Podcast appearances and mentions of jeff cranson

Detroit has returned to be a majority homeowner city for the first time in a decade. Julie Schneider, director for the Housing & Revitalization Department at the City of Detroit, joins the show to discuss the new census data and what it means for the city's effort to increase homeownership. Then, Jeff Cranson, Director of Communications for the Michigan Department of Transportation, stops by the show to discuss the newly announced $104.6 million grant toward the redevelopment of I-375.

September 3, 2021 ~ The Michigan Department of Transportation Director of Communications talks to Marie Osborne and Sean Baligian about the Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge and he says it's a great holiday activity. For more information go to www.mackinacbridge.org/events/walk

Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ MDOT Communications Director Jeff Cranson talks to Steve Courtney about the pandemic decimating funding for Michigan highway repairs.

This is the inaugural edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast. Jeff Cranson, MDOT director of communications, talks with MDOT Director Paul Ajegba about his path to the department and passion for transportation. This week: Director Ajegba’s focus on alleviating congestion and improving safety and travel times with innovations like the Flex Route on US-23 north of Ann Arbor. The need for more transportation funding in Michigan and how MDOT and industry will respond. The mobility preferences of future generations — cycling, rail, transit, connected and automated vehicles — and how to adapt. The director’s first annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk and expectations for the second year of the new configuration.

ROYAL OAK – On M2 TechCast Monday June 4, AT&T’s Teresa Mask discusses its “It Can Wait” anti-driver distraction program. Jeff Cranson from MDOT gives more details on the $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge. Terry Bean from Motor City Connect talks about social media trends. Rob Ponto from Comcast tell us all about the Xfinity xFIPods To...

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about state GOP leaders' 90-day update, the federal budget standoff and changes in city of Grand Rapids' garbage policies and incentives to boost recycling.

Collective bargaining's fate in Michigan, the GOP's future resting with Hispanic voters and tweaks in the state budget, on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, state budget director John Nixon answers questions about the bold cuts and tax changes he and Gov. Rick Snyder have proposed. Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder also discuss the legislative proposal that would enable a vote to merge Kent County and Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools Supt. Bernard Taylor's possible departure for a post in Syracuse.

Budget matters, both in Michigan and the nation, dominate this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

What cuts to expect in Gov. Rick Snyder’s bold budget, the future of the national health care law, and a Grand Rapids-Kent County metro government proposal on this week’s Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder:

In a special Talking Michigan Politics podcast recorded after Gov. Rick Snyder addressed the Michigan Press Association in Detroit, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss:

What did we learn from the State of the Union and reaction; examining mental health in the wake of Arizona shootings; and what to expect in a radically different Michigan state budget on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

Analysis of Gov. Rick Snyder's first State of the State address, a look at President Obama's approval two years in, and "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss the fallout from the deadly shooting rampage in Arizona, a preview of Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State address and how development is progressing in downtown Grand Rapids.

Pure Michigan, Gov. Rick Snyder's call for shared sacrifice, media pros disclosing personal information, the Navy commander scandal and more on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Valley State University's Matt McLogan joins Press political editor Jeff Cranson to talk about Gov. Rick Snyder's bold ambitions, Michele Bachmann's visits to Grand Rapids and Troy and what to expect from Michigan's Congressional delegation in the new session.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss Gov. Jennifer Granholm's legacy, Michele Bachmann's visit to Grand Rapids, the Census release. Conversation starters this week focus on ways parents try to preserve Santa for kids and a tribute to Eloise Johnson, patron saint of music in Grand Rapids.

President Obama in the middle, Michigan's lame-duck Legislature and a Grand Rapids mayor's bid for a third term on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics, Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss President Carter's statements about Fox News, upcoming races for Grand Rapids mayor and the U.S. Senate, the unemployment benefits extension, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Betty Weaver being censured, the early battle for Michigan GOP chairman, more people supporting auto bailouts and the TSA's "Don't touch my junk" dilemma.

Nancy Pelosi's woes, tax talk in Lansing and Washington, Bloomberg-Scarborough for president, what gives a city soul and more on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder:

On this week's post-election Talking Michigan Politics podcast, demographics analyst Peter Bratt joins Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder to talk about Tuesday's election results.

