The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd examines the mounting political and institutional strain as the government shutdown drags on — and why Democrats may need to declare a partial victory just to move forward. The episode explores how Trump’s rise has exposed deep vulnerabilities in the American system, from unchecked profiteering and politicized justice to the growing entanglement of big tech, big money, and government power. Todd breaks down the Democrats’ limited leverage, the GOP’s dependence on Trump’s engagement, and the urgent need for new constitutional and institutional guardrails. Plus, he looks at the emerging generational clash in the Democratic Party senate primary in Maine, as Janet Mills and Graham Platner become avatars for an “old vs. new” fight that could reshape the party’s future. Finally, he gives his ToddCast Top 5 list of potential political comebacks where politicians could win their old seat back, then answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:15 Democrats need to find a way to declare victory and end shutdown  03:30 Democrats drew attention to healthcare, but will see diminishing returns  04:15 Trump's rise has exposed tremendous vulnerabilities in our system  05:45 There's nobody in Trump's feedback loop that will expose him to bad info  07:00 Democrats need how to learn to embrace small victories  09:30 Democrats only have the power to win the argument  11:15 Republicans won't move without Trump engaging on shutdown  12:30 Trump takes victory lap on Israel, hard part is making agreement stick  13:30 If profiting off the presidency goes unchecked, we risk more in the future  14:45 Emoluments clause is not enough, need a constitutional amendment  15:30 Big tech, big money and the government have all become intertwined  18:00 Two big reforms that could help fix the democracy  20:00 We need to reform the Justice Department to prevent politicization  21:30 Companies that capitulated to Trump had the law on their side  23:00 The country needs to build new guardrails  24:00 Janet Mills vs Graham Platner will become avatars for "old vs new"  25:45 The older generation of Democratic leaders refuses to retire  27:30 If Mills wins, she'll be the oldest freshman senator of all time  28:15 Graham Platner already has released attack ad against Mills  29:30 Platner vs. Mills will become a headache and money sink for Democrats 32:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Tom Bonier  33:30 ToddCast Top 5 - Most Likely Political Comebacks  35:00 #1 Jesse Jackson Jr.  37:00 #2 Cori Bush  38:15 #3 John E. Sununu  41:15 #4 Sherrod Brown  42:15 Honorable mentions  43:00 #5 Javier Suarez  49:15 Ask Chuck  49:30 Why aren't presidential debates moderated as vigorously as local debates?  53:45 What are legal repercussions for violations of the HATCH Act?  59:00 Appreciation for interview with Paul Glastris on higher education  1:01:30 What is likely for Universal Basic Income as AI takes jobs?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd examines the mounting political and institutional strain as the government shutdown drags on — and why Democrats may need to declare a partial victory just to move forward. The episode explores how Trump’s rise has exposed deep vulnerabilities in the American system, from unchecked profiteering and politicized justice to the growing entanglement of big tech, big money, and government power. Todd breaks down the Democrats’ limited leverage, the GOP’s dependence on Trump’s engagement, and the urgent need for new constitutional and institutional guardrails. Plus, he looks at the emerging generational clash in the Democratic Party senate primary in Maine, as Janet Mills and Graham Platner become avatars for an “old vs. new” fight that could reshape the party’s future. Then, Chuck sits down with veteran Democratic strategist and data expert Tom Bonier to unpack one of the biggest political mysteries of the Trump era: why Democrats are losing voter registrations—and how the GOP got so good at winning them. From the fallout of the Bernie-Clinton primary to the brand erosion under Biden, Bonier traces how Democrats’ messaging, outsourcing, and demographic targeting have backfired while Republicans quietly built lasting grassroots infrastructure, particularly among younger and working-class voters. The conversation dives deep into the changing dynamics of party loyalty and political identity—why Gen Z and Latino voters are shifting, how Trump reactivated the “missing white vote,” and why college campuses have become unlikely conservative battlegrounds. Todd and Bonier also explore the Democrats’ shrinking Senate map, the Midwest’s populist tilt, and how data-driven strategies like “mixed mode” polling could determine which party defines the next generation of American politics. Finally, he gives his ToddCast Top 5 list of potential political comebacks where politicians could win their old seat back, then answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 06:15 Democrats need to find a way to declare victory and end shutdown 07:30 Democrats drew attention to healthcare, but will see diminishing returns 08:15 Trump’s rise has exposed tremendous vulnerabilities in our system 09:45 There’s nobody in Trump’s feedback loop that will expose him to bad info 11:00 Democrats need how to learn to embrace small victories 13:30 Democrats only have the power to win the argument 15:15 Republicans won’t move without Trump engaging on shutdown 16:30 Trump takes victory lap on Israel, hard part is making agreement stick 17:30 If profiting off the presidency goes unchecked, we risk more in the future 18:45 Emoluments clause is not enough, need a constitutional amendment 19:30 Big tech, big money and the government have all become intertwined 22:00 Two big reforms that could help fix the democracy 24:00 We need to reform the Justice Department to prevent politicization 25:30 Companies that capitulated to Trump had the law on their side 27:00 The country needs to build new guardrails 28:00 Janet Mills vs Graham Platner will become avatars for “old vs new” 29:45 The older generation of Democratic leaders refuses to retire 31:30 If Mills wins, she’ll be the oldest freshman senator of all time 32:15 Graham Platner already has released attack ad against Mills 33:30 Platner vs. Mills will become a headache and money sink for Democrats 36:30 Tom Bonier joins the Chuck Toddcast  38:15 Where did trend of Democrats shedding voter registrations begin?  39:15 Bernie/Clinton primary was when Dem brand took initial hit  40:30 Downturn in Dem brand came during Biden's four years  42:15 Democrats outsource their registration efforts more than GOP  43:30 Registration efforts targeted friendly demographics  44:30 Registered partisan turnout between 20' and 24' was 1 point  45:30 What can Dems learn from Republicans registration tactics?  46:30 The 2012 GOP autopsy was right, but didn't foresee Trump  47:15 Obama's campaign targeted younger voters & won  48:00 GOP created a consistent presence on college campuses  48:45 For Gen Z, their first interaction with government was Covid  49:30 Gender gap amongst younger voters was 25+ points  50:30 Trump won big with voters who don't consume much news  52:00 Why Gen X became the generation that most supports Trump  53:00 When someone registers for a party, that tends to stick  55:00 Trump brought out the "missing white vote"  56:00 Dems dominating with higher educated, higher propensity voters  57:45 Younger white men are overwhelmingly registering Republican  59:30 Younger voters are generally registering as unaffiliated  1:00:45 Are Dems counting on Trump voters only showing up for Trump?  1:01:30 Climate looks similar to 17' except Dems are more unpopular  1:02:30 What is causing the Democrats "brand problem"?  1:03:15 Voters didn't know about Biden's accomplishments  1:04:30 The importance of branding your agenda  1:05:30 Are there a "hard 7" number of swing states, or could others join?  1:07:00 Texas trending more blue, Florida trending more red  1:07:45 Migration patterns have made Florida tough for Democrats  1:08:30 Democrats have almost no margin for error to win the senate  1:09:15 What 4-6 states should Dems target to expand senate map?  1:11:30 Is the midwest out of reach for Dems for a generation?  1:12:45 Midwest voters are populist more than D or R  1:14:00 How and where can Dems stem losses in blue states?  1:15:45 Voter mobilization is easier to fix than persuasion  1:16:30 Why have Georgia and Arizona become more friendly to Dems?  1:17:45 API voters swung toward Trump in 24' but are swinging back  1:18:30 Latino voters are economically sensitive and more swingySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd sits down with veteran Democratic strategist and data expert Tom Bonier to unpack one of the biggest political mysteries of the Trump era: why Democrats are losing voter registrations—and how the GOP got so good at winning them. From the fallout of the Bernie-Clinton primary to the brand erosion under Biden, Bonier traces how Democrats’ messaging, outsourcing, and demographic targeting have backfired while Republicans quietly built lasting grassroots infrastructure, particularly among younger and working-class voters. The conversation dives deep into the changing dynamics of party loyalty and political identity—why Gen Z and Latino voters are shifting, how Trump reactivated the “missing white vote,” and why college campuses have become unlikely conservative battlegrounds. Todd and Bonier also explore the Democrats’ shrinking Senate map, the Midwest’s populist tilt, and how data-driven strategies like “mixed mode” polling could determine which party defines the next generation of American politics. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Tom Bonier joins the Chuck Toddcast 01:45 Where did trend of Democrats shedding voter registrations begin? 02:45 Bernie/Clinton primary was when Dem brand took initial hit 04:00 Downturn in Dem brand came during Biden’s four years 05:45 Democrats outsource their registration efforts more than GOP 07:00 Registration efforts targeted friendly demographics 08:00 Registered partisan turnout between 20’ and 24’ was 1 point 09:00 What can Dems learn from Republicans registration tactics? 