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Another huge week in Michigan politics: Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, already embroiled in a criminal investigation into sexual abuse charges, is now under the microscope for massive off-the-books spending out of his political slush fund Michigan Republican co-chair Meshawn Maddock is facing pushback for an allegedly racist tweet directed at Lt. Governor Garland Gilchrist, along … Continue reading PAC Man (Guest: Bob LaBrant) →

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A coordinated effort to steal the presidential election — by the Trump campaign. Republicans in Michigan and four other states sent forged certificates to Congress “awarding” their electoral votes to the losing candidate, Donald Trump. We’re joined by Michigan’s chief elections officer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, to discuss the plot along with failed efforts … Continue reading Big Lie, Bigger Conspiracy (Guest: Jocelyn Benson) →

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The full half-hour-plus this week is devoted to several amazing developments in Michigan Politics, beginning with the dual scandals enveloping former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield. Accused first of sexual abuse by his now sister-in-law beginning when she was a teenager, he’s now the subject of investigations into his massive political slush fund. Also on … Continue reading What a Week! →

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To start the new year, Mark and Jeff take a look back at two of the most tulmultuous issues of 2021: the anniversary of the January 6 assault on the Capitol and Republican efforts to rig future elections. We go back to some often prescient commentary by five in our roster of amazing 2021 guests: … Continue reading A Look Back (2021 in Review) →

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For the first time ever, Michigan’s new congressional and legislative district maps have been drawn by non-politicians: the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, created by the 2018 ballot proposal 2. What does it mean for Michigan’s political balance of power? And will the maps survive inevitable court challenges? Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer are both experts … Continue reading The New Maps (Guest: Bill Ballenger) →

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The Michigan Supreme Court tells the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that its closed-door meeting violated the state constitution. However, the newly released memos from that meeting were a big nothing-burger, raising questions of why the Commission created the controversy in the first place. Joining the conversation is one of the state’s top political writers, Kyle … Continue reading Redistricting and More (Guest: Kyle Melinn) →

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Two GOP heavyweights face off: Michigan Right to Life endorses one candidate for Attorney General, former President Trump has endorsed another. Who will prevail? Also on the docket this week: the Trump plan to overthrown the election and stage what amounts to a coup to stay in power. The revelations from the House Committee on … Continue reading The 21st Century Muckraker (Guest: Judd Legum) →

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A coalition of the state’s leading newspapers sue Michigan’s Independent Redistricting Commission for what the newspaper say were unconstitutional closed sessions, signaling the beginning of a long season of legal battles for the Citizens’ Commission. Mark and Jeff also analyze Governor Whitmer’s break with the Biden administration over vaccine mandates, and discuss the politics that … Continue reading Abe Would Be Proud (Guest: Reed Galen) →

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Two of the most emotional issues of the last few decades came to a head this week: gun safety, and abortion rights. Mark and Jeff take a look at the politics in the aftermath of the horrific shooting in Oxford, and the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Mississippi’s efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. They … Continue reading Slaying the Dragon (Guest: Walt Sorg) →

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Mark and Jeff discuss the latest entrant into the Republican gubernatorial sweepstakes, millionaire auto dealer Kevin Rinke. Plus: the potential for a bedsheet ballot with a dozen citizen petition drives underway or being discussed, the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission gets a scolding from the Attorney General, and Mark shares details of a lawsuit he has … Continue reading The Progressive Agenda 2.0 (Guest: Rep. Rashida Tlaib) →