The Chuck ToddCast

Chuck Todd
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The Chuck ToddCast

The Chuck ToddCast is back! If you're looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversation, you've come to the right place. The Chuck ToddCast goes beyond the headlines, featuring conversations with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real discussions about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Russian SPY Factory In Brazil, Explained: New York Times BOMBSHELL Story Reaction

    Chuck Todd starts with new polling showing Trump’s damaging down ballot effect on the Republican party and highlights some key races for the upcoming midterm elections. Then, he sits down with New York Times reporters Michael Schwirtz and Jane Bradley to discuss their explosive investigation into Russia's sophisticated "spy factory" operation in Brazil. The reporters reveal how they uncovered a years-long Russian intelligence program that used Brazil as the perfect cover to create false identities for spies who would then be deployed around the world. The discussion explores how the Ukraine war may have intensified efforts to uncover these operations, and details the meticulous process Russian operatives used to obtain authentic Brazilian birth certificates and build elaborate backstories for their agents. The conversation delves into the remarkable scope of this espionage network, including how one spy successfully infiltrated Johns Hopkins University as a student, before being caught by Brazilian authorities. Schwirtz and Bradley discuss the similarities between their real-world investigation and the plot of "The Americans," the complaints from captured spies about their Russian handlers, and how this program's roots trace back to Cold War tactics. The interview also touches on broader questions about American engagement in Latin America, Brazil's surprisingly robust rule of law, and the ongoing challenges facing international journalism, including reporting in conflict zones like Ukraine and the risks of travel to Russia. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment regarding small state primaries, whether an atheist could ever be elected president and Democratic messaging. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Trump is putting the Republican party in a precarious position for midterms 03:30 Trump’s only big win is the border 04:00 Swing voters wanted lower prices and aren’t getting them 04:30 Every election is now a “change” election 06:30 Trump has become the party 08:00 Republicans won’t have anything that’s easy to sell to the public 09:30 New Texas poll shows Trump’s growing unpopularity 12:00 Shrinking the size of government is popular with voters 13:15 Bad economic approval is a warning for Republicans 16:00 Incumbency may be a big problem for John Cornyn 18:00 New Michigan poll released on senate race 19:30 Michigan poll shows anti-incumbent bias in voters 20:30 Lindsay Graham in a closer than expected race 22:15 Michael Schwirtz & Jane Bradley join the Chuck ToddCast!  23:55 What is the origin story of their story on Brazil's "Spy Factory"  24:45 Did the Ukraine war cause countries to double efforts to uncover spies?  27:15 Were the feds in Brazil aware of this spy operation?  30:25 Brazil was the perfect place to create cover identities for spies  31:45 The spy operation was years in the making  32:45 Investigations into spies' birth certificates showed they weren't doctored  34:45 Other Latin American countries are investigating as well  35:45 Was the spy ring uncovered in America in 2010 related to this program?  37:15 The goal wasn't to infiltrate Brazil specifically, but move spies abroad  38:15 The most "successful" spy was arrested by Brazilian authorities  39:30 One spy infiltrated John Hopkins university posing as a student  41:30 Has Putin punished any of the spies that were caught?  43:15 It feels like this story was a plot ripped straight from "The Americans"  44:30 The spies that talked complained about their bosses  45:30 Does America run similar "spy factories?"  48:15 Western agencies don't have the same spy budgets as the Russians  50:15 The seeds of the spy program go back to the Cold War  52:30 Are Brazilian authorities extra motivated to get to the bottom of this?  53:45 Brazil's rule of law is stronger than we give it credit for  55:15 Is this a failure of American engagement in Latin America?  58:00 What other threads are they pulling in their investigation?  1:00:00 When was Michael last in Ukraine?  1:01:30 Does the Times still have reporters in Russia?  1:02:45 Should Americans avoid travel to Russia?  1:05:00 Does the espionage reporting beat make spy TV shows less watchable? 1:05:40 Chuck’s thoughts on interview 1:06:10 Ask Chuck 1:06:55 Why is America stuck with a first, single small state primary format? 1:09:00Will America ever elect a president that’s atheist or agnostic? 1:16:15 Why are Democrats so clueless at messaging? (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

