MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

It's Election Day Eve and three statewide pollsters -- Tom Shields of the Marketing Resource Group, Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consultants and Steve Mitchell of the Mitchell Research and Communications -- talk about what they've seen. The variations in the polls. The three ballot proposals. The sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats. The shrinking number of people willing to participate in polling. Republicans bleeding support at the statewide level. The three talk about all these various dynamics and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 29, 2018

Republican candidates like Bill Schuette have gone from actively campaigning against LGBT issues to passively accepting an expansion of the state's civil rights law to include nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Stephanie White of Equality Michigan talks about this attitude change, the Williamston School Board recall and other election issues in this week's podcast.

Also, Democratic candidates tend to be out-fundraising their Republican opponents . . . except in the state Senate, where traditional GOP supporters are doubling down on some key races. Why is this happening and why is the sudden influx of money in Proposals 1 and 2? 

MIRS Monday, Oct. 22, 2018

Is Proposal 3 a Trojan horse for partisan politics? That's the argument of former Speaker Jase Bolger from Tusker Strategies who is opposing the ballot question promoted by Promote the Vote, the ACLU-League of Women Voters-NAACP supported initiative. The group's spokesperson, Todd Cook, debates Bolger over Proposal 3 in this week's edition.

Also, how did health care become the nation's top issue this campaign? What's going on in the polling in the 8th and 11th Congressional District? And is President Donald Trump coming to Michigan? The MIRS team kicks these questions around.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 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.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 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.

Bayer Clip

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.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 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.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 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.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 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.

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.