Talking Michigan Politics

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,