>> ERIC: ELECTION DAY IS NOW JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS AWAY.

THAT SHOULD GIVE US PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A LONGTIME UNION AND PARTY ACTIVIST AND A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN FOR THE DNC.

TARA ERICKSON IS A LONGTIME LOBBYIST UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO NOW WORKS AS A CONSULTANT.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT, FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR NOW AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP TONIGHT, ANDY BREHM, A FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN, NOW A LAWYER AND COLUMNIST FOR THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE.

CAN MINNESOTA TURN REPUBLICAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PURPLISH STATE.

AND, YOU KNOW, MY PARTY HASN'T DONE ITSELF MANY FAVORS IN TERMS OF HAVING COMPETITIVE STATEWIDE CANDIDATES.

THIS YEAR IS DEFINITELY EXCEPTION TO THAT.

WE HAVE ROCK STAR ALENT, I THINK, ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO, YES, I THINK THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMPETITIVE RACES.

I HINK THE ELECTORATE IN GENERAL HAS FATIGUE OF CONSTANT DFL CONTROL.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE WAY THE THINGS ARE IN MINNESOTA.

THEY THINK THE STATE WE LOVE CAN DO BETTER.

I CERTAINLY FEEL THE SAME WAY.

SO ABSOLUTELY IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE NOVEMBER.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WITH SOME OF THE I.E.

MONEY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BRINGING INTO THE STATE THAT -- >> Cathy: INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE MONEY.

>> YES, YOU ARE KIND OF LIKE MARY WITH THE ACRONYMS.

[ Laughter ] INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE.

IT IS KIND OF THE FIRST TIME THAT I FEEL LIKE REPUBLICANS ARE DEFINITELY NIPPING AT THE HEELS, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY ON THE STATEWIDE RACES.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A WONDERFUL ISSUE, IF YOU CAN CALL IT WONDERFUL, THAT'S THE FRAUD ISSUE THAT'S PERVADING ALL OF THIS THAT THE REPUBLICANS CAN CAPITALIZE ON.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MEMORY THAT WE SEE REPUBLICANS BEING RELATIVELY WELL FUNDED.

WE'VE BEEN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES AND OUTSPENT SOMETIMES THREE OR FOUR O ONE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

THAT ISN'T GOING TO BE TRUE THIS YEAR.

SO WE'VE GOT VERY GOOD CANDIDATES.

IT IS COMPETITIVE.

I THINK ANDY'S RIGHT, I THINK PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE TIRED OF THE BRAND.

AND IT'S POSSIBLE, MORE THAN POSSIBLE, I THINK AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THOSE STATEWIDE RACES, IT'S GETTING LIKELY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE REPUBLICANS WIN.

>> Cathy: WELL, JAVIER, WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE ENERGY AROUND OPERATION METRO SURGE, YOU KNOW, THE APPEARING GATHER AROUND THAT, DOES THAT HELP DEMOCRATS?

>> AND IT'S LINGERING AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT FORGET FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

NOT TO MENTION JUST THE MOOD OF THE ELECTORATE, JUST GENERALLY, THE EXCITEMENT TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE AND ELECTIONS, EVEN N MINNESOTA, ARE MORE AND MORE NATIONALIZED.

SO I'M VERY, YOU KNOW, COUNTING ON DFL EXCITEMENT TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.

>> Cathy: I'M SENSING THAT YOU GUYS DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS.

>> WELL -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> I REALLY DON'T.

I MEAN, I THINK SOMETIMES THAT'S THE CASE.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT DONALD TRUMP IS UNPOPULAR IN MINNESOTA, UNPOPULAR NATIONWIDE.

A LOT OF US ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW HE'S DOING.

BUT I THINK MINNESOTA VOTERS AREN'T GOING TO BE VOTING BASED ON A LAME DUCK PRESIDENT THAT'S GOING TO BE GONE IN TWO YEARS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE VOTING BASED ON THE STATE OF THINGS IN MINNESOTA.

ELECTING THE RIGHT PERSON WHO THEY FEEL IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGES NEEDED.

SO I REALLY DON'T THINK THE ELECTION'S GOING TO BE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP, AS MUCH AS DEMOCRATS WANT.

