Reflections on Political Engagement

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump’s trolling of Chicago and his administration’s push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. Meanwhile, Democrats face their own identity struggles, from the risks of being tied to “socialism” with Latino voters to Bernie Sanders’ refusal to formally join the party. Plus, a look ahead to the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, where three strong contenders could reshape the party’s future

Then, physician-turned-politician Abdul El-Sayed joins Chuck to discuss why he left medicine for the rough-and-tumble of politics. From the challenges of running for office with a foreign name to centering his campaign on improving life for children, El-Sayed argues that healthcare isn’t just about access—it’s about fairness. He pulls back the curtain on a system where insurers and hospital CEOs collude to inflate prices, pharmaceutical companies raise costs simply because they can, and Americans are tricked into thinking “choice” in healthcare actually benefits them.

The conversation doesn’t stop at healthcare—it spans the crisis of trust in public health, the lessons El-Sayed learned from his 2018 gubernatorial run, and the corrosive role of money in politics. He weighs in on Gretchen Whitmer’s record, Trump’s overreach beyond Article II, and what sets him apart in Michigan’s Senate race. And in a moment of global reflection, El-Sayed takes on the politics of genocide—from Israel and Gaza to China’s treatment of the Uighurs—arguing that calling atrocities by their name is a test of values, even when nuance is hard to find in today’s polarized climate.

Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Introduction

04:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid

05:15 Trump’s trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted

06:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago

08:30 The administration’s aggressive application of the term “terrorism”
10:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely

12:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela

13:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists

16:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 

19:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 

20:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 

21:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 

23:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 

24:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 

26:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 

29:00 The progressive left won't succeed if they're associated with socialism 

30:45 "Socialism" isn't rebrandable with Latino voters 

31:45 Bernie Sanders still hasn't joined the Democratic party 

33:15 Michigan Democratic senate primary has 3 great candidates

33:45 Abdul El-Sayed joins the Chuck ToddCast 

35:30 What made you choose politics when your background is medicine? 

37:15 The challenge of running for office with a foreign name 

38:15 Centering politics around improving the world for children 

39:15 Disparities in access to health care based on money and connections 

40:45 Health insurance is getting worse despite rising cost 

42:00 Insurers and hospital CEOs collude to raise prices 

44:00 What should be the cost expectation for pharmaceuticals? 

45:30 Pharma companies raise prices because they can 

46:30 RFK Jr. shouldn't be anywhere near healthcare 

47:30 The impact of the internet on public health 

49:30 The crisis Kennedy is creating at HHS and CDC 

50:15 How can we restore trust in public health authorities? 

52:30 MAHA's appeal is the idea you can control your health future 

53:45 Parallels between public health and education 

55:30 Health relies on both the individual and public health 

56:30 Healthcare industry has tricked the public using concept of "choice" 

58:15 Would you keep a semi-privatized system under medicare for all? 

1:00:45 Health networks curtail choice and raise prices 

1:02:15 What did you learn from your 2018 run for governor? 

1:04:45 The disease of our political system is money buying politicians and policy 

1:06:00 Trump spoke to economic pain and was able to reach voters 

1:07:30 Assessment of Gretchen Whitmer's governorship 

1:09:30 Whitmer tried to work with Trump at times, will you? 

1:11:30 Trump is exercising far more power than Article 2 permits 

1:13:15 Differences between you and your opponents for MI senate? 

1:14:00 Taking corporate money is a major philosophical difference 

1:16:30 Reforming public health will require healthcare pros in D.C. 

1:18:15 The trend of public health officials running for office 

1:20:30 How much will Israel/Gaza factor into the election? 

1:21:45 Calling something a genocide when you see it is a values test 

1:23:00 Was Israel justified in going after Hamas? How much was justifiable? 

1:24:00 The extremes on both sides of the war strengthen each other 

1:25:00 We aim, arm and abet Israeli leaders who don't want two states 

1:26:00 Tax dollars should benefit taxpayers, not foreign militaries 

1:27:00 It's difficult to find nuance in our current politics 

1:29:15 Money in politics make it difficult to have an honest conversation 

1:30:00 Having a nuanced conversation around the world genocide 

1:32:15 The holocaust can't set the bar for use of the term "genocide" 

1:33:45 Is China committing genocide of the Uighurs? 

1:35:00 Using the word genocide can just "switch off" voters

1:42:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 

1:44:15 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 

1:45:15 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 1974 

1:47:00 The case for pardoning Nixon 

1:49:15 The case against pardoning Nixon 

1:52:00 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 

1:53:15 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 

1:55:00 Nixon never got his due process 

1:56:15 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 

1:56:45 College football update 

2:00:45 Ask Chuck 

2:01:15 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire

 2:04:15 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 

2:08:00 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park?

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