Hello from Champaign, Illinois.

I am at the University of Illinois doing a day, a visiting day, if you will, to the journalism program here.

A colleague, former colleague runs the program here.

I'm excited about that.

But I wanted to share with you my podcast this week. So I'm Chuck Todd,

and this is the Chuck Toddcast. My guest today is Ben Wickler. He's currently the chairman of the

Democratic Party of Wisconsin. And on Saturday, excuse me, on Sunday, December 1st, he declared himself

a candidate for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

This is just a timestamp for you, but recorded the conversation on Monday, December 2nd.

We had a ton of news over the last few days, and we got into some of it, including the news about President Biden deciding to pardon his son Hunter, which I'm going to have more on in a second.

Before we get started, remember to stick around for an audience question and keep sending us

your suggestions for this year's what if series.

And we're going to do a quick alternative history question at the end of today's episode.

If you have a what if you'd like us to explore or just a question you want to see if we can

answer, email us at the chuck todcast at gmail.com.

But before I get to my conversation with Ben Wickler, and I think if you're curious about the

future of the Democratic Party, I think you're really going to be intrigued by that conversation.

I do want to start with the news over the weekend and the decision by Joe Biden to pardon Hunter Biden.

I've titled my column this week, the Trumpification of Joe Biden.

It may seem like a harsh title, but it is.

And, you know, one of the hallmarks of political character is the ability to put yourself and

your family second to the needs of the public you've chosen to serve. That's the hallmark of

...