Listener Q&A: American Unity Platform and Structural Reforms

As the government shutdown stretches on, Chuck Todd breaks down how both parties are calculating the political costs — and why Democrats may have already achieved what they wanted. With air travel disruptions mounting and healthcare debates pulling in new Republican attention, the public’s patience is wearing thin. Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Illinois leaders have escalated, raising questions about the politicization of the military and fairness in immigration enforcement.

He also examines Democrats’ deeper strategic struggles heading into 2026 and beyond — from misreading voters’ frustration with cost of living to failing to invest early in registration and outreach. Inside the party, Virginia rallies around Jay Jones, while figures like Elissa Slotkin and Gavin Newsom position for future national influence. But viral missteps, like Katie Porter’s interview fallout, reveal how Democrats are still struggling to master modern media and messaging in an increasingly short-form political world.

Then, he sits down with Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to unpack how America’s college ranking system went off the rails—and how it’s warping higher education itself. Glastris argues that U.S. News & World Report rewards wealth, not value, pushing schools to chase prestige over affordability and teaching quality. He highlights Berea College as a model for what higher ed could be: a well-endowed school that actually invests in its students rather than its brand.

The two also explore how higher ed’s obsession with research grants and graduate programs has left undergrads behind, and why community and regional universities—where most Americans actually study—deserve more attention and funding. From the decline of community colleges to the disappearance of local journalism, Glastris and Todd make the case for a “New Deal for Higher Education” that values mobility, access, and public service over profit and rankings.

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

03:00 Government shutdown lingers on, Dems accomplished what they wanted

04:15 Air travel starting to be impacted by shutdown

05:30 The healthcare issue has gotten the attention of Republicans

06:30 General public only cares about issues that directly impact them

07:30 Either party could end the shutdown now

09:45 Showdown between Trump & leaders in Chicago escalates

10:45 Using Texas national guard in Illinois is a bridge too far

11:45 Too many leaders on both sides are way too online

13:00 ICE found by judge to be making warrantless arrests

15:15 Trump and Stephen Miller overplaying threat to the public

16:00 Public doesn’t support deployments, wants apolitical military

17:15 Majority of voters think deportation process hasn’t been fair

18:45 Politics getting personal between Trump & Illinois leaders

20:45 There are political risks for both sides

21:45 DNC believes they didn’t spend early & enough to engage voters in 24’

24:15 Democrats takeaways are wrong. Biden was the biggest issue

25:30 Biden team misread the room, voters were upset at cost of living

26:45 DNC has put enough effort into voter registration

27:30 Appears party leaders in VA will rally around Jay Jones

29:15 Democrats willing to engage in GOP style “whataboutism”

30:30 There’s still a vast chunk of America that cares about ethics

32:00 Elisa Slotkin headlining dinner in NH, eyeing run for president?

33:00 Looking like Gavin Newsom will win redistricting referendum

35:00 If California votes yes, it looks like R’s will only pick up 3-4 seats in 26’

35:45 Katie Porter crashes out in viral interview clip, both parties pile on

37:30 Has Porter spent too much time in friendly interview spaces?

39:00 Porter’s response to losing senate primary to Schiff was revealing

40:30 Former Bernie strategist says Dems struggling with short form video

44:00 Paul Glastris joins the Chuck ToddCast 

45:00 Best colleges for the buck? 

47:15 US News ranks colleges in a horrific way 

48:30 Schools prioritize wealth when doing admissions 

51:30 Upward mobility matters more when ranking colleges 

53:15 Schools freak out when they lose ranking status 

54:45 Berea College is best bang for the buck school in America 

56:45 Berea has a massive endowment, but it's used for education 

59:30 Schools focus on post-grad programs rather than undergrad 

1:01:00 Research institutions should be put in their own category 

1:01:30 Trump administration is going after schools with research grants 

1:03:00 We've never seen an administration target college research 

1:04:15 It costs a ton of money to send kids to college now 

1:05:30 Do colleges prioritize hiring researchers or teachers? 

1:08:15 We overproduce academic talent in America 

1:10:15 Smaller schools face massive financial challenges 

1:12:30 Many schools border on predatory 

1:14:00 We need a "new deal" for higher education 

1:16:30 Most people get their BA's at local & regional universities 

1:18:00 America didn't get to making 2 years of college free 

1:19:15 The state of the community college system 

1:20:45 Florida never built a good state system, has no prestige schools 

1:21:45 Florida standardized passing courses counting at every school 

1:23:45 There's a wide disparity of outcomes between community colleges 

1:24:15 Community colleges offer community building activities 

1:26:45 College rankings are an important example of service journalism 

1:28:45 Local journalism was the foundational piece of the profession 

1:30:00 The economic underpinnings of local journalism have been wiped out 

1:32:30 Government and philanthropy can underwrite local journalism 

1:34:30 National opinion journalism undermined local journalism 

1:36:00 Small towns can't afford good journalism

1:43:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Paul Glastris 

1:44:30 Ask Chuck 

1:44:45 Should we offer a tax credit for voting to incentivize participation? 

1:48:45 Thoughts on an "American Unity" platform? What would you include? 

1:55:30 Trump modeling terrible behavior & character for young people? 

2:03:15 Military pay during government shutdown? 

2:05:45 College football preview

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