Episodios

  • “Fill in the Blank” for President

    “Fill in the Blank” for President
    Jul 12 2024
    Hard to believe, but there are stories other than the President’s health…but they mostly tie together. Among them: Gretchen Whitmer is on a national book tour promoting “True Gretch” including an appearance with Stephen Colbert, while saying that she absolutely is not running for President this year even if Joe Biden pulls out… Biden has his first defection from the Michigan congressional delegation: Hillary Scholten urges the President to end his candidacy – quote – "for the good of our democracy.” Inflation continues to go down, with prices on groceries, airfare, and used cars actually going down in June. Economists are united in warning that Trump's economic plan has the potential to crash the economy. In the “it’s about time” column, two members of Congress have introduced articles of impeachment against well-traveled, highly pampered Justice Clarence Thomas. The Authoritarian Manifesto “Project 2025” is finally getting the attention it deserves, and Donald Trump is doing what he can to put some distance between the toxic end-of-our-democracy battle plan and his campaign. Mention Project 2025, and he echoes Sgt. Schultz: "I know nothing...nothing!" And, oh yes, a four day fantasy camp is in Milwaukee this week: the national convention of the Donald Trump Kool-Aid Club. But topping it all is the turmoil amongst Democrats over Joe Biden. Party leaders have apparently discovered that Biden is old and finally admitting he’s showing signs of advanced age. That's the focus of this week's discussion. =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Felony schmelony! Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    28 m
  • I Dissent (Guest: Oakland County Commission Chair David Woodward)

    I Dissent (Guest: Oakland County Commission Chair David Woodward)
    Jul 2 2024
    On the week's podcast: As we celebrate the revolution 248 years ago that ended the rule of the British monarchy over our nation, we face the prospect of reverting to our British origins. The U.S. Supreme Court’s radical-right majority has effectively turned this and future presidents into Kings and Queens who are above the law, able to do anything (s)he want under the mantra of "Official Acts". So God Save the King, Joe the First. We focus on the implications for November and beyond. In more mundane-but-still-important news: Governor Whitmer pushes back in VERY plain language that she's angling to replace Biden on the 2024 national ticket, or that Biden can't win Michigan. In more normal news, there’s a new state Senate map from the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. We’ll chew over the partisan implications. Louisiana’s Ten-Commandments-In-Every-Classroom law is challenged in the courts even as Oklahoma requires biblical training in public schools Lost in the deluge of last minute rulings is a Supreme Court decision which legalizes a form of political bribery Another little-publicized SCOTUS ruling represents a huge power shift away from both Congress and the Executive Branch - both subject to voter oversight - and into the hands of unelected judges with lifetime appointments. Michigan’s Legislature finalizes an $82.5-billion budget that targets education, housing, public safety and economic development Trump Whisperer Steve Bannon is in Federal Prison 🥳 We're joined on the podcast by a key leader of what may be Michigan’s most important county politically: Oakland County Commission Chair David Woodward. Woodward has served as Chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2019. He is in his 19th year on the commission.. He previously served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1999 to 2004. His day job is Michigan executive director of the Center for Progressive Leadership, where he’s worked for 18 years. =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== NEW: The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    41 m
  • Lies, Sighs and Old Guys (Guest: Dr. Richard Cole)

    Lies, Sighs and Old Guys (Guest: Dr. Richard Cole)
    Jun 28 2024
    This week in politics: The U.S. Supreme Court gives Donald Trump the best possible gift: the longest possible delay in his federal trials In Michigan, a new state Senate map from the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Louisiana’s Ten-Commandments-In-Every-Classroom law is challenged in the courts even as Oklahoma requires biblical training in public schools The Supreme Court also handed down a ruling which legalizes a form of political bribery Michigan’s Legislature finalizes an $82.5-billion budget that targets education and economic development And two senior citizens got into an argument about golf in Atlanta last night. We will devote most of the podcast to that argument and other things they discussed. We are joined by one of Michigan’s top political communications experts, Dr. Richard Cole. Cole was Governor Blanchard's communications chief and later Blanchard's chief of staff. He later chaired Michigan State University’s nationally respected Department of Advertising and Public Relations. He also served as the top communications man at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, working under company president Richard Whitmer … and was a close unofficial adviser to Whitmer’s daughter in her first campaign for Governor. Cole’s mentors include the legendary Dr. Edward Bernays, the creator of modern public relations whose principles of PR are still the standard a century later both within and outside of politics. =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== NEW: The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    37 m
  • Strippers and Gun Play (Guest: Political consultant/author Mike Madrid)

