How Trump's Brand Drove the Political Weather

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to Democrats outperforming expectations across the board in Tuesday’s elections — from New Jersey to Georgia — signaling a sharp political rebuke of Donald Trump and his influence over the GOP. He breaks down why the results were more than just a good night for Democrats, how high electric bills and cost-of-living concerns shaped key races, and why even Republican strongholds are starting to shift. With Trump’s tariffs facing likely Supreme Court scrutiny and voters blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, this week’s results could reshape not just the midterm landscape but the future of both parties.

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 Chuck Todd’s introduction

03:30 Tuesday's elections went even better than expected for Democrats 

05:00 Ciaterreli hit all his targets from 2021 and still got blown out 

08:00 High electric bills could have resulted in Dem wins in Georgia 

11:00 Election results were a repudiation of Donald Trump 

12:45 Donald Trump creates the political weather, and voters don't like it 

13:15 Trump blamed the shutdown for the losses, giving Dems more leverage 

15:00 Voters blame R's over D's for the shutdown by 10 point margin 

17:45 We could see more Republican retirements from congress 

19:15 Likely the Supreme Court rules against Trump's tariffs 

21:00 Election results could reshape the redistricting fight 

22:00 When dust settles, redistricting may not swing advantage to either side 

23:30 Cost of living is going to be the defining issue in the midterms 

25:15 Democrats mistake with Latinos was appealing to identity, not class 

26:00 It wasn't a good night for Democrats, it was a GREAT night 

27:30 Republican candidates will start to distance themselves from Trump 

30:15 Democrats now have a reasonable shot at winning the senate

33:30 Ask Chuck 

34:00 Was Mamdani's political skill the difference vs other progressives who lost? 

44:45 Thoughts on Elise Stefanik running for governor of New York? 

49:45 How will Biden's presidency be viewed in 30-40 years? 

55:30 What would Ronald Reagan think about Trump? 

1:04:00 College football preview

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