GVSU's Matt McLogan joins Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder for the final Talking Michigan Politics podcast before Tuesday's mid-term elections. Topics include: Clinton, Bernero event fails to draw The Rand Paul supporter head stomp Turnout China's role in political races

An interview with GOP candidate for governor, Rick Snyder; analysis of his debate with Democrat Virg Bernero; the tight race for Kent County's 29th Senate district are topics on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

Gay bashing at military funerals and free speech, a radical center/third party movement in 2012 and China as an issue in the 3rd Congressional race on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about the Tea Party and Christine O'Donnell, Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero agreeing to a debate, the 3rd Congressional race and Don't Ask Don't Tell on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about Tea Party victories, Rick Snyder-Virg Bernero sharing town hall time and government worker health insurance paying for abortions on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

New numbers and a widening gap in the race for governor, a study showing Republican primary turnout surging while it declines for Democrats and the anniversary of President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

This week on the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder ruminate on November races, Democratic control of the Michigan Supreme Court, growing misconceptions about the president and manufacturing's resurgence in Southern states.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver's stunning decision to resign; Rick Snyder's running mate pick and libertarian billionaire Koch brothers and their role in the Tea Party movement.

Tea partiers facing off in court, exploring a path to victory for Virg Bernero, and the mosque proposed two blocks from Ground Zero on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder. Will the real Tea Party please stand up? Despite claims there is no organized Tea Party, per se, a group of people involved in "the movement" have enlisted the state's foremost elections law gunslinger to challenge the organization they say filed fake Tea Party candidates to dilute the GOP vote in November. How does Bernero close a 19-point gap by Nov. 2? A poll telegraphed on last week's podcast indeed became public Thursday and showed GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder with an early and commanding lead. Most pundits expect many of the independents who helped Snyder win the GOP nomination to stay with him in November. Talk also focuses on running mates and names being floated on both sides ahead of the conventions at the end of the month. An Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero. An intellectual case can be made for allowing the center, but many are conflicted. How this benediction from George Washington applies today: "May the children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid." Conversation starters: • Ed on why AAA is worried that dogs in cars can kill. • Jeff on people who turn on the water and just let it run. Author Peter Annin makes the case in Great Lakes Water Wars that others in the country and the world think we take water for granted in this part of the country. Then again, it's no wonder when water costs about .03 cents a gallon 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.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder and GVSU's Matt McLogan analyze Tuesday night's primary election results. 1. Governor's race. What's it all mean? Did voters send a clear message with support for Rick Snyder or was it just good strategy dividing up the GOP base between Hoekstra and Cox? Snyder stunned observers by carrying most of the state outside the counties (see map) in Pete Hoekstra's Congressional district and a few scattered in other places. 2. The Congressional races. How did Bill Huizenga pull it off in the Lakeshore's sprawling 2nd district after being out-raised and out-spent? What kind of money and outside groups will be involved in the fall race between Justin Amash and Patrick Miles Jr.? 3. Local Senate and state House races. Results in the Grand Rapids-based 29th District set up a good general election battle between Republican Dave Hildenbrand and Democrat David LaGrand. Also, analysis of the 72nd, 75th and 86th state House races.

On a special, and brief, edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: • The latest polls in the governor's race and how Rick Snyder has pulled ahead, however slightly. It's the first time the Ann Arbor businessman has led in major polls since his campaign began early last year. • A controversial group already running ads targeting Peter Hoekstra in the governor's race is now doing mailings attacking a candidate in the Grand Rapids-based 3rd Congressional district. Who is funding Americans for Jobs Security and why are they involved in this race?

Is Virg Bernero pulling ahead in the Democratic race for governor? On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder and GVSU's Matt McLogan discuss that race, analyze Congressional and state legislative races and voter turnout projections. Governor's race Polls show Democratic Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has overcome and is leading House Speaker Andy Dillon in myriad parts of the state. How is his populist message resonating? On the Republican side, Attorney General Mike Cox took more hits from the Manoogian Mansion-stripper story that won't go away, but his support remains strong. Meanwhile, Rick Snyder may be surging in other polls. Other races: Analysis and some predictions in 2nd and 3rd Congressional, 29th and 30th state Senate and state House districts: 72, 73, 75, 77, 86 and 89. Voter turnout The Secretary of State's office projects 1.7 million people will vote Tuesday, which would be about 23 percent. That's based on absentee ballot returns and past primary election turnout. In 1982 and 2002, the last times there were multi-candidate primaries in both parties, turnout was 29 percent and 25 percent respectively. Will the Tea Party have an impact in some specifically targeted U.S. House races?

