♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THE BIG POLITICAL NEWS THIS WEEK WAS THE FEDERAL SENTENCING OF VANCE BOELTER FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF MELISSA AND MARK HORTMAN AND THE SHOOTING OF JOHN AND YVETTE HOFFMAN LAST YEAR.

BOELTER WILL BE SERVING 40 YEARS PLUS TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR THE CRIME.

MEANWHILE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, TRUMP-ENDORSED GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE MIKE LINDELL FACED SCRUTINY OVER HIS VOTER REGISTRATION, AND NICOLE MITCHELL IS THROWING HER HAT BACK INTO THE POLITICAL RING IN WOODBURY.

HERE TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN FOR US IS TONIGHT'S POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

RYAN WINKLER IS A FORMER MAJORITY LEADER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WITH HIM IS TARA ERICKSON, A FORMER JOURNALIST AND LONGTIME LOBBYIST UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO NOW WORKS AS A CONSULTANT.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH WITH THEM: ANNETTE MEEKS, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO NOW HEADS UP THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP, BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

WELCOME TO ONE AND ALL.

JUST THE RECENT DAYS OF MIKE LINDELL.

GETS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

IS THE LEADING REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CANDIDATE IN THE ST.

PAUL, KSTP POLL.

THEN HE ANGERS THE GRASS ROOTS OVERAMNESTY FOR UNDOCUMENTED.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

WHAT'S GOING N IN THAT REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR PRIMARY?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU NOMINATE SOMEBODY WHO'S REALLY NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.

AND CLEARLY MIKE LINDELL HAS COME OUT THIS WEEK SHOWING NOT ONLY HIS INEXPERIENCE, BUT ALSO JUST HIS TONE DEAFNESS TO WHAT REPUBLICANS TAND FOR.

I'VE NEVER HEARD ANY REPUBLICAN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS COME OUT AND STAND FOR AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY AND HE LED WITH THAT WHICH WAS JUST AMAZING.

I WENT THROUGH THE 18-PAGE PLAN.

HE'S QUOTING LABOR UNIONS.

HE TOOK IT ALL DOWN, BY THE WAY, TODAY.

I GUESS NOW HE'S DECIDED HE'S NOT FOR THAT.

>> Cathy: IT'LL BE INTERESTING WHAT HE SAYS NEXT FRIDAY, BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO BE DEBATING KENDALL QUALS ON THE COUCH HERE.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUD I'M WONDERING, THAT POLL, THE STP, SURVEY USA POLL, HAD A 22% UNDECIDED.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT WHEN YOU SAY 22% UNDECIDED WITH LINDELL LEADING, FOLLOWED BY SPEAKER DEMUTH, BUT 22% UNDECIDED?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICAN BASE IS GETTING A LOT OF MIXED MENTALES RIGHT NOW.

I WISH THEY QUO THINK FOR THEMSELVES A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, PEOPLE WERE OUTRAGED THAT WE WOULDN'T SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED CANDIDATE UNTIL THE PRESIDENT DECIDED THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO OR THAT WE SHOULDN'T FOLLOW KENDALL QUALS WHO WAS THE ENDORSED PERSON.

AND THEN AFTER HE ENDORSES MIKE LINDELL, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS I DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE OTHER GUYS.

ONE'S THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

AND THE OTHER ONE ON THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WHO HAS SUCH A HUGE MONETARY ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE NEED TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND I THINK THAT THAT 22% ARE PEOPLE THAT PROBABLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO GO ONE WAY.

NOW THEY'RE KIND OF WAITING TO SEE HOW THIS ALL SHAKES OUT AND THE ONES THAT WAITED ARE PROBABLY HAPPY AFTER HEARING THE MIKE LINDELL AMNESTY PLAN.

>> Eric: 40%, 40%, MORE MONEY FROM CRAIG, BUT FLANAGAN BRINGS IN THESE BIG TIMERS.

>> I THINK IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS HOW THAT ONE IS GOING TO TURN OUT.