10:00 The 2012 GOP autopsy was right, but didn’t foresee Trump 10:45 Obama’s campaign targeted younger voters & won 11:30 GOP created a consistent presence on college campuses 12:15 For Gen Z, their first interaction with government was Covid 13:00 Gender gap amongst younger voters was 25+ points 14:00 Trump won big with voters who don’t consume much news 15:30 Why Gen X became the generation that most supports Trump 16:30 When someone registers for a party, that tends to stick 18:30 Trump brought out the “missing white vote” 19:30 Dems dominating with higher educated, higher propensity voters 21:15 Younger white men are overwhelmingly registering Republican 23:00 Younger voters are generally registering as unaffiliated 24:15 Are Dems counting on Trump voters only showing up for Trump? 25:00 Climate looks similar to 17’ except Dems are more unpopular 26:00 What is causing the Democrats “brand problem”? 26:45 Voters didn’t know about Biden’s accomplishments 28:00 The importance of branding your agenda 29:00 Are there a “hard 7” number of swing states, or could others join? 30:30 Texas trending more blue, Florida trending more red 31:15 Migration patterns have made Florida tough for Democrats 32:00 Democrats have almost no margin for error to win the senate 32:45 What 4-6 states should Dems target to expand senate map? 35:00 Is the midwest out of reach for Dems for a generation? 36:15 Midwest voters are populist more than D or R 37:30 How and where can Dems stem losses in blue states? 39:15 Voter mobilization is easier to fix than persuasion 40:00 Why have Georgia and Arizona become more friendly to Dems? 41:15 API voters swung toward Trump in 24’ but are swinging back 42:00 Latino voters are economically sensitive and more swingy 43:30 What’s happening with the “Chamber of Commerce” GOP voter? 45:00 Preferred methodology for public opinion polling? 47:00 What is “mixed mode” polling? 48:30 What are the three polls you always make sure to analyze?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest political and global chaos as the government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight—because, as he puts it, “nothing moves without Trump.” From Trump’s trade threats against China and his transactional diplomacy in the Middle East to Netanyahu’s political freefall in Israel, the episode examines how American and global politics are increasingly driven by short-term leverage over long-term stability. Todd also exposes how Trump’s team has weaponized government institutions—from Russ Vought’s reckless layoffs to Pam Bondi’s politicized DOJ—and how Trump’s online behavior, including an embarrassing Truth Social blunder, raises national security concerns. With the rule of law eroding and America’s moral authority slipping away, Chuck warns that the U.S. may be entering an era where power, not principle, defines governance. Then, Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck to assess an economy that looks strong on paper—but feels weak for most Americans. While the top third of earners are doing well, lower-income households are tightening their belts as consumer spending slows and job creation stagnates. Zandi warns of a 30–40% chance of a recession by 2026, citing the drag from federal job cuts, the drying up of COVID relief funds, and the destabilizing effects of rising tariffs and electricity costs. They also dig into the booming—but risky—AI sector, where soaring valuations and limited job growth may be setting up the next market correction. Gold prices are surging, commercial real estate is slumping, and housing shortages are widening for middle-class renters. With Americans increasingly unable to move for better opportunities and faith in Washington deteriorating, Zandi and Todd explore whether the U.S. economy can remain the world’s “safe haven” — or if 2026 could be the year that confidence finally cracks. Finally, Chuck goes back to the 1987 market crash in the ToddCast Time Machine to compare the conditions then to current market conditions, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his college football update. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - New addition to the Todd household 03:45 Trump/China threaten trade retaliation, just posturing? 04:45 Government remains shutdown, no resolution without Trump 06:00 Trump sensitive to tariff price hikes on pharmaceuticals  07:00 Trump’s transactional diplomacy works well in the middle east 09:15 Can Netanyahu survive politically without an active war? 10:15 2/3rds of Israeli voters want Netanyahu to resign 11:15 Many of Israel’s threats are gone, but is now very isolated 12:45 Trump’s government has weaponized/politicized everything 14:00 Russ Vought’s mass layoffs were sloppy, overfired at CDC 16:00 Pam Bondi has overtly weaponized the Justice Department 18:15 DOJ indicting Trump enemies he named in social media post 19:45 Trump was DMing Bondi on Truth Social, mistakenly posted publicly 21:30 Trump’s communications far more insecure than Hilary’s emails 24:15 The current Republican congress just rolls over for Trump 25:15 Trump is destroying the rule of law & reputation of the GOP 26:30 If roles were reversed Republicans would be apoplectic 27:45 US has lost moral authority & credibility on the world stage 29:15 Most military leaders would resign quietly if given illegal orders 30:45 Presidents used to respect their predecessors… not Trump 31:45 Trump’s supposed to govern for the entire country, refuses to 34:15 Trump believes two wrongs make a right 35:15 Trump started a trade war with China, and nobody wins a trade war 36:45 United States is far too reliant on China for rare earth metals 40:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast  41:00 The economy is only good for the top 1/3rd of earners  42:00 Lower income earners are struggling  43:30 Signs of a consumer pullback are starting to show up  45:00 The economy isn't creating many jobs  45:30 Chance of a recession is forecast at 30-40% in 2026  47:15 The economic impact of the cuts to federal workforce  49:00 Loss of 100k+ federal jobs will be a drag on the economy  50:00 Covid money is drying up in state and local government budgets  50:30 AI is starting to have impact on the job force  53:00 Data center investment creates wealth but not jobs  54:30 Are the AI stocks creating a bubble?  55:30 Investors may be a bit over their skis with AI  56:45 Stock market could be headed for a massive correction  58:00 Stock price to earnings ratios are at historic high  59:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up, AI providing a tailwind for economy  1:01:00 Economy is very vulnerable to unforeseen shocks  1:01:45 Price of gold at all time high, a warning sign?  1:03:30 Uncertainty around American economy driving up gold price  1:04:45 Risk of American economy not being considered a "Safe Haven"  1:06:00 Loss of safe haven status means higher interest rates  1:06:30 Impact of rising electricity prices on the economy  1:08:30 Oil and gas prices have stayed relatively low  1:09:30 Why haven't investors flocked to real estate as an investment?  1:10:30 The price of commercial real estate is down substantially  1:11:45 High interest rates have cooled demand for residential real estate  1:13:15 The high end rental market is oversupplied  1:14:00 Workforce/middle income housing is in short supply  1:15:30 Housing issues vary by city and region, hard to address nationally  1:16:45 How much would the economy benefit from domestic migration?  1:18:30 Aging population a big factor in lack of domestic migration  1:19:00 Most Americans can't afford to move  1:20:15 Impact of America's broken politics on the economy  1:22:00 Will issues with China's economy affect the globe?  1:23:00 Level of risk going into 2026? 1:24:30 ToddCast Time Machine  1:25:15 October 19th, 1987 - U.S. stock market crash  1:26:00 Crash resulted in added financial regulation and safeguards  1:27:45 In week leading up to crash, markets had seen sharp declines  1:28:15 Computerized trades contributed to crashed  1:29:45 Crash wasn't rooted in one singular event/issue  1:30:45 Crash didn't result in wider problems like banking crisis  1:31:30 Lesson learned was "Don't Panic", market came back  1:32:45 Current market is dominated by algorithmic trading, creates risks  1:33:45 Market is highly concentrated in tech  1:34:45 Why 1987 isn't a corollary for 2025  1:36:45 Market will always have volatility  1:37:15 Ask Chuck  1:37:30 Should more candidates not run under the D or R label?  1:42:00 What practices would you suggest to reform ballot access?  1:45:30 Is the risk of China owning Tiktok any worse than Trump allies?  1:49:45 Were Biden's infrastructure projects halted by Big Beautiful Bill?  1:52:45 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest political and global chaos as the government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight—because, as he puts it, “nothing moves without Trump.” From Trump’s trade threats against China and his transactional diplomacy in the Middle East to Netanyahu’s political freefall in Israel, the episode examines how American and global politics are increasingly driven by short-term leverage over long-term stability. Todd also exposes how Trump’s team has weaponized government institutions—from Russ Vought’s reckless layoffs to Pam Bondi’s politicized DOJ—and how Trump’s online behavior, including an embarrassing Truth Social blunder, raises national security concerns. With the rule of law eroding and America’s moral authority slipping away, Chuck warns that the U.S. may be entering an era where power, not principle, defines governance. Finally, Chuck goes back to the 1987 market crash in the ToddCast Time Machine to compare the conditions then to current market conditions, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his college football update. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - New addition to the Todd household 02:45 Trump/China threaten trade retaliation, just posturing?  