New polls in the governor's race, Club for Growth attack ads and voter turnout are the topics on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Jeff Cranson, political editor at the Grand Rapids Press and Matt McLogan, vice president of university relations for Grand Valley State University.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, recorded in a quieter setting, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss whether people pining for Ronald Reagan truly understand how he governed, campaign finance lawsuits, new developments in the race for governor of Michigan, and what it means for Gov. Granholm that President Obama is making a stop in Holland:

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press politics editor Jeff Cranson and editorial page editor Ed Golder talk about money in the governor's race, a case before the state Supreme Court concerning allegations of Meijer secretly promoting the recall of township officials near Traverse City, and Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver bolting the GOP.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss the changing face of the Michigan governor's race, a flurry of endorsements for Grand Rapids-area Congressional candidates, a lawsuit challenging Michigan's campaign finance limits and the patriotism of buying American.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about changing poll numbers in the governor's race and the Democratic debate in Grand Rapids, developments in the 3rd Congressional campaigns, and controversy surrounding film tax credits for the Grand Rapids Hangar42 project. Conversation starters: • Ed on Asian carp making it past the barrier • Jeff on pro-life and pro-choice groups finding common ground in New York as an organization seeks to make adoption a subject at abortion clinics.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about the Michigan Truth Squad, the Michigan governors race and the challenges in remaking the nation's energy policy. Links to topics discussed: • Michigan Truth Squad • A new poll in Michigan's gubernatorial race, and the campaigns feature few promises. • President Obama's Oval Office address on the Gulf spill provokes more energy policy discussion. Jay Hakes, director of the Jimmy Carter Library and former head of the federal Energy Information Office, laid it out in his 2008 book, A Declaration of Energy Independence. Conversation starters: • Ed on the Saville report on Bloody Sunday. • Jeff on the nuclear option to cap the big hole in the bottom of the Gulf.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about: Big endorsements in the governor's race: Attorney General Mike Cox picks up the support of Grand Rapids GOP powers Dick and Betsy DeVos, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and possibly Right To Life of Michigan Thursday. Is it quid pro quo with the Chamber and RTL because the DeVoses donate generously to both groups? The Chamber's PACs are building a fund balance to fight a Constitutional Convention proposal on the fall ballot and to protect Justice Robert Young. The DeVos decision to back Cox also may hearken to the Engler-Betsy DeVos divide as U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, despite his West Michigan home and Fox News persona, would be perceived as likely to govern more like Engler than an uncompromising ideologue. Voter frustration: In 1994, the last time the anger meter was pegged this high, Republicans seized control of the U.S. House after a 40-year Democratic reign. Two years before, with similar numbers, West Michigan voters tossed out veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Guy VanderJagt in favor of a bike-riding GOP businessman named Pete Hoekstra. Just how this kind of voter anger plays out in August primaries and the November election could shape Michigan’s political landscape for years to come. According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, just 49 percent of Americans approve of their own representative in Congress, first time since 1994 that is has fallen beneath 50 percent. Just 29 percent are inclined to elect their representative, fewest since 1989. Sixty percent are inclined to look for someone else - the most on record. See Sunday's Press. Immigration reform: How does Obama balance his need to woo the burgeoning Hispanic voter population with polls that show most Americans support the Arizona immigration law? Conversation starters: • Ed on Chinese workers are flexing a little muscle, looking to share in the economic growth that has gone mostly to business owners. Has the potential to create a consumer class in China, and perhaps to expand the limits of freedom. • Jeff on Kiplinger's newest top cities list, where Topeka, Kan., cracks the top 10.

On this week's delayed version of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss Thursday's sometimes raucous governor's debate; President George W. Bush's speech in Grand Rapids; and what we can learn from the perfect game that wasn't.

