A break down about bridging the divide: civil discourse and campaign realities

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

00:01:00 – Panel Introductions

• Introduction of Guests: Michael introduces Representative Elliott Engen, a Republican from White Bear Lake Township, and Julius Hernandez, Director of Advocacy for the Institute of Digital Humanity. They briefly discuss their personal history working together on a campaign in 2020.

00:03:00 – Importance of Bipartisan Conversations

• Setting the Tone: Michael emphasizes the importance of civil discourse between Republicans and Democrats during the election cycle. He praises the platform for fostering conversations between people of differing political views.

00:04:00 – Representative Elliott Engen’s Campaign Experience

• Campaign Insights: Representative Engen shares his experience campaigning in 2020, highlighting the shift in voter concerns from abortion and post-Roe issues to a broader frustration with both political parties.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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 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.

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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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