03:45 Government remains shutdown, no resolution without Trump  05:00 Trump sensitive to tariff price hikes on pharmaceuticals 06:00 Trump's transactional diplomacy works well in the middle east  08:15 Can Netanyahu survive politically without an active war?  09:15 2/3rds of Israeli voters want Netanyahu to resign  10:15 Many of Israel's threats are gone, but is now very isolated  11:45 Trump's government has weaponized/politicized everything  13:00 Russ Vought's mass layoffs were sloppy, overfired at CDC  15:00 Pam Bondi has overtly weaponized the Justice Department  17:15 DOJ indicting Trump enemies he named in social media post  18:45 Trump was DMing Bondi on Truth Social, mistakenly posted publicly  20:30 Trump's communications far more insecure than Hilary's emails  23:15 The current Republican congress just rolls over for Trump  24:15 Trump is destroying the rule of law & reputation of the GOP  25:30 If roles were reversed Republicans would be apoplectic  26:45 US has lost moral authority & credibility on the world stage  28:15 Most military leaders would resign quietly if given illegal orders  29:45 Presidents used to respect their predecessors… not Trump  30:45 Trump's supposed to govern for the entire country, refuses to  33:15 Trump believes two wrongs make a right  34:15 Trump started a trade war with China, and nobody wins a trade war  35:45 United States is far too reliant on China for rare earth metals 38:30 ToddCast Time Machine  39:15 October 19th, 1987 - U.S. stock market crash  40:00 Crash resulted in added financial regulation and safeguards  41:45 In week leading up to crash, markets had seen sharp declines  42:15 Computerized trades contributed to crashed  43:45 Crash wasn't rooted in one singular event/issue  44:45 Crash didn't result in wider problems like banking crisis  45:30 Lesson learned was "Don't Panic", market came back  46:45 Current market is dominated by algorithmic trading, creates risks  47:45 Market is highly concentrated in tech  48:45 Why 1987 isn't a corollary for 2025  50:45 Market will always have volatility  51:15 Ask Chuck  51:30 Should more candidates not run under the D or R label?  56:00 What practices would you suggest to reform ballot access?  59:30 Is the risk of China owning Tiktok any worse than Trump allies?  1:03:45 Were Biden's infrastructure projects halted by Big Beautiful Bill?  1:06:45 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi joins Chuck Todd to assess an economy that looks strong on paper—but feels weak for most Americans. While the top third of earners are doing well, lower-income households are tightening their belts as consumer spending slows and job creation stagnates. Zandi warns of a 30–40% chance of a recession by 2026, citing the drag from federal job cuts, the drying up of COVID relief funds, and the destabilizing effects of rising tariffs and electricity costs. They also dig into the booming—but risky—AI sector, where soaring valuations and limited job growth may be setting up the next market correction. Gold prices are surging, commercial real estate is slumping, and housing shortages are widening for middle-class renters. With Americans increasingly unable to move for better opportunities and faith in Washington deteriorating, Zandi and Todd explore whether the U.S. economy can remain the world’s “safe haven” — or if 2026 could be the year that confidence finally cracks. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mark Zandi joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 The economy is only good for the top 1/3rd of earners 02:00 Lower income earners are struggling 03:30 Signs of a consumer pullback are starting to show up 05:00 The economy isn’t creating many jobs 05:30 Chance of a recession is forecast at 30-40% in 2026 07:15 The economic impact of the cuts to federal workforce 09:00 Loss of 100k+ federal jobs will be a drag on the economy 10:00 Covid money is drying up in state and local government budgets 10:30 AI is starting to have impact on the job force 13:00 Data center investment creates wealth but not jobs 14:30 Are the AI stocks creating a bubble? 15:30 Investors may be a bit over their skis with AI 16:45 Stock market could be headed for a massive correction 18:00 Stock price to earnings ratios are at historic high 19:30 Tariff impacts starting to show up, AI providing a tailwind for economy 21:00 Economy is very vulnerable to unforeseen shocks 21:45 Price of gold at all time high, a warning sign? 23:30 Uncertainty around American economy driving up gold price 24:45 Risk of American economy not being considered a “Safe Haven” 26:00 Loss of safe haven status means higher interest rates 26:30 Impact of rising electricity prices on the economy 28:30 Oil and gas prices have stayed relatively low 29:30 Why haven’t investors flocked to real estate as an investment? 30:30 The price of commercial real estate is down substantially 31:45 High interest rates have cooled demand for residential real estate 33:15 The high end rental market is oversupplied 34:00 Workforce/middle income housing is in short supply 35:30 Housing issues vary by city and region, hard to address nationally 36:45 How much would the economy benefit from domestic migration? 38:30 Aging population a big factor in lack of domestic migration 39:00 Most Americans can’t afford to move 40:15 Impact of America’s broken politics on the economy 42:00 Will issues with China’s economy affect the globe? 43:00 Level of risk going into 2026?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd sits down with Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to unpack how America’s college ranking system went off the rails—and how it’s warping higher education itself. Glastris argues that U.S. News & World Report rewards wealth, not value, pushing schools to chase prestige over affordability and teaching quality. He highlights Berea College as a model for what higher ed could be: a well-endowed school that actually invests in its students rather than its brand.The two also explore how higher ed’s obsession with research grants and graduate programs has left undergrads behind, and why community and regional universities—where most Americans actually study—deserve more attention and funding. From the decline of community colleges to the disappearance of local journalism, Glastris and Todd make the case for a “New Deal for Higher Education” that values mobility, access, and public service over profit and rankings.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast01:00 Best colleges for the buck?03:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way04:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions07:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges09:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status10:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America12:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it’s used for education15:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad17:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category17:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants19:00 We’ve never seen an administration target college research20:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now21:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers?24:15 We overproduce academic talent in America26:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges28:30 Many schools border on predatory30:00 We need a “new deal” for higher education32:30 Most people get their BA’s at local & regional universities34:00 America didn’t get to making 2 years of college free35:15 The state of the community college system36:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools37:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school39:45 There’s a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges40:15 Community colleges offer community building activities42:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism44:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession46:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out48:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism50:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism52:00 Small towns can’t afford good journalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the government shutdown stretches on, Chuck Todd breaks down how both parties are calculating the political costs — and why Democrats may have already achieved what they wanted. With air travel disruptions mounting and healthcare debates pulling in new Republican attention, the public’s patience is wearing thin. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Illinois leaders have escalated, raising questions about the politicization of the military and fairness in immigration enforcement.He also examines Democrats’ deeper strategic struggles heading into 2026 and beyond — from misreading voters’ frustration with cost of living to failing to invest early in registration and outreach. Inside the party, Virginia rallies around Jay Jones, while figures like Elissa Slotkin and Gavin Newsom position for future national influence. But viral missteps, like Katie Porter’s interview fallout, reveal how Democrats are still struggling to master modern media and messaging in an increasingly short-form political world.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction00:30 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted 01:45 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown 03:00 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans 04:00 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them 05:00 Either party could end the shutdown now 07:15 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates 08:15 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far 09:15 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online 10:30 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests 12:45 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public 13:30 Public doesn't support deployments, wants apolitical military 14:45 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn't been fair 16:15 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders 18:15 There are political risks for both sides 19:15 DNC believes they didn't spend early & enough to engage voters in 24' 21:45 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue 23:00 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living 24:15 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration 25:00 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones 26:45 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style "whataboutism" 28:00 There's still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics 29:30 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president? 