In a special brief edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss President George W. Bush's speech to the Grand Rapids Economic Club Wednesday evening. The former president, relaxed and seemingly at peace, struck a very human, at times somewhat conciliatory tone as he discussed his most agonizing decisions in office.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics Podcast, Matt McLogan -- GVSU vice president of university relations -- joins Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder to discuss: 1. Post-partisanship, a fading ideal. President Obama draws harsh criticism after a meeting with GOP senators Tuesday -- one of whom says the president used them as "props." And a poll: "Anti-incumbent sentiment is as strong as it was in 1994, when the GOP swept the Democrats from power on Capitol Hill, but according to a new national poll, Americans may not be desperate for change in Congress. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday indicates that 47 percent of the public is more likely to vote for a challenger rather than an incumbent running for re-election at the federal, statewide, or local level, with 30 percent saying they are more likely to back the incumbent." 2. Governor's race The debate that wasn't. Speculation remains that U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra maintains a lead in the GOP primary but Attorney General Mike Cox and Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder are gaining ground. Will any political leaders muster the courage to make changes? 3. Congressional races in West Michigan. The 2nd and 3rd districts feature large fields of candidates seeking the GOP nomination. In the 2nd district, which stretches from Allegan County north to Benzie, Field Reichardt, a self-proclaimed Gerald Ford-Bill Milliken Republican is banking on the conservatives fighting for the base and leaving him centrist Republican voters in the district. The question: How many centrists live in the 2nd District, where the most populous county has voted reliably Republican since the beginning of time? In the Grand Rapids-based 3rd, five Republicans are battling for the nomination, and a debate Monday featured few fireworks. 4. People quitting Facebook. Are you next? Conversation starters: • Rand Paul makes it clear he is not named for Ayn Rand, though he's a great admirer. • Ed on why Washington, D.C., is a recession-free zone. The USA Today article says that private paychecks have shrunk to their smallest share of personal income in the country's history. Public pay, meanwhile, is on the rise, dramatically so. The case for creeping socialism, or an effective stimulus? • Jeff on a New Yorker column explaining how an election in Germany makes our markets roil, and how uncertainly among policy makers will make investors nauseous for many days to come... • Matt on some Republicans pushing a Constitutional Convention in Michigan.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: 1. What do Tuesday's results in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas mean? Is Obama's help a welcome thing for candidates? And will the Tea Party continue to be a factor? 2. Governor's race. • How about a one-term pledge? Mike Bouchard has mentioned it; Joe Schwartz says it's a certainty, should he decide to run. • Mike Cox's TV assault on Pete Hoekstra may be working. Hoekstra has taken the Americans for Tax Reform pledge, meaning he will "oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes." • The end of this podcast includes audio from a separate podcast posted Wednesday that features an interview with Bouchard. 3. Consolidating governments. Is it time to merge some communities? The next installment of the Grand Rapids Press 10.0 series explores the question and how others have done it successfully. Conversation starters: • Ed: If Elena Kagan is confirmed for the Supreme Court, it will mark the first time in the country's history there will not be a Protestant on the high court. Six justices will be Catholic; three will be Jewish. Does it matter? This piece from Boston University Professor Steven Prothero argues that it does. • Jeff on Meet The Facts -- how a couple college students took it on themselves to check the validity of statements made on Sunday Morning talk shows. On The Media reported on it last week.

On a special edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk with Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard about his gubernatorial candidacy. Among the questions and topics: One term? New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is doing all the things he promised in an effort to close his state's $10 billion budget gap, which means his popularity is sagging. If Michigan's next governor does the things that need to be done, Bouchard has said it would be tough to be re-elected. Polls: Bouchard continues to run fourth in the polls, despite some statewide name ID from previous elections. What's the strategy and when does he fully join the air wars ? Tea Party: "We have far too much government," Bouchard says. Anti-incumbent mood: Is his past legislative experience helpful politically or something to de-emphasize?