THERE'S TOO MUCH HERE.

POLL AFTER POLL SHOW THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE RIGHT NOW IS FRAUD.

THEY TRUST REPUBLICANS MUCH MORE THAN DEMOCRATS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> POLL AFTER POLL SHOWS THAT THE TOP ISSUE FOR VOTERS IS THE ECONOMY, IS THE STATE OF THINGS AS THEY ARE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH THINKING ABOUT FRAUD ND DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH THINKING ABOUT ECONOMICS.

AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT TURNS OUT.

>> WELL, I DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT IT IS TRUE THAT -- I THINK AND JAVIER WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID IT EARLIER -- THAT IS SOMETHING OF A FADING ISSUE.

METRO SURGE IS -- SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE LAWSUIT OUT WHERE THAT ISSUE'S BEING RAISED AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT THAT BECOMES SOMETHING HAT THE MEDIA CAN FOCUS ON AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY AS FAR AS THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED RESURRECT THAT ISSUE.

>> LIKE IT'S NOT A FADING ISSUE.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS STATE IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC AND IT IS THE REASON WHY PEGGY FLANAGAN BEAT ANGIE CRAIG BY 20 POINTS, THAT THE POLLS DIDN'T SEE COMING.

WE ERE OCCUPIED BY OUR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS NOT A SLEEPER ISSUE.

THIS IS STILL FRONT AND CENTER.

I THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

I'M STILL ON SIGNAL CHATS.

THIS IS NOT A DEAD ISSUE.

>> AND WE'RE BEING THREATENED WITH MORE.

THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A MILITARY AT POLLING PLACES, I.C.E.

AT POLLING PLACES.

>> APPARENTLY MARTIAL LAW'S ON THE TABLE.

I MEAN, THESE ARE SCARY TIMES.

>> BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE U.S.

SENATE RACE.

I MEAN, LISTEN, MANY OF US WERE CONCERNED WITH HOW METRO SURGE OPERATED.

MYSELF INCLUDED.

I SAID SO ON THIS COUCH.

MICHELE TAFOYA IS AN INDEPENDENT THINKER, THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO SAID FOR DONALD TRUMP NOT TO RUN IN 2024, SHE'S A VERY SMART, CAPABLE PERSON WHO CAN THINK FOR HERSELF AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE NECESSARILY A RUBBER STAMP FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

LET ME FINISH, GIVAIRE.

LET'S -- JAVIER.

LET ME FINISH.

LET ME FINISH.

I THINK SHE'S MADE IT CLEAR THAT SHE'S AN INDEPENDENT THINKER, SHE AGREES THAT THAT WAS A PROBLEMATIC EPISODE FOR SURE, AS MANY REPUBLICANS DO.

BUT I THINK, AGAIN, ARE WE GOING TO REALLY ELECT A U.S.

SENATOR BASED ON A PROTEST VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT WHO'S GOING TO BE GONE IN TWO YEARS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> Eric: DOJ HAS ISSUED SOME INDICTMENTS FOR VOTER FRAUD IN MINNESOTA.

>> YES, THEY HAVE.

>> Eric: ELECTION ATTORNEY, TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THEY'VE INDICTED SOME PEOPLE FOR VOTER FRAUD.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THIS.

THEY'VE BEEN ACTUALLY AROUND, AND I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS BEEN AROUND CONDUCTING ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS IN MINNESOTA, WHICH HAS CAUSED SOME CONSTERNATION.

I'M GOING TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> Cathy: ANY COMMENT, JAVIER, ABOUT THIS?

>> MICHELE TAFOYA AND OTHERS, SHE ACTUALLY PRAISED THE OPERATION METRO SURGE.

SHE SAID THAT I.C.E.

TREATED CHILDREN WELL, WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE CHILD WHO WE ALL SAW IN THE BUNNY HAT WHO WAS KIDNAPPED IN FRONT OF HIS PARENTS.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT ANOTHER TOPIC.

STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

THERE ARE ABOUT, WHAT, 25 COMPETITIVE SEATS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: OUT OF THE 201.

SO HOW ARE THOSE BREAKING DOWN?

