The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky

Michael Brodkorb
  • 4.7 (32)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky provides a unique insight into politics, policies, and news of the day by injecting humor, personal stories, and blunt analysis of the political environment – all with a refreshing and entertaining perspective. While Michael Brodkorb is no stranger to sharing his analysis and commentary about politics on both sides of the aisle, Becky Scherr has spent the last decade working behind the scenes. She will take a new opportunity to share a unique view – and serve as the podcast's co-host. michaelbrodkorb.substack.com

  1. 4h ago

    A Break Down on the Primary: Analysis, Polls, and Early Predictions

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb preview Minnesota’s Primary Election next Tuesday, stressing uncertainty, turnout, and unreliable polling while running through statewide races, money, and late-breaking controversies. They debate the DFL U.S. Senate primary between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, citing heavy outside spending, a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll showing Craig narrowly ahead, and turnout differences by age. Becky gives Craig a slight edge while Michael predicts Flanagan and argues the primary likely decides the seat. On the GOP side, they discuss Michelle Tafoya’s large polling lead for U.S. Senate. Still, Michael warns she is unprepared for the general election and criticizes Farmfest for excluding endorsed candidate Adam Schwarze. They predict the GOP governor primary as extremely close, with Becky backing Lisa Demuth and Michael giving a slight edge to Mike Lindell amid party infighting, a late residency letter to the secretary of state, and an op-ed highlighting past domestic violence allegations. The episode closes with quick calls on other races, including both hosts picking Scott Jensen for GOP state auditor and Tad Jude for GOP secretary of state. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will be LIVE on Facebook, X, and YouTube on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with analysis and commentary on the Primary Election results starting at 8 PM. 00:00 — Welcome, Preview, and Primary Week Uncertainty: Opening remarks, a preview of the episode, and a frank assessment of what to expect from primary week turnout and the unpredictability of the race. 02:10 — DFL Senate Predictions, New Poll, and Demographics: Turnout facts and expectations, DFL Senate primary predictions, a breakdown of the latest poll, and what demographic data reveals about the Craig-Flanagan race. 12:08 — GOP Senate Poll, Debate Drama, and GOP Senate Controversy: A snapshot of GOP Senate polling, a breakdown of the debate drama, and a discussion of the personal controversy surrounding Michele Tafoya. 25:08 — GOP Governor Poll, Why Demuth or Lindell Might Win, and Turnout: The latest GOP governor polling, the case for why Mike Lindell could pull off a win, and how turnout models affect the race. 37:39 — Endorsement History, Residency Letter Drama, and Chair Critique: A look at endorsement history and its predictive value, the Lindell residency letter drama, and criticism of Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s handling of the situation. 47:13 — Fenton Op-Ed Fallout and Strategy and Timing: A breakdown of the Fenton op-ed fallout and a broader discussion of campaign strategy and timing heading into primary day. 55:50 — DFL Primary Check-In, State Auditor Picks, and Secretary of State: A final DFL primary check-in, host picks for the state auditor race, and a look at the secretary of state contest. 01:01:57 — Turnout Forecast and Sign Off: A final turnout forecast, closing predictions, and sign-off ahead of primary day. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will be LIVE on Facebook, X, and YouTube on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with analysis and commentary on the Primary Election results starting at 8 PM. Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Jul 31