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: 1. Candidate filing day suggests there will be blood in the race for governor. Among the topics in the governor's race: • Republican Attorney General Mike Cox's TV ads attacking U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra and the timing with Americans for Job Security ads, which also go after Hoekstra. • And what of a supporter of GOP candidate Rick Snyder demanding that Cox remove his image from the ad? • Hoekstra, and Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon, come up as most winnable in surveys of Lansing insiders. • Is Snyder's decision not to fill out any interest group's surveys an example of principle turning into strategy? 2. Other filings. Two important races for Congress in West Michigan with a broad field in both the Grand Rapids-based 3rd district, being vacated by Vern Ehlers and a similarly large field in Hoekstra's 2nd district, which stretches along Lake Michigan from Allegan County to Benzie County. 3. Teacher retirement bill. Is there any hope of a compromise that will move forward an early-out proposal for many of the state's secondary school teachers? Is the Senate plan best, as a Press editorial posits? Conversation starters: • Ed on the Catholic Church, in light of the Pope's most recent -- and finally, somewhat on-key -- statement about the sexual abuse crisis. • Jeff on Grand Rapids' being touted as a success story in Fortune Magazine.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: 1. Taxes. Voters said yes across West Michigan, with wide margins in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. In Grand Rapids, a proposal to hike the income tax from 1.3 to 1.5 percent for residents was adopted narrowly. Our friend, Peter Bratt, crunched the numbers (PDF). The question that keeps coming up is whether this signals that the anti-tax Tea Party is not as influential as believed or whether the movement is focused on nameless, faceless bureaucrats in D.C. and Lansing and is not a factor in voters' decisions on local issues. 2. Governor's race Republican candidate Peter Hoekstra continues to lead in polls, but was it a good move to seek the endorsement of Rick Santorum, a former Penn. U.S. Senator? Santorum had other stops in Michigan, including an endorsement for 2nd Congressional candidate Jay Riemersma. The social and fiscal conservative was ousted in the 2006 Democratic landslide by the largest margin of defeat for an incumbent U.S. senator since 1980. And will Attorney General Mike Cox, another GOP gubernatorial candidate, participate in a debate in Grand Rapids May 24? And what comes of a decision not to demand disclosure for campaign ad spending from Secretary of State Terri Land, running mate of GOP candidate for governor Mike Bouchard? 3. Food for thought The Center for Michigan is taking on the big issues and their Citizens' Agenda and scorecard should provoke deep thought and discussion. Conversation starter: • Ernie Harwell, whose voice was what summer sounds like to generations of baseball fans from Michigan, died Tuesday at 92. He was goodness and light and humbly understood his unique fortune in life to have mastered a profession that allowed him to give a magical gift to people of all ages -- he let us feel like kids again. A Press editorial pays appropriate homage to the voice of the Detroit Tigers for more than 40 years. Jeff reads from a portion of his 1981 speech upon being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about a new poll that shows U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra hanging on to a lead among Republicans running for governor; questions over whether voter unhappiness spells good news for Republicans in November; and concerns about legacy costs and how they shape voter views ahead of key tax votes Tuesday. 1. Governor's race. New poll shows Hoekstra still leading Republicans. And Rasmussen reports that 41 percent of all voters prefer a Republican gubernatorial candidate, 36 percent favor a Democrat, 5 percent prefer some other party and 18 percent are undecided. Hoekstra also picked up an endorsement from likely 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney Wednesday, a return of the favor since Hoekstra supported Romney in 2008. Among Democrats, House Speaker Andy Dillon turned in 30,000 petitions Wednesday, assuring his spot on the ballot. Also, Lansing mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero called on House Speaker Andy Dillon to use the legislative appropriations process to prohibit Attorney General Mike Cox from spending state tax dollars on a frivolous lawsuit that aims to stop federal health insurance reforms. 2. The mood How will voters' unhappiness play in November in races across the board. 3. Pensions and tax requests. Should voters consider the city of Grand Rapids' pension costs in deciding on an income tax hike request Tuesday? Meanwhile, the Legislature is moving on an early-out plan for teachers and, perhaps, other state workers. But charter school advocates are sounding the alarm that one version would require charters to participate in the MPSERS retirement plan. Conversation starters: • Ed on how Michigan's workplace smoking ban, which takes effect Saturday, affects Hookah bars. • Jeff on the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation's Mind Share event, which brings out the best in Grand Rapids school supporters, many of whom live outside the city.

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.

Join Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder for this week's Talking Michigan Politics. Topics include: 1. The race for governor Last week's poll (PDF), that found U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland, hanging on to a lead in the GOP primary. Is Hoekstra's solid support in Republican-rich West Michigan enough to propel him to victory in the primary? Does the Manoogian mansion civil case and innuendo continue to dog Attorney General Mike Cox, another GOP candidate? As Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard continues to lag in GOP polls, does he consider a run for Congress instead? 2. Congressional races. What's going on in the Grand Rapids-based 3rd district? Democrat Pat Miles issued a press release ahead of Thursday's campaign finance report filing deadline, saying he has raised $100,000. Republican candidate and state Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Township talks to Grand Rapids-area business leaders at a breakfast event hosted by Amway President Doug DeVos. And what of the Tea Party's role in Bart Stupak's decision not to seek re-election in the northern Michigan 1st District? Jeff said last week that if Stupak stayed in the race, he would win despite the Tea Party opposition. After Stupak pulled out on Friday Jack Lessenberry posited: "I think that if he had run he would have won, easily. And he would have been helped by the fact that three bus loads of out-of-towners showed up to try to tell his neighbors to vote against him." Will the entire country be watching Michigan's 1st District in November? 3. Taxes. Sunday, the Press launches the April installment of the Michigan 10.0 series, focusing on tax structure and the crisis looming even before being expedited by a world-wide economic collapse. One topic explored: a push by some to lift exemptions on income tax for pensions. Conversation starters • Ed on the Washington Post's Gene Weingarten's Pulitzer-winning exploration of arbitrary judicial and law enforcement reactions to prosecuting parents whose children died after being left in cars. • Jeff on the citizenry's need to demand for disclosure of campaign contributions to secret, independent groups and real-time campaign finance disclosure. The Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for corporate and union contributions also said those groups can be required to disclose who donated the money that paid for the ads.

