Reluctantly Exposing Minnesota Democrats Exposed
I was shocked today to see that Minnesota Democrats Exposed had been so careless as to make a blog posting with Michael Brodkorb's name, e-mail and mobile phone number (see image below and this post in question). I didn't understand at first; it took me about 15 minutes to figure out what had actually happened. This is a theory, but I think it holds a lot of weight. I want to thank Eva Young and her wonderful blog for making the allegation that Michael Brodkorb is MDE first.
I believe that Michael Brodkorb may very well be MDE for the following reasons:
- There is a really good reason why that name and phone number are on that post: it was an e-mail post. Blogger, which I use, has a wonderful feature that lets you make a post via an e-mail to a super-secret e-mail address and it instantly shows up on the blog. Occam's Razor would tell us that the answer is simple: Mr. Brodkorb carelessly made a post from his personal Hotmail account and forgot to remove the standard signature from it (at 12:32 EDT). He saw the mistake 45 minutes later and removed it and resaved it. I happened to catch this because I read MDE's blog via RSS in Safari, which updates every 15 minutes or so, downloads new stories and if the story is changed or deleted, I still have the older version on my computer. Another clue that it is an email post: www.timpawlenty.com is not hyperlinked -- something harder to write by hand in HTML in e-mail than to click the automated button in Blogger -- and MDE is pretty good with hyperlinks.
- An alternate theory is that Mr. Brodkorb isn't MDE -- the administrator of the blog -- but is friends with him and has access to that super-secret posting e-mail address I mentioned before. However, I had never seen Mr. Brodkorb's name before today, and the first few links in a Google search for his name is the accusation by Ms. Young that Mr. Brodkorb is MDE (that's one hell of a coincidence!).
- If I (and others) am correct, then I find it hilarious that MDE would be so vain as to highlight his own quotations in a news story he posted on his blog (it is the red text halfway down). I should note that this could likely be a press release that Mr. Brodkorb himself wrote.
- From what I've pieced together (and this is more circumstantial supporting evidence) Mr. Brodkorb has close ties to the Republican party of Minnesota (as a former spokesperson) and several prominent GOP officeholders (including Dick Day, Norm Coleman and Rudy Boschwitz). On top of that, he used to head opposition research for the MN GOP (one would think those skills would come in handy exposing DFLers). Mr. Brodkorb seems to now be of the employ of some pro-Randy Kelly political group called "The Campaign for St. Paul's Future." As far as I can tell this is one of those (so-called) 527 groups, an organization that would not technically be excluded from MDE's disclaimer. MDE isn't "created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee." (That was from MDE's disclaimer made on every page). All of this put together would give MDE access to insider GOP information -- which he often seems to have -- if MDE was, say, a former spokesman and opposition researcher for the MN GOP.
- MDE -- as Mr. Brodkorb so forcefully put it -- "[has] made it abundantly clear that the true identity of Minnesota Democrats Exposed will never be revealed or confirmed." I doubt that even if I am right that MDE would come out and acknowledge it, and I certainly hope he doesn't quit because of it. He did give his standard non-denial to this new allegation here.
I should note that I sent this evidence to Ms. Young earlier today and she posted on it. I am just following up because I had some more thoughts on it. Without her hard work, I doubt I would have pursued this at all.
To be honest, "exposing" politicians or bloggers isn't really my thing. I've done my share of opposition research, I know what to look for and where to look, but I get no real pleasure out of it. Today I made an exception, just because it is a "taste of your own medicine thing." I hold no personal animosity towards Minnesota Democrats Exposed, but I must say that I often disagree with what he shows as evidence of some sort of rotting core at the center of the DFL. He has used some computer savvy to "expose" things like Betty McCollum living next door to her chief of staff (and the logical leap that since they are both unmarried and have compatible genitalia then they must be in some sort of forbidden love situation). Well, finding public records isn't computer savvy, but finding things like document author information in the properties for DFL documents does take some savvy.
I kinda feel bad doing this after MDE was so nice as to give my new blog an entry and a rightful place on the list of 'wrong blogs' links.
UPDATE: I invite anyone to comment that find fault with my theory or can offer more evidence.
permanent link | 10/22/2005 10:41:00 PM | posted by Toby
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Toby, the reason I have problems with what MDE does is he doesn't just go after DFL politicians, but he goes after DFL volunteers. In my opinion, that's intended to intimidate people.
I also think his tactics when used in Minneapolis and St Paul - backfire on the Republican party.
I also think his tactics when used in Minneapolis and St Paul - backfire on the Republican party.
# posted by 
lloydletta : October 24, 2005 5:28 AM
lloydletta : October 24, 2005 5:28 AM Anonymous political commentary has long been a hallmark of American freedom. From the early days of
this nation, revolutionary political thinkers often published anonymously for a variety of reasons, most
often to protect themselves and their families from reprisal.
I would shudder to think of this nation without "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. His words and
thoughts rallied hundreds to the cause of liberty, freedom and equality during the Revolutionary War, and was instrumental in keeping the moral of the Continental Army up during the bleaker days of the
struggle.