30:30 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum 32:30 If California votes yes, it looks like R's will only pick up 3-4 seats in 26' 33:15 Katie Porter crashes out in viral interview clip, both parties pile on 35:00 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces? 36:30 Porter's response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing38:00 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video41:00 Ask Chuck 41:15 Should we offer a tax credit for voting to incentivize participation? 45:15 Thoughts on an "American Unity" platform? What would you include? 52:00 Trump modeling terrible behavior & character for young people? 59:45 Military pay during government shutdown? 1:02:15 College football previewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the government shutdown stretches on, Chuck Todd breaks down how both parties are calculating the political costs — and why Democrats may have already achieved what they wanted. With air travel disruptions mounting and healthcare debates pulling in new Republican attention, the public’s patience is wearing thin. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Illinois leaders have escalated, raising questions about the politicization of the military and fairness in immigration enforcement.He also examines Democrats’ deeper strategic struggles heading into 2026 and beyond — from misreading voters’ frustration with cost of living to failing to invest early in registration and outreach. Inside the party, Virginia rallies around Jay Jones, while figures like Elissa Slotkin and Gavin Newsom position for future national influence. But viral missteps, like Katie Porter’s interview fallout, reveal how Democrats are still struggling to master modern media and messaging in an increasingly short-form political world.Then, he sits down with Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to unpack how America’s college ranking system went off the rails—and how it’s warping higher education itself. Glastris argues that U.S. News & World Report rewards wealth, not value, pushing schools to chase prestige over affordability and teaching quality. He highlights Berea College as a model for what higher ed could be: a well-endowed school that actually invests in its students rather than its brand.The two also explore how higher ed’s obsession with research grants and graduate programs has left undergrads behind, and why community and regional universities—where most Americans actually study—deserve more attention and funding. From the decline of community colleges to the disappearance of local journalism, Glastris and Todd make the case for a “New Deal for Higher Education” that values mobility, access, and public service over profit and rankings.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:00 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted04:15 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown05:30 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans06:30 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them07:30 Either party could end the shutdown now09:45 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates10:45 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far11:45 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online13:00 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests15:15 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public16:00 Public doesn’t support deployments, wants apolitical military17:15 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn’t been fair18:45 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders20:45 There are political risks for both sides21:45 DNC believes they didn’t spend early & enough to engage voters in 24’24:15 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue25:30 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living26:45 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration27:30 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones29:15 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style “whataboutism”30:30 There’s still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics32:00 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president?33:00 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum35:00 If California votes yes, it looks like R’s will only pick up 3-4 seats in 26’35:45 Katie Porter crashes out in viral interview clip, both parties pile on37:30 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces?39:00 Porter’s response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing40:30 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video44:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast 45:00 Best colleges for the buck? 47:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way 48:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions 51:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges 53:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status 54:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America 56:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it's used for education 59:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad 1:01:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category 1:01:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants 1:03:00 We've never seen an administration target college research 1:04:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now 1:05:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers? 1:08:15 We overproduce academic talent in America 1:10:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges 1:12:30 Many schools border on predatory 1:14:00 We need a "new deal" for higher education 1:16:30 Most people get their BA's at local & regional universities 1:18:00 America didn't get to making 2 years of college free 1:19:15 The state of the community college system 1:20:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools 1:21:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school 1:23:45 There's a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges 1:24:15 Community colleges offer community building activities 1:26:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism 1:28:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession 1:30:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out 1:32:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism 1:34:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism 1:36:00 Small towns can't afford good journalism1:43:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Paul Glastris 1:44:30 Ask Chuck 1:44:45 Should we offer a tax credit for voting to incentivize participation? 1:48:45 Thoughts on an "American Unity" platform? What would you include? 1:55:30 Trump modeling terrible behavior & character for young people? 2:03:15 Military pay during government shutdown? 2:05:45 College football previewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Stanford political scientist Adam Bonica to unpack the dark underbelly of political fundraising. Bonica reveals how the Democratic consulting firm Mothership Strategies helped shape modern campaign fundraising — and how their tactics, often resembling internet scams, have extracted hundreds of millions from small-dollar donors, many of whom are elderly or unaware they’ve been opted into recurring donations. Together, they explore how much of that money never reaches campaigns at all, instead being funneled into consultant fees and internal operations that border on money laundering.The conversation broadens into the systemic corruption of campaign finance: both parties’ use of apocalyptic fear-mongering, the rise of Super PACs with minimal voter impact, and how America’s extreme wealth inequality has distorted democratic accountability. Bonica explains why the public now views the very need to raise money as inherently corrupt — and how anti-corruption could be the strongest defense against authoritarian drift. As billions pour into elections with diminishing effect, Chuck and Adam question whether the next era of U.S. politics can ever be disentangled from the cash that drives it.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Adam Bonica joins the Chuck ToddCast03:00 Fundraising tactics are beyond bizarre05:30 Mothership strategies behind much of the Dem advertising08:00 Democratic candidates were enamored by Mothership’s strategy10:15 Many donors had been suffering from cognitive decline11:30 PAC’s were basically money laundering13:35 Most fundraising dollars were spent internally on consultants15:00 Both parties use apocalyptic language when fundraising17:00 Campaign fundraising using the same tactics as scammers18:30 Political fundraisers prey on older people20:30 Donors have to actively uncheck recurring donations21:15 ActBlue adopted new rules after Adam’s reporting24:00 Mothership has raised hundreds of millions of dollars28:00 Mothership claims their fight is a “necessary evil”31:00 The public is very concerned about corruption31:45 Anti-corruption is the #1 anti-authoritarian strategy33:15 Public sees the need to raise money as a form of corruption34:45 There is so much corruptibility on the fundraising side of politics35:30 Money spent by Super PACs has almost no effect on public opinion36:45 Trump was outspent and still won37:30 Democrats have fundraising advantage they are squandering38:15 Most Republican donor money came from $1M+ earners39:00 Democrats dominating donations from young professionals42:00 Democrats would gain credibility advantage disavowing dark money44:30 American wealth inequality is reaching extreme territory46:15 Billionaires aren’t aligned with root Democratic party politics49:15 Will we see $5B presidential elections in 2028?50:45 There is more money per swing voter than ever52:30 $500m will be spent on CA redistricting55:00 Mainstream journalism rarely audits where money goesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down the political fallout as the government shutdown begins disrupting air travel—and both parties claim they’re “winning.” He argues that when politicians are upending people’s lives, no one is really winning. The conversation turns to Israel, where Prime Minister Netanyahu faces deepening domestic backlash and a loss of international allies. With 66% of Israelis wanting the war in Gaza to end and growing calls for Bibi’s ouster, Israel’s reliance on the U.S. has never been greater—or more politically divisive.Chuck also examines how the Israel issue is surfacing in U.S. campaign politics, from Democratic primaries to GOP power plays. With Republicans clearing primary fields and Democrats facing scandals like Jay Jones’ in Virginia, both parties are wrestling with internal fractures—and the risks of clinging to power at any cost.