Why Mayors Tend To Be Pragmatic

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the second week of the government shutdown, explaining why Republicans are taking most of the blame—but why it’s not an automatic win for Democrats. He breaks down the political incentives that keep both sides digging in, Trump’s efforts to punish his own voters in blue states, and the growing risk of violent confrontations with protestors. Chuck also explores how the shutdown intersects with pressing economic and foreign policy issues, from spiking consumer prices and tariff-driven disruptions in agriculture to Trump’s controversial actions involving Venezuela and the implications for international norms.

The discussion shifts to domestic politics, where Chuck looks at the fallout from the Virginia DA nominee Jay Jones’s released texts, and what they reveal about accountability—or the lack thereof—in an era of extreme polarization. With scandals often failing to stick in today’s divided environment, the episode paints a picture of a government and a political culture under strain, struggling to address crises both at home and abroad.

Then, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins Chuck to talk about why mayors often stand apart from the hyper-polarized world of national politics. With no partisan primaries to cater to, Holt argues that mayors are forced to be pragmatic and bipartisan—because when city leaders fail, the public notices quickly. He describes how Oklahoma City reflects the political and demographic balance of the country, why federal dollars matter more than federal agents when it comes to public safety, and how cities are tackling challenges from police recruitment to affordable housing.

The conversation also touches on the unique role sports and culture play in a city’s identity, from Oklahoma City’s investment in a new arena for the Thunder to preparing for Olympic events. Holt warns of the risks of growing too fast, as seen in places like Austin and Nashville, and reflects on how the decline of local news has made it harder to communicate with residents. From social media outreach to funding journalism, Holt lays out the modern challenges and opportunities for cities trying to govern effectively while Washington remains gridlocked.

Finally, Chuck hops in the ToddCast Time Machine and digs into the longstanding impacts of the Anita Hill hearings, answers listeners questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and gives his college football update.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Mayors have to govern for all voters

04:30 Government shutdown extends into second week

05:30 Republicans getting more blame, but not a slam dunk for Dems

06:45 The political incentives are to dig in, rather than compromise

08:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states

10:15 Government employees set to start missing paychecks

11:15 Mike Johnson is jamming the senate

12:45 Senate Republicans have been forced into tough votes

14:30 Democrats will have to get to yes at some point

15:30 Stephen Miller’s language should be alarming to judiciary

16:30 Trump is trying to incite a violent confrontation with protestors

18:15 Making shutdown fight about healthcare was signal to moderate voters

21:15 In prior six months, prices for consumer goods have spiked

22:15 Retailers announcing substantial price increases due to tariffs

24:00 52% drop in soybean exports to China

24:45 Trump floating “socialist” style policies to bail out farmers

26:15 Japan elects a conservative as first female prime minister

28:00 Trump makes dubious claims in defense of striking Venezuelan boats

29:30 Boat attacks are denying due process to foreign citizens

31:15 We’re giving a permission slip to thugs & dictators around the world

32:30 Venezuela would be a bigger story if not for the shutdown

33:45 Nominee for Virginia DA, Jay Jones has disturbing texts released

36:15 Candidate apologizes after texts were made public

38:15 What Jay Jones says was disqualifying

40:30 Nobody is being held accountable for faulty character

42:45 Polarization may be so strong that scandals don’t matter

45:15 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 

46:00 What is the conference of mayors? 

47:00 Mayors are uniquely bipartisan in this political environment 

48:00 How has polarization not made its way into mayor's offices 

48:30 Mayor have to get things done 

49:30 When mayors screw up the public notices 

50:15 Mayors don't face partisan primaries 

51:45 The lack of primaries makes mayors govern in a bipartisan way 

53:45 Primaries are the "source of all evil" in American politics 

55:15 Does bipartisan nature of the conference put you at disadvantage w/Trump 

56:45 Mayors can't govern & cater only to their base 

58:15 Oklahoma City is a political & demographic microcosm of the country 

1:00:15 Many cities are struggling to hire more police officers 

1:02:00 Trump sending troops into cities for law enforcement isn't helpful 

1:02:45 Crime doesn't really happen "in the streets" 

1:03:45 Hiring incentives for ICE is hurting police recruiting 

1:05:00 Cities are having to offer much higher salaries for police officers 

1:06:15 Federal dollars are better than federal agents for local enforcement 

1:07:15 Youth programs are important to preventing crime 

1:08:45 Local governments need federal help to reduce housing costs 

1:12:00 How do you control housing costs in a free market system? 

1:13:45 Government subsidies incentivize construction of low cost housing 

1:15:45 Ways to incentivize landlords not to raise rents too quickly 

1:18:00 Will cities run into a budget crisis now that covid money has dried up? 

1:19:15 OKC didn't use federal covid money for ongoing expenses 

1:21:15 OKC used taxpayer money to get the Thunder a new arena 

1:23:00 A major sports team is one of the best things a city can have 

1:24:15 Concerned about OKC growing too fast? 

1:25:45 Austin & Nashville grew too fast & caused quality of life issues 

1:27:00 OKC hosting several Olympic events 

1:28:45 Difficulties communicating to public with the decline of local news 

1:30:00 Even when local news covers stories, the public doesn't read it 

1:31:00 Using social media to communicate with constituents 

1:32:45 Funding local news & journalism 

1:34:45 Is Oklahoma State out after Oklahoma move to SEC?

1:37:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with David Holt 

1:38:45 ToddCast Time Machine 

1:39:00 October 11th, 1991 - Anita Hill testified before judiciary committee 

1:39:45 There were no women on the senate judiciary committee 

1:40:45 Hill's testimony was massively consequential for gender equality 

1:42:45 Clarence Thomas was being fast tracked to the Supreme Court 

1:45:15 Anita Hill allegations surface publicly on October 6th 

1:46:15 Hill provides graphic testimony of inappropriate behavior by Thomas 

1:48:00 Hill had a lot to lose and was afraid 

1:49:00 It was the first time sexual harassment entered public zeitgeist 

1:50:15 Gender, race and ideology mixed into toxic political stew 

1:50:45 Senate confirms Thomas in bipartisan vote 5 days later 

1:53:00 Anita Hill has never forgiven Joe Biden for the hearing 

1:54:30 Hill hearings supercharged women's entry into politics 

1:57:15 Ask Chuck 

1:57:30 Was Hegseth's speech a step towards a presidential campaign? 

2:00:00 Dangers of governing with an "ends justify the means" philosophy? 

2:03:00 College football update

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