When he wrote this historic pamphlet, he sighed it anonymously. Fear of reprisal, and his belief that as a free man, he had the right to protect his own identity gave him his foundation for this belief.
Today, our children are taught of his bravery and patriotism.
No, I am not saying that MDE is Thomas Paine, or his blog is Common Sense. But what I am saying is that
American politics has a long proud history of anonymous political dissent. So proud that we teach
some of the most important writings to our kids.
So maybe someone knows who MDE is, but I for one do not care. Debating who he is or is not detracts from
the real debate. How do we better our state? How do we continue to provide a quality education to our
kids? How do we insure safe affordable healthcare to all? How do we keep the state's economy going?
The next election in Minnesota is sure to be a pivotal and monumental moment in out state's history. All
eyes in this country will rest on us here. Who will win the Dayton Senate seat, and how will it affect the political landscape in the US Senate. Will Coleen Rowley or Tim Walz win in upsets? Who will replace Mark Kennedy? Will Tim Pawlenty be able to hold onto
the Governorship? And will the State House or Senate flip?
Perhaps we are all best off not worrying about who is writing these blogs, and instead focus on what they are saying. The "gotcha games" grow old and dull.
And as we saw in the last election, the electorate of Minnesota has no more use for them.
Yours in anonymous political dissent.
Trillin
this nation, revolutionary political thinkers often published anonymously for a variety of reasons, most
often to protect themselves and their families from reprisal.
I would shudder to think of this nation without "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. His words and
thoughts rallied hundreds to the cause of liberty, freedom and equality during the Revolutionary War, and was instrumental in keeping the moral of the Continental Army up during the bleaker days of the
struggle.
When he wrote this historic pamphlet, he sighed it anonymously. Fear of reprisal, and his belief that as a free man, he had the right to protect his own identity gave him his foundation for this belief.
Today, our children are taught of his bravery and patriotism.
No, I am not saying that MDE is Thomas Paine, or his blog is Common Sense. But what I am saying is that
American politics has a long proud history of anonymous political dissent. So proud that we teach
some of the most important writings to our kids.
So maybe someone knows who MDE is, but I for one do not care. Debating who he is or is not detracts from
the real debate. How do we better our state? How do we continue to provide a quality education to our
kids? How do we insure safe affordable healthcare to all? How do we keep the state's economy going?
The next election in Minnesota is sure to be a pivotal and monumental moment in out state's history. All
eyes in this country will rest on us here. Who will win the Dayton Senate seat, and how will it affect the political landscape in the US Senate. Will Coleen Rowley or Tim Walz win in upsets? Who will replace Mark Kennedy? Will Tim Pawlenty be able to hold onto
the Governorship? And will the State House or Senate flip?
Perhaps we are all best off not worrying about who is writing these blogs, and instead focus on what they are saying. The "gotcha games" grow old and dull.
And as we saw in the last election, the electorate of Minnesota has no more use for them.
Yours in anonymous political dissent.
Trillin
"Anonymous" commentary is important, but Michael Brodkorp does not attempt to hide his political viewpoints in other forums.
Since he doesn't seem to be worried that people may identify him as a partisan Republican, then his only motivation for secrecy in MDE is to be able to say things he will not be held responsible for.
If he really is quoting his own press releases, this is truly pathetic self-stimulation....
Bob T, Saint Paul
Since he doesn't seem to be worried that people may identify him as a partisan Republican, then his only motivation for secrecy in MDE is to be able to say things he will not be held responsible for.
If he really is quoting his own press releases, this is truly pathetic self-stimulation....
Bob T, Saint Paul
# posted by 
: October 24, 2005 12:00 PM
: October 24, 2005 12:00 PM I thought you should know that someone posted Michael Brodkorb's home address with the message "SEE YOU TONIGHT @" on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.
It has since been removed.
It has since been removed.
First of all, there is a difference between attacking politicians (which is about 90% of what MDE does) and what Thomas Paine wrote. I also believe that anonymous political speech is protected speech, meaning that Congress shouldn't pass laws prohibiting it. Finally, I'm a huge fan of irony, and for MDE to be "exposed" himself, on his own blog nonetheless, makes me chuckle. We'll never really know if MDE is or isn't Michael Brodkorp, and in the end it doesn't really matter. Well, except if it is him, then the charge could be made that he is just shilling for his former employer.
MDE, I think that whoever posted Mr. Brodkorp's address on your blog is juvenile and I completely condemn it. You were right to remove it as it is wholly inappropriate to my theory about your identity (as well as the wellbeing of Mr. Brodkorp). If that information is posted in comments on my blog, I will remove it as well.
MDE, I think that whoever posted Mr. Brodkorp's address on your blog is juvenile and I completely condemn it. You were right to remove it as it is wholly inappropriate to my theory about your identity (as well as the wellbeing of Mr. Brodkorp). If that information is posted in comments on my blog, I will remove it as well.
seems to me this guy is a coward. if he wasnts to get involved with blogging then maybe we should start digging into his past. bet we would find some things there he doesnt want know in public. maybe he needs to have it doen to him to see how it feels. so maybe lets start a blog on him. dig into his past and post it. wonder what he would do?
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# posted by : May 02, 2008 10:34 AM
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