    Strippers and Gun Play (Guest: Political consultant/author Mike Madrid)
    Jun 20 2024
    Jack Ohman - Tribune Content Agency In politics this week... We are days away from the first of two scheduled presidential debates. The big question: will Trump stay awake for the full 90 minutes? Trump’s latest tax proposal - all tariffs, no income tax - is a huge gift for the wealthy (of course) and a disaster for the rest of us (also of course!) The Republican National Committee and conservative TV have embraced the art of “cheap fake” videos: deceptively edited videos designed to make Joe Biden appear feeble and mentally failing. The Biden campaign is taking direct aim at Trump’s criminal record Louisiana will require the display of the 10 Commandments in all public classrooms, even though their leader has violated just about all of them. The never-ending battle between Attorney General Nessel and the Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline takes another twisting turn - one that favors Nessel A black church in Detroit temporarily turns white … thanks to an appearance by the aforementioned Donald Trump New polling of black Michigan voters shows many want a change in the Democratic ticket … with either Gretchen Whitmer or Michelle Obama as the presidential candidate. Both women have already said they are not running The state House, in a near-unanimous vote, is outlawing A.I. - generated X-rated deep fakes. Sinclair floods local news websites with hundreds of deceptive articles about Biden's mental fitness - Judd Legum/Popular Information Trump Wasn’t Going to Stay in Milwaukee for the Republican Convention - The New York Times Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels: The GOP has a lock on some states, Democrats others. It’s not healthy. - The Washington Post Top revelations from Fauci’s book, including conversations with Trump - The Washington Post Why so many Americans have misconceptions about crime trends - Judd Legum/Popular Information In Trump’s orbit, some muse about mandating military service - The Washington Post Joining this week's conversation is Mike Madrid a communications expert and a nationally recognized expert on Latino voting trends. He graduated from the Edmund G. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1997, where he wrote his senior thesis on Latino politics and the perspective that politicization of emerging Latino voter groups in Southwestern states was unique in American history. The completion of his thesis at Georgetown University in Washington DC on Latino voters became the basis for his pioneering work on Latino communications and outreach strategies in California, Texas, Florida and nationwide. Mike has played a key role in pioneering Latino outreach and communications strategies. In 2001 he was named as one of America’s “Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business Magazine. He is a regular commentator on Latino political issues in statewide and national media publications. He is a co-founder of the Lincoln Project, and author of a just-released book The Latino Century which explores the true meaning of America at a time of rapid cultural change, the founding principles of self-government and individual responsibility, and one man’s journey through a political party that has turned itself inside out. =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== NEW: The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    52 m
  • We Love Milwaukee!

