Michael Brodkorb

A break down on the GOP’s path forward in Minnesota

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

Preya Samsundar shares insights from her recent Star Tribune op-ed urging Minnesota Republicans to learn from their continued mistakes, which have prevented them from winning a statewide election since 2006.

The conversation touches on Trump’s cabinet appointments, effective candidate selection, and the challenges within the Minnesota GOP. 

Michael also discusses his recent Star Tribune op-ed reflecting on his decision to Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. Then, they dive into a nuanced discussion about the future of the GOP, electoral strategies, and the importance of thoughtful introspection.

• 00:00 Introduction 
• 00:24 Welcoming Preya Samsundar
• 01:02 Discussion on Minnesota Republicans’ Mistakes
• 01:52 Analyzing Royce White’s Candidacy
• 05:33 Impact of Candidate Selection on Elections
• 06:16 Challenges in the Republican Endorsement Process
• 09:27 Royce White’s Influence on Down-Ballot Races
• 21:41 Quality Control in Candidate Selection
• 39:19 Trump’s New Cabinet Appointees
• 40:22 Cabinet Picks and Political Commentary
• 41:34 RFK Jr. and Vaccine Controversy
• 48:12 Matt Gaetz and Senate Confirmation Speculations
• 52:10 Sean Duffy and Other Cabinet Picks
• 01:01:39 Trump’s First Amendment Concerns
• 01:05:05 Reflections on the Election and Republican Strategy
• 01:15:26 Fantasy Football and Closing Remarks

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

Minnesota’s Election Results: Analysis and Insights with David Fitzsimmons

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

Joined by political expert David Fitzsimmons, the trio examines the Republican party’s significant victories. They delve into the trends observed on the campaign trail and speculate on what it takes for Republicans to win statewide in Minnesota.

The episode also covers the latest Trump administration appointments, including the controversial picks for Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. This insightful discussion provides a comprehensive analysis of current political dynamics and forecasts for the future.

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A Break Down of the Election Results

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

The recent election results from Minnesota to the presidential race. They discuss the outcomes in the Minnesota state legislature, the unexpected tie in the Minnesota House, and key races to watch as we approach 2026. Most of the discussion focuses on the presidential race and how Donald Trump emerged victorious. 

Michael and Becky also reflect on their live stream experience during election night, reviewing the turnout, the competitive congressional districts in Minnesota, and their predictions. Becky emphasizes the underlying issues influencing voter behavior, particularly economic concerns. 

Meanwhile, Michael explains his stance on election denialism and the importance of acknowledging election results to uphold democracy. The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future and a commitment to ongoing political analysis. 

• 00:00 Introduction and Election Day Recap
• 00:47 Live Stream Reflections and Reactions
• 02:52 Analyzing Election Results and Predictions
• 06:51 Minnesota State Legislature Breakdown
• 11:17 Minnesota Congressional Seats Analysis
• 21:30 U.S. Senate and National Election Insights
• 27:04 Election Day Recap: Klobuchar vs. White
• 28:00 Unexpected Election Results and Reactions
• 29:58 Presidential Predictions and Analysis
• 31:00 Economic Concerns and Voter Sentiment
• 37:24 Polling Discrepancies and Surprises
• 41:19 Democratic Party’s Challenges and Voter Demographics
• 47:44 Campaign Strategies and Messaging
• 57:19 Reflections on Democracy and Future Prospects
• 01:01:31 Closing Thoughts and Optimism for the Future

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 the Election with Former Congressman Joe Walsh

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

In this compelling episode, Michael and Becky dive into the long-awaited election week, featuring a candid interview with former Congressman Joe Walsh. Walsh, a former Tea Party member and outspoken critic of Donald Trump, discusses his political evolution, his support for Kamala Harris, and his experiences on the campaign trail.

The episode also covers the potential implications of the upcoming election results on the Democratic and Republican parties and offers final predictions for the 2024 election. With in-depth political analysis and personal insights, this episode promises a thought-provoking discussion on current politics and future prospects.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:29 Interview with Former Congressman Joel Walsh
• 01:28 Joel Walsh’s Political Evolution
• 02:41 Campaign Trail Experiences
• 04:50 Facing Backlash and Challenges
• 08:11 Reflections and Future of the Republican Party
• 16:12 Final Thoughts and Predictions
• 23:10 Becky’s Voting Decision
• 25:54 A Proud Moment
• 28:16 Election Predictions
• 33:44 Senate and House Races
• 41:47 Minnesota’s Political Landscape
• 49:59 Final Thoughts and Football

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

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

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