A Break Down about the VP Debate, Melania Trump’s New Comments on Abortion, Becky’s Review of Ryan Seacrest on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

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

00:00:00 – Introduction

• Hosts Introduction: Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb introduce the episode, discussing the topics for the day, including the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, Melania Trump’s statement on abortion, and the performance of new “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest.

00:01:00 – Vice Presidential Debate Recap

• The VP Debate: Becky describes the debate as civil and issue-focused, a departure from recent political events. Becky and Michael express surprise at the lack of provocations or “fireworks” despite some mild back-and-forth between Vance and Walz.

00:03:00 – Vance’s Debate Performance

• JD Vance’s Goals and Performance: Becky and Michael discuss Vance’s debate performance. Becky argues that Vance successfully positioned himself as an intellectual and credible vice-presidential candidate. Michael expresses skepticism about whether this intellectual image helps Vance connect with voters.

00:08:00 – Walz’s Debate Style and Relatability

• Walz’s Relatability vs. Vance’s Intellectualism: Michael believes Walz’s “coach and dad“ persona makes him more relatable to voters. At the same time, Becky acknowledges that Walz had a nervous start but later regained his footing.

00:13:00 – Debate Environment and Impact of No Audience

• No Audience and Debate Dynamics: Michael and Becky discuss how the lack of a live audience affected the debate, making it feel more sterile and formal. They agree that having an audience would have added energy and allowed candidates to better connect with viewers.

00:17:00 – Moderators and Fact-Checking

• Fact-Checking Controversy: Becky and Michael weigh in on the moderators’ decision to fact-check despite initial agreements not to. Michael stresses the importance of transparency, arguing that debates should adhere to predetermined rules to avoid surprises.

00:23:00 – Key Debate Moments: January 6th and abortion

• JD Vance’s Non-Answer on January 6th: Becky and Michael discuss Vance’s failure to answer directly when asked if Trump won the 2020 election. Both hosts agree that this “damning non-answer“ could harm the Trump-Vance ticket.
• Trump’s Abortion Stance: They also touch on Trump’s abortion-related True Social posts during the debate, where he reiterated his stance of leaving abortion laws to the states.

00:28:00 – Melania Trump’s Statement on Abortion

• Melania Trump’s Strong Pro-Choice Statement: Michael and Becky react to Melania Trump’s forthcoming book, where she takes a clear pro-choice stance, supporting women’s autonomy over abortion decisions. Becky and Michael discuss the potential impact of this statement on the campaign.

00:36:00 – Personal Reflection on Abortion and Healthcare

• Abortion and Healthcare: Becky emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in such decisions involving late-term abortion. She praises Melania Trump for taking a firm stand on the issue, especially given the political climate.

00:45:00 – Wheel of Fortune’s New Host: Ryan Seacrest

• Ryan Seacrest’s Performance: Becky reviews Ryan Seacrest’s first few weeks as the new host of “Wheel of Fortune,“ praising his calm demeanor and ability to maintain the show’s tone. Michael and Becky also touch on Vanna White’s extended contract and Pat Sajak’s ongoing involvement in the show.

00:53:00 – Closing Remarks

• Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes: Michael and Becky wrap up the episode with reflections on the day’s topics, thank listeners, and promote upcoming episodes.

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

A Break Down about the VP Debate, Melania Trump’s New Comments on Abortion, Becky’s Review of Ryan Seacrest on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

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

00:00:00 – Introduction

• Hosts Introduction: Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb introduce the episode, discussing the topics for the day, including the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, Melania Trump’s statement on abortion, and the performance of new “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest.

00:01:00 – Vice Presidential Debate Recap

• The VP Debate: Becky describes the debate as civil and issue-focused, a departure from recent political events. Becky and Michael express surprise at the lack of provocations or “fireworks” despite some mild back-and-forth between Vance and Walz.

00:03:00 – Vance’s Debate Performance

• JD Vance’s Goals and Performance: Becky and Michael discuss Vance’s debate performance. Becky argues that Vance successfully positioned himself as an intellectual and credible vice-presidential candidate. Michael expresses skepticism about whether this intellectual image helps Vance connect with voters.