I MEAN, CERTAINLY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN HAS FOCUSED ON TURNING OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ANGRY ABOUT I.C.E., ANGRY AT THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SUPPORT PEOPLE LIKE GRAHAM PLATTNER IN MAINE UNTIL THEY DON'T.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG IS TRYING TO BRING OUT MORE OF AN ESTABLISHMENT ND WE'RE NOT SEEING A LOT OF THOSE VOTERS OUT THERE THIS YEAR.

I THINK FROM FROM A DEMOCRATIC STANDPOINT, WE WOULD HAVE TWO GREAT U.S.

SENATORS EITHER WAY.

I THINK BOTH WOULD BE STRONG IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT WHERE THIS GOES, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND MINNESOTA AMONG DEMOCRATS, UP IN THE AIR.

>> Cathy: MONDAY OF COURSE IS THE MPR SENATE DEBATE BETWEEN RAIG AND FLANAGAN.

I WONDER WHAT MOVES THE NEEDLE IN THAT RACE FOR VOTERS.

>> I THINK VOTERS ARE EALLY HOPING THAT THAT ANGIE CRAIG MAYBE TALKS A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HER VOTE ON THE LAKEN RILEY, FOR SURE.

THERE'S MORE THINGS ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE'S PRETTY TIDE TO CRYPTO.

AND I THINK THAT IS STARTING TO MAKE PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.

SO SHE WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO GO AND SPEAK AT THIS BIG CRYPTO CONFERENCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS ALSO GETTING DEMOCRATIC VOTERS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.

SO I THINK THOSE ARE A FEW THINGS SHE'S GOING TO ANSWER FOR.

>> Eric: ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, MICHELLE TAFOYA WIDENING HER LEAD.

>> IT SHOWS HOW HARD IT IS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE REPUBLICANS ARE BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING VERY PRAGMATIC WHEN IT COMES TO THE U.S.

SENATE RACE.

I THINK MICHELLE TAVIA WOULD BE THE BEST CANDIDATE TO RUN AGAINST EITHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE HAVING THE SAME BATTLES WITH, YOU KNOW, PROGRESSIVES AND MODERATES THAT REPUBLICANS ARE.

AND IF IT'S ANGIE CRAIG, YOU KNOW, ARE THOSE SUPER PROGRESSIVE, YOU KNOW, D.S.A.

TYPE PEOPLE, ARE THEY GOING TO SAY, WE DON'T LIKE KLOBUCHAR, WE DON'T LIKE ANGIE CRAIG, AND THEN THAT'S GOING TO HURT KEITH ELLISON AND OTHER PEOPLE DOWN THE TICKET.

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING, LIKE, WHEN YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT TAFOYA, WHEN I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE CANDIDATES I GUESS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE RIGHT NOW, THEY JUST DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN A LOT OF STUFF AND I JUST FEEL LIKE THE DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW, I MEAN, YOU HAVE JUST TWO REMARKABLE WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING TO BE U.S.

SENATE AND THEN WE HAVE "MY PILLOW" GUY AND A FORMER NEWS CASTER -- >> I THINK EXPERIENCE IS JUST NOT VERY 2026, THOUGH.

[ Laughter ] >> I THINK MICHELLE TAFOYA'S GREATEST STRENGTH IS SHE'S A GREAT COMMUNICATOR.

YOU'LL SEE A HUNDRED PEOPLE LINED UP TO SHAKE HER HANDS AND GET A PHOTO WITH HER.

SHE HAS A GREAT HUMAN CONNECTION AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS RACE IS, WHILE THE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO DESTROY EACH OTHER.

>> Cathy: IF MIKE LINDELL WINS THE PRIMARY, WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR THE CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT OOT REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> WELL, LET'S SAY WE'VE HAD BETTER DAYS IF THAT'S THE OUTCOME.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE HAD WEAK CANDIDATE FOUR YEARS AGO.

MIKE JENSEN -- OR SCOTT JENSEN, PARDON ME, WE LOST CONTROL OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS A RESULT OF THAT.

A STRONG CANDIDATE, CAN I PUT IN A PLUG?

WHEN EMMER CAME WITHIN, HE HAD AN EXCELLENT RUNNING MEAT -- >> Eric: YOU.

>> WHEN HE CAME IN WITHIN A HAIR OF WINNING THE GOVERNOR IN 2010, WE CARRIED BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS.

