. He told the story of the thousands and thousands of residents who went online to message lawmakers, telling them they were against an income tax.

The Democrats’ response to the record number of online comments? Those were just robots, Braun was told.

When asked how many voiced their opinion online, most of the hands in the room were raised.

That led to Benson’s introduction to the crowd.

“Such an honor to be in a room filled with so many bots. You are remarkably lifelike,” Benson said. “Just how I describe Nancy Pelosi, as well. Remarkably lifelike.”

Hoffman interviewed Benson and then there was time for Q&A from the audience.

“I just want to say how nice it was walking along your boardwalk and nobody tried to stab me,” Hoffman said. “I’m from Seattle, and you take your life in your hands any time you go down to the waterfront. So this is just really, really nice.”

Hoffman and Benson hit on several topics, as well. Including the most recent assassination attempt on President Trump.

Benson gave Democrat Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez some credit for doing the “absolute bare minimum” to condemn the attempt on the president’s life.

“That was ‘risky’ for her and her coalition, which I think is demented,” Benson said, noting that many on her side were disappointed with Gluesenkamp Perez’s request to stop shooting at the president.

“Do I believe she can do better than that? Yes. Do I believe you can do better than her? Yes.”

He then pointed to Braun, who is looking to run against the congresswoman in November.

But Benson was more disappointed in many of the congresswoman’s supporters.

“It’s a very dark place when it’s somewhat controversial to denounce assassination attempts and terrorist attacks,” Benson said.

As far as how to make positive changes in Washington, Benson said the people in attendance Thursday night are part of the solution.

“God bless you for being here, showing up, keeping the faith, fighting the fight,” Benson said, noting that the politics are “demented” in Washington and Oregon.

“You don’t turn it around by throwing up your hands, waving the white flag, and giving up,” Benson said. “You fight, you persuade, you have better arguments, and you have faith in the country that ultimately will get better. Politics is never permanent.

“A place like this, communities like yours, families like yours, are worth fighting for,” he added.

Hoffman used Benson’s words for a segue.

“Speaking of demented and stupid, let’s talk about Seattle,” he said, noting Mayor Katie Wilson’s policies and behavior.

Hoffman wondered if conservatives are accomplishing real gains by continuing to call attention to these people.

Yes, Benson said with confidence.

“When you elect incompetent communists, you are going to get what you deserve. And Seattle is getting it,” Benson said.

There are plenty of controversial leaders on the left, though. Benson noted Hasan Piker, a social media influencer who has been glamourized by the Democrat machine.

“He is someone who has said, in context, that America deserved 9/11. For someone to believe that we deserved that … is disgusting,” Benson said. “And to have one of the parties in our country cozying up to this person is the biggest red flag I could think of.”

Benson acknowledged there is a risk to amplifying such a voice.

“But it’s the reality. We’ve got to name it and shame it and call it out and, ultimately, beat it,” Benson said.

Moving toward the night’s them, your wallet, Hoffman asked about the higher gas prices, which also led into the conflict with Iran.

Benson pointed out that Democrat policymakers in Washington have always been for higher gas prices.

“They should be thrilled,” he said.

Benson noted that in places such as Washington and California, the gas prices have been higher than the national average for years … because of higher taxes. Yes, the conflict with Iran has led to a shift in the market, but ask Democrats a simple question:

“Didn’t you introduce and pass these … things that have contributed to the gas prices being higher than anywhere else? Is that bad? If Trump is bad for stopping a nuclear Iran and gas prices going up a little bit, what does that make you for the policies that you did absent of war, voluntarily, on gas prices. Please explain, and see how their brain processes that.”

Benson then gave his opinion on the conflict.

“I’m extremely proud of the president and the commander in chief for making a really tough decision … to eliminate one of the most metastasized cancerous threats the world has ever known.

“Is there a temporary pain point on gas prices? Yes there is,” Benson continued. “Sometimes leadership requires making big, tough decisions that are in the best interest of the country.”

Benson acknowledged it could affect the 2026 elections.

“Is that an easy pitch to the electorate to make this November? No. Is it the right thing to do? Yes.”

About the election, Hoffman asked Benson about mail-in voting vs. in-person voting. Hoffman noted there are disenfranchised voters in Washington who believe elections can be rigged.

Benson noted, however, that while the system can be frustrating, the system can only be improved by getting the right people in position.

“The rules are what they are. You can’t change the rules unless you win. You’ve got to work under the rules that exist rather than not trusting the system,” Benson said. “Whining and boycotting … doesn’t accomplish anything.”