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip parties, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction02:30 Government shutdown begins affecting air travel 04:15 Both sides think they are winning the shutdown 05:30 Congress created the conditions for regular shutdowns 06:30 When you're disrupting people's lives, you aren't "winning" 07:30 Israel's public support is eroding in the United States 08:30 Under Bibi, Israel has never been more powerful and alone 09:30 Israel alienated allies, incredibly reliant on the United States 11:15 Partisan split between R's and D's over support for Israel 12:15 Growing skepticism for Israel's actions in Gaza 14:00 66% of Israelis want to end the war in Gaza 15:30 Majority of Israelis want Netayahu gone after war is over 17:00 Most Israelis goal is the getting hostages home, not eliminating Hamas 18:15 Bibi is clinging to power to avoid accountability 19:15 New ad in New Hampshire targeting Andy Beshear over support for Israel 20:45 Tough to know how salient Israel issue will be in a Democratic primary 22:45 Republicans are clearing primary fields across the country 23:30 If Ken Paxton is nominee in Texas, the senate could flip 25:30 Susan Collins is the only Republican that can win in Maine 27:15 Dem voters tired of establishment that isn't winning 28:30 MAGA gave Republicans most power they've had in decades 29:30 If Jay Jones allegations in VA surfaced a month ago, he'd be replaced 31:00 If elected, Jay Jones should resign and let assembly choose replacement 34:00 Democrats playing with political fire with Jay Jones36:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Adam Bonica 38:00 Toddcast Top 5 - Governor's seats most likely to flip parties 38:30 #1 Virginia 41:00 #2 Kansas 42:45 #3 Wisconsin, #4 Michigan 45:00 #5 Iowa 49:00 Ask Chuck 49:15 Will there ever be amendments to prevent corruption in government? 52:00 Does Trump think the public will believe misinformation about the economy? 57:00 Should Democrats offer a "Project 2029" to offer a clear vision for change? 59:30 How would you handle bad faith Republican arguments over shutdown?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down the political fallout as the government shutdown begins disrupting air travel—and both parties claim they’re “winning.” He argues that when politicians are upending people’s lives, no one is really winning. The conversation turns to Israel, where Prime Minister Netanyahu faces deepening domestic backlash and a loss of international allies. With 66% of Israelis wanting the war in Gaza to end and growing calls for Bibi’s ouster, Israel’s reliance on the U.S. has never been greater—or more politically divisive.Chuck also examines how the Israel issue is surfacing in U.S. campaign politics, from Democratic primaries to GOP power plays. With Republicans clearing primary fields and Democrats facing scandals like Jay Jones’ in Virginia, both parties are wrestling with internal fractures—and the risks of clinging to power at any cost.Then, Chuck sits down with Stanford political scientist Adam Bonica to unpack the dark underbelly of political fundraising. Bonica reveals how the Democratic consulting firm Mothership Strategies helped shape modern campaign fundraising — and how their tactics, often resembling internet scams, have extracted hundreds of millions from small-dollar donors, many of whom are elderly or unaware they’ve been opted into recurring donations. Together, they explore how much of that money never reaches campaigns at all, instead being funneled into consultant fees and internal operations that border on money laundering.The conversation broadens into the systemic corruption of campaign finance: both parties’ use of apocalyptic fear-mongering, the rise of Super PACs with minimal voter impact, and how America’s extreme wealth inequality has distorted democratic accountability. Bonica explains why the public now views the very need to raise money as inherently corrupt — and how anti-corruption could be the strongest defense against authoritarian drift. As billions pour into elections with diminishing effect, Chuck and Adam question whether the next era of U.S. politics can ever be disentangled from the cash that drives it.Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip parties, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:30 Government shutdown begins affecting air travel06:15 Both sides think they are winning the shutdown07:30 Congress created the conditions for regular shutdowns08:30 When you’re disrupting people’s lives, you aren’t “winning”09:30 Israel’s public support is eroding in the United States10:30 Under Bibi, Israel has never been more powerful and alone11:30 Israel alienated allies, incredibly reliant on the United States13:15 Partisan split between R’s and D’s over support for Israel14:15 Growing skepticism for Israel’s actions in Gaza16:00 66% of Israelis want to end the war in Gaza17:30 Majority of Israelis want Netayahu gone after war is over19:00 Most Israelis goal is the getting hostages home, not eliminating Hamas20:15 Bibi is clinging to power to avoid accountability21:15 New ad in New Hampshire targeting Andy Beshear over support for Israel22:45 Tough to know how salient Israel issue will be in a Democratic primary24:45 Republicans are clearing primary fields across the country25:30 If Ken Paxton is nominee in Texas, the senate could flip27:30 Susan Collins is the only Republican that can win in Maine29:15 Dem voters tired of establishment that isn’t winning30:30 MAGA gave Republicans most power they’ve had in decades31:30 If Jay Jones allegations in VA surfaced a month ago, he’d be replaced33:00 If elected, Jay Jones should resign and let assembly choose replacement36:00 Democrats playing with political fire with Jay Jones38:30 Adam Bonica joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Fundraising tactics are beyond bizarre 44:00 Mothership strategies behind much of the Dem advertising 46:30 Democratic candidates were enamored by Mothership's strategy 48:45 Many donors had been suffering from cognitive decline 50:00 PAC's were basically money laundering 52:05 Most fundraising dollars were spent internally on consultants 53:30 Both parties use apocalyptic language when fundraising 55:30 Campaign fundraising using the same tactics as scammers 57:00 Political fundraisers prey on older people 59:00 Donors have to actively uncheck recurring donations 59:45 ActBlue adopted new rules after Adam's reporting 1:02:30 Mothership has raised hundreds of millions of dollars 1:06:30 Mothership claims their fight is a "necessary evil" 1:09:30 The public is very concerned about corruption 1:10:15 Anti-corruption is the #1 anti-authoritarian strategy 1:11:45 Public sees the need to raise money as a form of corruption 1:13:15 There is so much corruptibility on the fundraising side of politics 1:14:00 Money spent by Super PACs has almost no effect on public opinion 1:15:15 Trump was outspent and still won 1:16:00 Democrats have fundraising advantage they are squandering 1:16:45 Most Republican donor money came from $1M+ earners 1:17:30 Democrats dominating donations from young professionals 1:20:30 Democrats would gain credibility advantage disavowing dark money 1:23:00 American wealth inequality is reaching extreme territory 1:24:45 Billionaires aren't aligned with root Democratic party politics 1:27:45 Will we see $5B presidential elections in 2028? 1:29:15 There is more money per swing voter than ever 1:31:00 $500m will be spent on CA redistricting 1:33:30 Mainstream journalism rarely audits where money goes1:37:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Adam Bonica 1:39:15 Toddcast Top 5 - Governor's seats most likely to flip parties 1:39:45 #1 Virginia 1:42:15 #2 Kansas 1:44:00 #3 Wisconsin, #4 Michigan 1:46:15 #5 Iowa 1:50:15 Ask Chuck 1:50:30 Will there ever be amendments to prevent corruption in government? 1:53:15 Does Trump think the public will believe misinformation about the economy? 1:58:15 Should Democrats offer a "Project 2029" to offer a clear vision for change? 2:00:45 How would you handle bad faith Republican arguments over shutdown?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins Chuck to talk about why mayors often stand apart from the hyper-polarized world of national politics. With no partisan primaries to cater to, Holt argues that mayors are forced to be pragmatic and bipartisan—because when city leaders fail, the public notices quickly. He describes how Oklahoma City reflects the political and demographic balance of the country, why federal dollars matter more than federal agents when it comes to public safety, and how cities are tackling challenges from police recruitment to affordable housing.The conversation also touches on the unique role sports and culture play in a city’s identity, from Oklahoma City’s investment in a new arena for the Thunder to preparing for Olympic events. Holt warns of the risks of growing too fast, as seen in places like Austin and Nashville, and reflects on how the decline of local news has made it harder to communicate with residents. From social media outreach to funding journalism, Holt lays out the modern challenges and opportunities for cities trying to govern effectively while Washington remains gridlocked.