    A Break Down on Campaign Cash and DFL Senate Primary Drama

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb preview Minnesota’s 2026 primary with a deep dive into fundraising reports covering January 1 through July 20. They note Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s massive advantage in the governor’s race, with $9.3 million raised and approximately $4.4 million cash on hand, compared with Republican candidates. They discuss questions around Mike Lindell’s reporting and unlisted recent spending, and argue Lisa Demuth’s operation appears more credible and would receive a public subsidy if she wins the primary. They review other statewide and party fundraising totals, highlighting the Minnesota DFL’s large edge over the MN GOP. The episode then turns to DFL U.S. Senate primary drama: Sen. John Hoffman’s claim that Angie Craig sought his endorsement while he was recovering, Craig’s denial and supporting texts, and Gwen Walz’s endorsement of Craig over Peggy Flanagan, with discussion of timing, messaging, and fraud politics. The episode closes with an announcement of a primary-night livestream on August 11th! 00:00 — Welcome, Preview, and Fundraising Reports Setup: Opening remarks and a frame for the episode’s focus on campaign finance reports and what the money race reveals about the 2026 field. 01:24 — Governor Race Money Gap: Lindell, Qualls, and Demuth: A breakdown of the fundraising gap in the governor’s race, questions around Lindell’s spending, and what Qualls and Demuth’s numbers signal about their campaign strength. 15:51 — Prediction Markets, Downballot Fundraising, and Party War Chests: What prediction markets are saying about the governor’s race, a rundown of downballot fundraising totals, and the state of party and caucus war chests heading into the primary. 30:33 — Senate Primary Drama: The Hoffman Endorsement Allegation:The Senate primary heats up with an endorsement allegation involving Hoffman, Craig’s denial, questions about timing and documentation, and how campaigns should be responding communications-wise. 46:10 — Gwen Walz Endorses Craig and Fraud Messaging Fallout: A breakdown of Gwen Walz’s endorsement of Angie Craig, the political implications, and how fraud messaging is playing out and affecting the primary landscape. 54:40 — Banking Endorsements and the Klobuchar Seat Hypothetical: A look at the endorsement banking playbook campaigns are running, followed by a hypothetical discussion about what happens to Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she wins the governor’s race. 01:06:24 — Primary Night Wrap-Up: Final thoughts and a preview of what to watch on primary night. 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

  3. Jul 24

    A Break Down with Jay Reeves on Running for State Auditor

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return and highlight Michael’s interview with Jay Reeves, the Forward Independence Party candidate for Minnesota state auditor. Reeves shares his background, military service, and cancer diagnosis, and how he secured ballot access by collecting 2,000-plus signatures. He outlines a data-driven, near real-time approach to detecting waste, fraud, and abuse, and argues internal controls should be built into programs before they are approved. Becky and Michael discuss the state auditor’s limitations, the value of nonpartisanship, and recent media scrutiny around GOP-endorsed auditor candidate Nate George. They then break down new KSTP/SurveyUSA polling on GOP primaries for governor and Senate, the DFL U.S. Senate primary between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan, and a tightening attorney general race. The episode closes on Bernie Sanders elevating Minnesota as a progressive battleground. 00:00 — Welcome, Last Week Recap, and Meet Jay Reeves:Opening remarks, a recap of last week’s Trump-Lindell endorsement coverage, some dino shirt banter, and an introduction to state auditor candidate Jay Reeves. 05:56 — Jay’s Life Story: Service, Cancer, and a Twin Brother:Jay Reeves shares his personal background, military service, his cancer diagnosis, the story of his twin brother, and what drove him toward public life. 14:47 — Why Third Party and the Ballot Access Fight: Reeves explains his decision to run outside the two-party system, the legal and logistical challenges of ballot access, and the push to fix Minnesota’s signature rules. 29:57 — Why State Auditor: Fraud, Data Dashboards, and Proactive Oversight: Reeves makes the case for his auditor candidacy, his vision for fraud prevention through data dashboards, a proactive oversight plan, and what nonpartisan accountability looks like in practice. 46:56 — Auditor Powers, Fixing Fraud Now, and Making the Office Visible: A breakdown of what the state auditor can actually do, how Reeves would use those powers to address fraud immediately, and his plan to raise the office’s public profile. 53:54 — Debates, Campaign Style, and How to Follow Jay: Reeves on his approach to debates, his campaign style, and where voters can follow and engage with his candidacy. 01:00:11 — Post-Interview Debrief and Governor and Senate Primary Polls: Becky and Michael react to the Reeves interview, then dig into the latest polling on the GOP and DFL governor and Senate primaries and the tight attorney general race. 01:21:55 — Progressive Rally Impact and Wrap Up: A breakdown of the progressive rally’s political impact on the primary landscape and closing thoughts ahead of next week. 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