Matt McLogan, vice president of university relations at GVSU, joins Grand Rapids Press political editor Jeff Cranson on this week's Talking Michigan Politics. recorded at One Trick Pony in downtown Grand Rapids. Thanks to proprietor Dan Verhil. The topics include: 1. The race for governor. A poll out Tuesday (PDF) from Lansing-based EPIC MRA confirms that the Democratic field has a ways to go in capturing interest, let alone excitement. Some 72 percent of those polled said they don't recognize the name of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and 53 percent don't recognize House Speaker Andy Dillon who was preparing a run for months before sending more obvious signs upon Lt. Gov. John Cherry's departure from the race. In the poll, Dillon leads Dems with 22 percent, followed by Bernero with 15 percent and the candidate in the field the longest time, state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith of suburban Ann Arbor, with 11 percent. On the GOP side, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland continues to lead with 27 percent; while Attorney General Mike Cox netted 21 percent and Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder scored 15 percent, a drop from his numbers in other recent polls. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the only candidate besides Cox to have run a statewide race, notched 13 percent. After hearing background on the candidate, Hoekstra remained at the top with 26 percent, while Snyder moved up considerably, tying Cox at 21 percent. Bouchard gained two points. 2. Congressional races. Some Michigan seats are up for grabs, including those held by Democrats Mark Schauer and Gary Peters, who will most assuredly be targets of those gathering for Tea Party Express stops this weekend. Most intriguing is the battle to oust Schauer, who left the state Senate in 2008 and rode President Obama's coattails to victory in the mostly rural, GOP-leaning, southern-Michigan district. Battling to replace him is the evangelical conservative he upset, Tim Walberg, and Brian Rooney, the grandson of famed Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney. Brian Rooney is a 7th District transplant, having moved to Dexter in 2009. 3. Texting and driving. With a Senate-approved bill to ban texting while driving and make it a primary offense, all eyes are on the House. Gov. Granholm has indicated she would sign the bill if it makes it to her desk. Jack Lessenberry made a compelling case for the legislation in a recent essay. Conversation starters: • Jeff on former alpinist and author Greg Mortenson's visit to West Michigan and his "books not bombs" message. • Matt on April 15 deadline to file state and federal income taxes. Despite efforts to simplify the form, it is more complicated than ever.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: 1. Health Care. Is the health care vote really going to be the big issue in November, or is it still about jobs? Some believe the vote will solidify an alliance between social and fiscal conservatives in the GOP base. As former George W. Bush speech writer David Frum, who's rapidly falling out of favor with his party, asks: Do Republicans write a one-sentence bill declaring that the whole thing is repealed? Will they vote to reopen the "doughnut" hole for prescription drugs for seniors? To allow health insurers to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions? To kick millions of people off Medicaid? Frum makes the argument that only talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh benefit from the vitriol: "If Republicans succeed -- if they govern successfully in office and negotiate attractive compromises out of office -- Rush's listeners get less angry. And if they are less angry, they listen to the radio less and hear fewer ads for Sleep Number beds." But top Republicans like Arizona Sen. John McCain say the vote will pay big dividends for his party. "We're going to have a very spirited campaign coming up between now and November," McCain told ABC's Good Morning America. Meanwhile Tea Party will hold three rallies in U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak's northern Michigan district to target him. The Tea Party Express III: Just Vote Them Out tour has added a new member of Congress who will be added to the group's target list. "We're trading votes with Bart Stupak. He sold out the American people and voted for that awful health care bill, so now we're going to repay the favor and vote him out of office," said Joe Wierzbicki, Coordinator of the Tea Party Express and a Michigan native. 2. Governor's race. Democrat Andy Dillon and Republican Pete Hoekstra seemed to agree on more than they disagree at a forum in Detroit last week. One Lansing Republican insider, said he came away surprised at Hoekstra's performance, calling him a "rock star" and said Dillon was better than in past appearances, too. Republican Mike Cox is getting national attention for being among state attorneys general filing challenges to the national health care bill. And another official tied to Democrat Virg Bernero has tax issues. 3. Michigan 10.0 -- Resources for sale. Windmills, water, land, conflicts abound, though many are optimistic that those resources hold the seeds of economic recovery.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, topics include the governor's race, education funding (and Saturday's controversial Meat Out), and the 3rd District Congressional race. Grand Rapids Press politics editor Jeff Cranson chats with Matt McLogan, vice president for community relations at Grand Valley State University, who is pinch-hitting for Ed Golder. 1. Getting negative The race for governor heats up with allegations from Attorney General Mike Cox suggesting that fellow GOP candidate Pete Hoekstra is not the fiscal conservative he claims to be because of votes in favor of the $850 billion bank bailout, raising the debt ceiling, earmarks and his refusal to take the no-tax pledge. A Hoekstra spokesman responded: "Today's negative attack from the Cox campaign is not a surprise. It is a desperate attempt to divert attention from the string of controversial stories and scandals the Cox campaign has had to deal with in the last week. Unfortunately for the Cox campaign, the people of Michigan are smarter than that." Also in the news, Republican candidate Rick Snyder continues his call for investigations into the source of robocalls and negative ads. Snyder campaign officials say people connected to the groups involved in the ads were at one time connected to the Cox campaign. The Cox campaign denies any involvement. Robocalls have also been used on the Democratic side with some ringing phones in Grand Rapids last week attacking the labor union credentials of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. 