    1h 18m

  2. 2D AGO

    ‘The Diplomat’ Reaction: The Inside Story Of Netflix’s Political Thriller

    Chuck Todd opens with two issues he calls “dead rail” issues; issues that voters care about but don’t vote on… campaign finance reform and the national debt. He explains why both parties aren’t incentivized to address either issue, and provides a brief update on the latest developments for the upcoming midterm and presidential elections. Then, he sits down with acclaimed television writer and producer Debora Cahn, the creative force behind both "The West Wing" and Netflix's hit series "The Diplomat." Cahn shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time in Aaron Sorkin's writers' room, revealing how the team worked to make "The West Wing" realistic and even infused elements of musical theater into the show. She discusses the origins and development of "The Diplomat," explaining how her experience working on "Homeland" prepared her for tackling international diplomacy, and how COVID-19 unexpectedly helped with the show's early development process. They delve into how real-world events have shaped "The Diplomat's" narrative, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which completely changed the show's plot trajectory. Cahn explores the challenges of creating "news adjacent" content in today's rapidly changing political landscape, where she notes that satire feels off-limits for this decade. She also discusses her approach to writing strong but complex female characters, the differences between working with Shonda Rhimes versus Aaron Sorkin, and how she uses storytelling to give voice to government workers. The interview touches on everything from using real UK embassy locations for filming to incorporating recent political events and the casting of Michael McKean in a Biden-inspired role. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, addressing topics like the best path to learning journalism, whether Kamala Harris could lose the California gubernatorial race and how to maximize black voter turnout in the south. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The “third-rail” issues in American politics that are untouchable 01:45 Medicaid is a lifeline for more than just poor people 02:20 Dead rail issues are issues that you can ignore and voters don’t care 03:10 Voters agree on need for campaign finance reform, but don’t vote on it 05:00 Both parties only care about the national debt when they’re out of power 07:00 Voters don’t care about campaign finance or the debt until it affects them 09:00 The Republicans are more fiscally irresponsible than Democrats 10:30 New campaign ad rolls out with purely AI generated people 11:30 Senator Jeff Merkeley may step down 12:30 Senator Ed Markey may face primary challenge 13:00 Rahm Emmanuel attending Iowa event, could it regain 1st primary status? 14:30 Debora Cahn joins the Chuck ToddCast!  15:45 How did she create "The Diplomat" and "West Wing"?  17:00 How important was it to make the West Wing realistic?  19:00 How did you infuse musical theater into West Wing?  20:15 What was the writers' room like?  22:30 How long has she been working on The Diplomat?  25:15 How did working on Homeland prepare her for The Diplomat?  28:30 The origin of The Diplomat  30:00 Covid actually HELPED with early development  31:00 Were the characters modeled off real people?  33:45 Using a real embassy for the set  36:30 Has the narrative arc changed from the original vision?  38:45 Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the show's entire plot  40:45 Using the PM of the UK character to caricature Trump  42:15 Satire is off the table for this decade  43:30 Giving voice to government workers via storytelling  47:00 Has the UK foreshadowed trends in US politics?  48:15 The downside to being "news adjacent"?  49:45 Writing about strong women but making it messy  51:15 Working with Shonda Rhimes vs Aaron Sorkin  53:30 Whose story would she like to tell?  56:00 Traditional journalism vs. influencer culture  56:45 The Newsroom wasn't an accurate portrayal of TV journalism  58:00 What events from the past few months does she want to incorporate?  59:45 Michael McKean is great as the Biden character 57:50 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Debora Cahn  58:20 Ask Chuck  58:40 Is college or an apprenticeship better for learning journalism?  1:02:30 Could Kamala Harris lose in the primary for CA governor?  1:06:05 What can Democrats do to maximize the black vote in the south?  1:11:50 NBA playoffs reaction

    1h 14m

  3. 4D AGO

    How Can Democrats Get Their Mojo Back?

    Chuck Todd begins by examining whether Democrats have lost by enough to force meaningful change or if they're simply tinkering around the edges. He covers Trump's recent controversial moves, including hosting dinners for his memecoin buyers and politicizing his West Point commencement speech, while exploring how "whataboutism" and Trump creating a culture of fear have become pervasive in our political discourse. Chuck analyzes new polling data on potential Democratic matchups and discusses why being an incumbent may be a liability in upcoming elections. Then, he’s joined by political analyst and author of “Where Have All The Democrats Gone”, Ruy Teixeira, who provides insights into America's ongoing political realignment and the challenges facing both major parties. They explore whether Democrats need to move toward the center to win back working-class voters, discuss the possibility of party collapse similar to what happened with the UK's Tories, and examine why neither party seems capable of forming a truly dominant coalition. The conversation covers everything from the Democrats' branding problems and communication failures to Trump's enduring influence on American politics and the potential for viable independent candidates in 2028. Chuck concludes with upcoming Republican primary dynamics, including Senator John Cornyn's hiring of Trump's campaign manager and why it could be an UGLY campaign. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Have Democrats lost by enough to force them to change? 04:30 Democrats seem intent on tinkering rather than an overhaul 05:45 Trump hosts dinner for buyers of his memecoin 06:45 Mike Johnson defends corruption if it’s “done in the open” * (14:30) 08:30 Trump politicizes his West Point commencement speech 10:30 “Whataboustism” is plaguing our politics 12:00 Neither party has a monopoly on crazy or violence 12:45 Trump has created a culture of fear which mutes criticism 14:30 The public has become numb to Trump’s bad behavior 15:45 Corruption will eat away the credibility of the MAGA movement* 16:30 New poll released on AOC vs Schumer and Torres vs Hochul 18:30 Being an incumbent will be a negative in 2026 and 2028 22:10 Ruy Texeira joins the Chuck Toddcast  23:40 What is the current state of America's political realignment?  26:25 Do Democrats need to move to the center to win working class voters?  28:10 Lower turnout benefits Democrats  29:55 Democrats have only changed rhetoric, not their positions  31:40 Neither party can form a dominant coalition  32:40 Despite the chaos, Trump's approval rating isn't that bad  34:25 Could we see one party collapse like the Tories in the UK?  36:10 Could a third party replace one of our two parties  37:55 Voters in the western world feel the system is broken  38:40 Democrats are viewed as the status quo party  41:10 What are some lessons Democrats can take from the early 90's?  43:10 Neither party loses by enough to change  46:40 The DNC doesn't grasp how bad the brand has become  47:40 The problem is bigger than communications  49:40 Trump is the towering figure of 21st century American politics  51:10 What to make of Gavin Newsom's political maneuvering?  52:30 Who could be the Democrats next Bill Clinton?  54:40 What states should Democrats be targeting for future elections?  57:10 Democrats made a mistake not having Iowa first in their primary calendar  58:10 Why has Wisconsin stayed so competitive?  1:00:10 What to make of the red shift in blue states where they didn't campaign?  1:02:40 Party strategists are too out of step with the voters  1:04:25 What will we learn from statewide elections in 2025?  1:07:25 Will Joe Biden become a pariah like Jimmy Carter for the Democratic party?  1:09:10 Being a cabinet member for Biden will tank Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes  1:10:10 The cover up of Biden's decline will haunt the Democrats for years  1:11:25 Any positives for the Democrats?  1:12:25 There could be a viable independent candidate in 2028 1:16:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Ruy Texeira 1:17:30 Senator John Cornyn has hired Trump’s campaign manager 1:19:00 We’re about to see new level of negativity in a Republican primary 1:20:45 The new traffic patterns out of Nationals games are annoying

    1h 23m

  4. MAY 22

    Is American Pop Culture The WORST It’s Ever Been?

    Chuck begins with house Republicans struggling to pass their “Big Beautiful Bill” and reflecting on the president’s ability to influence the culture versus imposing on the culture. Then, Chuck welcomes Spencer Kornhaber, staff writer at The Atlantic to discuss his piece on contemporary pop culture and its perceived decline in quality. They dive into the impact of streaming algorithms impacting music discovery, revealing that old music now earns three times the streams of new releases as algorithms trigger nostalgia rather than innovation. The conversation explores how the music industry has lost its traditional gatekeepers, leading to a landscape where new music often sounds "rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward," while examining whether rock music has stopped evolving and how country music is experiencing a resurgence. They also tackle the growing influence of AI on music production and debate whether algorithms, despite their flaws, are actually helping people discover music in different languages and cultures. The discussion expands to examine whether television represents the one area where pop culture is genuinely "better than ever," with prestige TV becoming the cultural center and episodic storytelling reshaping moviemaking. They explore the "Barbenheimer summer" phenomenon as evidence that theatrical experiences still matter, before diving into literature's current state amid declining readership among younger generations. They debate whether high-resolution photography and AI are diminishing visual arts, speculate about experiences becoming the next major art form for Gen Z, and examine how competition with AI might actually make human artists more innovative. They conclude by discussing the enduring popularity of live elements in sports and music—with Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift reigning as pop royalty—while questioning who truly rules Hollywood and acknowledging the surprising innovations happening in live theater. Finally he addresses listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment, weighing in on Europe’s race to rearm itself, his preferred voting method to incentivize legislative compromise and whether the questions surrounding Joe Biden’s decline will loom over the 2028 presidential race. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Republicans struggling to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill” 02:00 Partisan governance is bad governance 03:30 The bill will pass, it’s just a matter of when 05:45 We’re in a “culture cold war” 08:00 Should political leaders impose culture, or influence it? 09:45 Who we elect as president is reflective of the culture 11:45 If a president imposes on culture, they impose on speech 14:45 The public will want a president who doesn’t impose on culture 17:40 Spencer Kornhaber joins the Chuck ToddCast  18:40 What inspired his piece on current pop culture being terrible?  22:25 Algorithms are terrible at introducing new music  23:10 Old music earns 3x the streams of new music  24:40 Algorithms use music to trigger nostalgia  26:10 New music sounds rehashed and doesn't move the ball forward  28:10 The music industry lost its gatekeepers  29:55 Algorithms help people discover music in a different language  32:10 Has rock music stopped evolving?  33:20 Country music is having a resurgence  34:00 The impact of AI on music production  35:40 Is television the one area of pop culture that's better than ever?  36:55 Prestige TV has become the center of the culture  38:25 How has episodic tv impacted moviemaking?  40:40 "Barbenheimer summer" wasn't a fluke  42:40 Are we also in a golden age of literature?  45:25 Younger generations are reading less  46:10 Do high resolution pictures + AI diminish the visual arts?  48:55 Will experiences become the next big artform for Gen Z  50:25 How well will his piece age?  51:55 Will competition with AI make human artists more innovative?  54:25 Will society decide to reinvest in the arts?  55:25 Gaming and sports are more popular than ever  57:10 Is the live element of sports and music driving popularity?  58:10 Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are the king and queen of pop  59:10 Who rules Hollywood?  1:02:25 We've seen major innovation in live theater 1:04:45 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Spencer Kornhaber  1:05:00 Algorithms suck at making culture, humans are good at it  1:05:15 Ask Chuck - Should we be concerned about Europe rearming?  1:07:55 What is your preferred voting method to incentivize compromise?  1:13:45 Will the Biden cognitive question loom over the 2028 election?

    1h 20m

  5. MAY 21

    Meet The Democratic "Donald Trump" Running For Governor Of California

    Chuck Todd begins the episode with an examination of the election landscape starting with the California gubernatorial race and a demographic breakdown that indicates Democrats could perform very well in both 2025 and 2026. Then, is joined by businessman Stephen Cloobeck, who discusses his candidacy for California governor as the "only non-traditional candidate" in the race. Cloobeck offers sharp criticism of the Harris/Walz presidential campaign, which he characterizes as "tone deaf," while proposing concrete solutions for California's most pressing issues.  Cloobeck outlines his vision for a new department of "performance and results" to increase government accountability and presents his approach to addressing California's homelessness crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from his adopted father, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Cloobeck positions himself as a Democrat who understands business concerns, directly addressing why corporate leaders are "tempted" to leave California while asserting that "you can't buy an election" and pledging not to self-fund his campaign. Chuck presses Cloobeck on whether Democrats need their own version of "Donald Trump," and what the party should learn from Trump's political approach. He also offers insight into his success in the timeshare industry, explaining how Marriott ultimately copied his business model and addressing whether AirBnB has undermined the traditional timeshare market. Chuck challenges Cloobeck about potential competition from other business figures like Rick Caruso and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Chuck speculating that by 2026, voters might be "burned out on bravado" after Trump's presidency. Finally, Chuck digs into the mailbag of listeners’ questions in Ask Chuck and responds to questions about six year presidential terms, quirky personal preferences that lead to political preferences and whether it’s harder for him to land interviews with Republicans. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The importance of the California gubernatorial race 01:15 Kloobeck intro 02:30 Kamala Harris preparing to run for governor in California? 03:45 Younger and infrequent voters were Trump’s “secret sauce” 05:00 Can a Democratic woman win the presidency? 06:30 Higher turnout is better for Republicans 08:15 Trends favor Democrats in non-presidential elections 09:30 Democrats became the “rules” party 11:15 Jared Golden not running for must-win Maine senate seat 12:30 Republicans are already writing off Virginia 13:30 Could New Jersey become a swing state? 14:30 Can the Trump coalition succeed without Trump on the ballot? 15:45 Could Senator Bill Cassidy retire for LSU chancellor job? 17:15 Stephen Cloobeck joins the Chuck ToddCast!  18:30 Why is he the only non-traditional candidate running for CA governor?  23:05 Are California's issues a governor issue or does it run deeper?  26:05 What should Gavin Newsom have done differently?  29:00 The Harris/Walz campaign was tone deaf  30:25 What did Gray Davis get right as governor?  31:55 Creating a department of "performance and results"  33:30 Solution to California's homelessness problem  35:00 Schwarzenegger was an outsider that ran into the bureaucracy  39:30 What makes him a democrat and not an independent?  41:55 Why are business leaders "tempted" to leave California?  44:35 What he learned from his adopted father, Harry Reid  46:15 Do we need a "Donald Trump" in the democratic party?  48:00 What should the democratic party learn from Trump?  48:45 You can't buy an election. Won't self fund his campaign.  51:00 Why couldn't Trump start a casino in Nevada?  53:20 Should people be skeptical of the timeshare industry?  54:35 Has AirBnB killed the timeshare industry?  58:00 Marriott copied his timeshare model  58:45 What would you say to Harris if she wanted help with the governor race?  1:02:00 Are you ready for the arrows coming your way  1:04:25 Did you have high expectations for Joe Biden?  1:07:15 If Rick Caruso jumps in, will you cannibalize each other's candidacies  1:10:35 Would Arnold Schwarzenegger be the front-runner if he ran?  1:11:35 By 2026 could voters be burned out on bravado by Trump 1:13:30 Chuck's thoughts on Stephen Kloobeck interview  1:14:45 Check out Chuck's interviews on Noosphere!  1:16:20 Ask Chuck  1:16:45 If congress was expanded, should the president get one 6 year term?  1:19:50 What odd voter personal preferences indicate their political preferences?  1:24:00 Do you find it harder to get interviews with Republicans? (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

    1h 28m

  6. MAY 19

    Trump Is "POISONING The Well" In Congress + Devastating Medicaid Cuts w/Ritchie Torres

    Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversation shifts to the current political landscape, with Torres expressing deep concerns about President Trump's approach to his second term, arguing that Trump is "poisoning the well" for bipartisanship despite Biden's successful record of cross-party legislation. Torres delivers a stark warning that America is "planting the seed of its own decline" and characterizes the consequences of proposed GOP Medicaid cuts as "barbaric," particularly in light of the brewing long-term care crisis.   They weigh the merits of pragmatism versus idealism in American foreign policy and scrutinize Qatar's growing financial influence in American politics. Torres argues that "Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane" while addressing whether Democrats should adopt Trump's aggressive approach to wielding power. Torres acknowledges that Democrats "should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline" and offers his vision for how the party can project strength moving forward.   They conclude with Torres addressing his political future—including speculation about mayoral and gubernatorial ambitions—before outlining his solutions for New York's housing crisis, crime concerns, and utility costs.  Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer 02:00 Was Biden’s decline covered up, or just willful ignorance? 03:00 Robert Hur recording has supercharged the Biden story 06:45 Joe Biden couldn’t assure voters he was up to the job 08:30 Chris Murphy says it’s the Democrats fault that Trump was re-elected 11:45 Democrats need to do soul searching like they did with Bill Clinton 13:30 Clinton had to run against the party and its prior leadership 15:00 Democrats misread the 2020 election result 18:00 Democrats will take some blame for problems Trump causes 19:00 Democrats need to reinvent themselves 21:00 Trump released the Hur tapes as a distraction  23:00 Democrats should be angrier about Biden than Republicans 25:00 Mike Johnson needs Trump to pressure members of congress 26:00 Ritchie Torres joins the Chuck ToddCast  26:30 Tour of the NY-15 district  28:30 The enormity of the New York city council  30:00 Would he support expanding the size of the house?  32:00 Term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists  33:00 Can any bipartisan agreement be reached with Trump  34:30 Biden had multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation  35:30 Trump is poisoning the well in his second term  37:30 America is planting the seed of its own decline  38:00 Medicaid cuts will be devastating  40:00 Will the Medicaid cuts be delayed where a future congress could fix it?  41:30 Medicaid work requirements don't work  42:45 The consequences of the GOP budget will be barbaric  44:45 How do we address the long-term care crisis?  47:00 Should America's foreign policy be pragmatic or idealistic?  49:45 How should we view Qatar's infusion of money into American politics?  51:30 Republicans would impeach Joe Biden if he had accepted a plane  54:15 Should Democrats wield power like Trump when they're in charge?  55:50 Democrats should have spoken out sooner about Biden's decline  1:00:00 How can the Democrats project strength as a party?  1:01:15 Democrats need to let the cream rise to the top  1:02:30 Campaigning makes candidates sharper  1:03:30 Why aren't you running for NYC mayor?  1:05:30 Andrew Cuomo is a great "builder"  1:07:30 Will you run for governor in 2026?  1:08:00 How would you address the housing crisis in New York?  1:10:30 Addressing crime in New York  1:13:00 New York's budget has increased, the quality of services hasn't  1:14:45 Public ownership of utilities would lower costs for New Yorkers  1:16:30 Progressives have overprioritized ideological purity over results 1:19:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Ritchie Torres  1:20:00 If Torres faces Hochul 1 on 1 he could beat her  1:21:00 Rumors that Kamala Harris could run for governor of California  1:21:45 CA governor race will be tough for Harris  1:25:15 If Harris loses governor race, her political career is over (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

    1h 28m

  7. MAY 16

    Why Vietnam Still HAUNTS American Politics: Inside Netflix’s 'Turning Point' | Chuck Todd

    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

    1h 4m

  8. MAY 15

    Ro Khanna On Biden's Big Failure, Trump Damaging America's Reputation, Democrats Leadership Crisis

    Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and that the president should "get caught trying" bipartisanship on issues where common ground exists. He also explores Putin's refusal of peace talks as a potential humiliation for Trump, and examines what recent political developments like the Omaha mayoral race might signal about Democratic prospects in upcoming elections. Then, he’s joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, who delivers a candid assessment of the Democratic party's leadership crisis and brand damage. Khanna argues that Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position and addresses concerns about deportations in rural communities. The conversation delves into the economic realities facing the Midwest, and calls for Democrats to work more closely with business leaders.  Khanna argues that deplatforming Trump after January 6th was "a huge mistake" and discusses the rightward shift among tech leaders. They conclude with Khanna's perspectives on America's global retreat, the timeline for presidential campaigns, and Gen Z's trust issues with politics.  The episode wraps with "Ask Chuck," where Todd addresses questions about media coverage of Trump, potential Republican party fractures, and Chuck gives his thoughts on Pete Rose's posthumous Hall of Fame eligibility. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Trump’s middle east trip may net some positive results 02:30 Trump won’t work with Democrats on issues they agree on 04:15 Bipartisanship has become toxic 06:30 Trump’s executive order on prescription drugs is meaningless without legislation 07:45 Congress has been useless 08:30 Trump should “get caught trying” bipartisanship 10:00 There are multiple issues where Trump could make bipartisan deals 12:15 Trump made some great points in his middle east speech 13:45 Trump has been pragmatic with his middle east policy  16:30 Trump can’t pick and choose who to be pragmatic with 18:00 The ball is in Trump’s court after Putin turned down peace talks 19:15 Putin is humiliating Trump… will he sit back and take it? 19:50 Does the Omaha mayoral race show a blue wave building?  21:00 Pete Buttigieg admits Joe Biden is political baggage in Iowa town hall 23:30 Chuck Schumer punting on the Biden question was cowardly 25:30 Donald Trump is unpopular and the Democratic brand is still worse 26:15 Ro Khanna joins the Chuck Toddcast!  27:45 Who is the leader of the Democratic party?  28:45 Chuck Schumer has squandered his leadership position  31:30 Rural communities are highly concerned about deportations  32:15 Is Hakeem Jeffries stuck in Nancy Pelosi's shadow?  34:00 How damaged is the Democratic brand and how to fix it?  37:15 Do midwestern voters want to work multigenerational factory jobs?  40:30 NAFTA benefitted the south and hurt the midwest  43:15 Republicans have become the big government party  45:45 Democrats need to work with business leaders  46:45 What caused the rightward shift of the tech leaders?  48:30 Deplatforming Trump was a huge mistake  50:30 Should Kamala Harris be the next governor of California?  53:30 What characteristics will voters be looking for in 2028  55:15 Will Democratic voters want a "celebrity" president?  58:25 What's the lesson learned from Biden's communications failure?  1:00:15 How do Democrats win over independent voters?  1:03:00 One issue he'd work with Trump on?  1:03:45 Will he debate JD Vance?  1:05:45 America's retreat is making the world more dangerous  1:07:15 Rubio needs to step up and assert America globally  1:10:00 It will take a generation to repair America's reputation  1:10:45 When is it appropriate to begin a run for president?  1:12:15 Kamala Harris and her team were too cautious in 24  1:13:45 Gen Z has trust issues with politics 1:15:45 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Ro Khanna 1:16:15 Ask Chuck 1:16:55 Why are reporters not more combative with Trump? 1:19:05 If the Republican party fractures, who would be in the traditional wing? 1:21:45 Pete Rose finally eligible for Hall of Fame posthumously (Timestamps vary based on advertisements)

    1h 28m
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About

The Chuck ToddCast is back! If you're looking for smart, no-nonsense political conversation, you've come to the right place. The Chuck ToddCast goes beyond the headlines, featuring conversations with top reporters, insiders, and newsmakers from D.C. to the heartland. No scripts, no spin—just real discussions about what’s shaping our politics and why it matters.

Information

  • Creator
    Chuck Todd
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2025 Chuck Todd
  • Show Website
    The Chuck ToddCast

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