Oct 9, 2024
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.
00:06:10—Frustrations
with Political Parties
- Julius's Perspective: Julius
Hernandez shares the similar frustrations he hears from voters,
particularly regarding economic concerns and the fear of extreme
policies from both parties.
00:07:00 - Urban vs.
Suburban Political Concerns
- Different Priorities
Based on Location: Engen and Hernandez compare their
campaign experiences, discussing how voters' concerns differ in
urban and suburban areas, particularly around issues like abortion
and economic stability.
00:09:00—Criticism of
Partisan Politics
- Engen's
Views on Extremism:
Engen criticizes the DFL's governance and spending priorities,
noting that voters are frustrated with extreme partisanship and
seek more moderate solutions.
00:10:00 - Julius Calls
Out His Party
- Calling Out Democratic
Policies: Julius agrees that Democrats made some mistakes
in managing the budget surplus and criticizes the DFL for poor
handling of public education issues, such as failing schools in
Minneapolis.
00:12:00 - Future of the
Republican Party
- Reforming the
GOP: Engen outlines his hope for reforming the Republican
Party, focusing on restoring integrity and character, as voters are
dissatisfied with the status quo.
00:16:00 - Mailers and
Negative Campaign Tactics
- Engen's Experience with
Negative Ads: Engen shares his frustrations with attack
ads and emphasizes his commitment to focusing on policy and
solutions rather than engaging in negative campaign
tactics.
00:19:00 - Young Voices
in Politics
- Gen Z and Millennials in
Politics: The conversation shifts to the role of younger
generations in politics, with both panelists agreeing that Gen Z
and millennials tend to be more independent and free-thinking than
older generations.
00:22:00 - Public
Discourse and Campaign Realities
- Political
Engagement: Engen and Hernandez reflect on how political
rhetoric often disconnects from legislative realities and emphasize
the need for more honest and solutions-focused
campaigning.
00:25:00 - Social Media
and Campaigning
- Challenges of Social
Media: The panelists discuss the role of social media in
campaigns, acknowledging its potential for spreading misinformation
and the pressure it puts on candidates to engage in heated
discourse.
00:27:00 - Criticism
Within Political Parties
- Balancing Loyalty and
Criticism: Hernandez emphasizes the importance of holding
one's party accountable, arguing that constructive criticism
strengthens the party and leads to better policy
outcomes.
00:30:00 - Extremism on
Both Sides
- Addressing
Extremism: Engen and Hernandez discuss how both parties
need to address the rise of extremist figures, with Engen focusing
on the GOP's need to distance itself from radical voices and
Hernandez pointing out shifts within the Democratic
Party.
00:35:00 - Negative
Campaigns and Public Service
- Negative Campaigns vs.
Public Service: The conversation returns to the impact of
negative campaigning, with both panelists agreeing that while it
may win elections, it ultimately damages public trust and
undermines public service.
00:38:00 - TikTok and
Social Media Use
- Discussion on
TikTok: Michael shares his recent experience joining
TikTok, and the panelists briefly discuss the role of newer
platforms in political outreach, humorously noting their
differences in social media use.
00:40:00 - Closing
Remarks
- Final Thoughts:
Michael closes the episode by thanking the panelists for their
insights and encouraging civil political discourse. The panelists
reflect on maintaining relationships across party lines while
staying true to one's values.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and
Becky will return with a new episode this week.