Chuck Todd highlights the perverse political incentives looming over the government shutdown, Trump’s efforts to create a violent confrontation with protestors and his controversial strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats. Then, sits down with Oklahoma City mayor David Holt to discuss why mayors are able to operate above America's hyper-partisan politics and deliver for their constituents at a time when D.C. remains gridlocked.
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.
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Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Introduction
03:00 Mayors have to govern for all voters
04:30 Government shutdown extends into second week
05:30 Republicans getting more blame, but not a slam dunk for Dems
06:45 The political incentives are to dig in, rather than compromise
08:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states
10:15 Government employees set to start missing paychecks
11:15 Mike Johnson is jamming the senate
12:45 Senate Republicans have been forced into tough votes
14:30 Democrats will have to get to yes at some point
15:30 Stephen Miller’s language should be alarming to judiciary
16:30 Trump is trying to incite a violent confrontation with protestors
18:15 Making shutdown fight about healthcare was signal to moderate voters
21:15 In prior six months, prices for consumer goods have spiked
22:15 Retailers announcing substantial price increases due to tariffs
24:00 52% drop in soybean exports to China
24:45 Trump floating “socialist” style policies to bail out farmers
26:15 Japan elects a conservative as first female prime minister
28:00 Trump makes dubious claims in defense of striking Venezuelan boats
29:30 Boat attacks are denying due process to foreign citizens
31:15 We’re giving a permission slip to thugs & dictators around the world
32:30 Venezuela would be a bigger story if not for the shutdown
33:45 Nominee for Virginia DA, Jay Jones has disturbing texts released
36:15 Candidate apologizes after texts were made public
38:15 What Jay Jones says was disqualifying
40:30 Nobody is being held accountable for faulty character
42:45 Polarization may be so strong that scandals don’t matter
45:15 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 update