The Rise of Independent Candidates

Chuck Todd begins by reacting to Paramount agreeing to settle Trump’s bogus 60 Minutes lawsuit and explains why it’s demoralizing for journalists and delegitimizing for corporate owned media. He also dives into the news that Trump has cut off weapons shipments to Ukraine despite a large majority of Americans supporting Ukraine and why it makes strategic sense to do so.

Then, Chuck is joined by Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly for an in-depth conversation about Florida's evolving political landscape and his own remarkable transformation from GOP loyalist to Democratic candidate. Jolly shares his Florida origin story and analyzes how the state's politics have shifted, exploring whether Miami's political evolution offers hope for broader American reconciliation. The discussion delves into immigration dynamics, examining why some immigrant communities have gravitated toward Republicans and the potential backlash from deportation policies, while also addressing whether Democratic socialism remains politically toxic in South Florida.

Jolly recounts his political evolution, emphasizing that while his policy positions have changed, his core values remain constant. He reflects on pivotal moments including the Pulse nightclub shooting that served as a reckoning for his views on gun ownership, his departure from the NRA after rejecting their "quid pro quo" offer for an A rating, and his decision to run as a Democrat rather than an Independent. Throughout, Jolly offers candid insights into Florida's systemic challenges—from the unaffordable "Florida dream" and housing crisis exacerbated by hurricane risks, to 27 years of Republican trifecta rule that he argues has led to corruption, gutted public schools through voucher programs, and political interference with state universities. The discussion also touches on everything from NIL regulations in college sports to public financing for professional stadiums, painting a comprehensive picture of Florida's political and social complexities.

Finally, in homage to Independence Day, Chuck examines the state of “independents” and third-parties and explains why the appetite for candidates outside the two party system is higher than ever.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction 

01:45 Paramount agrees to pay off Trump’s CBS lawsuit to secure merger

03:00 The pay off stains all corporate media and news

04:15 It is a gut punch for practicing journalists

06:00 Corporate owned media are losing their legitimacy

08:15 There’s no good explanation for capitulation

10:30 For media to have credibility, they have to be ethical

11:30 Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine

13:00 A majority of the American public supports Ukraine

15:45 Supporting Ukraine makes strategic sense for the U.S.

17:30 The Russians helped Trump in 20016, even if there wasn’t collusion

19:00 American news doesn’t prioritize covering the war

20:30 David Jolly joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

21:15 David's Florida origin story 

23:00 The current state of Florida's politics 

24:45 The "Florida dream" is becoming out of reach 

27:30 Is Miami's political evolution a sign of hope for the rest of America? 

28:45 Backlash to deportations from Florida's immigrant communities? 

29:45 What caused immigrants to gravitate towards Republicans?

 31:15 Cruelty and broken promises are the two themes of deportations 

32:30 Is Democratic socialism politically toxic in south Florida? 

34:15 Balancing housing affordability with hurricane safety 

36:30 Private insurers can't keep up with risk 

37:45 Remove hurricane damage from private insurance policies 

38:45 David's political evolution from Republican to Democrat 

42:15 His policy positions have changed, his values have not 

43:30 What do responsible gun ownership laws look like? 

44:15 Differences between a Bush 41 and Bush 43 Republican? 

45:15 The NRA's "quid pro quo" offer for A rating 

46:30 Pulse nightclub shooting was a reckoning for him 

48:30 Running as a Democrats vs an Independent 

53:00 Too many Floridians are living paycheck to paycheck 

54:15 Republicans have had a trifecta in Florida for 27 years 

55:15 Corruption in Florida politics 

57:15 Florida's public school system has been gutted due to voucher program 

59:15 Vouchers have just subsidized the private schools 

1:01:00 There's no vetting process for charter/private schools 

1:03:30 Republican meddling with Florida's universities 

1:05:45 De-politicizing government job appointments 

1:08:45 Should the state play a role in regulating NIL in college sports? 

1:11:45 Public financing for professional sport stadiums? 

1:13:15 Would the Rays be more successful in Tampa or Orlando? 

1:14:30 Favorite governors you'd lean on if elected?

1:16:00 What's happening in third party and independent politics 

1:17:00 Ballot access is a huge deterrent for third party candidates 

1:18:45 Update on independent candidates around the country 

1:21:00 Huge appetite for independent & third party candidates 

1:22:00 Many states have big pools of independent voters 

1:31:15 If voters want change, they have to challenge the status quo 

1:34:00 Democratic socialists need a rebrand, not a new agenda