  4. Jul 18

    A Break Down of President Trump's Endorsement of Mike Lindell

    Michael Brodkorb hosts this week’s episode, with Becky Scherr off, to discuss President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor and how it upends the Republican primary. Guests Will Davis, a Democratic strategist, and Billy Grant, a MAGA-aligned Republican strategist, explain why they weren’t surprised, arguing that Trump prioritizes loyalty and that Lindell had the strongest relationship, while other candidates didn’t seriously court Trump. They debate how the endorsement outweighs the state party endorsement, boosts Lindell’s name ID, fundraising, and sense of inevitability in the primary, and may force a professionalization of his campaign. They assess GOP consultants’ misreads of the field, likely vote splits among Lindell, Lisa Demuth, and Kendall Qualls, and the potential impact on the general election. The episode closes with speculation on the Timberwolves and LeBron James. 00:00 — Welcome and Trump Backs Lindell: Breaking news on Trump’s endorsement of Mike Lindell, guest introductions, and immediate reactions from Will Davis and Billy Grant on what the endorsement means. 04:47 — MAGA Explained and the Primary Impact: Billy breaks down how the politics of MAGA operate, the primary implications of the endorsement, and what it reveals about party power dynamics heading into the governor’s race. 11:55 — General Election Fallout and the Turnout and Populism Debate: How a Lindell nomination affects Republican general election prospects, a debate over turnout versus persuasion, and what the endorsement signals about the populist direction of the party. 18:34 — Fundraising, Campaign Strategy, and Is It Too Late: A look at the fundraising implications of the Trump endorsement, what it means for competing campaigns’ strategies, and whether it’s too late for the field to adjust. 25:21 — Trump Endorsement Standards and Why Minnesota Misread MAGA: An examination of how Trump’s endorsement decisions are made, why Minnesota Republicans and the consultant class failed to read the MAGA movement accurately, and the disconnect that followed. 31:59 — Oppo Hits Backfire and Campaigns Failed to Counter: How opposition research attacks on Lindell backfired, why competing campaigns failed to build an effective counter-strategy, and what that reveals about the state of the race. 41:20 — The Dual Endorsement Myth and Parrish as Running Mate: Debunking the dual endorsement narrative and a discussion of Scott Parrish as a potential running mate option. 46:30 — Predictions and Wrap Up: Final predictions from Will and Billy on the primary outcome and closing thoughts from Michael 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

  5. Jul 10

    A Break Down on July 4th, SCOTUS, and MN Election Tensions

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off to discuss Independence Day traditions and 250th-anniversary fun facts, then break down the controversy over competing Washington, D.C. events branded “America 250” and the Trump White House “Freedom 250,” including artist withdrawals and dueling fireworks and concerts. They review a series of end-of-term Supreme Court decisions: striking down Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order 6-3 with cross-ideological votes, upholding state bans on transgender women and girls in girls’ sports 6-3, striking down limits on party-candidate coordination spending, and rulings on presidential removal power for independent agencies while blocking Trump’s attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor. Becky and Michael then react to reports that MN GOP endorsed gubernatorial ticket member Brian Nicholson was on Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, and debate the political implications for the ticket and the broader Republican primary. The episode closes with concerns about reduced federal coordination with Minnesota election officials and a note on an audit finding Minnesota’s voter registration system generally secure. 00:00 — Show Intro, Agenda, and Fourth of July Traditions: Opening remarks, Independence Day traditions, fireworks and family life, and a round of 250th-anniversary fun facts. 16:05 — America 250 vs. Freedom 250 and the Push for National Unity: A breakdown of the competing Washington, D.C. celebration events, artist withdrawals, dueling fireworks and concerts, and a broader reflection on the desire for national unity. 24:42 — Supreme Court Term Recap: Birthright, Trans Sports, and Court Legacy: A review of major end-of-term SCOTUS decisions, including the birthright citizenship ruling, the cross-ideological 6-3 vote, Trump’s court legacy, DACA stakes, and the transgender sports ruling. 36:33 — Money, Parties, Agency Power, and Historians on Trump: The ruling striking down limits on party-candidate coordination spending; presidential removal power fights over independent agencies; blocking Trump’s attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor; and historians’ assessments of Trump. 44:10 — Qualls Running Mate and the Nicholson Jan. 6 Fallout: A breakdown of the Kendall Qualls running-mate situation, reactions to reports that MN GOP-endorsed gubernatorial-ticket member Brian Nicholson was on Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, and the political implications for the ticket. 57:24 — Election Security Rift and Minnesota’s Voter Registration Audit: Concerns about reduced federal coordination with Minnesota election officials and an audit finding that Minnesota’s voter registration system is generally secure. 01:08:39 — Podcast Disclosures, Thanks, and Wrap-up: Life and work disclosures and a thank-you from Michael. 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

