Meet the Press Season 2018 Episode 33 September 9, 2018

On September 9, 2018, Meet the Press premiered its 33rd episode of the 2018 season. The long-running political talk show, hosted by Chuck Todd, featured an array of guests and topics, as is typical for the broadcast.

The episode kicked off with a discussion on the impending confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Todd was joined by NBC correspondent Kasie Hunt, former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, and conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt to delve into the potential ramifications of Kavanaugh's appointment and the likelihood of his confirmation by the Senate.

Next, Meet the Press turned its focus to the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and various international partners, most notably China. Joining Todd for this segment were Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan, both of whom offered differing perspectives on the effectiveness of President Trump's aggressive trade policies. Cruz was supportive of Trump's tactics, citing their potential to level the playing field for American workers and businesses, while Ryan expressed concerns about the potential economic fallout of a long-term trade war.

The show also featured a pair of interviews with prominent politicians. First up was Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, who spoke with Todd about the upcoming midterm elections and the party's strategy for winning back control of Congress. Klobuchar praised the surge of women running for office in 2018, noting that they bring a diverse and effective perspective to the political arena. She also emphasized the importance of boosting voter turnout, particularly among young people and traditionally underrepresented groups.

Later in the program, Todd sat down with Republican Senator Jeff Flake to discuss a range of issues, including the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Flake, who had been vocal in his criticism of Trump, expressed his belief that the president had obstructed justice in his attempts to impede the Russia probe. He also discussed his decision to retire from the Senate at the end of his current term, stating that he wanted to work on promoting civility and decency in politics.

Another segment of Meet the Press focused on climate change and its impact on the United States. Todd spoke with Michael Mann, a renowned climate scientist, about the severity of the threat posed by global warming and the need for urgent action to address it. The two discussed the recent heat waves, floods, and other extreme weather events that have occurred across the country, with Mann pointing out that they are consistent with the predictions of climate models.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a roundtable discussion featuring veteran journalists and analysts. The panelists, including MSNBC's Katy Tur and PBS' Yamiche Alcindor, weighed in on the various topics covered throughout the episode, offering insights and perspectives on the current state of American politics.

Overall, the September 9, 2018 episode of Meet the Press provided a wide-ranging and insightful look at the most pressing issues facing the country at the time. From legal battles over Supreme Court nominations to the threat of climate change, the show tackled a broad array of topics with the help of knowledgeable guests and expert analysis.