The Chuck ToddCast

Latest Episodes:

Full Episode - America Will Need New Political Guardrails After Trump + The Huge MISTAKES Democrats Have Made In The Trump Era Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

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 swingy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Tom Bonier - The Huge MISTAKES Democrats Have Made In The Trump Era Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

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’s Commentary - Trump Has Weaponized Every Part Of Government + US Has Lost Moral Authority On World Stage Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

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 update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Trump Has Weaponized Every Part Of Government + Will Trump’s Tariffs Drive The Economy Into Recession? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

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 update

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/ Mark Zandi - Will Trump’s Tariffs Drive The Economy Into Recession? Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

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.

Full Episode - The Shutdown Has Become A Choice - Trump’s Showdown In Chicago + Why America’s Colleges Are FAILING Their Students Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

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 Introduction

03:00 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted

04:15 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown

05:30 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans

06:30 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them

07:30 Either party could end the shutdown now

09:45 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates

10:45 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far

11:45 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online

13:00 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests

15:15 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public

16:00 Public doesn’t support deployments, wants apolitical military

17:15 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn’t been fair

18:45 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders

20:45 There are political risks for both sides

21:45 DNC believes they didn’t spend early & enough to engage voters in 24’

24:15 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue

25:30 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living

26:45 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration

27:30 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones

29:15 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style “whataboutism”

30:30 There’s still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics

32:00 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president?

33:00 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum

35:00 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 on

37:30 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces?

39:00 Porter’s response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing

40:30 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video

44:00 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 journalism

1:43:45 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 preview

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck’s Commentary - The Shutdown Has Become A Choice + Trump’s Showdown In Chicago Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

00:30 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 revealing

38:00 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video

41:00 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 preview

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview Only w/Paul Glastris - Why America’s Colleges Are FAILING Their Students Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

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.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast

01:00 Best colleges for the buck?

03:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way

04:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions

07:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges

09:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status

10:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America

12:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it’s used for education

15:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad

17:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category

17:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants

19:00 We’ve never seen an administration target college research

20:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now

21:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers?

24:15 We overproduce academic talent in America

26:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges

28:30 Many schools border on predatory

30:00 We need a “new deal” for higher education

32:30 Most people get their BA’s at local & regional universities

34:00 America didn’t get to making 2 years of college free

35:15 The state of the community college system

36:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools

37:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school

39:45 There’s a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges

40:15 Community colleges offer community building activities

42:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism

44:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession

46:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out

48:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism

50:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism

52:00 Small towns can’t afford good journalism

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Episode - Nobody “Wins” A Shutdown + Israel’s Popularity With American Public + Scamming Grandma: The Corrupt World Of Political Fundraising Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

04:30 Government shutdown begins affecting air travel

06:15 Both sides think they are winning the shutdown

07:30 Congress created the conditions for regular shutdowns

08:30 When you’re disrupting people’s lives, you aren’t “winning”

09:30 Israel’s public support is eroding in the United States

10:30 Under Bibi, Israel has never been more powerful and alone

11:30 Israel alienated allies, incredibly reliant on the United States

13:15 Partisan split between R’s and D’s over support for Israel

14:15 Growing skepticism for Israel’s actions in Gaza

16:00 66% of Israelis want to end the war in Gaza

17:30 Majority of Israelis want Netayahu gone after war is over

19:00 Most Israelis goal is the getting hostages home, not eliminating Hamas

20:15 Bibi is clinging to power to avoid accountability

21:15 New ad in New Hampshire targeting Andy Beshear over support for Israel

22:45 Tough to know how salient Israel issue will be in a Democratic primary

24:45 Republicans are clearing primary fields across the country

25:30 If Ken Paxton is nominee in Texas, the senate could flip

27:30 Susan Collins is the only Republican that can win in Maine

29:15 Dem voters tired of establishment that isn’t winning

30:30 MAGA gave Republicans most power they’ve had in decades

31:30 If Jay Jones allegations in VA surfaced a month ago, he’d be replaced

33:00 If elected, Jay Jones should resign and let assembly choose replacement

36:00 Democrats playing with political fire with Jay Jones

38:30 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 goes

1:37:30 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.

Chuck’s Commentary - Nobody “Wins” A Shutdown + Israel’s Popularity With American Public + Top 5 Governor’s Seats Most Likely To Flip Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 governor’s seats most likely to flip parties, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

02:30 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 Jones

36:15 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.

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