  6. Jun 25

    A Break Down on Primary Polls and the Money Race

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off and reflect on the June 14th anniversary of the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, discussing tributes, the removal of public officials’ home addresses from campaign finance records, new safety-related rule accommodations, and the balance with residency verification. They preview early voting ahead of the Aug. 11 primary and break down recent KSTP/SurveyUSA primary polling and a Star Tribune/KARE 11/UMN Mason-Dixon general-election poll, including name ID dynamics, undecideds, suburban battleground trends, Walz’s approval decline, and issue priorities led by inflation and fraud. Michael and Becky then analyze campaign finance filings, highlighting Klobuchar’s fundraising edge, GOP gubernatorial candidates’ cash positions, legislative caucus totals, and the Ellison/Schutz AG race. The episode closes with reactions to the first Craig/Flanagan Almanac debate, especially on fraud accountability. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, Life Updates, and the Hortman Tribute: Opening remarks, birthday chaos, a DIY home improvement detour, and a tribute to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the safety changes that followed the assassination. 13:20 — GOP Primary Poll Breakdown and the Three-Way Race:Early voting kicks off the election season, a breakdown of the latest GOP primary polling, name ID dynamics, and what a three-way race means for the field. 28:05 — DFL Primary Poll Surprises and the Fraud Factor:Unexpected DFL primary poll findings, the attorney general race and its connection to the fraud issue, and what the numbers reveal about voter priorities. 33:39 — General Election Poll, Optimism, and the Suburban Battleground: A look at general election polling, Republican optimism, the generic Senate ballot, and why the suburbs remain the deciding factor in statewide races. 44:49 — Craig vs. Flanagan, Walz’s Approval Slide, and Top Issues:A comparison of Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s relative strengths, Gov. Tim Walz’s slipping approval numbers, fraud as the dominant voter concern, and the flag backlash poll. 56:47 — Money Race: Klobuchar’s Edge, GOP Cash Crunch, and Lindell’s Oddities: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s fundraising advantage, the GOP governor field’s cash problems, Mike Lindell’s unusual spending patterns, and Lisa Demuth’s outside spending picture. 01:13:23 — Legislature Money Streetfight and the AG Race:A breakdown of the legislative money battles and what funding trends in the attorney general’s race signal about the broader election landscape. 01:20:43 — Craig vs. Flanagan Debate Review and Wrap Up:A review of the Craig-Flanagan debate, final takeaways, and a preview of what’s ahead next week. 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

  7. Jun 12

    A Break Down with Pat Garofalo and the Craig-Flanagan Ad War

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb open with an update ahead of the first anniversary of Speaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination, noting Vance Bolter’s guilty plea and a reported deal to avoid the death penalty in exchange for two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in federal prison. They are then joined by former Minnesota Rep. Pat Garofalo, now a Star Tribune contributing columnist, to discuss his debut piece “Minnesota, I Love You, But You’ve Gone Astray.” Garofalo argues the state has followed blue-state policy models, overspent following the 2023-24 DFL trifecta, and lost its cooperative political culture. He calls for divided government, stronger leadership, and greater accountability after years of fraud. He cites permitting delays and structural flaws in paid family leave as examples of policy gone wrong. The episode closes with a breakdown of Democratic U.S. Senate primary tensions, including Tom Emmer’s tweet about Angie Craig, pro-Flanagan and pro-Craig ad volleys, and what the infighting means for the general election. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, and the Hortman Anniversary: Opening remarks and a somber update ahead of the first anniversary of Speaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination attempt, including Vance Bolter’s guilty plea and sentencing deal. 02:20 — Welcome Pat Garofalo and Inside His Star Tribune Column: An introduction to former Rep. Pat Garofalo’s debut Star Tribune column, the argument that Minnesota has gone astray, and the spending and cultural shift that followed the 2023-24 DFL trifecta. 10:43 — Fraud Fallout, Accountability, and the Case for Divided Government: How years of fraud and overspending have eroded voter trust, why Garofalo argues divided government is the answer, and the shift from an honor system to meaningful accountability. 15:07 — Paid Leave, Permitting, and Pipeline Delays: A common-sense critique of paid family leave’s structural flaws, permitting and mining bottlenecks, and the real economic costs of pipeline delays. 26:23 — GOP Primary Dynamics and Minnesota’s Political Tradition: Voter decision-making, GOP primary stakes, turnout and extremes, national warning signs, and what a reset of Minnesota’s cooperative political tradition could look like. 31:29 — Hortman’s Legacy and Hosts React to Garofalo: A reflection on the political violence legacy of the Hortman assassination attempt, followed by Becky and Michael’s reaction to Garofalo’s column and interview. 37:48 — Emmer Hugs Craig and the Flanagan vs. Craig Ad War: An analysis of Tom Emmer’s tweet about Angie Craig, the pro-Flanagan and pro-Craig ad volleys, and what the infighting reveals about the DFL Senate primary. 53:08 — Primary Outlook and Wrap Up: A final assessment of where the DFL Senate primary stands and closing thoughts from the hosts. 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 with Pat Garofalo and the Craig-Flanagan Ad War