Read More

A break down about legislative races, MN02, and the Vance – Walz debate

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Will Davis and Anna Mathews to break down the following:

00:00:00 – Introduction and MinnPost Festival Recap

• MinnPost Festival Recap: Becky and Michael recap their first in-person podcast at the MinnPost Festival, where they discussed the Republican Party’s future in Minnesota, took audience questions, and highlighted the positive reception they received.

00:02:30 – Minnesota House Legislative Races

• House Race Overview: Becky, Will and Anna discuss the 134 seats up for grabs in the Minnesota House, the current balance of power (70 Democrats, 64 Republicans), and the potential impact of the upcoming election on the Democratic trifecta.
• DFL Confidence: Will Davis expresses confidence in the Democratic field game and candidate quality, predicting that the DFL will retain the trifecta.
• Republican Perspective: Anna Mathews shares optimism about the Republican Party’s volunteer efforts, citing high turnout and positive polling results outside Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

00:08:00 – Impact of Tim Walz on Down-Ballot Races

• Walz as a Running Mate: Michael Brodkorb and Becky discuss the impact of Gov. Tim Walz being Kamala Harris’ running mate on down-ballot Republican races, noting that Walz’s presence could energize Democrats and Republicans in Minnesota.

00:12:00 – Election Polling and Ground Game

• Polling Analysis: Discuss recent polling data showing close races in Minnesota’s presidential and legislative elections.
• Republican Volunteer Base: Anna highlights the strength of the Trump campaign’s volunteer recruitment in Minnesota and its impact on down-ballot races, particularly in the Minnesota House.

00:22:00 – Minnesota’s Second Congressional District Race

• Race Overview: The panel dives into Minnesota’s competitive 2nd Congressional District, focusing on the race between incumbent Angie Craig and Republican challenger Joe Teirab.
• Campaign Strategies: Anna praises Joe Teirab’s candidacy and hard work, while Will defends Angie Craig’s performance as a moderate Democrat serving her district well.
• Negative Campaign Ads: The discussion also covers recent negative ads in the race, including accusations about Joe Teirab’s stance on abortion and Craig’s rebuttal.

00:33:00 – Vice Presidential Debate Preview

• Debate Expectations: The panel previews the upcoming vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance, discussing debate rules, the lack of live fact-checking, and the unique QR code CBS will offer for fact-checking.
• Performance Predictions: Will and Anna share thoughts on how the candidates’ personalities and debate styles will play out, with expectations that Walz’s passionate approach might clash with Vance’s more stoic demeanor.

00:42:00 – Historical Context and Record Scrutiny

• Walz’s Record: Anna emphasizes that Walz will have to answer for his record as Minnesota governor, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests. Will also points out that these events occurred during Trump’s presidency.

00:47:00 – Potential for Future Debates

• Will Trump Agree to Another Debate?: The panel speculates whether Trump might agree to another debate with Kamala Harris if JD Vance performs poorly in the upcoming debate.

00:50:00 – Football Pick ‘Em League

• Fun Segment on Football: The episode wraps up with a lighthearted discussion about the podcast’s football pick ’em league, with updates on standings and friendly competition between the hosts and guests.

00:52:00 – Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

• Closing Remarks: Michael emphasizes the importance of civil discourse between Republicans and Democrats and thanks Anna and Will for participating in a respectful debate.

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

A break down about legislative races, MN02, and the Vance – Walz debate

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Will Davis and Anna Mathews to break down the following:

00:00:00 – Introduction and MinnPost Festival Recap

• MinnPost Festival Recap: Becky and Michael recap their first in-person podcast at the MinnPost Festival, where they discussed the Republican Party’s future in Minnesota, took audience questions, and highlighted the positive reception they received.

00:02:30 – Minnesota House Legislative Races

• House Race Overview: Becky, Will and Anna discuss the 134 seats up for grabs in the Minnesota House, the current balance of power (70 Democrats, 64 Republicans), and the potential impact of the upcoming election on the Democratic trifecta.
• DFL Confidence: Will Davis expresses confidence in the Democratic field game and candidate quality, predicting that the DFL will retain the trifecta.
• Republican Perspective: Anna Mathews shares optimism about the Republican Party’s volunteer efforts, citing high turnout and positive polling results outside Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

00:08:00 – Impact of Tim Walz on Down-Ballot Races

• Walz as a Running Mate: Michael Brodkorb and Becky discuss the impact of Gov. Tim Walz being Kamala Harris’ running mate on down-ballot Republican races, noting that Walz’s presence could energize Democrats and Republicans in Minnesota.

