A Break Down About a Former MAGA Insider’s Journey: A Conversation with Rich Logis

On this special bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb breaks down the following:

In this thought-provoking episode, Michael candidly discusses with Rich Logis, a former ardent supporter of the MAGA movement and Trump. Rich shares his transformation from being a prominent MAGA activist to co-chairing Republicans for Harris in Florida.

The conversation delves into his initial attraction to Trump, his disillusionment during Trump’s presidency, and the pivotal events that led to his departure from MAGA. Rich also discusses the importance of diversifying news sources, the myths perpetuated within MAGA, and his optimism for reconciliation and positive political change post-election.

This episode provides crucial insights and a unique perspective on navigating political disillusionment and finding common ground in a deeply divided landscape.

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A break down about polls, messaging, and the final days of the election

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by John Rouleau and Julius Hernandez to break down the following:

00:01:30 – Celebrating Two Years of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky!

• Podcast Anniversary: Becky and Michael reflect on two years of the podcast, expressing gratitude for each other and the meaningful conversations they’ve shared with guests over time.

00:03:00 – Minnesota Polls: Contrasting Results 

• Poll Analysis: The group discusses recent MinnPost and KSTP polls showing varying leads for Harris and Trump in Minnesota. 
• Julius and John on Poll Accuracy: Julius supports the MinnPost poll, suggesting Harris has a solid lead, while John explains the challenges of polling methodology and voter turnout predictions.

00:10:00 – Gender-Based Voter Trends and Male Support for Trump 

• Trump’s Appeal to Male Voters: The discussion focuses on Trump’s efforts to engage young men, mainly through media figures like Joe Rogan. 
• Shift in Male Voter Support: Becky and Julius debate if Trump has seen a decline in male support, especially among younger and Black male voters.

00:15:00 – Reproductive Rights and Voter Motivation 

• Impact of Abortion on Voter Decisions: The group explores how abortion remains a priority for both male and female voters, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 
• Conversations with Republican Men: Michael shares insights about Republicans supporting Harris-Walz due to their stance on reproductive rights.

00:20:00 – Geographic Voter Trends and Split-Ticket Voting in Minnesota 

• Rural vs. Urban Voter Divide: Trump continues performing well in rural areas, while Harris leads in urban and suburban regions. 
• Impact of Split-Ticket Voting: Becky and the panelists speculate that Minnesota voters may back Harris-Walz at the top of the ticket while voting for Republicans in legislative races.

00:31:00 – Suburban Voters and Legislative Control 

• Suburban Swing Districts: The conversation shifts to the importance of suburban voters in deciding control of the Minnesota House and Senate. 
• Voter Priorities: John and Julius highlight the frustration with polarized politics and the potential for moderates to push for legislative balance.

00:40:00 – Kamala Harris’s CNN Town Hall Performance 

• Town Hall Analysis: The panel reviews Kamala Harris’ CNN Town Hall, praising her efforts but noting areas where the messaging could have been stronger. 
• Challenges of Differentiating from Biden: Julius argues that Harris’s campaign struggles with separating her identity from Biden’s presidency while maintaining voter trust.

00:45:00 – Trump’s Madison Square Garden Rally and Controversial Comments 

• Event Criticism: The group discusses Trump’s rally, criticizing its focus on inflammatory rhetoric and lack of meaningful outreach to undecided voters. 
• Strategic Mistake: Michael points out that focusing on a base-only strategy this close to the election could limit Trump’s ability to attract swing voters.

00:50:00 – Kamala Harris’ Speech at the Ellipse 

• Positive Message and Unity: Michael and Julius praise Harris’ speech for its inclusive tone and focus on national unity. 
• Comparison with Trump’s Messaging: The panel contrasts Harris’ coalition-building approach with Trump’s divisive rhetoric.

