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.

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A break down of the Harris – Trump presidential debate!

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

00:01:30 – Acknowledging September 11th

• Tribute to 9/11: Becky acknowledges the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks, honoring the victims and first responders.

00:02:30 – Kamala Harris’s Debate Performance

• Initial Impressions of Harris’s Performance: Preya critiques Harris’ shaky start and argues that she failed to define herself, focusing more on baiting Trump than addressing critical issues.
• Will’s Take on Harris: Will praises Harris for handling Trump’s attacks well and maintaining composure throughout the debate.

00:07:00 – Michael’s Take on Harris

• Michael’s Positive Review: Michael believes Harris found her footing and ultimately delivered a powerful performance.

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A break down of post-Labor Day politics: From polls to debates

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

00:01:14 – Labor Day Weekend Recap

• Michael’s Family Wedding and State Fair Experience: Michael shares his experience attending a wedding and visiting the Minnesota State Fair.
• Becky’s Weekend Getaway: Becky discusses her relaxing getaway with college friends in Wisconsin.

00:06:25 – Kamala Harris and Tim Walz Interview Breakdown

• Review of the Joint Interview: Michael and Becky analyze the first joint interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. Michael appreciates the calm and policy-focused nature of the interview, while Becky discusses the challenges Walz faced during the interview and how Harris handled specific questions.

00:09:45 – Kamala Harris’ Policy Highlights

• Middle-Class Focus: Becky highlights Harris’s critical points on supporting the middle class, the ”opportunity economy,” and tax credits for small businesses and first-time homebuyers. Michael and Becky agree that Harris performed well, though there were some moments of contention, particularly regarding her stance on fracking and criticism of Trump.

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A break down about the Democratic National Convention and the state of the race for president

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Will Davis and Preya Samsundar to break down the following:   00:02:00 – Governor Tim Walz’s Speech at the DNC

• Discussion on Walz’s Reception: The hosts and guests discuss Governor Tim Walz’s speech at the DNC, his Midwestern appeal, and how he was received on the national stage. Michael shares his experience attending a DFL event in Mankato, highlighting the enthusiastic crowd and Walz’s connection with his former students.

00:07:00 – Analysis of Walz’s Image and Policies

• Critique of Walz’s Political Image: Preya critiques Walz as a “chameleon” who adapts his policies depending on the political environment. The conversation delves into how Walz’s policies have evolved, particularly as he shifted from representing a rural district to serving as governor.

00:16:00 – Vice President Kamala Harris’s Speech at the DNC

• Reintroduction of Kamala Harris: The hosts analyze Kamala Harris’s speech, noting it was designed to reintroduce her to the American public in a positive light. They discuss how the speech focused on personal anecdotes rather than policy details to make Harris more relatable.

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A break down about the primary election and the Democratic National Convention

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

00:01:00 – Primary Election Recap

• Overview of Primary Results: The hosts discuss the primary election results, focusing on various races, including Congresswoman Fischbach’s domination in CD7 and Omar’s win against Don Samuels in CD5.
• Royce White’s Nomination: Julius and Michael express their disappointment and concerns about Royce White’s nomination as the GOP candidate for Senate, criticizing his controversial views and the potential negative impact on the Republican party.

00:10:00 – CD2 Election Analysis

• Taylor Rahm’s Campaign: Discussion about the confusion and controversy surrounding Taylor Rahm’s campaign in CD2, including his unclear withdrawal and the eventual victory of Joe Tarab.

00:12:00 – CD7 and CD5 Recap

• Fischbach’s Win: The hosts briefly congratulate Congresswoman Fischbach on her primary win in CD7.
• Ilhan Omar vs. Don Samuels: Becky and Julius discuss the rematch in CD5, expressing admiration for Don Samuels and analyzing the challenges faced by his campaign against Omar.

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A break down about why Michael endorsed VP Harris and Gov. Walz, and a preview of the primary election

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

00:01:19 – Michael Brodkorb’s Endorsement of Harris-Walz

• Michael’s Decision to Endorse Harris-Walz: Michael discusses his decision to endorse the Harris-Walz ticket, reflecting on his past voting patterns, dissatisfaction with Trump, and reasons for his current political stance.
• Op-Ed and Public Reaction: Michael elaborates on how his op-ed was received and the internal process that led to his public endorsement.

00:07:00 – Primary Day Elections

• Election Breakdown: The hosts discuss various primary races, including the battle between Royce White and Joe Fraser, the Second Congressional District, and other races in Minnesota.

00:24:33 – Voting and Predictions

• Encouraging Voter Participation: Becky urges listeners to vote and discusses the significance of the ongoing primaries.
• Predictions and Analysis: Michael and Becky share their predictions and analyses of the outcomes in critical races, including Royce White vs. Joe Frazier.

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A break down on the the GOP’s strategy against Harris and Walz

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by former Sen. Michelle Benson and John Rouleau for analysis and commentary on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s rise from football coach to vice presidential candidate.

The conversation delves into Walz’s background, progressive policies, and how the GOP can effectively campaign against the Harris-Walz ticket. The panel examines Walz’s impact on Minnesota, his handling of the George Floyd riots, and his performance in past elections while addressing broader national implications and strategies for the Republican Party.

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

A break down on VP Kamala Harris selecting Governor Tim Walz as her running mate

On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Will Davis to break down the significant political development of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Brodkorb, Scherr, and Davis discuss the implications of Walz’s selection, analyzing his appeal to progressive and moderate voters and its impact on key battleground states. The conversation also explores the potential challenges and opportunities for both Democratic and Republican campaigns, with a particular focus on how Walz’s track record and personality might influence the national stage.

Brodkorb, Scherr, and Davis provide insights into the strategic dynamics, reflecting on past elections and forecasting the road to the Democratic National Convention and beyond.

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