MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Sept. 29, 2014

Supreme Court Justice candidate Deborah Thomas tells MIRS Monday the talk of reforming the state's Electoral College process helped spur her decision to seek the high court again. She also addresses a new Michigan Democratic Party mailer on the Supreme Court race where her name is nowhere to be seen. What happened?

Also, a panel of political consultants -- Dennis Denno of Denno Research, Jeff Timmer and Dan McMaster from Grassroots Midwest -- compares the 2014 election year to those of years past. They also talk about the enthusiasm glut of this election year and they answer the key question, "What has been the defining issue of this year's U.S. Senate race?"

MIRS Monday, Sept. 22, 2014

AFL-CIO President Karla Swift talks about the union coalition kicking off its new mail program promoting Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer and hitting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land. How active are union members in the campaign season two years removed from the ballot defeat of the collective bargaining ballot proposal?

Also, the MIRS team lists the five most memorable TV moments from 2014 campaign season to date.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 15, 2014

U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-Milford) tells MIRS Monday he is writing in his own name for Congress this November despite losing in the primary. Listen to him explain why and if he will be filing as a write-in. Also, the one-term Congressman endorses Terri Lynn Land for U.S. Senate, but listen to what he says when asked if he will be voting for Gov. Rick Snyder.

Also, Rob Engstrom, vice president of political affairs with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce talks about the U.S. Senate.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 8, 2014

This audio-only version of "The Screening Room" looks at the pet coke ads against U.S. Senate candidates Gary Peters and Terri Lynn Land, the Democratic Governors Association's "Teacher" ad, Gov. Rick Snyder's "Road to Recovery spot and the new Republican Governors Association's "Rock Star" spot.

Also, Kent County Judge James Robert Redford, one of three Republican-nominated candidates for the state Supreme Court, talks about his experience and his relationship with his opponent, Court of Appeals Judge William Murphy from Grand Rapids.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 1, 2014

It's the unofficial start of General Election campaign. When does the outside money pull the plug on U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land? Did Gov. Snyder make a mistake not going after Mark Schauer more aggressively months ago? Do the D's have any shot at flipping a Congressional seat?

Plus, Rep. Greg MacMaster talks about running a write-in campaign in the 37th state Senate District. Why is he looking into this? Has he talked to his mother or daughter after both endorsed his opponent in the GOP primary? What did he and Wayne Schmidt say to each other on the House floor? Also, meet MIRS' new reporter, Lauren Gibbons in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

The post-convention edition features Democratic Supreme Court nominee William Murphy; the brains behind the Lt. Gov. Brian Calley re-nomination campaign, John Yob of Strategic National; MDP Chair Lon Johnson; former MRP National Committeeman Saul Anuzis and more. How important was it for Snyder to get Calley on the ticket with him? And George Wallace's name surfaces once again, but in connection to whom?

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?