The Chuck ToddCast

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a rapidly shifting 2026 political landscape beginning with Susan Collins’ decision to seek re-election in what could become the toughest race of her career, a contest that may prove pivotal in a potentially tied Senate where Democrats could even attempt to court Lisa Murkowski. Chuck explores how Collins’ choice reshapes the map, why an open Maine seat would have favored Democrats, and how outsider candidates like Graham Platner may challenge both party establishments. The conversation widens to key battleground developments in Texas and Florida, including Alexander Vindman’s Senate bid and the risks of divisive primaries, while Republicans face mounting structural challenges and a slipping grip on the House. Chuck also examines why Democrats are expanding their target map, what could still derail a major Democratic wave, and the intensifying fight over voting legislation like the SAVE Act—arguing that partisan “poison pills” have deepened gridlock and made meaningful compromise in Washington increasingly rare.
Then, Chuck sits down with John Conyers III to discuss his deeply personal memoir "My Father's House." Far from a typical political biography, this book offers a raw, unflinching look at what it's like to grow up as the son of legendary civil rights congressman John Conyers Jr.—inheriting a legacy you never chose and navigating between worlds of poverty and power. John opens up about the family betrayal that triggered his father's 2017 resignation, the complicated truth about Rosa Parks' final years, and his own journey from the music industry to confronting his predetermined path. This isn't hagiography or exposé—it's a son trying to understand how a public giant could be both indispensable to a movement and deeply flawed in private.
The conversation ranges from the intimate—John's anger at having expectations placed on him, his career as a songwriter and producer—to broader questions about how we reckon with complicated heroes, from his father to MLK to LeBron James. Todd and Conyers explore Detroit's cultural legacy, the emotional toll of creative work, and what it means to accept the full humanity of the figures we elevate. It's a fascinating discussion about legacy, identity, and the cost of living in a house built by history, featuring unexpected detours into NBA debates and why Detroit will always be a cultural exporter, not an importer.
Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics and a bonus Top 5 list of things that shouldn’t be. Plus, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
03:30 Susan Collins announces she’ll run for re-election
04:15 2026 will be the toughest race Collins has ever faced
05:15 In a 50-50 senate, Dems will court Murkowski to flip parties
06:00 Trump doesn’t court challengers for Susan Collins
08:30 Had Collins not sought re-election, it’s a guaranteed Dem win
10:00 Platner will be able to run against both party establishments
11:15 Developments in Texas have been terrible for Republicans
11:45 Surprising that Turning Point would tie themselves to Ken Paxton
13:00 The last things Dems need is a racially divisive primary in TX
13:45 Alexander Vindman joins Florida senate race
16:30 Vindman fits profile of Dem that can win in a light red state
17:30 The house has slipped away from GOP, can they hold the senate?
18:45 It would take a major outside event to change environment for GOP
20:00 Dems add new seats to their target list
21:45 Only thing standing between Dems & huge win is their nominees
23:30 Republicans are trying to shove through the SAVE Act
24:15 SAVE Act unnecessarily complicates trying to vote
25:30 SAVE Act & HR1 were loaded with poison pills
26:30 Neither side willing to compromise to pass these bills
28:15 Poison pills were features, not bugs
37:30 John Conyers III joins the Chuck ToddCast
38:45 The unexpected insider account
40:00 Caught between two worlds
41:00 The book that almost wasn't
41:45 The breaking news that changed everything
43:15 Family betrayal and the leak
44:00 The conversation that never happened
45:15 Identity wrapped in work
48:45 Rosa Parks and the untold story
53:15 The anger of expectations
1:00:45 Watching power up close
1:09:15 The music business years
1:17:00 Detroit's cultural legacy
1:21:45 The complications of heroism
1:28:00 MLK's complexity and humanity
1:35:00 Detroit's next cultural chapter
1:36:00 NBA talk: The Pistons and Giannis
1:38:00 LeBron's impossible standard
1:40:00 Magic Johnson's underrated legacy
1:41:45 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with John Conyers III
1:42:15 A few changes to law drove wave of congressional retirements
1:45:45 ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics
1:46:30 #5 Corporations used to be able to give directly to candidates
1:48:15 #4 Party machines openly bought votes
1:49:00 #3 Federal jobs used as campaign currency
1:50:45 #2 Candidates could accept unlimited, anonymous cash
1:52:00 #1 Candidates could keep their war chest after leaving office
1:52:45 Top 5 list of legal things in politics that should be made illegal
1:53:15 #5 Members of congress trading stocks
1:55:30 #4 Leadership PACs
1:56:15 #3 Lobbyist bundling
1:57:30 #2 Members of congress can negotiate a future job & still vote
1:59:00 #1 Presidential pardon power
2:01:00 Ask Chuck
2:01:15 Can Trump be unpopular and still be a populist?
