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.

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

01:30 Government shutdown extends into second week

02:30 Republicans getting more blame, but not a slam dunk for Dems

03:45 The political incentives are to dig in, rather than compromise

05:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states

07:15 Government employees set to start missing paychecks

08:15 Mike Johnson is jamming the senate

09:45 Senate Republicans have been forced into tough votes

11:30 Democrats will have to get to yes at some point

12:30 Stephen Miller's language should be alarming to judiciary

13:30 Trump is trying to incite a violent confrontation with protestors

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

18:15 In prior six months, prices for consumer goods have spiked

19:15 Retailers announcing substantial price increases due to tariffs

21:00 52% drop in soybean exports to China

21:45 Trump floating "socialist" style policies to bail out farmers

23:15 Japan elects a conservative as first female prime minister

25:00 Trump makes dubious claims in defense of striking Venezuelan boats

26:30 Boat attacks are denying due process to foreign citizens

28:15 We're giving a permission slip to thugs & dictators around the world

29:30 Venezuela would be a bigger story if not for the shutdown

30:45 Nominee for Virginia DA, Jay Jones has disturbing texts released

33:15 Candidate apologizes after texts were made public

35:15 What Jay Jones says was disqualifying

37:30 Nobody is being held accountable for faulty character

39:45 Polarization may be so strong that scandals don't matter

41:30 ToddCast Time Machine

41:45 October 11th, 1991 - Anita Hill testified before judiciary committee

42:30 There were no women on the senate judiciary committee

43:30 Hill's testimony was massively consequential for gender equality

45:30 Clarence Thomas was being fast tracked to the Supreme Court

48:00 Anita Hill allegations surface publicly on October 6th

49:00 Hill provides graphic testimony of inappropriate behavior by Thomas

50:45 Hill had a lot to lose and was afraid

51:45 It was the first time sexual harassment entered public zeitgeist

53:00 Gender, race and ideology mixed into toxic political stew

53:30 Senate confirms Thomas in bipartisan vote 5 days later

55:45 Anita Hill has never forgiven Joe Biden for the hearing

57:15 Hill hearings supercharged women's entry into politics

1:00:00 Ask Chuck

1:00:15 Was Hegseth's speech a step towards a presidential campaign?

1:02:45 Dangers of governing with an "ends justify the means" philosophy?

1:05:45 College football update

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Chuck’s Commentary - No Incentive For Congress To End Shutdown + Trump Wants A Violent Confrontation With Protestors

The Chuck ToddCast