A new Virg Bernero-Rick Snyder Michigan governor's poll; tax cuts expiring and chickens in Grand Rapids

Running mates for Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero and Grand Rapids says no to backyard chickens on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder. 1. The running mate sweepstakes. Lots of names on both sides. And GOP candidate Rick Snyder, either has a number of fans of the Washington Post's "The Fix" column , or his campaign staff is working overtime to pump up their results in the column's unscientific daily poll. Meanwhile, the debate about debates has begun in earnest with Democratic candidate Virg Bernero calling for at least eight. As expected, Snyder had the out-of-the-gate lead in the first poll. 2. Should tax cuts stay or go? Debate over continuing Bush tax cuts. 3. City commissioners chicken out. In a surprise move Tuesday, Grand Rapids city commissioners killed an ordinance that would have allowed residents to raise chickens in their backyards. People currently harboring the birds have until Oct. 1 to find new homes.