Read More

Bonus Episode: A Break Down About The Vikings – Packers Game

On this special bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr invite their spouses – Sarah Brodkorb and Joe Scherr – to join them for a lighthearted discussion about the Vikings-Packers rivalry ahead of their upcoming game.

The conversation delves into both households’ divided loyalty between the Vikings and Packers. The episode features humorous banter about the teams’ histories, family dynamics during football season, and playful jabs about loyalty and game predictions.

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

Bonus Episode: A Break Down About The Vikings – Packers Game

On this special bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr invite their spouses – Sarah Brodkorb and Joe Scherr – to join them for a lighthearted discussion about the Vikings-Packers rivalry ahead of their upcoming game.

The conversation delves into both households’ divided loyalty between the Vikings and Packers. The episode features humorous banter about the teams’ histories, family dynamics during football season, and playful jabs about loyalty and game predictions.

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

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

A break down about polls, debate prep, and GOTV tactics

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

00:02:00 – Minnesota Poll Results

• Poll Breakdown: Discussion begins on a Star Tribune poll that shows Kamala Harris and Tim Walz leading over Trump by five percentage points. Preya discusses Republican enthusiasm and the general voter dissatisfaction with both parties’ candidates, while Julius highlights Democratic engagement and excitement, especially with Walz on the ticket.

00:06:00 – Economic Considerations and Enthusiasm Gaps

• Economic Policies and Voter Sentiment: Preya shares that voters may prefer Trump for financial reasons, citing dissatisfaction with Biden-Harris policies. Julius discusses how Democratic support has increased since Harris entered the race and emphasizes grassroots enthusiasm.

00:11:00 – Poll Data Analysis

• Further Poll Insights: The conversation continues by analyzing specific poll data, including Harris’s’ lead in urban areas and Trump’s dominance in rural areas. Becky and Julius express surprise at Trump’s lead in the suburban metro area.

00:14:00 – Republican Strategy in Minnesota

• Suburban Voters and Campaign Strategy: Preya discusses the importance of suburban voters and Republicans’ focus on Walz’s handling of the 2020 riots, which may affect his appeal outside Minneapolis-St. Paul.

00:17:00 – Comparing 2020 to 2024

• Ground Game Comparison: Becky and Michael compare the 2020 election to the current race, discussing how robust Trump’s campaign efforts were in Minnesota in 2020 versus the apparent lack of significant campaign infrastructure in 2024.

00:25:00 – National Polling Insights

• NBC Poll and Favorability Ratings: Becky highlights Kamala Harris’s rising favorability, which has jumped 16 points since July, noting that it is the most significant increase in NBC News polling history. Preya attributes this rise to media bias and the lack of scrutiny directed at Harris.

00:33:00 – Ground Game and Local Campaigns

• Campaign Infrastructure in Minnesota: Becky highlights the substantial difference between Harris’s and Trump’s ground game efforts in Minnesota, noting that the Harris campaign has 24 paid offices and over 100 staff members, while the Trump campaign’s presence is more limited.

00:36:00 – National GOP Ground Game Challenges

• Republican Ground Game Nationally: Preya shares insights on the challenges facing the Trump campaign’s ground game in Minnesota and other states, referencing the differences in RNC strategy and infrastructure compared to previous election cycles.

00:41:00 – Targeting Low Propensity Voters

• Trump Campaign Strategy: Discussion about the Trump campaign’s decision to target low-propensity voters, with mixed opinions on whether this strategy will be effective. Julius comments on the potential risks of investing resources into low-turnout voters.

00:52:00 – Taylor Swift’s Voter Registration Impact

• Swift’s Endorsement and Voter Surge: Becky discusses Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris, which led to a surge in voter registrations in Minnesota. The panel debates the impact of celebrity endorsements on voter turnout and the importance of voter registration efforts.

00:55:00 – Vice Presidential Debate Preview

• Debate Overview: The episode ends with a preview of the upcoming vice-presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The hosts and guests discuss the importance of the debate, debate prep strategies, and the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses.

