The lack of “moral leadership” from politicians in the age of Trump to solve great problems led Chuck Todd to conclude Sunday’s Meet the Press by declaring “we’re living in what feels like a more dark period.”
Todd ended the NBC show by revealing that before the program the panel had voted “social ills” as the number one story of the past decade, specifically gun killings at schools and the opioid crisis. After New York Times reporter Helene Cooper rued that in the wake of Sandy Hook, “We were willing to prioritize our gun rights over protecting children in elementary schools,” Todd lamented: “It’s a reminder of how little Americans turn to politicians anymore for moral leadership because our politicians have totally failed on these two crisis.”
Liberal historian Doris Kearns Goodwin regretted that “losing trust in government means losing trust in our collective ability to do something,” but, she added: “There were positive things about these ‘10s, there was activism...more women ran and won than ever before! A lot more people interested in politics. There’s an arc to this decade. You have to see the positives.”
At which point, Todd jumped in: “You have to see it as a historian. In 30 years, this decade may be reviewed differently than we’re reviewing it now. We’re living in what feels like a more dark period.”
And then he wrapped up the show on that final dour note: “And I have five seconds. Sorry, guys. That’s all we have for today. Thank you for watching. Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah and everything.”
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