>> AGAIN, A LOT OF THE -- THERE'S A LOT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUPS ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, ON A COUPLE OF THOSE RURAL DEMOCRATIC SEATS.

SO GRANT HAUSCHILD, I'M FROM THE IRON RANGE, HE'S THE KIND OF REMAINING DEMOCRAT.

HE HAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THE RANGE, BUT THE ORTH SHORE AND HERMANTOWN, THAT RACE IS GOING TO PROBABLY GO NEAR $2 MILLION, I MEAN, THAT'S REALLY UNHEARD OF.

>> Cathy: IN A LEGISLATIVE RACE?

>> IN A STATE LEGISLATIVE RACE.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE AT LIKE $1.3 MILLION.

AND ROB KUPEC UP IN MOORHEAD, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY ARE SPENDING AGAINST HIM.

SO THAT'S DEFINITELY A COUPLE OF THE SPOTS HERE THEY'RE REALLY LOOKING TO PICK UP SEATS.

THEY ONLY NEED ONE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK, AGAIN, WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH OPERATION METRO SURGE, ITH HOW UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT TRUMP IS, AND THE LAWLESSNESS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME SUBURBAN SEATS.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

FLIP TO DEMOCRATS.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT BREAKOUT, REPUBLICANS ARE REALLY GOING AFTER THE OUTSTATE SEATS.

I THINK THE FEELING IS, CHANCES ARE REALLY GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS OUT THERE WITH THAT TARGETING.

I ALSO AGREE THAT THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS YOU'RE SEEING SOME EFFORTS BEING PUT INTO SUBURBAN RACES WHERE IT'S POSSIBLE YOU MIGHT SEE SOME KIND OF TURNAROUND IN THE METRO.

BUT ALL IN ALL, I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS FROM WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> Eric: IS THE MOOD OF THE VOTERS ANGER?

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND ARE ANGRY VOTERS MORE LIKELY -- ANGRY PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY YES.

AND IT'S THE ONE ISSUE THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE GO AWAY, AND THAT'S THE FRAUD ISSUE.

IT STAYS PERSISTENT.

IT DOESN'T DISAPPEAR WITH HEADLINES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PAPER, FOR EXAMPLE, SAYING, OH, AMY KLOBUCHAR DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FRAUD, THANK GOODNESS, THAT KIND OF THING.

NO, EVERYBODY UP AND DOWN THE TICKET'S GOING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT FRAUD ISSUE.

AMY KLOBUCHAR'S WHOLE STRATEGY GEEK TO BE -- WHOLE STRATEGY IS HOW CLOSE DOES SHE GET TO THE DFL IN MINNESOTA, HOW FAR AWAY DOES SHE HAVE TO BE IN ORDER TO GET -- AND THE QUESTION SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER, IF SHE'S ELECTED, WHO WITH HER, DOES GOING TO BE THE SAME PEOPLE?

IN WHICH CASE YOU MAY SEE VOTERS A LITTLE RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT HER OR IS IT GOING TO BE A NEW GROUP AND WHO ARE THEY GOING TO BE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, WITH STUFF AROUND THE FRAUD, I WOULD LIKE SOME REPUBLICANS TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

THE SENATE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THE SENATE FOR SIX YEARS.

WE HAVE HAD FRAUD IN THESE PROGRAMS FOR DECADES.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NOBODY WANTED TO PUT ONEY INTO SYSTEMS TO UPDATE ANY OF THESE SYSTEMS.

AND, SO, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AS WELL FROM REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE LSO BEEN IN CHARGE OF BOTH BODIES.

>> GOOD FOR YOU FOR MAKING THAT ARGUMENT.

I MEAN, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

I MEAN, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS BEEN RUN BY DEMOCRATS NOW FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS STRAIGHT.

THEY HAVE HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THEY ALSO HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THEY BALLOON SPENDING BY 40%.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ROBLEMS.

YOU'VE GOT SO MUCH MONEY FLOWING THROUGH St.

PAUL THAT IT'S HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF.

YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE, I DON'T THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, GAIN, WE NEED TO CLEAN UP THIS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A JOB TO HELP BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS ON GOVERNOR WALZ'S WATCH AND PEGGY FLANAGAN'S WATCH