2:03:00 What happened to the Supreme Court tariffs case?
2:04:45 Sharice Davids eyeing a run for senate?
2:06:45 How can we heal as a country while swamped with divisive content?
2:09:30 How could the media better explain the levels of Trump’s corruption
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd sits down with John Conyers III to discuss his deeply personal memoir "My Father's House." Far from a typical political biography, this book offers a raw, unflinching look at what it's like to grow up as the son of legendary civil rights congressman John Conyers Jr.—inheriting a legacy you never chose and navigating between worlds of poverty and power. John opens up about the family betrayal that triggered his father's 2017 resignation, the complicated truth about Rosa Parks' final years, and his own journey from the music industry to confronting his predetermined path. This isn't hagiography or exposé—it's a son trying to understand how a public giant could be both indispensable to a movement and deeply flawed in private.
The conversation ranges from the intimate—John's anger at having expectations placed on him, his career as a songwriter and producer—to broader questions about how we reckon with complicated heroes, from his father to MLK to LeBron James. Todd and Conyers explore Detroit's cultural legacy, the emotional toll of creative work, and what it means to accept the full humanity of the figures we elevate. It's a fascinating discussion about legacy, identity, and the cost of living in a house built by history, featuring unexpected detours into NBA debates and why Detroit will always be a cultural exporter, not an importer.
Timeline:
00:00 - John Conyers III joins the Chuck Toddcast
01:15 - The unexpected insider account
02:30 - Caught between two worlds
03:30 - The book that almost wasn't
04:15 - The breaking news that changed everything
05:45 - Family betrayal and the leak
06:30 - The conversation that never happened
07:45 - Identity wrapped in work
11:15 - Rosa Parks and the untold story
15:45 - The anger of expectations
23:15 - Watching power up close
31:45 - The music business years
39:30 - Detroit's cultural legacy
44:15 - The complications of heroism
50:30 - MLK's complexity and humanity
57:30 - Detroit's next cultural chapter
58:30 - NBA talk: The Pistons and Giannis
01:00:30 - LeBron's impossible standard
01:02:30- Magic Johnson's underrated legacy
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a rapidly shifting 2026 political landscape beginning with Susan Collins’ decision to seek re-election in what could become the toughest race of her career, a contest that may prove pivotal in a potentially tied Senate where Democrats could even attempt to court Lisa Murkowski. Chuck explores how Collins’ choice reshapes the map, why an open Maine seat would have favored Democrats, and how outsider candidates like Graham Platner may challenge both party establishments. The conversation widens to key battleground developments in Texas and Florida, including Alexander Vindman’s Senate bid and the risks of divisive primaries, while Republicans face mounting structural challenges and a slipping grip on the House. Chuck also examines why Democrats are expanding their target map, what could still derail a major Democratic wave, and the intensifying fight over voting legislation like the SAVE Act—arguing that partisan “poison pills” have deepened gridlock and made meaningful compromise in Washington increasingly rare.
Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics and a bonus Top 5 list of things that shouldn’t be. Plus, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
01:30 Susan Collins announces she’ll run for re-election
02:15 2026 will be the toughest race Collins has ever faced
03:15 In a 50-50 senate, Dems will court Murkowski to flip parties
04:00 Trump doesn’t court challengers for Susan Collins
06:30 Had Collins not sought re-election, it’s a guaranteed Dem win
08:00 Platner will be able to run against both party establishments
09:15 Developments in Texas have been terrible for Republicans
09:45 Surprising that Turning Point would tie themselves to Ken Paxton
11:00 The last things Dems need is a racially divisive primary in TX
11:45 Alexander Vindman joins Florida senate race
14:30 Vindman fits profile of Dem that can win in a light red state
15:30 The house has slipped away from GOP, can they hold the senate?
16:45 It would take a major outside event to change environment for GOP
18:00 Dems add new seats to their target list
19:45 Only thing standing between Dems & huge win is their nominees
21:30 Republicans are trying to shove through the SAVE Act
22:15 SAVE Act unnecessarily complicates trying to vote
23:30 SAVE Act & HR1 were loaded with poison pills
24:30 Neither side willing to compromise to pass these bills
26:15 Poison pills were features, not bugs
35:00 A few changes to law drove wave of congressional retirements
38:30 ToddCast Top 5 crazy things that used to be LEGAL in politics
39:15 #5 Corporations used to be able to give directly to candidates
41:00 #4 Party machines openly bought votes
41:45 #3 Federal jobs used as campaign currency
43:30 #2 Candidates could accept unlimited, anonymous cash
44:45 #1 Candidates could keep their war chest after leaving office
45:30 Top 5 list of legal things in politics that should be made illegal
46:00 #5 Members of congress trading stocks
48:15 #4 Leadership PACs
49:00 #3 Lobbyist bundling
50:15 #2 Members of congress can negotiate a future job & still vote
51:45 #1 Presidential pardon power
53:45 Ask Chuck
54:00 Can Trump be unpopular and still be a populist?
