On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins Chuck to talk about why mayors often stand apart from the hyper-polarized world of national politics. With no partisan primaries to cater to, Holt argues that mayors are forced to be pragmatic and bipartisan—because when city leaders fail, the public notices quickly. He describes how Oklahoma City reflects the political and demographic balance of the country, why federal dollars matter more than federal agents when it comes to public safety, and how cities are tackling challenges from police recruitment to affordable housing.

The conversation also touches on the unique role sports and culture play in a city’s identity, from Oklahoma City’s investment in a new arena for the Thunder to preparing for Olympic events. Holt warns of the risks of growing too fast, as seen in places like Austin and Nashville, and reflects on how the decline of local news has made it harder to communicate with residents. From social media outreach to funding journalism, Holt lays out the modern challenges and opportunities for cities trying to govern effectively while Washington remains gridlocked.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast

00:45 What is the conference of mayors?

01:45 Mayors are uniquely bipartisan in this political environment

02:45 How has polarization not made its way into mayor’s offices

03:15 Mayor have to get things done

04:15 When mayors screw up the public notices

05:00 Mayors don’t face partisan primaries

06:30 The lack of primaries makes mayors govern in a bipartisan way

08:30 Primaries are the “source of all evil” in American politics

10:00 Does bipartisan nature of the conference put you at disadvantage w/Trump

11:30 Mayors can’t govern & cater only to their base

13:00 Oklahoma City is a political & demographic microcosm of the country

15:00 Many cities are struggling to hire more police officers

16:45 Trump sending troops into cities for law enforcement isn’t helpful

17:30 Crime doesn’t really happen “in the streets”

18:30 Hiring incentives for ICE is hurting police recruiting

19:45 Cities are having to offer much higher salaries for police officers

21:00 Federal dollars are better than federal agents for local enforcement

22:00 Youth programs are important to preventing crime

23:30 Local governments need federal help to reduce housing costs

26:45 How do you control housing costs in a free market system?

28:30 Government subsidies incentivize construction of low cost housing

30:30 Ways to incentivize landlords not to raise rents too quickly

32:45 Will cities run into a budget crisis now that covid money has dried up?

34:00 OKC didn’t use federal covid money for ongoing expenses

36:00 OKC used taxpayer money to get the Thunder a new arena

37:45 A major sports team is one of the best things a city can have

39:00 Concerned about OKC growing too fast?

40:30 Austin & Nashville grew too fast & caused quality of life issues

41:45 OKC hosting several Olympic events

43:30 Difficulties communicating to public with the decline of local news

44:45 Even when local news covers stories, the public doesn’t read it

45:45 Using social media to communicate with constituents

47:30 Funding local news & journalism

49:30 Is Oklahoma State out after Oklahoma move to SEC?

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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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