MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, March 1, 2021

Rep. Matt Hall, former MI-GOP Party Chair Susy Avery and political consultant Scott Greenlee talk about the future of the Michigan Republican Party in a roundtable format.

Also, Michigan Solidarity leader Liano Sharon talks about his movement and why he believes it's getting blowback from the Michigan Democratic Party "establishment" and others within the progressive movement.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 22, 2021

A survey of Lansing insiders shows great pessimism about the relationship between the Governor and the Michigan legislature getting better any time soon. We break down results and get commentary from ex-Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, formerly of Public Sector Consultants.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes explains what's next for the party after her re-election. She's asked about Michigan Solidarity, a progressive movement led, in part, by activist Liano Sharon.

Ryan Kelley, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, shares his story, his interest in the Patriot movement and what he was doing on U.S. Capitol property on Jan. 6.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 15, 2021

The future of Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, the Senate Republican caucus and the New York Times article on Michigan militias are the top items on the agenda for the MIRS crew and Susy Avery of the Michigan Political Leadership Program.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has an opponent, but how serious is it? Steve Hood breaks that down and other Detroit political goings-on in the city.

And how did U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ever get elected? Jamie Jones,  editor of the Daily Citizens News in Dalton, Georgia, gives his take.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 8, 2021

The $200,000 the Michigan Republican Party spent out of its administrative account to former Secretary of State candidate Stan Grot may not be within the Bureau of Election's purview because it came out of an unregulated account. But Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum suggested the matter could be kicked over to the Attorney General for, at worst, possible criminal embezzlement or bribery (48:32).

Republican political consultant Jamie Roe was, up until recently, business partners with Stu Sandler, one of former MRP Chair Laura Cox's big allies. Did he support Cox's decision to bring the matter to the Secretary of State?

And Elizabeth Battiste of Martin Waymire joins the MIRS team to answer these questions:

"What needs to happen first to achieve the goal of moving the country to the middle -- politicians who need to lead from the middle or a public that demands it?" ... 

 

"Politically speaking, would Republicans rather not be invited to the Gov's COVID restrictions table so they can have a seemingly endless group of people to pander to?"

 

MIRS Monday, Feb. 1, 2021

The member of Congress most likely to get squeezed out of his/her seat this year if Michigan loses a seat is a Republican, not a Democrat, according to a pair of experienced Lansing-area map drawers.

 

Also, Bob LaBrant and Ed Sarpolus have a term limits reform idea that elevates a local government approach of allowing constituents to keep their term-limited legislator around.

John Walsh and Mike Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers defend the Legislature's use of the General Fund to boost the Unemployment Insurance Fund, but support the Governor's enthusiasm of restarting the Good Jobs program.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

State House candidate Mellissa Carone, Rudy Guiliani's star witness last month, talks about her interest in politics (20:20). Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consultants blows up any residual claims that widespread voter fraud existed in the last election by calling out a former MIRS Monday guest (43:02). Congressional candidate Mike Detmer (27:56) defends Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's decision to meet with members of the Michigan Militia.

A preview of the State of the State address, an analysis of Robert Gordon's hasty departure as director of the Department of Health and Human Services and more with special guest Chris DeWitt.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 18, 2021

Why didn't police reform make it to the Governor in 2020? Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II talks about that, implicit bias and more. Also, why was last Sunday's protest more about police presence than boogaloo boys? MIRS breaks down that subject.

And, finally, University of Michigan Daily political cartoonist Maddy VerVaecke talks to MIRS' Samantha Shriber. Who is the easiest political figure to draw? Who is the hardest? How did she get drawing about state government and from where does she draw her inspiration? 

MIRS Monday, Jan. 11, 2021

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint Twp.) tells congressional Republicans who voted to challenge the election in Arizona and Pennsylvania hours after the Capitol riots that he would never "sacrifice" his soul to keep any job.

Rep. Jack O'Malley says the incoming Michigan House Minority Leader can take her letter that calls on him and 17 of his GOP colleagues to not to be seated this Wednesday and "stuff it."

Jeff Timmer discusses the long-term vision for the Lincoln Project and more.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 4, 2021

The policy around Michigan's unemployment system is among the nation's worst, according to Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, who lays out potential reforms in this week's podcast. Simon Schuster of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network talks about a Lansing political power couple who have top legislative jobs while running a successful side political operation.

Also, who are some freshmen House members to watch this year? And, if not Candice Miller for Governor in 2022, then who?

MIRS Monday, Dec. 28, 2020

MIRS names its Senator of the Year based on its criteria of effectiveness, impact and level of activity. Also, MIRS runs unedited audio from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's year-end press conference with many print reporters of the Capitol Press Corps.