MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Oct. 31, 2016

Gary Johnson says the FBI's latest look into Hillary Clinton's emails throws her presumed victory into question. So what does that mean for his campaign? Which states does he think he can win? What will it mean for the Libertarian Party if he were to receive 5 percent of the national vote. Johnson answers these and other questions.

Also, who is the face of the progressive movement in the United States and Michigan? Lonnie Scott, the executive director of Progress Michigan shares his thoughts on this and the issue that he sees being pushed to the forefront after this election and beyond.

The MIRS staff lists five scary things we've seen in this election, and in celebration of Halloween, our five favorite Halloween songs.

Anti-Kennedy robocall from Reinventing Michigan and Better Michigan Fund

The following is a robo-call being sent to voters in the 106th House District from a secretive 527 calling itself the "Reinventing Michigan and Better Michigan Fund." The voice is that of House Republican spokesperson Gideon D'Assandro, although he declined to confirm that is the case.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 24, 2016

One poll showed Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump by 13 points in Michigan. Another poll released less than 48 hours later showed Clinton up 5. How can two polls be so different? John Yob, CEO of Strategic National, talks about how the assumptions pollsters are making on the Nov. 8,2016, electorate may be influencing the results.

Also, Sen. Margaret O'Brien (R-Portage) and Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) have signed up to run this weekend's Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. to raise awareness of military veterans who return to the United States with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other physical and mental illnesses. O'Brien talks about her interest in the event and the dangers of training for the 26.2-mile run. Knezek has stress fractures in his foot. She had firecrackers and debris thrown at her as she ran along the road.

 

Michigan-Michigan State football predictions conclude the show.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 17, 2016

What does former Gov. Jennifer Granholm think about Republicans trying to campaign off the possibility she may be appointed to a Hillary Clinton administration and bring back the "lost decade?" She answers that question and shares her thoughts on Donald Trump, her "bifurcated" existence as a policy wonk and "blabberer" for the Clinton campaign, and Clinton's email flap.

Also, Donald Trump's sinking popularity and some strong fundraising numbers now have Democrats giving the 8th Congressional District a stronger look. The Democrats' candidate, Suzanna Shkreli, shares her thoughts on the race and her response to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop saying he's done talking about Trump.

This and much more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 10, 2016

Is the presidential race over? The MIRS team opines on whether Donald Trump's "hot mic" comments from Friday essentially end the presidential race and what impact that has for Congress and other lower ticket races.

Jeff Timmer, a Republican political consultant with Two Rivers Public Affairs, says it's time for the Republicans to kick Trump off the ticket if they have any desire to win the race now that the Trump campaign a "smoking crater."

Also, what happened with the state Supreme Court races? This and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 3, 2016

Ingham County Prosecutor Gretchen Whitmer questions whether Attorney General Bill Schuette is violating prosecutorial ethics with his approach to the Flint water crisis criminal investigation, opines on Gov. Rick Snyder's decision not to pay for his own legal team and wonders aloud, "What would Jennifer Granholm or John Engler had done" if they were governor during the Flint water crisis.

Also, Greg McNeilly, the chair of the Michigan Freedom Fund, lays into Progress Michigan and the Detroit Free Press for insinuating Dick DeVos and his family are using high-dollar influence to get the education policy they want out of the Michigan Legislature. This and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 26, 2015

Why is T.J. Bucholz of Vanguard Public Affairs having a hard time calling the event between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump a "debate?" Is this presidential election good for the country? And why are some not trusting the polls? Bucholz and Tom Shields, president of the Marketing Resource Group answers these and other questions.

Also, what is Enbridge's plan if Line 5 bursts underneath the Mackinac Straits in the winter? Does the company have plans to close the pipeline in 10 years? What's wrong with using Line 6 around Lake Michigan instead of Line 5. Ryan Duffy of Enbridge answers these and other questions in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 19, 2016

The Michigan Environmental Council and the environmental group For Love of Water (FLOW) are asking the state today to shutdown Line 5, the light crude pipeline that runs under the Straits of Mackinac, for the winter to prevent an environmental catastrophe if the line should burst when the Straits are iced over. MIRS talks with FLOW Executive Director Liz Kirkwood and MEC's Kate Madigan about this and other issues connected with the pipeline.

Also, why should pro-marijuana advocates be happy about the regulation package set to be signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder, even if they are less than giddy immediately about the prospect of a large corporate structure and bureaucracy overseeing their business? Also, listen to Gov. Snyder's first TV ads for House candidates in 2016.

Gary Johnson speaks to reporters in Detroit 9/14/16

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson answered questions from the press corps after his question-and answer-type presentation in front of the Detroit Economic Club. During the exchange, Johnson gives his opinion on the Flint water crisis, the auto bailout and his personal belief that he has a 10 percent shot of winning the presidency.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 12, 2016

Hillary Clinton needs help getting into a vehicle after a 9-11 ceremony. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters reacts, as does members of the MIRS team. Will revelations by 24th House District candidate Steve Marino's comments about picking up the wedding tab, as lobbyist, for a lawmaker's daughter's wedding impact his race? And MIRS explores a story published Friday on why the Snyder administration has yet to put a price tag on the Flint water crisis.

This week, MIRS speaks with Ida Chinois of Grand Blanc, whose 7-year-old daughter has benefited from medical marijuana. We also speak with Darwin Jiles, the ethnic vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, on his perceptions of Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.