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast00:45 What is the conference of mayors?01:45 Mayors are uniquely bipartisan in this political environment02:45 How has polarization not made its way into mayor’s offices03:15 Mayor have to get things done04:15 When mayors screw up the public notices05:00 Mayors don’t face partisan primaries06:30 The lack of primaries makes mayors govern in a bipartisan way08:30 Primaries are the “source of all evil” in American politics10:00 Does bipartisan nature of the conference put you at disadvantage w/Trump11:30 Mayors can’t govern & cater only to their base13:00 Oklahoma City is a political & demographic microcosm of the country 15:00 Many cities are struggling to hire more police officers16:45 Trump sending troops into cities for law enforcement isn’t helpful17:30 Crime doesn’t really happen “in the streets”18:30 Hiring incentives for ICE is hurting police recruiting19:45 Cities are having to offer much higher salaries for police officers21:00 Federal dollars are better than federal agents for local enforcement22:00 Youth programs are important to preventing crime23:30 Local governments need federal help to reduce housing costs26:45 How do you control housing costs in a free market system?28:30 Government subsidies incentivize construction of low cost housing30:30 Ways to incentivize landlords not to raise rents too quickly32:45 Will cities run into a budget crisis now that covid money has dried up?34:00 OKC didn’t use federal covid money for ongoing expenses36:00 OKC used taxpayer money to get the Thunder a new arena37:45 A major sports team is one of the best things a city can have39:00 Concerned about OKC growing too fast?40:30 Austin & Nashville grew too fast & caused quality of life issues41:45 OKC hosting several Olympic events43:30 Difficulties communicating to public with the decline of local news44:45 Even when local news covers stories, the public doesn’t read it45:45 Using social media to communicate with constituents47:30 Funding local news & journalism49:30 Is Oklahoma State out after Oklahoma move to SEC?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the second week of the government shutdown, explaining why Republicans are taking most of the blame—but why it’s not an automatic win for Democrats. He breaks down the political incentives that keep both sides digging in, Trump’s efforts to punish his own voters in blue states, and the growing risk of violent confrontations with protestors. Chuck also explores how the shutdown intersects with pressing economic and foreign policy issues, from spiking consumer prices and tariff-driven disruptions in agriculture to Trump’s controversial actions involving Venezuela and the implications for international norms.Finally, Chuck hops in the ToddCast Time Machine and digs into the longstanding impacts of the Anita Hill hearings, answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:30 Government shutdown extends into second week 02:30 Republicans getting more blame, but not a slam dunk for Dems 03:45 The political incentives are to dig in, rather than compromise 05:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states 07:15 Government employees set to start missing paychecks 08:15 Mike Johnson is jamming the senate 09:45 Senate Republicans have been forced into tough votes 11:30 Democrats will have to get to yes at some point 12:30 Stephen Miller's language should be alarming to judiciary 13:30 Trump is trying to incite a violent confrontation with protestors 15:15 Making shutdown fight about healthcare was signal to moderate voters 18:15 In prior six months, prices for consumer goods have spiked 19:15 Retailers announcing substantial price increases due to tariffs 21:00 52% drop in soybean exports to China 21:45 Trump floating "socialist" style policies to bail out farmers 23:15 Japan elects a conservative as first female prime minister 25:00 Trump makes dubious claims in defense of striking Venezuelan boats 26:30 Boat attacks are denying due process to foreign citizens 28:15 We're giving a permission slip to thugs & dictators around the world 29:30 Venezuela would be a bigger story if not for the shutdown 30:45 Nominee for Virginia DA, Jay Jones has disturbing texts released 33:15 Candidate apologizes after texts were made public 35:15 What Jay Jones says was disqualifying 37:30 Nobody is being held accountable for faulty character 39:45 Polarization may be so strong that scandals don't matter41:30 ToddCast Time Machine 41:45 October 11th, 1991 - Anita Hill testified before judiciary committee 42:30 There were no women on the senate judiciary committee 43:30 Hill's testimony was massively consequential for gender equality 45:30 Clarence Thomas was being fast tracked to the Supreme Court 48:00 Anita Hill allegations surface publicly on October 6th 49:00 Hill provides graphic testimony of inappropriate behavior by Thomas 50:45 Hill had a lot to lose and was afraid 51:45 It was the first time sexual harassment entered public zeitgeist 53:00 Gender, race and ideology mixed into toxic political stew 53:30 Senate confirms Thomas in bipartisan vote 5 days later 55:45 Anita Hill has never forgiven Joe Biden for the hearing 57:15 Hill hearings supercharged women's entry into politics 1:00:00 Ask Chuck 1:00:15 Was Hegseth's speech a step towards a presidential campaign? 1:02:45 Dangers of governing with an "ends justify the means" philosophy? 1:05:45 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the second week of the government shutdown, explaining why Republicans are taking most of the blame—but why it’s not an automatic win for Democrats. He breaks down the political incentives that keep both sides digging in, Trump’s efforts to punish his own voters in blue states, and the growing risk of violent confrontations with protestors. Chuck also explores how the shutdown intersects with pressing economic and foreign policy issues, from spiking consumer prices and tariff-driven disruptions in agriculture to Trump’s controversial actions involving Venezuela and the implications for international norms.The discussion shifts to domestic politics, where Chuck looks at the fallout from the Virginia DA nominee Jay Jones’s released texts, and what they reveal about accountability—or the lack thereof—in an era of extreme polarization. With scandals often failing to stick in today’s divided environment, the episode paints a picture of a government and a political culture under strain, struggling to address crises both at home and abroad.Then, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins Chuck to talk about why mayors often stand apart from the hyper-polarized world of national politics. With no partisan primaries to cater to, Holt argues that mayors are forced to be pragmatic and bipartisan—because when city leaders fail, the public notices quickly. He describes how Oklahoma City reflects the political and demographic balance of the country, why federal dollars matter more than federal agents when it comes to public safety, and how cities are tackling challenges from police recruitment to affordable housing.The conversation also touches on the unique role sports and culture play in a city’s identity, from Oklahoma City’s investment in a new arena for the Thunder to preparing for Olympic events. Holt warns of the risks of growing too fast, as seen in places like Austin and Nashville, and reflects on how the decline of local news has made it harder to communicate with residents. From social media outreach to funding journalism, Holt lays out the modern challenges and opportunities for cities trying to govern effectively while Washington remains gridlocked.Finally, Chuck hops in the ToddCast Time Machine and digs into the longstanding impacts of the Anita Hill hearings, answers listeners questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:00 Mayors have to govern for all voters04:30 Government shutdown extends into second week05:30 Republicans getting more blame, but not a slam dunk for Dems06:45 The political incentives are to dig in, rather than compromise08:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states10:15 Government employees set to start missing paychecks11:15 Mike Johnson is jamming the senate12:45 Senate Republicans have been forced into tough votes14:30 Democrats will have to get to yes at some point15:30 Stephen Miller’s language should be alarming to judiciary16:30 Trump is trying to incite a violent confrontation with protestors18:15 Making shutdown fight about healthcare was signal to moderate voters21:15 In prior six months, prices for consumer goods have spiked22:15 Retailers announcing substantial price increases due to tariffs24:00 52% drop in soybean exports to China24:45 Trump floating “socialist” style policies to bail out farmers26:15 Japan elects a conservative as first female prime minister28:00 Trump makes dubious claims in defense of striking Venezuelan boats29:30 Boat attacks are denying due process to foreign citizens31:15 We’re giving a permission slip to thugs & dictators around the world32:30 Venezuela would be a bigger story if not for the shutdown33:45 Nominee for Virginia DA, Jay Jones has disturbing texts released36:15 Candidate apologizes after texts were made public38:15 What Jay Jones says was disqualifying40:30 Nobody is being held accountable for faulty character42:45 Polarization may be so strong that scandals don’t matter45:15 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 46:00 What is the conference of mayors? 47:00 Mayors are uniquely bipartisan in this political environment 48:00 How has polarization not made its way into mayor's offices 48:30 Mayor have to get things done 49:30 When mayors screw up the public notices 50:15 Mayors don't face partisan primaries 51:45 The lack of primaries makes mayors govern in a bipartisan way 53:45 Primaries are the "source of all evil" in American politics 55:15 Does bipartisan nature of the conference put you at disadvantage w/Trump 56:45 Mayors can't govern & cater only to their base 58:15 Oklahoma City is a political & demographic microcosm of the country 1:00:15 Many cities are struggling to hire more police officers 1:02:00 Trump sending troops into cities for law enforcement isn't helpful 1:02:45 Crime doesn't really happen "in the streets" 1:03:45 Hiring incentives for ICE is hurting police recruiting 1:05:00 Cities are having to offer much higher salaries for police officers 1:06:15 Federal dollars are better than federal agents for local enforcement 1:07:15 Youth programs are important to preventing crime 1:08:45 Local governments need federal help to reduce housing costs 1:12:00 How do you control housing costs in a free market system? 