2. Paying for education Gov. Jennifer Granholm, trying to focus on something besides not eating meat, makes her case Wednesday in conference calls with reporters and school officials for more funding for K-12 education. The calls come just days after the Obama Administration released a plan that, as the Christian Science Monitor wrote, "bends the No Child Left Behind learning curve." Granholm's calls come at the same time higher education officials are worried that action in the Senate Appropriations Committee will lead to tuition hikes. Also today, Senate Republicans failed to muster the votes for the super majority necessary to prevent 3 percent raises for state employees from going into place later this year. 3. The Grand Rapids area Congressional seat and other local races. A formidable Democrat seems poised to jump into the race where the buzz has so far focused on three GOP candidates: state Rep. Justin Amash, state Sen. Bill Hardiman, Steve Heacock and Bob Overbeek. Conversation starters: • Jeff on President Obama's NCAA picks and why he chose Kansas to win it all. • Matt on whether the House passes a health care reform bill with a straight vote or parliamentary maneuvers.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder tackle: 1. The race for governor. A new poll, released exclusively to the Grand Rapids Press and Booth Newspapers, finds Pete Hoekstra solidly out front on the GOP side with Rick Snyder continuing to surge on the strength of his TV blitz. Attorney General Mike Cox seems to be waning. On the Democratic side, Andy Dillon holds a narrow lead over Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, though a large number of voters remain undecided. In other news, robocalls have sparked hostility and investigations by the Secretary of State. Could the state pass campaign finance laws to require disclosure of the money behind robocalls? 2. Teacher's fault? Do teachers' unions deserve the blame for Michigan's failure to get Race to the Top funds for education from the federal government? A Detroit News editorial makes the case. An MEA leader told MIRS news the union would have "sold its soul" had it signed off on the Race to the Top legislation (RTTT) without reviewing the entire document. But Gov. Granholm and others say the teachers union's obstruction cost the state the funds. Today, Dillon and Republican state Sen. Wayne Kuipers are together supporting Grand Rapids schools Supt. Bernard Taylor at his state of the schools address. 3. Tea Partiers redux. A Wall Street Journal editorial and none other than Karl Rove posit today that the Tea Party phenomenon will be bad for the GOP. This comes as Newsweek hit the stands this week with a story about Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham running afoul of his party by compromising with the administration. Conversation starters: • Ed on the summer slide. Increasingly, educators are making the case for alternative school calendars and more and longer days in the classroom. • Jeff on U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts questioning whether he and the associate justices should even attend the State of the Union address in the future after being called out by President Obama on their landmark campaign finance ruling.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss candidates in the race for Vern Ehler's Grand Rapids-based Congressional seat.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder are joined by Grand Valley State University Vice President Matthew McLogan to discuss: 1. How national political developments will affect Michigan and Grand Rapids-area races. Sen. Carl Levin said this week he thinks third-party candidates, like those in the Tea Party movement, could help the Democrats in general elections in some states. Would such a movement be akin to Ross Perot in 1992? Is Obama's jobs chart scoring any points? Is the moderate 3rd Congressional district ready to make a hard right with a candidate like Justin Amash? Former state Sen. Ken Sikkema, long interested in the seat, announced Wednesday that he would not seek it. How will that race affect down-ticket races in the district, which includes all but a few precincts in Kent County? Kent County Commission races are already taking shape. 2. The race to be governor of Michigan. In the revolving door that defines the Democratic side, former state Treasurer Bob Bowman was in for a few minutes. After announcing that he would explore a run last week, he took himself out of the running Monday. Denise Ilitch, daughter of Tigers/Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, was also considering a run but bowed out. Alma Wheeler Smith and Virg Bernero remain the only declared Democratic candidates, but House Speaker Andy Dillon seems certain to make a formal announcement soon. Republicans, meanwhile, risk forming a circular firing squad. 3. Taxes? School officials are taking on the business leaders on Gov. Granholm's proposal to lower the state sales tax from 6 to 5.5 percent and extend it to services. The plan is in line with something proposed by the Business Leaders For Michigan, though their plan is contingent a series of spending cuts. On a related note, will any tax hikes pass on the May 4 ballot? Conversation starters: • Ed on something that is both erudite yet accessible, Keynesian yet Friedmanesque, complex but simple and mostly vital to the interests of every man, woman and child in greater Grand Rapids. • Jeff on global weirding.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press politics editor Jeff Cranson and editorial page editor Ed Golder discuss: 1. Fund-raising in the governor's race. Some surprising figures on the GOP side showed Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard near $900,000 despite low poll numbers; U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, despite campaigning for several months, raised around $475,000 with $170,000 cash on hand. Attorney General Mike Cox, who leads in the polls even after noise in the fall about whether he scuttled an investigation into activities involving former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, raised $1.8 million and had $1.47 million in cash on hand. Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder, who is yet to crack double digits in the polls, raised $3.2 million, with $2.6 million in loans to himself. The discussion: Once Snyder goes on TV, including an ad on the Super Bowl Sunday, does he gain quickly? Will his personal spending affect voters' views? Will Hoekstra have trouble claiming viability to donors now? 2. Gov. Granholm's early-out proposal for state workers is ruffling feathers. The Michigan Education Association tweeted members today tweeted its members to call Granholm's office to "tell her wht U think abt her attack on yr retirement." Is it fair to ask state workers who still have defined pensions to kick in more while so many private employees have had their pensions frozen or eliminated? 3. Grand Rapids will soon join other area cities putting tax proposals on the ballot. Can people be persuaded if they are told the extra funds will bring back police and fire? Would focusing on streets and parks have more appeal? Conversation starters: -- Ed on the Lancet medical journal's retraction of a story from 12 years ago that suggested a link between some childhood vaccinations and autism. -- Jeff on how skepticism is often confused as cynicism. A skeptic asks questions and tries to discern a higher truth. A cynic suffers no idealism and believes the masses prefer to be manipulated to achieve an agenda. Was J.P. Morgan skeptical or cynical when he proffered: "There are two reasons people do things. The good reason and the real reason."

