A Break Down with Aaron Rupar on Trump, the Pope, and Money Totals

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

Becky Scherr [https://x.com/aleryrl] and Michael Brodkorb [https://x.com/mbrodkorb] are joined by GOP strategist Preya Samsundar [https://x.com/psamsundar] 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 [https://bbbreakpod.com/] will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe [https://michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Break Down on the GOP and DFL Conventions

Becky Scherr [https://x.com/aleryrl] and Michael Brodkorb [https://x.com/mbrodkorb] are joined by DFL strategist Will Davis [https://team-arc.com/team/william-davis/] to preview Minnesota’s GOP convention in Duluth and the DFL convention in Rochester, offering predictions on endorsements, ballot counts, and potential fireworks. They discuss the MN GOP governor’s race, including the field of Lisa Demuth, Kendall Qualls, Mike Lindell, and Patrick Knight; Lindell's residency questions; possible running-mate scenarios; whether a late Trump endorsement could reshape the race; and expected disputes over using clickers versus paper ballots. For the GOP U.S. Senate endorsement, the hosts predict Adam Schwarze over Michele Tafoya and Royce White and briefly touch on the auditor’s contest. On the DFL side, they expect Amy Klobuchar to be endorsed for governor, note that Tim Walz is skipping the convention, and react to Angie Craig skipping the Senate endorsement as delegates align behind Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, with platform fights as the likeliest DFL flashpoint. 00:00 — Welcome, Convention Preview, and Why It Matters: Opening remarks, an introduction to guest Will Davis, and a breakdown of why conventions matter and how DFL and GOP convention cultures differ. 04:55 — The GOP Governor’s Field and Endorsement Forecast: An overview of the Republican governor’s race, who is likely to get endorsed, Lindell’s residency questions, and running-mate rumors. 18:45 — The Trump Endorsement Wildcard and Ballot Rules: Whether a late Trump endorsement could reshape the GOP governor’s race, plus a breakdown of ballot rules, the clicker versus paper ballot dispute, and source code conspiracy talk. 32:01 — GOP Senate Endorsement: Tafoya vs. Schwarze: How convention clickers work, a detailed breakdown of the Tafoya versus Schwarze matchup, and predictions for the GOP auditor race. 40:46 — Walz Skips the DFL Convention: Why Tim Walz is sitting out the DFL convention, what it signals, and the broader implications for the party heading into the fall. 45:27 — Klobuchar, the LG Pick, and Angie Craig’s Decision: Grumbling about Klobuchar within the DFL, lieutenant governor pick scenarios, and reaction to Angie Craig skipping the Senate endorsement. 55:46 — DFL Platform Fight, Final Watchlist and Wrap-up: The likeliest DFL flashpoint heading into Rochester and a final convention weekend watchlist for both parties. Wrap-up and closing remarks from the hosts and Will Davis. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky [https://bbbreakpod.com/] will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe [https://michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Break Down on the Session End, Guns, and Fraud

Becky Scherr [https://x.com/aleryrl] and Michael Brodkorb [https://x.com/mbrodkorb] recap Minnesota’s just-ended 2026 legislative session, which concluded on time with a relatively quiet compromise, including an HCMC bailout with broader hospital funding, car tab and property tax relief, anti-fraud measures highlighted by a new Office of Inspector General, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. They also note what failed to pass, including sports betting, new taxes, and several progressive priorities. They discuss how voters may view the session’s outcome, the political implications for both parties, and whether Senator Amy Klobuchar’s gubernatorial run influenced a drama-free finish. The hosts then break down gun-control legislation that passed the Senate but stalled in the tied House, the House DFL sit-in, and debate whether House Speaker Lisa Demuth should have allowed a floor vote. The episode concludes with a breakdown of multiple fraud developments, including whistleblower testimony, new indictments, a federal strike force and reporting tools, Amy Bock’s Feeding Our Future sentencing of over 40 years, and a Minnesota press conference announcing 15 indictments tied to another $90 million in suspected fraud. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights: Opening remarks, a birthday milestone for Becky, and a preview of the episode’s main topics. 02:17 — Session End; What Passed and What Didn’t: A rundown of the legislative session’s close, including the HCMC bailout, hospital funding, car tab relief, anti-fraud wins, the bonding bill, and what failed to cross the finish line. 19:33 — Voter Reaction and the Klobuchar Factor: How voters are processing the session’s outcomes and what Senator Klobuchar’s positioning means for the broader political landscape. 23:56 — The Gun Control Fight and the House Sit-In: A breakdown of the gun control showdown, the House sit-in, whether Republicans should allow a vote, and the political fallout, including outside spending and attack ads. 33:27 — Political Theater, Gun Votes, and Analysis of Speaker Lisa Demuth: Examining the political theater around gun votes and an early assessment of Speaker Demuth’s leadership style and positioning. 37:58 — What GOP Delegates Want and the Fighter Question: A look at delegate sentiment heading into the Republican Party of Minnesota’s state convention and the debate over what kind of candidate Republicans need to win. 45:24 — Fraud News, Federal Crackdown, and Comms Lessons: Breaking down the latest fraud developments, a federal crackdown, and what the press conference response reveals about messaging strategy. 51:48 — Political Fallout, Election Targets, Bigger Indictments, and Wrap Up: The downstream political consequences, likely election targets, what bigger indictments could mean, and closing thoughts. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky [https://bbbreakpod.com/] will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe [https://michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Break Down on Klobuchar's Fraud Plan, Moderate Brand

