Meet the Press Season 2018 Episode 32 September 2, 2018

On September 2nd, 2018, Meet the Press aired its 32nd episode of the year. This political talk show features in-depth analyses and interviews on the current state of politics in the United States. The specific episode covered a range of topics, including the ongoing trade war with China, the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and the state of the Democratic Party heading into the midterm elections.

Host Chuck Todd began the show by discussing the effects of the tariffs imposed on China by President Trump. He spoke with two experts on the subject, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and economist Dean Baker. Lighthizer argued that the tariffs were a necessary step in order to level the playing field for American businesses and address longstanding issues in the U.S.-China trade relationship. Baker, on the other hand, expressed concern about the potential impact on consumers and small businesses.

The next segment of the show focused on the contentious confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Todd spoke with two Senators, Republican Chris Coons and Democrat Cory Booker, about their concerns and expectations for the hearings. Coons expressed his disappointment with the lack of transparency surrounding Kavanaugh's record, while Booker emphasized the importance of protecting civil rights and the rule of law in the confirmation process.

The final segment of the show delved into the state of the Democratic Party heading into the midterm elections. Todd spoke with two prominent Democratic officials, Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, about the party's strategy for winning back control of Congress. Both Hickenlooper and Ryan emphasized the need for Democrats to focus on issues that resonate with voters in their respective states, rather than relying solely on a national message.

Overall, this episode of Meet the Press provided a comprehensive and insightful look at some of the most pressing political issues of the day. With its mix of expert analysis and interviews with key players in the political world, the show remains an important source of information and analysis for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of American politics.