  8. Jun 5

    A Break Down on the GOP's Post-Convention Chaos

    Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb are joined by GOP strategist Preya Samsundar to break down the MN DFL and GOP state conventions. They recap Senator Amy Klobuchar’s first-ballot DFL Senate endorsement and discuss the DFL’s comparatively quiet governor and U.S. Senate activity, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s endorsement push. The focus shifts to the chaotic MN GOP convention: Adam Schwarze wins the Senate endorsement on the sixth ballot, while the governor endorsement stretches to 10 ballots with a voting anomaly, a revote, and a prolonged delay before Kendall Qualls secures the endorsement. Becky, Michael, and Preya debate whether the anomalies mattered, criticize party communications and Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s statement suggesting candidates need not abide by endorsements, discuss the postponed Lincoln Reagan Dinner, and assess Speaker Lisa Demuth’s decision to run in the primary and the broader impact on party unity and election-integrity narratives. 00:00 — Welcome, Episode Preview, and DFL Convention Recap: Opening remarks, an introduction to guest Preya Samsundar, and a recap of the DFL convention including Klobuchar’s first-ballot Senate endorsement and updates on the governor and lieutenant governor races. 07:17 — GOP Senate Endorsement: Why Delegates Picked Schwarze: How the GOP convention opened, why delegates moved to Adam Schwarze over Royce White and Michele Tafoya, and what the sixth-ballot outcome reveals about the field. 11:19 — Governor Endorsement Timeline and Clicker Chaos: A breakdown of the 10-ballot governor endorsement, a clicker malfunction and a voting anomaly, the revote drama, and the prolonged delay before Kendall Qualls secured the endorsement. 18:41 — Debating What Really Happened: A detailed debate over the anomalies, election integrity concerns, delegate dynamics, and what the voting irregularities mean for the party’s credibility on fraud and election issues. 42:00 — Chair Statement Fallout and Communication Meltdown: Criticism of Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash’s statement suggesting candidates need not abide by endorsements, the breakdown in party communications, and the dispute between the chair and executive committee. 50:58 — Lincoln Reagan Dinner Rumors and Demuth Goes Primary: The postponed Lincoln Reagan Dinner and what it signals, followed by a breakdown of Speaker Lisa Demuth’s decision to bypass the endorsement and run in the primary. 59:16 — Endorsement Process Debate, Gaslighting, and Momentum vs. Conspiracy: A broader debate over the endorsement process, criticism of denialism and gaslighting around the clicker controversy, and whether the party can channel the convention’s energy rather than conspiracy. 01:21:04 — Primary Fallout, Fixing a Broken Party, and Wrap Up: The messaging implications of the primary fallout, what it will take to repair party unity, and closing thoughts from the hosts and Preya Samsundar. 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

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4.7
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About

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky provides a unique insight into politics, policies, and news of the day by injecting humor, personal stories, and blunt analysis of the political environment – all with a refreshing and entertaining perspective. While Michael Brodkorb is no stranger to sharing his analysis and commentary about politics on both sides of the aisle, Becky Scherr has spent the last decade working behind the scenes. She will take a new opportunity to share a unique view – and serve as the podcast's co-host. michaelbrodkorb.substack.com

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