In the news: Extremism inside the Republican Party

on by Michael Brodkorb Share

I spoke to Politico about how extremism has become more mainstream inside the Republican Party, especially in the aftermath of the attacks on the United States Capitol.

Fully two-thirds of Republicans say they don’t view the riot at the Capitol as an attack on government, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. And though Republicans largely disapprove of the actions of those who forced their way into the Capitol, according to a CBS News poll this week, they were more likely to describe what happened that day as an act of “patriotism” or “defending freedom” than an insurrection.

“Extremism has become somewhat mainstream inside the party now,” said Michael Brodkorb, a former deputy chair of the Republican Party in Minnesota, where Republicans are hosting a vigil for Jan. 6 defendants in rural Aitkin County. “What has occurred over the last few years is that the party apparatus has been soiled a bit by a very extremist, militant element inside the party that is just simply dangerous.”

He said, “It’s becoming harder to distinguish these people from the rank-and-file members … It’s just appalling. And it should be scary.”

Click here to read the complete story from Politico.

In the news: GOP and Social Media Censorship

on by Michael Brodkorb Share

I spoke to Politico and said Big Tech is doing a big favor for Republicans by policing extremist content on social media.

For whatever war the party does have with Big Tech, pinning the subject to Trump’s Twitter ban will not come without risk, largely because the stated reason for the ban — the concern that he would perpetuate more violence — is a reminder of the Trump-inspired, deadly insurrection at the Capitol.

“To talk about perceived censorship, I don’t know how much of a clear lane Republicans are going to have to talk about it, because their actions that restricted their behaviors on social media, particularly Twitter, were a direct result to the attacks that occurred at the Capitol,” said Michael Brodkorb, a former deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican Party. “It would be like people complaining about the number of restrictions that were put in place regarding airline safety post 9/11.”

And while pro-Trump Republicans won’t like it, Brodkorb said, “Ultimately, Big Tech, by policing this content that Republicans have been unwilling and unable to police themselves, they’re actually doing Republicans a favor, because it’s making it more difficult for this extremist type of behavior to continue and to be organized so freely.”

Click here to read the complete story from Politico.