    We Love Milwaukee!
    Jun 14 2024
    In national politics this week: Convicted felon Donald Trump returns to the scene of one of his crimes, with Congressional Republicans falling all over themselves to kiss his ass. Hunter Biden’s 3-count felony conviction means he needs just 31 more to become the Republican presidential nominee. Inflation continues to go down, more jobs are created, incomes are up – but Biden continues to get low polling numbers on the economy More free trips for Clarence Thomas are revealed even as Senate Republicans block an ethics code for the Supreme Court. Senate Democrats also force Republicans to go on the record regarding the right to contraception, and protecting IVF … while Senate Republicans say they’ll block all action in retaliation for Trump’s 34-count conviction Accused felon Matt DePerno is running for the Michigan Supreme Court, even though he may lose his law license or go to prison for election machine tampering. Democrats are publicly horrified and privately laughing gleefully The legislature moves against artificial intelligence being used to create sexually provocative photographs of unwilling people. A state house committee approves legislation revamping Michigan’s economic incentives for new business investments. Good news for Michigan’s budget: Michigan overtakes California as top cannabis market by sales volume (also good news for Taco Bell!). Last year the state collected more than 260-million-dollars in weed tax. Supreme Court preserves access to widely used abortion medication mifepristone | AP News Trump’s Campaign Is Funneling Cash Back to His Businesses: Daily Beast Michigan Court of Appeals rejects Kumar’s attempt to get back on the congressional ballot • Michigan Advance Michael Rulli wins special election for Ohio House seat; GOP vote down 19 points from 2020 - AP News FBI: Crime down sharply under Biden administration - Judd Legum/Popular Information Also this week: Walt Sorg's chat with state Representative Penelope Tsernoglou over her bills protecting us humanoids from some very real abuses of A.I. Ann Tenaes - Washington Post =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== NEW: The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    30 m
  • The Greatest Generation (Guest: Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place)

    The Greatest Generation (Guest: Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place)
    Jun 6 2024
    We are recording Thursday afternoon on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that saved the world from a narcissistic, paranoid, racist and psychotic would-be world dictator. Our mission 80 years later as beneficiaries of their courage and sacrifice: constantly protect their legacy. In this week’s political news: Convicted felon Donald Trump and his gang of MAGAs, several of whom are also convicted felons, are openly planning on turning the U.S. Justice Department into their revenge squad. The former president’s conviction has produced a small pro-Biden bump in the polls, meaning it’s still a tossup election. His vice president is in Detroit this weekend, headlining the state Democratic Party’s annual fundraising dinner. Post-conviction polls ABC-Ipsos Poll May 31-June 1 Economist/YouGov Poll June 2-4 Quinnipiac Poll 6/5/24 - Georgia 2024: Trump Ahead Of Biden, 16% Of Voters Express Support For Other Candidates In Broader Race, Quinnipiac University Georgia Poll Finds; 50% Of Voters Agree With Guilty Verdict In Trump NYC Trial | Quinnipiac University Poll Times/Siena Recontact Study of Previous Poll Respondents - The New York Times Republicans in the U.S. Senate are blocking a vote on legislation guaranteeing the right to use birth control … are we headed back to the rhythm method? Another state has joined Michigan is charging participants in the fake electors scheme criminally. House Foreign Affairs Chairman McCaul Warns Jen Psaki — Testify Or Face A Subpoena - The Daily Caller Now Trump Says Voting By Mail Is Good - Washington Post Biden issues new executive action: Much of southern border to close at midnight - POLITICO Biden’s Climate Record Is Highlighted in New Ad Campaign - The New York Times We’re joined by one of the many local officials who have the unenviable task of running elections in an increasingly very hostile environment. Meredith Place is in her first term as Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Born and raised in small-town Iowa, she is a proud graduate of the University of Iowa where she majored in Political Science, Communication Studies, and earned a certificate in Sustainability. Clerk Place previously served on the City of Portage’s Planning Commission, as Vice Chair of Kalamazoo County’s Environmental Health Advisory Council, and as an active member in the League of Women Voters. In 2018, Meredith was elected to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioner representing the City of Portage from 2019-2020. Mark Fiore - markfiore.com =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== NEW: The 34 for 45 Commemorative Mug Get your "34 for 45" mug today!
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    46 m
  • Donald Trump, Convicted Felon (Guest: Lauren Gibbons)

