Finish the Job

The Biden campaign is officially underway – with Gretchen Whitmer the only Governor among the campaign’s 7 co-chairs. A signal of things to come? There are media reports of a special grand jury on election machine tampering add to state Republicans’ unenviable list of criminal investigations, even as one scandal brings a guilty plea from a former Republican House Speaker whose cooperation may bring still more indictments. Mark and Jeff discuss the latest turmoil (criminal and otherwise) in the GOP, the spiraling culture wars targeting just about anyone who isn’t a straight white male, the futility of attacking Mickey Mouse, and another Republican-controlled state legislature officially silencing differing points of view. President Biden’s reelection announcement (via YouTube) =========================== This week’s podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is 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 =========================== Stories We’re Following This Week Campaigns Biden Re-election Announcement – Twitter Joe Biden’s 2024 Message Is ‘Old Beats Crazy’ – Intelligencer Opinion | DeSantis’s Puddin’ Head Campaign – The New York Times The Lincoln Project: RIP Tucker – Twitter Top Dem super PAC starts Biden ad blitz, pledges $75 million campaign effort – POLITICO Slotkin’s Senate run may complicate Dems bid to retake House | AP News Elissa Slotkin gets a US Senate challenger in Dearborn businessman – Detroit Free Press Michigan Headlines Former MI House Speaker Rick Johnson pleads guilty to bribery – WPBN Secret grand jury has probed post-2020 examination of voting machines in Michigan Proposal would add sexual orientation to Michigan hate crime laws – Lansing State Journal After passing three gun bills, Michigan Democrats say they’re not done – Bridge Michigan Governors, Led by Whitmer, Fight GOP’s Budget Machete GOP Culture Wars Nessel, sheriff, clash over enforcement of red flag law – WLNS 6 News Kalamazoo YWCA seeks tax dollars to support gender affirming, abortion care – Bridge Michigan Indiana’s best, brightest flee state to live in more progressive areas – Indianapolis Star Transgender lawmaker banned from Montana House floor for rest of 2023 session – PBS NewsHour Many States Are Trying to Restrict Gender Treatments for Adults, Too – The New York Times In a thriving Michigan county, a community goes to war with itself – The Washington Post North Dakota governor signs law banning nearly all abortions – AP News 7 arrested for protesting in support of Montana transgender lawmaker – AP News