A break down about bridging the divide: civil discourse and campaign realities

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky

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.