Ask Chuck: Focus Groups and Independent Voters

Chuck Todd breaks down the latest NBC News poll, which paints a grim picture for both parties — and especially for Donald Trump’s second term. With only 37% of Americans believing the country is on the right track and financial pessimism at record highs, the public seems to have made up its mind: Trump 2.0 isn’t winning new fans. Chuck examines how Republicans are holding stronger favorability than Trump himself, why immigration remains his only issue advantage, and what Democrats can learn from the midterm mood. As two-thirds of voters say they’re falling behind, Chuck argues that the path to victory this cycle may depend on who runs against Washington — not just who runs it.

Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to examine America’s role in creating the country of Panama and why it’s left a lasting sense of suspicion of the United States in Latin America. He answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and unloads on his Miami Hurricanes after their loss to SMU.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

02:00 New NBC poll 

03:15 The ToddCast will be live on election night!

07:00 First year report card for Donald Trump

07:30 Only 37% of the public believes country is headed in right direction

09:15 Wrong track polling nearly at an all-time high

10:15 The country has made up its mind about Donald Trump, low poll variance

13:00 40% of the country feels positively about Trump

15:30 Republican party has a higher positive rating than the Democrats

17:45 Some voters feel more favorably about the GOP than Trump

20:00 Voters thought they were getting Trump 1.0, Trump 2.0 is not popular 

20:45 Top issues voters are worried about aren’t favorable to Trump

23:00 Border security/immigration is the only issue where Trump is above water

25:00 R’s know Trump’s Venezuela actions are unconstitutional and roll over

27:00 More than half of voters think Trump is undermining the constitution

27:45 2/3rds of the country says they are falling behind financially

29:00 Midterm atmosphere is ripe for the Democrats

31:00 Trump’s high floor is enough to protect him

33:15 Winning Democrats will need to run against Washington

34:30 ToddCast Time Machine 

35:00 This week in 1903 - The US helped create the country of Panama 

35:45 America built nations in Latin America to serve its own interests 

36:30 Winning Spanish-American war turned the U.S. into an empire 

38:00 Roosevelt didn't like Colombia's offer for the canal 

38:45 US warships backed up Colombian separatists 

40:00 Panama Canal opens in 1914 

40:30 Origin of the term "banana republic" 

41:15 Panama was built to serve American commerce 

43:15 It's clear the Trump administration wants to remove Maduro 

44:00 Latin America doesn't trust America's self serving behavior 

46:15 Ask Chuck 

46:45 Are some Republicans finally starting to find their spine? 

52:45 Has anyone been polling independent voters? 

54:15 Why don't Dems agree to open the government for a week or two? 

59:15 Thoughts on Oversight committee members being selected by other party? 

1:01:45 As a father, do you fear for the future and what gives you hope? 

1:06:30 College football recap

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