1:13:45 Government subsidies incentivize construction of low cost housing 1:15:45 Ways to incentivize landlords not to raise rents too quickly 1:18:00 Will cities run into a budget crisis now that covid money has dried up? 1:19:15 OKC didn't use federal covid money for ongoing expenses 1:21:15 OKC used taxpayer money to get the Thunder a new arena 1:23:00 A major sports team is one of the best things a city can have 1:24:15 Concerned about OKC growing too fast? 1:25:45 Austin & Nashville grew too fast & caused quality of life issues 1:27:00 OKC hosting several Olympic events 1:28:45 Difficulties communicating to public with the decline of local news 1:30:00 Even when local news covers stories, the public doesn't read it 1:31:00 Using social media to communicate with constituents 1:32:45 Funding local news & journalism 1:34:45 Is Oklahoma State out after Oklahoma move to SEC?1:37:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with David Holt 1:38:45 ToddCast Time Machine 1:39:00 October 11th, 1991 - Anita Hill testified before judiciary committee 1:39:45 There were no women on the senate judiciary committee 1:40:45 Hill's testimony was massively consequential for gender equality 1:42:45 Clarence Thomas was being fast tracked to the Supreme Court 1:45:15 Anita Hill allegations surface publicly on October 6th 1:46:15 Hill provides graphic testimony of inappropriate behavior by Thomas 1:48:00 Hill had a lot to lose and was afraid 1:49:00 It was the first time sexual harassment entered public zeitgeist 1:50:15 Gender, race and ideology mixed into toxic political stew 1:50:45 Senate confirms Thomas in bipartisan vote 5 days later 1:53:00 Anita Hill has never forgiven Joe Biden for the hearing 1:54:30 Hill hearings supercharged women's entry into politics 1:57:15 Ask Chuck 1:57:30 Was Hegseth's speech a step towards a presidential campaign? 2:00:00 Dangers of governing with an "ends justify the means" philosophy? 2:03:00 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Teamsters president Sean O’Brien joins Chuck to talk about the future of organized labor in an era defined by Amazon, automation, and artificial intelligence. O’Brien warns that AI-driven job displacement could be the central issue of the 2028 campaign, and he argues that technology is being adopted without worker input—repeating mistakes unions made during NAFTA, when labor put too much trust in political leadership. He stresses that unions must be transactional, not partisan, as Democrats increasingly balance business interests while Republicans like Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley show new, if uneven, openness to labor.The conversation also dives into the political tightrope the Teamsters walk. With a membership that’s 65% behind Trump and Republicans, O’Brien explains why endorsing Kamala Harris was never on the table, why Democrats shouldn’t get credit for fixing problems they helped create, and how bad trade deals pushed states like Ohio from blue to red. From navigating tensions with other unions to weighing in on key 2026 races, O’Brien makes clear the Teamsters are willing to work with anyone who delivers for workers—and even open the door to college athletes unionizing by conference. This is a candid look at the shifting power and politics of America’s labor movement.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Sean O’Brien joins the Chuck ToddCast00:30 Teamsters have reputation of being a less partisan union02:00 Teamsters have a very diverse membership03:15 Amazon could be the biggest threat to organized labor04:30 The threat of AI to workers05:45 AI job displacement could be central issue to 2028 campaign07:15 What leverage do the unions have when it comes to AI?09:15 3 Democratic governments vetoed bills for automated trucks12:30 How are unions dealing with technological change & automation14:00 Technology is being adopted without input for labor15:30 What mistakes did labor make during NAFTA negotiations?16:45 Labor made a mistake trusting political leadership with NAFTA18:00 Democrats used to be the party of labor, now also a party of business19:00 Labor needs to be transactional and not partisan21:30 Republicans like Rubio have become more friendly to labor22:45 Has the Republican shift been rhetorical or substantive?25:15 Josh Hawley was persuaded to stop supporting Right to Work26:30 Bad trade deals caused Ohio to flip from blue to red27:30 No explanation for why Sean wasn’t invited to the DNC29:00 The Teamsters were never going to co-endorse Kamala Harris31:15 Teamsters have 65% Republican membership32:45 Labor is the last group taken care of during a bankruptcy34:30 Democrats don’t deserve credit for fixing a problem they created36:30 What’s the relationship like with other labor unions?38:00 There is some ill-will from other unions for not endorsing Harris39:00 An endorsement wouldn’t move the needle with the members39:30 How can Democrats win back union members?41:15 The split between members and leadership over supporting D’s43:30 How can you trust the Republicans?45:15 Teamsters will definitely weigh in on senate and house races in 202646:45 Teamsters would happily accept student athletes as union members48:45 College football union membership would likely be by conferenceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the absurdity of the U.S. government repeatedly grinding to a halt over government shutdowns. He explains why disruptions like TSA slowdowns and flight delays could force a faster resolution, why this standoff likely won’t last beyond a couple of weeks, and how Republicans may try to negotiate, only to walk back agreements through budget rescissions—or even consider ending the filibuster to reopen government. Chuck also examines the Democrats’ post-Obama resilience, built on being seen as the “grown ups,” while Trump continues to erode norms, politicize governance, and set the tone for a crasser American culture. From the decisive swing of a 3-5 point “adult constituency” to Trump’s retributive budget plans, fundraising battles in Maine and Michigan, and even Trump’s transactional dealings with Qatar and Pfizer, this episode explores the fragile state of U.S. politics in an era where outrage is constant and functional governance feels increasingly out of reach.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:15 Ridiculous for world’s superpower to have their government shut down02:00 Flight delays, TSA issues could cause the fastest resolution04:00 Would be surprising if shutdown lasts longer than a couple weeks05:00 Vance signaled some willingness to negotiate06:30 Republicans can agree to demands, then use recissions to renege07:30 Republicans could end the filibuster and reopen the government08:30 Nominations should require a 75 vote threshold build consensus10:00 2013 shutdown got Terry McCauliffe elected as VA governor11:15 Trump has politicized every aspect of governance12:00 Russ Vought targeting cuts to only blue states in retribution14:45 What has kept the Democrats competitive post-Obama?15:30 Dems have benefitted from being considered the “grown ups”16:00 Dem activists feel like playing by the rules hasn’t helped them18:30 Six week clean CR proposal was reasonable19:45 The “adult” constituency may be 3-5 points, and could be decisive21:30 Trump’s behavior has been outrageous, but we’ve become numb to it22:45 We’re in a “political depression”, have a barely functioning government24:45 There’s no lines Trump won’t cross, there are lines the left won’t26:15 American culture has become more crass under Trump28:15 Our sense of decorum is being set by Trump and online MAGA30:15 Graham Platner raised $3.2 million in Maine senate race32:00 Is Janet Mills the strongest candidate to beat Susan Collins?33:00 Being an “outsider” will likely outweigh ideology35:00 Michigan democratic senate candidates all have strong fundraising36:00 Trump offers NATO style security guarantees to Qatar37:00 Airplane gift to Trump paying dividends for the Qataris 38:00 Pfizer agrees to name website TrumpRX40:30 Trump nominee pulled after opposition from crypto world42:30 Ask Chuck 42:45 Has anyone else ever started run for president as early as Trump? 50:15 Thoughts on use of centralized databases for voter rolls? 55:00 Why do government workers get back pay after a shutdown? 1:00:00 If Josh Shapiro dominates re-election could he leapfrog the Dem field? 1:03:15 College football previewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the absurdity of the U.S. government repeatedly grinding to a halt over government shutdowns. He explains why disruptions like TSA slowdowns and flight delays could force a faster resolution, why this standoff likely won’t last beyond a couple of weeks, and how Republicans may try to negotiate, only to walk back agreements through budget rescissions—or even consider ending the filibuster to reopen government. Chuck also examines the Democrats’ post-Obama resilience, built on being seen as the “grown ups,” while Trump continues to erode norms, politicize governance, and set the tone for a crasser American culture. From the decisive swing of a 3-5 point “adult constituency” to Trump’s retributive budget plans, fundraising battles in Maine and Michigan, and even Trump’s transactional dealings with Qatar and Pfizer, this episode explores the fragile state of U.S. politics in an era where outrage is constant and functional governance feels increasingly out of reach.Then, Teamsters president Sean O’Brien joins Chuck to talk about the future of organized labor in an era defined by Amazon, automation, and artificial intelligence. O’Brien warns that AI-driven job displacement could be the central issue of the 2028 campaign, and he argues that technology is being adopted without worker input—repeating mistakes unions made during NAFTA, when labor put too much trust in political leadership. He stresses that unions must be transactional, not partisan, as Democrats increasingly balance business interests while Republicans like Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley show new, if uneven, openness to labor.The conversation also dives into the political tightrope the Teamsters walk. With a membership that’s 65% behind Trump and Republicans, O’Brien explains why endorsing Kamala Harris was never on the table, why Democrats shouldn’t get credit for fixing problems they helped create, and how bad trade deals pushed states like Ohio from blue to red. From navigating tensions with other unions to weighing in on key 2026 races, O’Brien makes clear the Teamsters are willing to work with anyone who delivers for workers—and even open the door to college athletes unionizing by conference. This is a candid look at the shifting power and politics of America’s labor movement.