Mike Cox accuses Rick Snyder of launching latest attack ad salvo in governor's race

In this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about the race for governor and Michigan's lack of disclosure in campaign finance law; a poll that shows that most Tea Party faithful are doing fine financially; and the money in the Grand Rapids Congressional race: 1. Governor's race Attorney General and GOP candidate for governor Mike Cox charged a shadow group's radio ad attacking Cox's role in investigating an alleged party at the Manoogian Mansion was engineered by Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder, his rival in the governor's race. "Wasn't us," say Snyder aides. Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial candidates squared off in Detroit Sunday with House Speaker Andy Dillon, leader in the polls, looking to burnish his labor cred. What would Republicans have to do to blow the governor's race in 2010? 2. Who's in the Tea Party? A new poll yields detailed demographic findings on people attending Tea Party rallies. It is dominated by white, middle class males, the people who feel they have the most to lose, but there are other surprising findings. Did the movement hit its zenith? Seemed to have died down here, but it has legs in several national races including the Tennessee and Florida Senate races. 3. Funds raised in 3rd Congressional race Reports came out Thursday, and while Steve Heacock leads Republicans in cash on hand, state Sen. Bill Hardiman, another Republican candidate, released an internal poll showing him with a broad lead early, based, most likely, on name recognition. But state Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, is strong in cash on hand and in fundraising. Democrat Pat Miles Jr. has more than $100,000 in cash on hand and has a broad donor base. What if the November general election for the Grand Rapids-based Congressional seat featured a race between two black men, Miles and Hardiman? Also discussed: U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, a Battle Creek Democrat representing much of rural southern Michigan, has a healthy fund-raising lead, but faces a strong challenge in what promises to be a good year for the GOP in a district leaning their way.