    Donald Trump, Convicted Felon (Guest: Lauren Gibbons)
    May 30 2024
    Photo is A.I. generated We recorded this week's podcast at 5 p.m. EDT Thursday. Minutes before we hit the ‘record’ button, the New York jury handed down its verdict...so Jeff had to put on his Lincoln Project hat. In his absence Walt Sorg joins Mark on a day that will go down in American history. Clearly the guilty verdict on 34 felony counts is our #1 topic, but there are other talk-worthy stories in our political biosphere: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to follow the ethical standards demanded of all federal judges except him and his colleagues. Flags or no flags, he’s not recusing from January 6-related cases because it’s all about his stubborn wife and has nothing to do with him. Sure. Chief Justice John Roberts adds to the court’s arrogance by declining an invitation from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to talk about his court’s ethics. The movers and shakers of Michigan business and politics are just now ending their annual policy party on Mackinac Island. We’ll review the highlights of a pretty substantive week with Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel hints he’ll run for Governor in two years … and then says he won’t vote for President Biden. That’s not going to help him much with Democratic voters. Tudor Dixon’s gift of a half-million-dollars from her losing gubernatorial campaign draws a second look from state regulators. Democrats Plan $100 Million Push on Abortion Rights to Win House Michigan voters losing trust in democracy, education and economy, poll finds Trump makes sweeping promises to donors on audacious fundraising tour \ Opinion | Detroit sues Census Bureau, claiming vast undercount. It has a point. - The Washington Post Democrats add five candidates (including Sen. Kristin McDonald-Rivet) to Red to Blue program - Roll Call (including McDonald-Rivet) Hollier appeals decision to remove him from U.S. House ballot - Detroit News Rigging Elections: Why the new platform from the Republican Party of Texas matters Secretary Benson, Detroit Regional Chamber and business leaders launch new coalition to support safe and secure elections - Secretary of State 'New reality': Michigan clerks sued as activists seek voting records Dana Nessel calls for pork politics reforms amid Clare grant probe Joining the conversation: Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons who has spent the week on Mackinac Island, tracking the many significant policy and political developments that are an annual feature of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce Policy Conference. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for the MIRS Newsletter. Lauren has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. She grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and … according to her official biography … her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Mark Fiore - markfiore.com =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management =========================== An historic moment for our nation, commemorated with this tasteful annotated coffee mug.
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    33 m
  • My Wife Did It!

    My Wife Did It!
    May 23 2024
    It's the most anticipated verdict since O.J. Topping the political news as we record: Majority of Americans wrongly believe US is in recession, and most blame Biden - The Guardian The planned debate of U.S. Senate candidates fizzles out as GOP frontrunner Mike Rogers pulls out … and Democratic frontrunner Elissa Slotkin responds by saying “me too” It’s official: congressman Shri Thanedar won’t have to deal with Adam Hollier on the primary ballot The Biden-Harris campaign continues to focus on Michigan, with Kamala Harris keynoting the state party’s annual dinner There’s a major disconnect between public perceptions on the economy and reality and that’s bad news for Joe Biden The U.S. Supreme Court’s ultra-conservatives continue to embarrass the court with a stupid political display at the Alito home, an even dumber explanation ...and a second flag ... from Justice Alito Democrats begin to focus on warning of a future Supreme Court with a majority appointed byDonald Trump 2 Liberal Groups to Spend $5 Million on State Supreme Court Races - The New York Times SCOTUS hands another pro-gerrymandering, anti-VRA ruling Louisiana's Republican legislature labels abortion drugs as dangerous and very illegal Michigan GOP Leader Matt Hall Apparently Gambled $73,000 in One Month - Rolling Stone Voters Fear Trump Won’t Leave If He Wins 2024 Presidential Election - Bloomberg After blaming his 2020 loss on mail balloting, Trump tries to make GOP voters believe it’s OK now - AP News Vulnerable House Republicans Set the Stage To Challenge 2024 Election Results - DCCC Michigan redistricting holds public hearings on draft maps -Detroit Free Press Trump allies face skepticism as they try appealing to disaffected Arab Americans in Michigan - AP News Student loans: Biden administration announces additional $7.7 billion in debt relief - CNN Politics The cost of groceries declined in April as inflation continues to cool - TAI News Schumer Plans Vote on Contraception Access, Teeing Up a Campaign Issue - The New York Times Trump's online account promotes ‘unified Reich’ video, adding to alarming pattern - Maddow Blog Biden - Unified Reich? via X Tudor Dixon dissolves campaign fund after giving $500K to nonprofit. Move questioned - Detroit News =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================
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    26 m