'Seattle News Weekly': Reaction to President Trump's national address
‘Seattle News Weekly S1E19’: WA reaction to Trump address
On this week's episode of Seattle News Weekly, FOX 13's Bill Wixey is joined by Dr. Patrick Schoettmer of Seattle University to discuss President Trump's national address this week, the reaction in Washington State, and the staggering prices of consumer goods.
SEATTLE - President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room on Wednesday evening, giving a review of his first 11 months back in office.
On this episode of the "Seattle News Weekly" podcast, FOX 13 Seattle Anchor Bill Wixey is joined by Dr. Patrick Schoettmer of Seattle University to discuss President Trump's national address, reaction in Washington state and the staggering prices of consumer goods.
The podcast begins with a quick recap of President Trump's speech, where he says the economy is "just fine," despite rising prices nationwide.
The hosts discuss the levels of voter attention, diving into the demographics of who pays the most attention to politics.
By the numbers:
Dr. Schoettmer notes that retired voters consume the most news, while parents and younger voters typically only tune in during the final months before an election.
Part way into the podcast, the hosts switch gears to discuss the economic debate at hand.
Dr. Schoettmer notes a 2.7% or 2.9% inflation rate, and how it would have been about 2.2% without the tariff.
Dr. Schmotter explains the purpose of tariffs, which is to protect domestic industry, compared to its reality in a globalized economy where parts are imported.
The hosts then talk about political polling and midterm results. Approval ratings in a Washington Post average of national polls in December found a 39% overall approval rating of the Trump administration and a 36% approval rating on the economy.
Dr. Schoettmer brings up the evidence of erosion within the GOP base:
Big picture view:
The topic of foreign policy, specifically with Venezuela, was brought up in the president's speech.
Dr. Schoettmer explains the history of nationalized oil in Venezuela, the Trump administration's relationship with the country and the U.S. history of intervention in Latin America.
What's next:
In the episode, the two unpack Trump’s push to end the filibuster — a strategy to get around the Senate’s supermajority rule — and the hesitation from individual GOP senators.
The episode closes with a discussion about whether the two-term limit applies only to consecutive terms, how the current GOP compares to "personalist parties" and the power Trump holds through his parasocial relationships with supporters.
Join us every Thursday to stay up to date on weekly news around the area.
Seattle News Weekly is a podcast that goes in depth and gives context to the stories that matter to the western Washington community. Check back every Thursday for a new episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, Amazon Music, TuneIn and Audible, or YouTube.
The Source: Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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