Quick Hits: Volume CDXXVIII

- After a certain high-profile US Senate endorsement on Sunday, many non-Trump "Republicans" and far leftists are clearly giving off a vibe of "principled stance for we, not for ye."

I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today. https://t.co/pQgfSBuhOJ

— Haley Stevens (@HaleyforMI) November 1, 2026

So while leftists have fallen all over themselves edifying the likes of Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Joe Walsh, Cindy McCain. etc. for their principled stances in speaking out against fellow Republican Donald Trump by putting "country over party," it's clear that it's only laudable when such actions help progs amass power. 

Look, if Dems want to criticize Ms. Stevens' stance based on substance (i.e. how supporting Rogers, in their minds, would be detrimental to Michiganders), then make that case. But since they can't adequately assuage Stevens' concerns over El-Sayed's questionable associations, they resort to vile name calling as well as the obligatory hyperbolic labels of "traitor" or "coward." But those labels seem to be a bit misguided since Stevens stands to lose far more than anything she could possibly gain from a political standpoint. 

The Detroit News: Haley Stevens has lost access to Michigan Democrats' voter database, sources tell Her photo has also been removed from the party's website. https://t.co/8PqTC4mcDM

— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) November 1, 2026

It's mind-boggling that leftists firmly believe the moral counteraction to Trump is to elevate as their political candidates sexual assaulters, anti-Semites and America haters.....the very traits they all believe Trump himself exudes. 

- With each passing year, I'm feeling this more and more. 

 

“We live in an anarchic world, the entire political class is an enemy of Christ and a servant of evil, that is why even living our simple life without abdicating our Christian principles is a daily confession and martyrdom.” —Elder Justin Pavru of Romania https://t.co/yWsgm64BjU

— Anthony Westgate (@a_westgate) July 22, 2024

To be clear: I will continue to pray for all our elected officials.....even if my human desires don't feel like it. 

- When Republicans have had electoral success on a national level over the past decade or two, Minnesota conservatives have been immune to such fortune. Oftentimes when being on the air for our election night broadcast, I use the phrase "celebrate nationally, but mourn locally." 

In this 2026 cycle, however, there is a nonzero chance that it could be the exact opposite. While I anticipate the national GOP getting routed in US House races and possibly losing the Senate majority, it's possible Minnesota Republicans could attain some long overdue success. 

For months, top Democratic candidates in Minnesota have faced attack ads and tough questions about their role in allowing fraud to proliferate in state government.

In response, they’ve defended their records, deflected blame to outgoing Gov. Tim Walz, and promised to crack down on fraudsters should voters elect them again this week.

Whether those explanations resonate is proving especially important in swing districts in the Twin Cities suburbs, where voters could determine the outcome of several statewide races, including those for U.S. Senate, governor and attorney general.

The Minnesota Star Tribune spoke to about 100 voters in several suburbs over the last week about whom they voted for and why. And while most self-identifying Democrats said they voted exclusively for Democrats, some DFL and independent voters said they were troubled enough by fraud that they split their tickets.

The fact is the rampant fraud issue hasn't necessarily resulted in Minnesota voters suddenly becoming infatuated with Republicans. However, it has definitely ginned up a "Well, they can't possibly be worse than the folks currently in charge" vibe among the electorate. 

While it's highly unlikely that the GOP can take the Governor's mansion, wresting both chambers of the Legislature would be huge. And in a favorable environment for Dems in a state like Minnesota, that would be a monumental upset. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 11/1/2026

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You see the recovery always comes 'round again......

We're down to two days for Election Day, so it'll be a final blitz on today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

Right at 1:00 MN Senate candidate Ben Bakeberg will join the program to discuss his candidacy in SD 54 (Shakopee, Prior Lake, Jordan). 

At 1:30, Republican candidate in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District Paul Wikstrom will check in with an update on his candidacy. 

In non-guest segments, I'll discuss the Hennepin County Attorney looking for a popcorn headline prior to Election Day. 

And finally, regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's election.....let not your heart be troubled. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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2018 pre-election vibes

All indications are that Democrats will have a pretty good day/night this upcoming Election Day, specifically because they're a shoo-in to take the U.S. House of Representatives (I think). And with Republicans seemingly playing defense in what are supposed to be safe GOP Senate seats (i.e. South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska), there's a decent shot the Dems could seize that chamber as well. 

Nevertheless, I sense that a good number of Dem voters are emulating a Saturday Night Live skit which originally aired just ahead of the 2018 midterms. 

While that was merely satire, it did a good job of reflecting the mindset of Dems who desperately wanted a win against President Donald Trump. And it also accurately portrayed the PTSD leftists endured in the aftermath of their overconfidence in 2016 being shattered. 

Hopefully y'all bought low on lithium stock. 

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BreWWWWers

A family excursion to a Milwaukee Brewers home game in July 2014. The fact I'm donning Brewers gear tells ya how much I love the fam.

Hats off to the Milwaukee Brewers on the franchise's first ever World Series championship!

My paternal grandparents (God rest their souls) rarely missed a radio broadcast of a Brewers game. If ever they had to attend an event which coincided with a scheduled game, one of them would often sneak out of the venue to catch an update via the car radio. Yes, it was safe to say that legendary Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker was a folk hero in their household (My goodness, what the Brewers' faithful would have given to hear Ueck celebrating this epic win).

I have two Aunts and an Uncle who have been faithful to the Brew Crew since the team's inception in 1970, a fandom which they have passed on to multiple generations of their own families. Despite at one point enduring the Brewers' 25-year postseason dry spell (1983-2007), my family remained fiercely loyal to their Crew, always believing they would one day break through and deliver that elusive World Series title. So even though I remain in fervent opposition to all Wisconsin sports teams (with the exception of my alma mater UW-River Falls), I can't help but be joyful over the fact that the people I love the most are experiencing utter happiness.

Kudos to the Brewers franchise for not only a great regular season and a downright dominant postseason, but also showing small market teams how it's done.

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Quick Hits: Volume CDXXVII

- You can tell a lot about a county attorney by which infractions they choose to prosecute. Young adult males busting shots off in busy urban areas? Meh. They can't be held totally responsible since they're "emerging adults." Their brains aren't fully formed yet (but somehow many of these same people believe society should acquiesce to a pre-adult male wanting to become a girl). 

But if individuals engage in controversial tactics to expose kinks in our election system? A bridge to far in the eyes of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. 

Keep in mind that O'Keefe and Higby didn't actually cast votes. For that, I would agree they'd need to be punished to fullest extent of the law. No, the goal here wasn't to commit fraud but rather give a demonstration how easy it would be to do so since no picture ID is required in the vouching system. 

Longtime friend of the NARN David Strom at breaks it down. 

Now, as far as I can tell, not one element of the law was violated, but that is a minor detail. Moriarty (and Secretary of State Steve Simon, another DFL hack) argue that asking about getting a ballot is the same thing as applying for a ballot, and it just may be that a Minneapolis jury, made up of people who think Lavrenty Beria was too soft on capitalist pigs, might buy it.

But that's not really the point in any case. What the Democrats are doing is throwing mud at the men who exposed their hypocrisy. After all, as Moriarty says, “Elections are the bedrock of democracy, and their protection is one of our highest priorities. Individuals engaging in unlawful conduct related to our elections will be held accountable.” Both Higby and O'Keefe exposed the lie at the heart of that claim by proving that any Tom, Dick, or Abdul can cheat as easily as taking candy from a baby.

They must be punished, and making them appear in court will serve that purpose just fine. The process is the punishment.

It's quite telling that Moriarty's office is more active when their allies are embarrassed as opposed to when the safety of the HennCo citizenry is in peril. 

- This.....was an unfortunate choice of words. 

Who knew kicking off a bus tour would make for a nice date with my ninth-grade girlfriend. https://t.co/AdQCL0Eb3H

— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) October 27, 2026

This happens way too often when elites attempt to portray themselves as regular folks. 

- It would appear Barry is banking on the delusion that no one was conscious from 2008 thru 2016. 

Barack Obama: "I am tired of being divided! I want friendship and neighborliness!" https://t.co/1LIdDcwq5L

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 29, 2026

This is kinda like an arsonist proclaiming he's tired of suffering from smoke inhalation. 

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Anniversary "gift"

It was 35 years ago today at this very minute when the Minnesota Twins won the World Series in a thrilling Game 7. 

OTD in 1991, Jack Morris turned in arguably the best big-game performance ever 😤 Morris threw 10 scoreless innings in Game 7 of the World Series as the Twins beat the Braves 1-0 in one of the most dramatic Postseason games of all time. Scattering 7 hits and striking out 8, Morris became just the 3rd pitcher to throw a shutout of more than 9 innings in the World Series, joining Christy Mathewson (1913) and Clem Labine (1956) The @Twins won the game in the bottom of the 10th on Gene Larkin’s pinch-hit single to give Minnesota its second World Series championship in five years.

— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2026

In my humble (but accurate) opinion, the 1991 World Series is still the greatest, most exhilarating Fall Classic ever, culminating in that 1-0, 10-inning thriller. 

It's also been the last time one of the Minnesota men's pro sports team has won a championship. Heck, none have even appeared in a title game/finals series since then. 

There are 21 metropolitan areas in North America which are home to at least 3 of the 4 men's pro sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL). The Twin Cities has the longest active championship drought - 35 years and counting. The second longest is Phoenix at 25 years. 

Hey, but at least there are glimmers of hope this season, right? 

• The Vikings are 6-0. 
• The Wild are off to a nice start, tied for most points in the NHL's Western Conference. 
• The Timberwolves have had a dream start, winning their first three games by 20+ plus points before being edged in OT Wednesday night on the second evening of a back-to-back. Superstar Anthony Edwards (who's not even 100% due to a knee issue) has already scored 40+ points twice. 

Yep. The only thing that could possibly dampen the spirits of a Minnesota sports nut at this point would be........

Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing right knee and miss up to two months, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/HenrAY2APs

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 27, 2026

Ugh. That would do it. 

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Box Score of the Week (Final one of 2026)

Game 6 of the 1980 World Series - Kansas City Royals at Philadelphia Phillies.

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The current World Series matchup of Tampa Bay Rays-Milwaukee Brewers means one of these two teams will secure their franchise's first ever championship. 

This week's featured game marks the end of the 1980 Fall Classic, which was the last time a World Series featured two franchises looking to capture their first title.

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