Hacks On Tap Flood the Zone, Lose the Plot (with Mark McKinnon)
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Jan 13, 2026 Join political strategist Mark McKinnon, known for his sharp insights from years in campaigns, as he dives into the fast-paced news cycle. He shares stories about booking entertainment for Republican conventions and reflects on the tragic shooting of Renee Good amid Minnesota's ICE operations. The discussion highlights how 'flooding the zone' strategies can backfire, and McKinnon praises Democrats’ emerging focus on affordability and health care. They also tackle the implications of Trump's Venezuela stance and the potential risks surrounding Federal Reserve independence.
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Militarized ICE Backfires Politically
- Sending large, militarized ICE deployments produces a flood of viral video that harms public perception of the administration.
- Mark McKinnon argues those visuals alienate the median voter who dislikes militarized streets.
Operation Midway Blitz Comparison
- David Axelrod recounts Operation Midway Blitz and compares it to the Minnesota incident that led to Renee Good's killing.
- He notes video shows the woman trying to get away and being shot at point-blank range through the car window.
Flood The Zone As A Political Tactic
- The hosts describe a 'flood the zone' strategy of creating many outrages to fragment attention.
- John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon say this both scares and distracts opposition from core economic issues.