MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Sept. 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.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 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He'd like to see Right to Work repealed, prevailing wage brought back and there's a third main item on AFL-CIO Michigan President Ron Bieber's wishlist if the Democrats take control of the governor's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.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 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.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 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.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 13, 2018

Should President Donald Trump come to Michigan to help energize support for Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette? Virg Bernero, former Lansing Mayor and 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, say, "Yes." As a Democrat he wants Trump in Michigan as often as possible to drive independent-leaning voters to Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.

Bernero talks the August primary -- what Abdul El-Sayed, Shri Thanedar and Brian Calley could have done differently -- why Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan might have thrown him shade during a recent radio interview. Could it be because of MSU Board of Trustees politics? Listen to this and more from the "Angry Mayor" in this week's podcast.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 6, 2018

Republican Attorney General candidate Tonya Schuitmaker says she's ready to have more debates with convention opponent Tom Leonard, but he's not eager to sign up. Hear what Schuitmaker says about that, her view on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, presumed Democratic AG nominee Dana Nessel and her interest level in being the GOP's Lieutenant Governor nominee.

Also, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is not a Johnny Come Lately to the PFAS issue, according to spokesperson Scott Dean, who defends the department's handling of this emerging water contaminate and puts Michigan among the leading states in responding to it.

Finally, the MIRS team runs down their favorite primary campaign ads and talks about the nastiest primaries this election cycle -- the 24th Senate District, the 51st House District and the Macomb County Clerk's race.

MIRS Monday, July 30, 2018

What does it mean to be a "Trump Republican?" Meshawn Maddock, a co-founder of the "Trump Republicans," shares her definition during today's podcast. Maddock also calls out by name one Republican state Senate candidate as not being a "Trump Republican." She lists several legislative candidates as being endorsed by the group. Why are they not endorsing Bill Schuette for governor as the President has done? 

Also Craig Mauger of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network goes over Friday's filing with the MIRS team. Gretchen Whitmer is "fundraising like a Republican," state Senate candidate Holly Hughes' $1 million in contributions are deceiving and various highlights from the legislative reports are discussed.

Finally, MIRS mourns the coming departure of one of it's most devoted employees.

Calley Press Conference 7-24-18

Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Calley, Michigan's lieutenant governor, tells reporters that a look into primary opponent Bill Schuette's official schedule as attorney general shows the AG has put in a standard eight hours of work 104 in the roughly 1,950 work days he's been on the job from Jan. 1, 2011-July 8, 2018. The following is raw audio from the press conference. Calley also answers questions on whether he would support the Republican nominee, whoever it is, and his opinion on the Civil Rights Commission blowing off the Schuette's opinion regarding the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act.

MIRS Monday, July 23, 2018

He doesn't know what will happen during the Aug. 7 primary, but Ayman Khafagi, vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Progressive Caucus vice chair, said he can feel excitement and energy at the doors as he knocks for Steve Friday, a progressive Democrat running in the 7^th Congressional District.

Khafagi talks about his other observations of Michigan's progressive movement as well as his history in politics, which includes a 180-degree turn in his personal view on the issues. 

Also, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed makes the front page of the New York Times, opponent Shri Thanedar sends out more anti-Gretchen Whitmer mailers and Whitmer responds to "this crap." The MIRS team comments on these developments and more.

MIRS Monday, July 16, 2018

The breakneck pace of the modern political campaign and the 24-hour news cycle can make it hard for campaigns to get their message out through an understaffed and overwhelmed news media. Stu Sandler of Grand River Strategies talks about this, why we're seeing fewer debates and his predictions in the GOP gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.

Also, the MIRS team digs into congressional campaign finance reports. Elissa Slotkin and several other Democratic candidates continued their high fundraising numbers. Is this more evidence of a blue wave? Listen to Gretchen Whitmer's short internet ad and impressions from the on-stage rendition of Shri Thanedar's Blue Suitcase.