Becky Scherr [https://x.com/aleryrl] and Michael Brodkorb [https://x.com/mbrodkorb] return after Michael’s week off due to health issues before breaking down Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s first major gubernatorial campaign rollout: a Sunday St. Paul press conference and “Get Results and Make Government Accountable” [https://www.amyklobuchar.com/priorities/get-results-and-make-government-accountable/] anti-fraud agenda, framed as a break from the status quo and a prosecutor-led push for oversight and jail time in major cases. They compare Klobuchar’s approach with the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention & State Agency Oversight Committee's [https://www.house.mn.gov/comm/docs/PBkehwf-FEOo19Pitj0Z8A.pdf] detailed report and debate whether Republicans can translate dense findings into voter-friendly messaging, including how the issue may affect down-ballot races. They then examine the ongoing question of whether Klobuchar is truly a moderate, including her redistricting stance, bipartisan brand, and voting patterns. The episode also covers continued local resistance to Minnesota’s new state flag. It concludes with criticism of President Donald Trump’s claim that he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation, along with a discussion of gas prices heading into the election. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights: remarks, a kidney stone update from the hosts, and a preview of the episode’s main topics. 04:34 — Klobuchar’s Fraud Rollout and the Walz Question: Breaking down Klobuchar’s move to front the fraud story, how Walz is distancing himself from the issue, and the messaging dynamics at play. 16:57 — The Fraud Committee Report: A detailed look at the committee’s findings, whether Klobuchar’s rollout stole thunder from Republicans, and what the report means politically. 29:04 — Is Klobuchar Actually a Moderate? Examining the gap between Klobuchar’s moderate brand and her actual voting record, including her redistricting stance, gerrymandering positions, bipartisan wins, and progressive flashpoints. 39:06 — Persona Versus Record: A deeper interrogation of whether Klobuchar’s moderation is real or performative, and what her voting history reveals about her actual positioning. 49:10 — The State Flag Backlash Fallout: A break down of the political backlash over the state flag redesign. 01:00:40 — Trump, Affordability, and Gas Prices: Analyzing Trump’s positioning on affordability issues, gas price trends heading into the election, and what it means for voters. 01:07:48 — Closing Thoughts and Courting Harry: Michael makes a plug for Courting Harry [https://www.historytheatre.com/2025-2026/courting-harry], which opens Saturday at the History Theatre [https://www.historytheatre.com/2025-2026/courting-harry] and explores the lifelong friendship and political divide between Minnesota-born U.S. Supreme Court justices Harry Blackmun and Warren Burger. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky [https://bbbreakpod.com/] will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe [https://michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Break Down on GOP Forums, Fraud, and Political Violence

Becky Scherr [https://x.com/aleryrl] and Michael Brodkorb [https://x.com/mbrodkorb] sit down with former Minnesota Rep. Dennis Smith [https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15447], now chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Elephant Club [https://mngop.com/elephant-club/]. Smith reflects on his legislative record working across the aisle, a brief run for attorney general, and what it takes to build a Republican Party capable of winning statewide again. Smith breaks down the Elephant Club’s donor events, what he’s hearing from Republican contributors, and why he believes the GOP needs a broader tent to compete in Minnesota. He also walks through his candidate-driven Zoom forums featuring five GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, the concerns he hears most from voters: the economy, fraud, and electability. His advice to delegates: do your homework and stay engaged well beyond convention. Then Becky and Michael react to Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State address. They break down how Walz framed it as a legacy speech, hitting childcare, cost of living, freedoms, and fraud, and what it signals about how he wants to be remembered. Next, they dig into FBI raids at 22 Minnesota locations tied to alleged public program fraud and the political fight over who deserves credit for the operation. They close on a sobering note: the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the growing threat of political violence, and what it means for the people willing to serve in public life. 00:00 — Introduction & Episode Highlights Overview of the episode, guest preview, and what’s ahead. 01:10 — Meet Dennis Smith: Introduction to former Minnesota Rep. Dennis Smith [https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15447], his legislative record of working across the aisle, his run for attorney general, and his role leading the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Elephant Club [https://mngop.com/elephant-club/]. 03:30 — Building a Broader Republican Tent: Smith breaks down the Elephant Club’s mission, donor sentiment, and why Minnesota Republicans need a bigger tent to win statewide. 08:31 — Gubernatorial Zoom Forums and Voter Concerns: Smith walks through his candidate-driven forums featuring five GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, the top concerns he hears from voters: economy, fraud, and electability, and his advice for delegates heading into convention. 27:55 — Interview Reaction & Gov. Walz’s Final State of the State: Becky and Michael respond to the interview, then break down Governor Walz’s final State of the State address and what it reveals about the legacy he’s trying to build. 48:11 — FBI Fraud Raids and the Fight Over Credit: A deep dive into FBI raids at 22 Minnesota locations tied to alleged public program fraud and the political dispute over who deserves credit for the operation. 54:54 — The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting: A breakdown of the security incident in Washington, the failures it exposed, and what it means for those in public life. 01:08:21 — Political Violence, Public Service, and Closing Thoughts: A sobering conversation about the growing threat of political violence in Minnesota and across the country, and what it means for the people willing to serve. The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky [https://bbbreakpod.com/] will return with a new episode next week! Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe [https://michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]