01:00:00 – Double Standards in Media Coverage of Harris and Trump 

• Media Bias Discussion: The panel debates whether the media holds Harris to a higher standard than Trump, citing differences in scrutiny. 
• Public Perception of Candidates: Julius suggests that the double standard in coverage may affect voter perception and create additional challenges for Harris’s campaign.

01:16:00 – Nikki Haley Criticizes Trump Campaign’s Outreach to Women

• No Haley: Becky discusses Nikki Haley, sharing that Haley has not communicated with Trump since June and is waiting to be called to campaign for him. Scherr expresses shock that there has been no outreach to Haley, 
• Haley Not Needed: Rouleau argues that Haley’s support within the GOP is overstated, suggesting that while she is an eloquent spokesperson, her impact as a surrogate might be limited in a presidential race.

01:22:00 – Halloween and Michael Reads Mean Posts

• Halloween: The discussion shifts to everyone’s excitement about Halloween.
• Michael Reads Means Posts: Michael reflects on the challenges of supporting candidates across party lines by reading mean comments he has received on social media. 

01:30:00 – Closing Remarks and Reflections 

• Anniversary Reflections: Becky and Michael thank the audience and guests for their support throughout the podcast’s two years. 
• Looking Ahead: The hosts tease future episodes and encourage listeners to stay engaged in the political process.

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode this week.

Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

Bonus Episode: Fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh in Minnesota, Kelly on Trump

On this special bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr break down the following:

00:01:00 – Republicans and Independents for Harris Event

• Event Details: Michael describes the panel discussion, emphasizing former Rep. Joe Walsh’s enthusiasm and Tom Horner’s policy focus.
• Sobering Message: Michael reflects on Tom Heffelfinger’s remarks about the importance of the upcoming election, calling it a serious and thought-provoking discussion.

00:07:00 – John Kelly’s Revelations about Trump

• John Kelly’s Claims: Becky outlines John Kelly’s claims that Trump praised Hitler and admired authoritarian leadership styles.
• Response to the Claims: Michael shares his struggle with the timing and content of these revelations but acknowledges the credibility of Kelly’s account, given his stature.

00:11:00 – Balancing Free Speech and Political Discussion

• Challenges of Discussing Controversial Statements: Michael and Becky reflect on the difficulty of navigating such severe topics in political discourse without being hyperbolic.
• Trump’s Denial: Becky expresses skepticism about Trump’s denial, believing Kelly’s statements to be more credible.

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A break down on the GOP case for Trump-Vance vs. Harris-Walz

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Ryan Wilson, the Republican-endorsed candidate for State Auditor in 2022, to break down the following:

00:01:00 – Ryan Wilson’s Op-Ed and Suburban Voter Appeal

• Discussion of the Op-Ed: Ryan explains why he wrote the op-ed supporting Trump-Vance, countering Michael’s prior piece supporting Harris-Walz.
• Key Policy Points: Ryan emphasizes how the Trump-Vance agenda supports the economy, family values, and public safety, targeting suburban families and middle-class voters.

00:04:00 – Economic Policy Debate 

• Economics Policies: Ryan argues that the Trump-Vance ticket offers strong economic policies to support the middle class and job creation. At the same time, Michael criticizes Trump’s financial track record and praises Harris-Walz’s economic approach.

00:10:00 – Public Safety and Immigration 

• Public Safety and Crime Policies: Ryan defends the Trump-Vance campaign’s focus on law enforcement and immigration policies, including border security and addressing the fentanyl crisis.
• Michael’s Counterpoint: Michael questions Trump’s immigration promises, arguing that previous campaign promises, like building the wall, were not fulfilled.

00:17:00 – First Amendment and Free Speech 

• Protecting Free Speech and Religious Liberties: Ryan discusses the importance of protecting First Amendment rights and highlights the Trump administration’s record in defending free speech and religious freedoms.
• Michael’s Critique: Michael points out inconsistencies in Trump’s rhetoric around free speech, including attacks on the media.

