Meet the Press Season 2020 Episode 38 September 27, 2020

On September 27, 2020, Meet the Press season 2020 episode 38 aired, featuring interviews with key political figures and analysis of current events shaping the presidential race. The episode delved into the fallout from the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the subsequent nomination by President Donald Trump of Amy Coney Barrett to take her place on the high court. The roundtable discussion focused on how Barrett's nomination would play out in the coming weeks leading up to the election and the impact it could have on the Senate's balance of power.

The show began with an interview with Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez, who discussed the party's strategy for the final weeks of the campaign and the role of young voters in shaping the outcome of the election. Perez emphasized the urgency of the moment, saying that "we are literally fighting for the soul of our democracy" and urging Americans to vote early and vote safely. He also criticized the Republicans' rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, calling it a "brazen power grab" that threatens to undermine the legitimacy of the court.

The second segment featured an interview with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), who defended the Republicans' decision to move forward with Barrett's nomination despite the proximity to the election. Blunt argued that the Constitution gives the president and the Senate the authority to fill a vacant seat on the Supreme Court at any time, and that Barrett is eminently qualified for the job. He also expressed confidence that the Senate would be able to confirm her before Election Day.

The roundtable discussion then turned to the political implications of Barrett's nomination. The panelists, which included NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, Republican strategist Al Cardenas, and Democratic strategist James Carville, discussed how the issue could energize both parties' bases and shape the outcome of key Senate races. They also debated the merits of expanding the Supreme Court to counterbalance a conservative majority, with Cardenas arguing that such a move would be unconstitutional and Carville arguing that it may be necessary to protect the rights of minorities.

The final segment of the show focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting the election. The panelists discussed the efficacy of the Trump administration's response to the crisis and the political repercussions of the continued spread of the virus. They also examined the role of misinformation and conspiracy theories in shaping public opinion, with Mitchell warning that the proliferation of false information could "undermine the very fabric of our democracy."

Overall, Meet the Press's September 27, 2020 episode provided in-depth analysis of the major issues driving the presidential election, from the Supreme Court nomination to the pandemic. The show's diverse panel of experts offered nuanced perspectives on these complex topics, helping viewers better understand the current political landscape and the stakes of the upcoming election.