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:15 Ridiculous for world’s superpower to have their government shut down02:00 Flight delays, TSA issues could cause the fastest resolution04:00 Would be surprising if shutdown lasts longer than a couple weeks05:00 Vance signaled some willingness to negotiate06:30 Republicans can agree to demands, then use recissions to renege07:30 Republicans could end the filibuster and reopen the government08:30 Nominations should require a 75 vote threshold build consensus10:00 2013 shutdown got Terry McCauliffe elected as VA governor11:15 Trump has politicized every aspect of governance12:00 Russ Vought targeting cuts to only blue states in retribution14:45 What has kept the Democrats competitive post-Obama?15:30 Dems have benefitted from being considered the “grown ups”16:00 Dem activists feel like playing by the rules hasn’t helped them18:30 Six week clean CR proposal was reasonable19:45 The “adult” constituency may be 3-5 points, and could be decisive21:30 Trump’s behavior has been outrageous, but we’ve become numb to it22:45 We’re in a “political depression”, have a barely functioning government24:45 There’s no lines Trump won’t cross, there are lines the left won’t26:15 American culture has become more crass under Trump28:15 Our sense of decorum is being set by Trump and online MAGA30:15 Graham Platner raised $3.2 million in Maine senate race32:00 Is Janet Mills the strongest candidate to beat Susan Collins?33:00 Being an “outsider” will likely outweigh ideology35:00 Michigan democratic senate candidates all have strong fundraising36:00 Trump offers NATO style security guarantees to Qatar37:00 Airplane gift to Trump paying dividends for the Qataris 38:00 Pfizer agrees to name website TrumpRX40:30 Trump nominee pulled after opposition from crypto world44:00 Sean O'Brien joins the Chuck ToddCast 44:30 Teamsters have reputation of being a less partisan union 46:00 Teamsters have a very diverse membership 47:15 Amazon could be the biggest threat to organized labor 48:30 The threat of AI to workers 49:45 AI job displacement could be central issue to 2028 campaign 51:15 What leverage do the unions have when it comes to AI? 53:15 3 Democratic governments vetoed bills for automated trucks 56:30 How are unions dealing with technological change & automation 58:00 Technology is being adopted without input for labor 59:30 What mistakes did labor make during NAFTA negotiations? 1:00:45 Labor made a mistake trusting political leadership with NAFTA 1:02:00 Democrats used to be the party of labor, now also a party of business 1:03:00 Labor needs to be transactional and not partisan 1:05:30 Republicans like Rubio have become more friendly to labor 1:06:45 Has the Republican shift been rhetorical or substantive? 1:09:15 Josh Hawley was persuaded to stop supporting Right to Work 1:10:30 Bad trade deals caused Ohio to flip from blue to red 1:11:30 No explanation for why Sean wasn't invited to the DNC 1:13:00 The Teamsters were never going to co-endorse Kamala Harris 1:15:15 Teamsters have 65% Republican membership 1:16:45 Labor is the last group taken care of during a bankruptcy 1:18:30 Democrats don't deserve credit for fixing a problem they created 1:20:30 What's the relationship like with other labor unions? 1:22:00 There is some ill-will from other unions for not endorsing Harris 1:23:00 An endorsement wouldn't move the needle with the members 1:23:30 How can Democrats win back union members? 1:25:15 The split between members and leadership over supporting D's 1:27:30 How can you trust the Republicans? 1:29:15 Teamsters will definitely weigh in on senate and house races in 2026 1:30:45 Teamsters would happily accept student athletes as union members 1:32:45 College football union membership would likely be by conference1:34:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Sean O'Brien 1:36:00 Ask Chuck 1:36:15 Has anyone else ever started run for president as early as Trump? 1:43:45 Thoughts on use of centralized databases for voter rolls? 1:48:30 Why do government workers get back pay after a shutdown? 1:53:30 If Josh Shapiro dominates re-election could he leapfrog the Dem field? 1:56:45 College football previewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, NewsNation host Leland Vittert opens up about his personal journey growing up on the autism spectrum, the struggles his family faced, and the lessons that shaped his outlook on life and journalism. From being misunderstood in school and learning to navigate social cues, to the pivotal role his mother played in holding the family together, Vittert reflects on why he chose to go public with his story and how his experiences inform his new book—a parenting guide told from the child’s perspective. He also explores how autism has served as both a challenge and, at times, a superpower in his career and personal life.The conversation widens to America’s media landscape, where Vittert argues for a “radical center” approach and a journalism that calls balls and strikes on both sides rather than chasing flashy headlines. He stresses the importance of reviving local news, curating coverage around what matters most, and confronting the biases not only in how stories are told, but in which stories get told at all. This candid discussion is part memoir, part media critique, and a call for greater honesty—both in parenting and in public life.Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Leland Vittert joins the Chuck ToddCast01:45 The public doesn’t grasp autism and child development issues03:00 Autism wasn’t well understood in the 80s03:45 Parents struggle to raise neurodivergent children05:00 Adapting to the world you live in, not expecting world to adapt to you06:45 Leland’s father didn’t want him to be defined by his disability07:30 PE teacher put Leland in with the girls “to protect him”08:15 The struggle with learning to pick up social queues13:15 Everyone in DC always wanted to be student body president14:00 Why go public with your story of being on the spectrum?16:30 There’s a “parental reckoning” happening in America17:30 There are lots of broken young men susceptible to radicalization19:00 Nobody has definitive answers about causes of autism21:15 Scientists need to be humble enough to say “I don’t know”22:30 80% of parents with disabled children get divorced24:30 Leland’s mother held the family together, hero of the story26:30 Telling this story publicly is like going to therapy on live TV28:00 How did you share the story of your autism with your wife?31:00 You don’t “get over” autism32:30 Where has autism showcased itself as a superpower in your life?34:30 Book is a parenting book written from the child’s perspective36:15 There’s no one answer to America’s media problem37:45 What works and doesn’t work in the news media??39:00 There is a “radical center” that’s sick of extremes on both sides39:45 Journalists should call balls and strikes and call out both sides41:45 Cable news tends to obsess over stories that are flashy over substantive43:00 Journalists should curate stories that are most important44:45 Bias isn’t just how you cover the news, it’s what you cover46:30 Local news was a character reference for the national network journalists48:15 How to revive local news/journalism?51:00 Leland really put himself out there with this bookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck unpacks the latest government shutdown and the political brinkmanship that created it. He explores how shutdowns—once unthinkable—have become a partisan weapon, wasting money while allowing leaders like Donald Trump to punish opponents and play to their base. With Democrats at risk of shouldering equal or greater blame, Chuck asks whether the public is even paying attention, and what role figures like Russ Vought could play in reshaping government permanently. Beyond the shutdown, the conversation turns to the bigger picture: why voters never saw Trump as an aberration, why 2020 wasn’t a full repudiation of 2016, and what Democrats must do to win back Trump voters in 2028. From Harris’s struggle to differentiate herself from Biden to Clinton’s careful dance with Reagan’s legacy, Chuck argues that Democrats may need to admit Trump identified real problems—even as his solutions and behavior, especially with military leaders, remain deeply troubling.Finally, Chuck presents his ToddCast Top 5 senate races most likely to flip parties, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and recaps a frustrating night at the Cowboys/Packers game. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction - Government begins shutting down01:15 Congress created shutdown conditions for political leverage02:00 Could shutdown trigger the end of the senate filibuster rule?02:45 Democrats have always messaged that shutdowns are bad04:30 Democrats could shoulder equal or more blame for shutdown06:30 Shutdowns are a massive waste of money07:30 Trump seems excited for shutdown to punish opponents09:15 Terrible trend of politicians only governing for their base 11:15 Independents are pretty sour on Trump’s presidency13:00 Russ Vought at OMB could use shutdown to reorient gov’t permanently14:30 Big danger for Democrats is whether the public is paying attention15:30 Chuck Schumer is “Mitch McConnell” level unpopular18:45 If Dems want to win in 28 they’ll have to win over some Trump voters20:15 Democrats thought Trump was an aberration, voters didn’t21:15 2020 wasn’t a repudiation of why Trump was elected in 201624:00 Voters don’t want status quo, which is why they elected Trump twice26:15 Harris needed to prove she was different from Biden and didn’t27:45 For Clinton to win, he couldn’t repudiate everything Reagan did30:00 Trump’s behavior in front of military leaders was outrageous31:30 The military leaders handled the situation exactly as they should32:30 Hegseth lectured leaders of far higher rank than he earned in military33:45 Democrats will have to admit that Trump correctly identified problems34:45 Voters picked “political division” as the 2nd biggest problem after economy37:30 ToddCast Top 5 Senate races most likely to flip parties 38:00 #1 North Carolina 39:45 #2 Georgia 41:45 #3 Michigan 43:30 #4 Maine 45:30 #5 New Hampshire 51:00 Honorable mentions 51:30 Ask Chuck 51:45 Why is the lie that shutdown is over money for illegal immigrants pervasive? 54:45 Democrats feeling disheartened after talking to Trump supporters? 58:45 Would the country be better off if Trump was reelected in 2020? 1:03:00 Will Des Moines superintendent arrest derail Iowa senate campaign? 1:04:45 Chuck's experience at Cowboys/Packers game in Dallas 1:10:00 It was a great weekend of college footballSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.