An upset in Massachusetts, the race for Michigan governor, and big scary fish

In this week's edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast recorded at Rocky's, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: 1. What does the Massachusetts Senate race mean to the remaining 2010 races? And is it a referendum on health care reform? Scott Brown won because his message moved independents, who will control many election to come and will continue to swing, demonstrating an impatience with office holders who don't get anything done. 2. The race for governor and speculation on other state and local races. Do Tuesday's results signal anything in the governor's race? Could it possibly have an impact on the primary? Will any of the GOP candidates for governor jump on a Senate Republican plan put forward Tuesday to cut the pay and require higher health-care contributions from all public employees, including teachers and legislators? Is taking pay and benefits away a race to the bottom, or is it a reasonable proposal in light of givebacks in pay and benefits among private sector employees? Also, state Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, believed to be a favorite for the Democratic nod for attorney general, stunned supporters today in announcing she's out, even after raising more than $200,000. Some will wonder about the timing and whether she made her decision based on the Massachusetts results, but she makes a good case that it was a decision made based on family commitments. 3. The U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to grant an injunction to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. It's a win for the Obama Administration and officials in Illinois, but at what cost? The other Great Lakes states all supported the injunction. Conversation starters: Ed on the latest United Van Linesmigration study. For the fourth year in a row, Michigan is the biggest loser in the country. Jeff on Republcian Secretary of State Paul Scott's platform against transgender driver's license changes and whether this is really an issue in Michigan.