Following a gubernatorial candidates' forum in Grand Rapids on Friday, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder recorded a special edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

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.

In this week's edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss: The race for governor: Anticipation builds over a Denise Ilitch candidacy when Kent County Democrats announced she would attend a party event Wednesday night, also featuring Gov. Jennifer Granholm. ilitch.jpgDenise IlitchThe Associated Press reported that President Obama made an appearance at a meeting Ilitch was having with officials at the White House. Meanwhile, Oakland County Executive and GOP honcho L. Brooks Patterson told reporters Republicans had hoped Lt. Gov. John Cherry would remain in the governor's race. Fishy politics: Michigan Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor Mike Cox turned up the heat on the state of Illinois and the Obama administration Wednesday to stop the invasive species known as Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes, if it's not too late already. He launched a Web site where people can sign a petition urging the Obama administration to close locks that allow entry to Lake Michigan. Officials in most other Great Lakes states support his efforts. Tea party momentum: New York Times columnist David Brooks cites polls showing the tea party movement is now more popular than either major party and contends it will become a movement akin to that of hippies opposing the Vietnam War and other establishment causes in the 1960s. Will the movement factor in 2010 races? Conversation starters: • Ed on women in the workplace and an Economist editorial trumpeting their gains while acknowledging the challenges ahead. • Jeff on Whole Foods Republicans and an observation that while the anti-tax Club 4 Growth created a stir in an ad targeting Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean as a “latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Times-reading” liberal, one conservative scholar writes it is time to cultivate “Whole Food Republicans.”

In this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss the race for governor, developments in the Grand Rapids-based 29th Senate District race, and a change in leadership on the Kent County Board