THAT'S WHY A LOT OF PRAGUE IN PC VOTERS WILL ALSO LOOK AT LISA.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES HEARING AT THE DOOR?

>> SURE, I MEAN, A LOT OF THINGS YOU HEAR ABOUT IN THE POLITICAL CONVERSATION, LEGISLATORS DO HEAR ABOUT FRAUD, THEY DO HEAR ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THEY DO HEAR ABOUT COSTS OF LISTENING.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISSATISFACTION AND ANGER AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK ON THE DEMOCRATIC BASE SIDE, THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION SIDE THAT MORE ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS ARE FAILING TO HAVE STOPPED TRUMP.

I THINK IT BEARS REPEATING, IN AMERICA TODAY, ALL POLITICS IS TRUMP.

IT DOMINATES EVERYTHING.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT READ AT THE DOOR IS GOING TO BE -- I MEAN, THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THAT AN UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT WHO IS DISHING UP MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS OR THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN SINK REPUBLICAN CHANCES.

>> Eric: ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IS FACING A PRETTY STIFF CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WITH RON SCHUTZ, THEY HAVE A CANDIDATE, UNLIKE SOME OF HE OTHER RACES, HE DOESN'T HAVE A PRIMARY.

HE'S GOT PRETTY DECENT FUNDRAISING NUMBERS.

I THINK THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT AT THE WHIM OF, IS THIS GOING TO BE A PROGRESSIVE YEAR FOR THE DEMOCRATS, OR SOMETHING THAT'S MORE MODERATE.

>> AMY KLOBUCHAR IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET -- >> IT'LL BE THE U.S.

SENATE THAT WILL BE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

AND I WOULD ALSO ADD FOR RON SCHUTZ, JULY 28TH, A SIGNIFICANT TELEVISION BUY, BY A D.C.

GROUP IS GOING UP ON THE AIR.

>> JUST GOING TO SAY, THERE IS A BIG I.E.

GROUP THAT IS BUYING UP FOR AGAINST ELLISON.

>> HE HAS HIS NEGATIVES ARE HIGHER THAN HIS POSITIVES AND HE'S IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE.

>> Cathy: THERE'S ALL KINDS OF RACES OF COURSE, NICOLE MITCHELL, FORMER D.F.L.

STATE SENATOR WHO HAD SOME LEGAL TROUBLE, OBVIOUSLY.

RESIGNED.

SHE'S RUNNING FOR WOODBURY CITY COUNCIL.

>> WHY NOT?

[Overlapping conversations] [ Laughter ] >> IF YOU WERE ADVISING FORMER SENATOR MITCHELL, IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, HONESTLY, LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT REPUBLICANS RUN AT TIMES.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHY SHOULD WOULD EVER WANT TO GET BACK INTO THE FRAY.

YOU KNOW, THIS WASN'T SOMETHING LITTLE THAT SHE DID.

AND OBVIOUSLY HE WAS CONVICTED OF BREAKING INTO SOMEBODY'S HOUSE AND TERRIFYING AN ELDERLY WOMAN.

I MEAN, IT'S -- I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND RUNNING AGAIN.

AND PROBABLY PUTTING MYSELF OUT THERE.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SHE HAS DEFINITELY LEARNED HER LESSON, BECAUSE WHEN SHE GOES DOOR KNOCKING NOW, SHE DOESN'T STAY.

>> DOES IT DURING THE DAY.

>> Cathy: SAYS THE COMEDIAN.

>> THE DEMOCRATS DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY'S GUILTY OF ANYTHING.

SO HERE WE GO.

>> Cathy: REALLY QUICK.

SPECIAL SESSION TO HELP FOLKS UP NORTH?

>> Eric: AND PACKAGE IT UP WITH THE I.C.E.

RELIEF PACKAGE?

>> I HINK THE CHANCES IS CLOSE TO ZERO.

>> WE ALL AGREE ON THAT.

>> Eric: WOULDN'T THAT BE A NICE TIDY PACKAGE?

>> SHOULD, COULD, ABSOLUTELY, ERIC.

BUT NOT -- THIS IS POLITICS.

>> NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

NOT THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, I'VE LEARNED SOMETHING JUST