UPCOMING EVENT: The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky has been invited to the 2024 MinnPost Festival on September 28th. This exciting full-day event will feature speakers from Minnesota and some national voices.

The Break Down will be hosting a live podcast from the event and would like to invite you to join us. Click here to purchase tickets! Use the code BREAKDOWN to take advantage of a 30% discount. 

We would love to see you in person!

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

A break down about civility and the upcoming MinnPost Festival

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Tanner Curl and Jake Loesch to break down the following:

00:00:00 – Introduction and MinnPost Festival

• Hosts Introduction: Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb introduce the podcast with two guests: Tanner Curl, Executive Director of MinnPost, and Jake Loesch, Executive Director of the Citizens League.
• Discussion of MinnPost Festival: Tanner Curl shares details about the upcoming MinnPost Festival, the variety of speakers, and its focus on shaping Minnesota’s future through civil conversations and policy discussions.

00:06:00 – Becky and Michael’s Role in the MinnPost Festival

• Overview of their Session: Becky and Michael discuss their upcoming session at the MinnPost Festival, titled “Turning the Tide: Reviving the Republican Vision in Minnesota,” with guests John Rouleau and former State Senator Michelle Benson.
• Focus on the Republican Party’s Future: The conversation focuses on revitalizing the Republican Party in Minnesota and the importance of maintaining a two-party system.

00:09:30 – National Voter Registration Day

• Importance of Voter Registration: Becky and Michael discuss National Voter Registration Day, reminding listeners to check their registration status and participate in early voting in Minnesota.
• Impact of Down-Ballot Races: They highlight the significance of voting in local and legislative elections, mentioning how close just a few votes decide some races.

00:11:00 – Early Voting in Minnesota

• Promoting Early Voting: Discuss the start of early voting in Minnesota on September 20th and how to vote by mail or in person.
• Election Day Experiences: Becky and Michael share personal anecdotes about their experiences voting on Election Day, with Becky emphasizing her passion for voting in person and supporting election workers.

00:13:00 – Football Talk

• Football League and Competition: The hosts shift to a light-hearted discussion about their fantasy football league and weekly picks. Michael boasts about his top position in the league, while Becky shares her struggles after a poor week of picks.

00:16:00 – Minnesota Vikings Game Recap

• Vikings vs. 49ers Game: Michael describes his experience attending the Vikings game, commenting on the unusually high number of 49ers fans and the intense heat during the game.

00:21:00 – The Brimley Cocoon Line

• Michael Passes Brimley Cocoon Line: Michael shares a fun personal milestone, explaining how he crossed the “Brimley Cocoon Line,” which marks Wilford Brimley’s age when he filmed the movie “Cocoon.”

00:27:00 – Second Presidential Debate Cancellation

• Trump’s Refusal to Participate: Becky and Michael discuss Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the second presidential debate with Kamala Harris. Michael criticizes the move and calls it a missed opportunity for meaningful political debate.

00:33:00 – Civility in Politics and Polarization

• Interview with Jake Loesch: Jake Loesch joins the conversation and discusses the importance of civility in politics, the need to lower the temperature of political rhetoric, and how to engage in meaningful conversations across party lines.
• Citizens League’s Role: Jake explains the Citizens League’s work in fostering civic engagement and civil discourse, emphasizing its focus on creating spaces for nonpartisan discussions on important policy issues.

00:44:00 – Social Media’s Impact on Politics

• Role of Social Media in Polarization: The group discusses how social media contributes to polarization by creating echo chambers and amplifying extreme viewpoints. They reflect on the need to find common ground and seek diverse perspectives in online conversations.

00:51:00 – Tools for Civil Discourse

• Encouraging Curiosity and Dialogue: Jake and Becky offer tips for fostering civil political conversations, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, asking questions, and understanding different perspectives to bridge divides in political discourse.

UPCOMING EVENT: The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky has been invited to the 2024 MinnPost Festival on September 28th. This exciting full-day event will feature speakers from Minnesota and some national voices.

The Break Down will be hosting a live podcast from the event and would like to invite you to join us. Click here to purchase tickets! Use the code BREAKDOWN to take advantage of a 30% discount. 

We would love to see you in person!

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