October 15, 2018
Proposal 2, the constitutional amendment to create a 13-person redistricting commission, is debated in this week's edition. Katie Fahey, the head of Voters Not Politicians, and Tony Daunt of the Freedom Fund talk about the pluses and minuses of the proposal at MIRS World Headquarters.
Also, the first gubernatorial and U.S. Senate debates are over. The MIRS team gives its impressions on what it saw with each race's two major-party candidates.
October 8, 2018
MIRS Monday features a debate on Proposal 18-1, the legalization of recreational marijuana. Josh Hovey of Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol and Scott Greenlee of Healthy & Productive Michigan tackle a host of questions from the MIRS team while candidly responding to each other's arguments, for and against.
October 4, 2018
Rosemary Bayer, 12th Senate District Democratic nominee, introducing herself last Friday at the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills, as captured by a Republican tracker.
October 1, 2018
What was it like to work in communications for Gov. Rick Snyder during the height of the Flint Water Crisis? Outgoing Snyder Press Secretary Anna Heaton shares some memories from her time with the term-limited governor in this edition.
Also, new AT&T Michigan President David Lewis and Legislative Affairs Vice President Gavin Goetz push for the adoption of statewide standards for "small cell" technology.
And the MIRS team talks about the impact of a national leadership PAC taking $2 million in TV ads out of U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop's re-election bid and why polling results on legalized pot differs based on whether it's a live poll or a robo-poll.
September 24, 2018
Dr. Rob Davidson, the Democratic nominee in the 2nd Congressional District, has raised more than $800,000. He's going up on network TV with ads. In today's political environment and armed with polling, he believes he can beat four-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga in a 63 percent Republican district. What is giving him this level of confidence? Listen to this week's show to find out.
Also, who is telling the truth? Bill Schuette or Gretchen Whitmer when it comes the Larry Nassar prosecution? From a political standpoint, how much will it matter? The MIRS team is joined by Sara Wurfel of Truscott Rossman as we answer those questions, explore Schuette's investigation into the Catholic Church and talk about Justice Beth Clement, a candidate they nominated for election, being left off the Republican Party's door hanger in swing districts.
September 17, 2018
Where are the Republicans? That's what Target Insyght's Ed Sarpolus is asking as he completes a poll for MIRS News and GCSI. Hear some of his other general observations after doing a new statewide poll set to be released Monday and several other regional surveys.
Also, Democrat Joanne Galloway talks about why voters in the 107th House District are done with Rep. Lee Chatfield. And Republican Jack O'Malley talks about how 30+ years in radio prepares him to represent the 101st District.
September 10, 2018
What the hell happened with Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) in the 5th Senate District primary in his loss to Betty Jean Alexander? Knezek talks about his shocking loss to a political unknown, who spent less than $1,000 on her campaign and what his plans are going forward.
Also, is Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer more vulnerable on national issues like ICE and Hamas or should Bill Schuette try to go after her on state issues like no-fault car insurance? A source tells a MIRS correspondent that President Donald Trump is going to come to Michigan twice this campaign cycle. Where would be the best places for him to show up to inject enthusiasm into the Republican ticket?
This and the story of Fred Snodgrass in this week's edition.
September 3, 2018
He'd like to see Right to Work repealed, prevailing wage brought back and there's a third main item on AFL-CIO Michigan President Ron Bieber's wishlist if the Democrats take control of the governor's office, Senate and House during the 2018 elections. What is it? Bieber talks about this and other issues heading to the Nov. 6 election.
The MIRS team also talks about the results of a 400-plus respondent flash poll of MIRS subscribers taken last week. What is the better message? "Fix the damn roads" or "Cut the Granholm income tax hike?" One question yielded almost a flat-footed tie. This and more in this week's edition.
August 27, 2018
Two Republican figures who could have helped unify the state party going into November -- Gov. Rick Snyder and state Sen. Patrick Colbeck -- were nowhere near the Lansing Center this weekend. The MIRS team talks about this, the lack of convention support for Justice Beth Clement and more observations from the GOP convention. Plus, hear raw audio from Republican U.S. Senate nominee John James and the top of the GOP ticket.
Was this week's Democratic convention just too long? Why was the April endorsement convention in foul weather better attended than the summer nominating convention?
Hear observations about the Dem convention and Sen. Mike Shirkey talk about the prospects of the legislature voting on the prevailing wage and mimimum wage before either makes the November ballot.
August 20, 2018
Listen to raw audio of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gretchen Whitmer naming Garlin Gilchrist II her lieutenant governor running mate in Lansing. Also, listen to short reporter scrums with both Whitmer and Gilchrist. The MIRS team analyzes the Whitmer pick and the Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette's selection of Lisa Posthumus Lyons as his LG running mate in this podcast.
