MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Aug. 18, 2014

It's the pre-convention edition of MIRS Monday. Where are the battles at the Republican and Democratic state conventions this weekend? MIRS breaks down the remaining questions on both sides. Also, how did Gov. Rick Snyder do this weekend with his post-flooding action?

Also, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee is asked about his comments in which he compares Snyder's apparent passionate indifference on the same-sex marriage issue to former Gov. George Wallace's strident segregation stances from the 1960s.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 11, 2014

How much political damage did Gov. Rick Snyder suffer last week with the $200,000 Aramark fine and the now former MSHDA Director Scott Woosley's extravagant travel reimbursements? What takeaways can we pull from the Tuesday primary?

Also, former Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly talks about her interest in the Wayne State University Board of Governors and what can be done on the student debt issue.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 4, 2014

No organized campaign is out to sink Proposal 1, but it still may fail. Why? Also, can money buy elections? How far right can the Michigan Republican Party go Tuesday and do union endorsements still matter in Democratic primaries? This and audio from Secretary of State candidate Godfrey Dillard's conference call (12:15) on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, July 28, 2014

Brenda Lawrence is the childhood friend of Rudy Hobbs' mother-in-law. Her grandchildren are good friends with his kids. So how is it that Lawrence and Hobbs are running against each other in the open 14th Congressional District? Is there animosity there? Listen to the two tell their stories on this week's podcast.

Also, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn breaks down some of the campaign finance numbers from Friday. Should Mark Schauer feel good he's only down 2:1 to Gov. Rick Snyder in fundraising?

MIRS Monday, July 21, 2014

Attorney General Bill Schuette says state Sen. John Moolenaar's record needs to be set straight in the Republican 4th Congressional District primary. A former member of Congress himself, Schuette talks about polling in his re-election bid, the Aramark prison food contract, the Detroit pension vote and Mitt Romney in this week's edition (5:10). 

Also, both Republicans in the open 8th Congressional District primary join the podcast. State Rep. Tom McMillin talks about his past praise for former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (23:55) while Bishop talks about his role in the creation of the Michigan Business Tax (15:17).

MIRS Monday, July 14, 2014

Does Wayne County Executive candidate Warren Evans believe incumbent Bob Ficano is corrupt? The former Wayne County Sheriff answers this and other questions about the international bridge and the county's budget, among other subjects. Also, Michael Sargeant, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, handicaps the D's shot at taking control of the Michigan House.

Also, will Michigan have debates in the gubernatorial and US Senate races? Congressional campaign finance numbers come out Tuesday. Who needs a big showing?

MIRS Monday, July 7, 2014

Third Congressional District candidate Brian Ellis says incumbent U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Kentwood) is only thinking of himself, not his constituents, when he casts his perceived odd congressional votes. Amash's desire to be the next Ron Paul is out of step with where majority of Republican voters are, Ellis says this in this week's podcast.

Also, Ron Olson, chief of the DNR's Parks and Recreation Division talks about the uptick in traffic to the park this Fourth of July weekend and the improved recreation passport adoption numbers in neighborhoods surrounding Belle Isle.

MIRS Monday, June 30, 2014

On today's show, Dennis Denno of Denno Research breaks down the results of a recent poll of MIRS subscribers. Which gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races do insiders see as running the best campaigns? The worst?

Our second guest is Matt Gillard of Michigan's Children, talking about education funding and a new party in town -- the Michigan Sandbox Party. Also, what kind of marks did the recently signed education funding bill get?

Also, how big of a boost will candidates like David Trott and Bill Schuette get by having Mitt Romney at their events this week? The MIRS team discusses it. 

MIRS Monday, June 23, 2014

Tune in with the MIRS crew as we look at ads in the U.S. Senate, Gubernatorial and 11th Congressional District races. Guests are Vanguard Public Affairs President T.J. Bucholz and Capitol Confidential Correspondent Jack Spencer.

MIRS Monday, June 16, 2014

When U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his primary election last week, former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, now with Hoekstra Global Strategies, had flashbacks to his own shocking primary win in 1992. What similarities does he see? How will this impact Michigan's Congressional primaries? Hoekstra also opines on the developing insurgency in Iraq.

Also, did the President make the right decision trading the freedom of Sgt. Bergdahl for five terrorists? Get the reaction of an expert in terrorist activities, 11th Congressional hopeful Bobby McKenzie, who also shares his thoughts on whether Edward Snowden is a traitor or a patriot.

Finally, Rick Snyder for president? The Washington Post floated the idea over the weekend. The MIRS team reacts.