Historical Role of Corruption in Political Waves

Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what would happen if any other public figure behaved this way, why similar concerns about Biden’s decline were openly discussed while Trump’s are often brushed aside, and whether the country is getting a straight story about the former president’s health. With no clear guardrails, no apparent filters, and staff either unable or unwilling to intervene, the episode raises uncomfortable but urgent questions about judgment, accountability, and risk. He also examines recent polling on the issue of corruption, and why it could be a potent electoral issue if messaged correctly.

Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 book recommendations for political junkies and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

02:45 Money in politics has gotten out of control

03:45 North Carolina senate race will likely cost a billion dollars

04:30 One outside group can spend more than both campaigns combined

05:00 An amendment is the only way get campaign finance past judiciary

05:45 The judiciary has legislated campaign finance from the bench

07:30 Does the latest outrage over Trump’s Reiner tweet mean anything?

08:30 Trump’s post was a bridge too far for even some on the right

09:00 If any of us posted that, it would cost us jobs, relationships & more

10:30 At what point is Trump’s behavior 25th amendment type alarming?

11:15 Either his staff said something & he ignored it, or nobody said anything

12:15 Biden’s mental decline was apparent

14:00 Judging Trump’s mental decline is harder due to erratic behavior

17:15 It’s possible Trump feared one of his supporters murdered Reiner

18:00 Having a president with no filter should concern every American

19:15 You have to wonder if Trump is all there, all the time

21:00 We aren’t getting a straight story about Trump’s health

22:30 Concerns people on the right had about Biden, are happening w/Trump

23:45 Trump’s behavior is bad for the country & the Republican party

25:00 Voters will punish the GOP if they feel Trump’s decline was covered up

26:45 This story is only going to get worse as time goes on

28:30 New polling out on voters opinions & thoughts on corruption

29:15 What voters think corruption actually means

32:15 The voters are more sophisticated on corruption than politicians are

33:30 Large majorities thought government serves the rich & businesses

35:00 There’s an appetite for government & democracy reform

36:15 Majority of independents saw corruption in both Trump & Biden admins

37:30 Framing issues through lens of corruption could resonate

38:45 Connecting affordability to corruption could be very effective

45:45 ToddCast Top 5 books for your reading list

46:15 #5 The Drift by Kevin Hassett

49:45 #4 Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

51:45 #3 The Barn by Wright Thompson

53:15 #2 107 Days by Kamala Harris

55:45 #1 Fateful Hours by Volker Ullrich

58:15 Ask Chuck

58:30 Appreciation for the quick reaction videos/pods

1:01:30 Omission of “Citizen Kang” from Simpsons time machine segment

1:03:15 Could a Democrat win the Florida senate race? 

1:07:15 Why don’t reporters challenge Trump to his face about his behavior?

1:14:00 Why haven’t Democrats leaned into breaking up big monopolies?

1:19:00 How has interview prep changed from MTP to now?

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