55:45 What happened to the Supreme Court tariffs case?
57:30 Sharice Davids eyeing a run for senate?
59:30 How can we heal as a country while swamped with divisive content?
1:02:15 How could the media better explain the levels of Trump’s corruption
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November.
Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution as tensions mount between the U.S. & Iran, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Super Bowl reaction
03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture
04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy
06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years
10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas
11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism
11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it
13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week
14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages
15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration
16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon
17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive
19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him
21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal
23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S.
24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans
24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress
27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party
28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics
29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap
31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election
35:00 Redistricting could create even more retirements
36:15 Two more special elections swung massively toward Democrats
37:15 Any Republican in a 59% or less Trump district is in danger
39:30 Almost no scenario where Republicans hold the house
40:45 Inconceivable that Trump recovers his approval rating by Nov.
42:30 The Epstein file releases keep getting worse and worse for Trump
51:00 Send us your guest requests & suggestions!
52:45 Will Lewis resigns, cements himself as worst publisher of WaPo
53:45 The Washington Post will fade into irrelevance after layoffs
55:00 Lack of local coverage bad for DC sports teams & venues
56:30 Team owners in DC should help fund local coverage
58:30 WaPo owner & publisher weren’t willing to own the layoffs
59:00 ToddCast Time Machine - February 11th 1979
59:15 Iranian shah’s regime collapsed, created Islamic Republic
1:00:15 Iran/Persia is one of the longest continuing states in history
1:01:45 Persia was neutral in WW1 & had its sovereignty violated
1:02:30 Collapse of Ottoman empire led to new states created by European powers
1:03:30 There’s a long history of small D democracy in Iran
1:04:30 The Shah’s project was forced modernization
1:05:45 The coup turned the Shah into the central pillar of the state
1:06:45 U.S. violating Iran’s sovereignty created anti-Americanism
1:08:00 Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as symbol of the resistance
1:08:45 Shah decided to expel Khamenei, gave him more rhetorical power
1:10:00 The Iranian revolution was broad based, but the clerical faction won
1:10:45 Hostage crisis came 9 months after the revolution
1:11:15 If we intervene now, it would be on the side of the Iranian people
1:12:30 Intervening on behalf of democracy works better than self-interest
1:13:15 Transactional politics without a moral code bites us in the ass
1:14:30 Ask Chuck
1:14:45 If Trump proved he was 2020 winner, does that make 2024 win unconstitutional?
1:18:30 Is it better for ethical people to stay in government to prevent someone worse?
1:22:30 Why not include Mississippi as state for Dems to target by 2032?
1:25:45 Causes for both alarm & optimism
1:29:00 Should MLB change the rule for intentional walks to make it two bases?
1:31:15 Some nicknames for the Trump/UAE corruption scandal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November.
Then, former White House Chief of Staff & Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s political and economic future. He discusses why the 2028 election will be about what’s ahead—not what’s behind—and argues that understanding AI, energy, and the changing nature of work is now essential for anyone seeking leadership. Emanuel makes the case that education and vocational training remain the clearest pathway to the middle class, warns about declining reading proficiency, and examines what schools must do to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. He also explores how both parties lost their way on education, why fundamentals matter, and what voters are really demanding from the system.
The discussion then turns sharply to politics, power, and the health of American institutions. Emanuel weighs in on Trump-era controversies, Congress’s weakened role, and concerns about election integrity and the post-election environment. He outlines how Democrats can rebuild a winning coalition by welcoming independents and former Republicans, focusing on economic fairness, and preparing for a potential 2026 wave election. The episode closes with a global lens—covering U.S.–Israel dynamics, political polarization, wealth inequality, and whether national service could help reunite a fractured country—framing a central question: if the midterms fail to reset the trajectory, what comes next for American democracy?
Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Super Bowl reaction
03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture
04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy
06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years
10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas
11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism
11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it
13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week
14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages
15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration
16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon
17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive
19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him
21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal
23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S.
24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans
24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress
27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party
28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics
29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap
31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election
35:00 Redistricting could create even more retirements
36:15 Two more special elections swung massively toward Democrats
37:15 Any Republican in a 59% or less Trump district is in danger
39:30 Almost no scenario where Republicans hold the house
40:45 Inconceivable that Trump recovers his approval rating by Nov.
42:30 The Epstein file releases keep getting worse and worse for Trump
56:15 Rahm Emmanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast
57:45 What does the average week look like for Rahm Emmanuel?
