Taxes, Scandals and Campaigns (Guest: Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr.)



Trump gives a Castro-esque nearly two-hour speech in Macomb County, promoting his Big Lie believing candidates for Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General … much to the consternation of non-Trumpist Republicans. A tale of two campaigns: Congressman Fred Upton decides he’s had enough, and would-be Attorney General Tom Leonard is pushed to the exits … Continue reading Taxes, Scandals and Campaigns (Guest: Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr.)


The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (Guest: John Sipher)



The focus in Michigan politics this week is the apparent takeover of the state Republican Party by the Trump Big Lie faction even as the gloves come off in the race for the Attorney General. Bridge Michigan published a major “opposition research” dump on the sketchy professional resume of frontrunner Matt DePerno. DePerno’s campaign is … Continue reading The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (Guest: John Sipher)


A Good/Great Week for Whitmer (Guest: Chad Livengood)



Governor Whitmer gained some powerful evidence of leadership for her reelection campaign with a pair of huge victories: announcement of a $1.7-billion expansion of a car-battery plant in west Michigan (weeks after GM’s $7-billion investment commitment for electric vehicles and battery manufacturing); and an agreement with the Republican Legislature on a $4.7-billion supplemental spending bill … Continue reading A Good/Great Week for Whitmer (Guest: Chad Livengood)


Putin’s War (Guest: Kremlinologist Olga Lautman)



There’s plenty going on in Michigan politics. Jeff and Mark offer their takes on the apparent domination of Donald Trump in Michigan politics, and the massive field of Democratic candidates in the Detroit-based 13th congressional district. In our second segment, our focus shifts to Putin’s vicious war on Ukraine. Joining the conversation is one of … Continue reading Putin’s War (Guest: Kremlinologist Olga Lautman)


Follow the Money (Guest: Craig Mauger)



Jeff is off this week as he and his family deal with the sudden passing of their youngest son. Our hearts go out to Jeff, Mattie and their four other children. They have asked that we all respect their privacy. If you would like to send a message to the family, you can email “Comments@ARepublicPodcast.com”. … Continue reading Follow the Money (Guest: Craig Mauger)


State of the Campaign (Guest: PR maven Darci McConnell)



Since our last “legitimate political discourse,” Putin invaded Ukraine on what he labeled a peacekeeping mission (complete with bombs, missiles and miles-long convoys), President Biden began what the White House hopes is a reset with his State of the Union address, and the debate over Michigan’s new legislative districts’ impact on African-American voters became more … Continue reading State of the Campaign (Guest: PR maven Darci McConnell)


The Case Against Trump (Guest: Barbara McQuade)



The week in Michigan Politics: There’s another multi-millionaire candidate for Governor who’s off to a rocky-but-expensive start. Abortion and the right to use birth control grow as possibly pivotal issues in the 2022 general election. Mark and Jeff analyze both subjects. The conversation pivots to the criminal cases against former President Donald Trump. Adding her … Continue reading The Case Against Trump (Guest: Barbara McQuade)


Michigan’s Future (Guest: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist)



Another bizarre week in Michigan politics: * former Michigan Republican chairperson Laura Cox is subpoenaed by Congress * the home of two top staffers of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield is raided by the state police * the Michigan Republican Party has an internal fight over how it will count votes at its state convention … Continue reading Michigan’s Future (Guest: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist)


The Next Generation of Voters (Guest: John Della Volpe)



Still more on the Electoral College fraud conspiracy, the ever-growing field of far-right-wing Republican gubernatorial candidates and an amazing roster of petition drives are afloat in Michigan. Those of the subjects of our opening segment, now officially called our weekly “Legitimate Political Discourse.” Then we shift the focus to the long-term future. While most of … Continue reading The Next Generation of Voters (Guest: John Della Volpe)


What a week – Petitions, Investigations, Lawsuits!



What a week: A high-powered coalition launches a petition drive to thwart the Republican-lead voter suppression petition drive A third lawsuit filed against the Redistricting Commission’s maps, even as another lawsuit loses in a divided state Supreme Court Two leaders of the Trump Electoral College fraud in Michigan get congressional subpoenas The former president is … Continue reading What a week – Petitions, Investigations, Lawsuits!