Chuck Todd is joined by former Montana Senator Jon Tester and Montana journalist Maritsa Georgiou to discuss their new joint podcast venture, the decline of local media, dark money’s corrosive impact on politics, the TV show Yellowstone and more!
Chuck begins by weighing in on a new Pew Research poll showing a significant drop in President Donald Trump’s approval rating since his inauguration. He highlights the erosion of support among non-voters as a potential warning sign for the president. Chuck also shares his concerns about the administration’s apparent deference to Russia in the latest Ukraine peace agreement.
Next, he’s joined by Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou to discuss their new podcast, the underrepresentation of middle America in the media, and why members of Congress should spend more time outside the Washington, D.C. bubble.
They explore the loss of trust in national media due to the decline of strong local journalism, Congress’s tendency to cede power to the executive branch, the corrupting influence of dark money in politics, and the urgent need for campaign finance reform.
The conversation wraps with a discussion about the TV show Yellowstone and its impact—both positive and negative—on their home state of Montana.
Finally, Chuck closes out the show by answering a few listener questions in the "Ask Chuck" segment.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
2:25 New Pew Research poll released on Trump’s first 100 days
3:45 Not surprising Trump’s approval has dropped
4:15 Non-voters souring on Trump quickly
6:15 Incompetency is defining his first 100 days
7:30 Erratic decision making doesn’t inspire confidence
9:15 Low information voters are a good barometer
10:15 Republican party still has a higher favorability ratings than the Democratic party
14:00 Trump is tarnishing the country’s reputation
16:15 Trump needs to make some trade deals and put points on the board
17:45 The United States government is taking Russia’s side against Ukraine
20:40 Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou join the show!
21:10 Why start a podcast?
23:10 Most rewarding part?
25:25 Need more voices in media from all over the country, not just the coasts
27:55 The state of local news in Montana
29:10 "The middle" is underrepresented in media
30:40 Where the media is located can warp the perspective
33:10 If Congress convened in places other than DC, things would be very different
34:10 Politicians pit urban vs rural against one another
34:55 Journalists are pulled to the big markets
36:40 Local media was a character reference for the national media
37:55 Without local reporters, important stories can't reach the national media
39:10 There are no more local reporters telling communities what DC is doing for them
41:25 Why has Congress been willing to cede power to the executive?
43:40 Congress has rolled over in the 21st century due to campaign finance
44:40 Dark money's influence on Montana politics
47:05 Money has skewed the system*
48:40 Local news stations run on two year budgets due to election spending
49:40 Campaign finance reform efforts always result in loopholes
50:40 Campaign finance isn't a voting issue
53:10 Media has to be an educator
54:55 Voters of both parties are worried about money in politics
55:55 Congress needs a NASCAR rule for disclosing donors
56:55 Why is fixing campaign finance so hard?
57:40 Candidates have limits, donors do not
58:40 Most members of Congress have good motivations individually, collectively they become irrational
1:00:20 Senator Lisa Murkowski's comments about fear of retaliation
1:02:40 Founders would be appalled by what's happening in DC
1:03:55 Media needs to listen and rebuild trust
1:04:40 The media needs to stand with the AP
1:05:30 Montana's star turn in pop culture due to Taylor Sheridan
1:07:40 What is Sen. Tester watching on TV?
1:10:20 Montana has been "discovered" by the wealthy
1:10:50 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview
1:11:25 Ask Chuck
1:11:55 If you were in charge of the DNC, what changes would you like to see improve their brand?
1:13:30 The Democrats haven’t tried to be a 50 state party, they need to go on a listening tour
1:17:25 If elections were held a week earlier in 1976 and 2016, would Ford and Clinton have won?
(Timestamps vary based on advertisements)