58:45 Trying to get a good understanding of AI & energy distribution
59:45 Candidates better understand AI because it’s driving economy
1:00:15 2028 election will be about the future not the past
1:01:45 Education and vocational training are the ticket to middle class
1:03:15 Coding used to be the most sought after skill, now it’s irrelevant
1:04:15 How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world?
1:05:45 AI won’t eliminate vocational professionals
1:07:30 Students are at a 30 year low in reading proficiency
1:08:15 Education is a highly motivating issue for voters
1:08:45 Vouchers don’t help rural communities
1:09:45 GOP has abandoned public ed, Dems abandoned accountability
1:11:00 Governors used to compete to be the “education governor”
1:11:45 Lotteries became the popular way to fund public education
1:12:30 Mississippi found a successful education model & it was copied
1:15:00 If schools focus on the fundamentals, scores go up
1:16:30 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst in history
1:18:00 Trump is supposed to work for the voters checkbook, not his own
1:18:45 Trump’s pardons are almost exclusively for white collar crime
1:20:30 Congress has completely abdicated their responsibility
1:22:00 Founders were very worried about a corrupt executive
1:23:30 Major international shakeups and DNI is at Georgia election office
1:25:00 There are certain features of elections Trump can’t screw with
1:26:45 Rahm is more worried about the post election environment
1:27:30 The institutions have failed, but the people will protect this country
1:28:15 Worried that Mike Johnson may screw with the seating of new congress
1:29:15 Mike Johnson doesn’t have Mike Pence’s courage
1:31:45 What issues should Democrats should prioritize to win elections
1:32:45 2026 will be a wave election, presents chance to win local/state races
1:34:15 Tax refunds won’t be the electoral boon Republicans think they will
1:35:00 There’s no upside to being a long-term planner in American politics
1:36:15 What states should Dems target outside the 7 battlegrounds?
1:37:00 Never Trump Republicans finding more affinity with Democratic party
1:38:00 Democrats need to welcome former Republicans & independents
1:39:15 Unaffiliated voters are where you get your electoral majority
1:40:45 Progressive vs. Moderate viability for Democrats
1:43:15 Democratic electorate is always looking for someone new
1:44:15 The future will be on the ballot in 2028
1:46:30 Biden promised to unite the country & only united his party. It’s why he failed
1:48:00 Mandatory national service could help reunite the country
1:51:15 Entire tax code is built around wealth preservation, not creating wealth
1:53:15 People are tired by the ultra rich playing by their own set of rules
1:54:15 WaPo is an institution, and Bezos is gutting it against public interest
1:56:45 How welcome will a Jewish candidate be in a Democratic primary?
1:58:15 Separating the Jewish people/religion from Bibi’s government
2:00:00 Bibi’s governance has made Israel more vulnerable and isolated
2:01:00 Did we export our politics to Israel or are we emulating them?
2:02:00 If Democrats fail to win the midterms… then what?
2:04:00 Send us your guest requests & suggestions!
2:05:45 Will Lewis resigns, cements himself as worst publisher of WaPo
2:06:45 The Washington Post will fade into irrelevance after layoffs
2:08:00 Lack of local coverage bad for DC sports teams & venues
2:09:30 Team owners in DC should help fund local coverage
2:11:30 WaPo owner & publisher weren’t willing to own the layoffs
2:12:00 ToddCast Time Machine - February 11th 1979
2:12:15 Iranian shah’s regime collapsed, created Islamic Republic
2:13:15 Iran/Persia is one of the longest continuing states in history
2:14:45 Persia was neutral in WW1 & had its sovereignty violated
2:15:30 Collapse of Ottoman empire led to new states created by European powers
2:16:30 There’s a long history of small D democracy in Iran
2:17:30 The Shah’s project was forced modernization
2:18:45 The coup turned the Shah into the central pillar of the state
2:19:45 U.S. violating Iran’s sovereignty created anti-Americanism
2:21:00 Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as symbol of the resistance
2:21:45 Shah decided to expel Khamenei, gave him more rhetorical power
2:23:00 The Iranian revolution was broad based, but the clerical faction won
2:23:45 Hostage crisis came 9 months after the revolution
2:24:15 If we intervene now, it would be on the side of the Iranian people
2:25:30 Intervening on behalf of democracy works better than self-interest
2:26:15 Transactional politics without a moral code bites us in the ass
2:27:30 Ask Chuck
2:27:45 If Trump proved he was 2020 winner, does that make 2024 win unconstitutional?
2:31:30 Is it better for ethical people to stay in government to prevent someone worse?
2:35:30 Why not include Mississippi as state for Dems to target by 2032?
2:38:45 Causes for both alarm & optimism
2:42:00 Should MLB change the rule for intentional walks to make it two bases?
2:44:15 Some nicknames for the Trump/UAE corruption scandal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.