In this special episode, Chuck Todd speaks with filmmaker Brian Knappenberger and former ambassador John Negroponte about the new Netflix documentary series "Turning Point" about the Vietnam war, and why the shadow of Vietnam still looms large over American politics.
Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how Vietnam fundamentally shifted America's perception of itself, with Ambassador Negroponte sharing his firsthand experiences from the conflict. They examine how televised coverage transformed public perception of war, debate whether Vietnam was "worth it" in the context of the Cold War, and analyze why America ultimately lost the conflict. The discussion dives deep into how Vietnam became the Baby Boomers' defining generational experience, shattering trust in government institutions.
They explore the military's evolution into a predominantly Republican constituency, the long-term political fallout of pardoning draft dodgers, and the devastating impact of drug use among soldiers during the conflict. The guests offer a rare perspective on how the Vietnamese people recovered from the war's effects and draw striking parallels between the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan. They reflect on how these historical conflicts continue to shape modern American politics, noting that despite multiple Vietnam veterans running for president, none have ever won the office.
They conclude with a thought-provoking consideration of how future generations might commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of how America's past military engagements continue to influence its present and future.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Chuck’s personal connection to Vietnam was his dad
02:30 Vietnam + Iraq still haunt American politics
04:10 John Negroponte and Brian Knappenberger join the Chuck Toddcast!
06:35 What do you hope people take away from Netflix's Turning Point?
08:55 Vietnam's shadow loomed over the Iraq wars
10:55 We rarely talk about the war itself, mostly just the fallout
12:40 Vietnam shifted America's perception of itself
13:25 Ambassador Negroponte's experience of being in Vietnam
16:55 Was Vietnam viewed as a proxy war at the time?
20:00 The Iraq war has the same effect on our political psyche as Vietnam
23:00 How did daily press coverage affect the ability to control the narrative
25:00 Vietnam being televised drastically changed the public's perception
27:00 Embedded reporters caused new challenges for managing the narrative
28:15 Was Vietnam worth it since we won the cold war?
30:05 Why did we lose the war?
32:45 Watergate ruined historians ability to document presidents
34:15 Vietnam was the boomer's coming of age story, shook their trust in government
35:30 Many January 6th rioters were Vietnam vets
37:40 The importance of equipping and training local forces
39:10 Why did the military become a Republican constituency?
40:40 Pardoning the draft dodgers had long term political impacts
42:40 The horrible impact of drug use by soldiers in Vietnam
47:40 The perspective from the side of the north?
49:10 When did the Vietnamese recover from the effects of the war?
52:25 No Vietnam vet has ever been president
55:10 The military is America's only institution that has bipartisan support
58:35 How similar/different were the withdrawals from Saigon and Afghanistan?
59:25 What will the retrospective be on the 75th anniversary of the fall of Saigon
1:02:35 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview