On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down the absurdity of the U.S. government repeatedly grinding to a halt over government shutdowns. He explains why disruptions like TSA slowdowns and flight delays could force a faster resolution, why this standoff likely won’t last beyond a couple of weeks, and how Republicans may try to negotiate, only to walk back agreements through budget rescissions—or even consider ending the filibuster to reopen government. Chuck also examines the Democrats’ post-Obama resilience, built on being seen as the “grown ups,” while Trump continues to erode norms, politicize governance, and set the tone for a crasser American culture. From the decisive swing of a 3-5 point “adult constituency” to Trump’s retributive budget plans, fundraising battles in Maine and Michigan, and even Trump’s transactional dealings with Qatar and Pfizer, this episode explores the fragile state of U.S. politics in an era where outrage is constant and functional governance feels increasingly out of reach.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.
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Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Ridiculous for world’s superpower to have their government shut down
02:00 Flight delays, TSA issues could cause the fastest resolution
04:00 Would be surprising if shutdown lasts longer than a couple weeks
05:00 Vance signaled some willingness to negotiate
06:30 Republicans can agree to demands, then use recissions to renege
07:30 Republicans could end the filibuster and reopen the government
08:30 Nominations should require a 75 vote threshold build consensus
10:00 2013 shutdown got Terry McCauliffe elected as VA governor
11:15 Trump has politicized every aspect of governance
12:00 Russ Vought targeting cuts to only blue states in retribution
14:45 What has kept the Democrats competitive post-Obama?
15:30 Dems have benefitted from being considered the “grown ups”
16:00 Dem activists feel like playing by the rules hasn’t helped them
18:30 Six week clean CR proposal was reasonable
19:45 The “adult” constituency may be 3-5 points, and could be decisive
21:30 Trump’s behavior has been outrageous, but we’ve become numb to it
22:45 We’re in a “political depression”, have a barely functioning government
24:45 There’s no lines Trump won’t cross, there are lines the left won’t
26:15 American culture has become more crass under Trump
28:15 Our sense of decorum is being set by Trump and online MAGA
30:15 Graham Platner raised $3.2 million in Maine senate race
32:00 Is Janet Mills the strongest candidate to beat Susan Collins?
33:00 Being an “outsider” will likely outweigh ideology
35:00 Michigan democratic senate candidates all have strong fundraising
36:00 Trump offers NATO style security guarantees to Qatar
37:00 Airplane gift to Trump paying dividends for the Qataris
38:00 Pfizer agrees to name website TrumpRX
40:30 Trump nominee pulled after opposition from crypto world
42:30 Ask Chuck
42:45 Has anyone else ever started run for president as early as Trump? 50:15 Thoughts on use of centralized databases for voter rolls?
55:00 Why do government workers get back pay after a shutdown?
1:00:00 If Josh Shapiro dominates re-election could he leapfrog the Dem field?
1:03:15 College football preview
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