00:24:00 – Reflections on Civil Discourse and Bipartisanship 

• Importance of Constructive Dialogue: Michael, Becky, and Ryan reflect on the importance of respectful political conversations and agree that the episode provides a model for bipartisan discussion.

00:27:00 – Michael’s Trip to a “Republicans for Harris” Event 

• Michael’s Pennsylvania Experience: Michael shares his experience attending a “Republicans for Harris” event, meeting Vice President Harris, and engaging with other Republican supporters.
• Challenges of Being a Republican for Harris: He reflects on the personal challenges of supporting Harris in a polarized political climate.

00:40:00 – McDonald’s and the Presidential Race 

• McDonald’s in the Campaign Spotlight: Becky and Michael discuss the odd controversy surrounding Kamala Harris’ McDonald’s work history and Trump’s staged event at a McDonald’s drive-through.
• McDonald’s Response: They highlight McDonald’s public statement distancing the brand from political endorsements.

00:50:00 – Football Pick ’em League Update 

• League Update: Becky and Michael update their football pick-’em league standings and engage in friendly banter about their competition.

00:53:00 – Closing Remarks 

• Wrap-Up: Michael and Becky reflect on the importance of meaningful conversations and look forward to future episodes, including a potential bonus episode.

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode this week.

Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

A break down about polls, politics, and the road to Election Day

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr break down the following:

00:04:00 – JD Vance’s Visit to Minnesota

• Discussion of Vance’s Appearance: Becky and Michael analyze JD Vance’s private fundraising event and press stop at the 3rd Precinct in Minneapolis.
• Campaign Strategy Criticism: They debate the need for more public events and the absence of enthusiasm, suggesting that the Trump-Vance campaign focuses on raising money rather than engaging with voters in Minnesota.

00:12:00 – NBC Poll and Presidential Race Analysis

• Discussion of Poll Results: Becky and Michael discuss the latest NBC poll showing a neck-and-neck race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
• Gender Gap in Support: They highlight the significant gender divide in voter support, with Harris leading among women and Trump leading among men.

00:22:00 – Swing State Polling and Election Predictions

• Analysis of Swing State Trends: Michael and Becky discuss the tight polling margins in swing states and the possibility of an “October surprise.”
• Flip-of-the-Coin Election: Michael predicts the race will remain very close until Election Day, emphasizing the volatility of daily polling shifts.

00:30:00 – Impact of Abortion on the Election

• Abortion as a Key Issue: Becky and Michael explore how abortion remains a top issue for voters and the divide between pro-choice and pro-life voters.
• Public Sentiment on Healthcare Decisions: Michael shares insights on Republican voters supporting Harris-Walz due to concerns over government involvement in healthcare decisions.

00:35:00 – Campaign Stops and Strategy

• Trump’s Focus on Non-Swing States: The discussion shifts to Trump’s recent events in New York, California, and Illinois, with Michael critiquing the targeting of non-competitive states.
• Missed Opportunities: Becky argues that Trump’s strategy ignores the potential impact of campaign rallies in swing states for voter engagement.

00:45:00 – The Role of Social Media in Campaigning

• Social Media Influence: Becky and Michael discuss how social media, especially TikTok, shapes campaign narratives and voter outreach.
• Michael’s TikTok Journey: Michael shares his experience joining TikTok and its potential as a platform for political messaging.

00:50:00 – FEMA, Misinformation, and Relief Efforts

• Follow-Up on FEMA and Misinformation: Becky reflects on a conversation with Bryan Strawser about misinformation targeting FEMA workers and the challenges of relief efforts.
• Impact of False Narratives: Michael emphasizes the importance of accurate information in disaster response to prevent dangerous situations.

00:55:00 – Football Pick ’em League and Friendly Competition

• League Update: Becky and Michael update their football pick-’em league standings and engage in friendly banter about their competition.

01:05:00 – Closing Remarks

• Final Thoughts: Becky and Michael reflect on the significance of the upcoming election and encourage listeners to stay engaged.

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode this week.

Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe