1. (1:15): Do Republican wins in New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races spell doom for Democrats in 2010? While national GOP figures point to the wins as a referendum on Obama administration policies, they are not talking about a Democratic win in the long-time Republican New York 23rd Congressional race. The conservative candidate lost despite backing from national GOP stars Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, in Grand Rapid...
In this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss:1. News in the 2010 race for governor (0:47)A new poll finds U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra leading Republicans in the race for governor, though Attorney General Mike Cox fares better than his fellow Republicans in head to head matchups with Democratic frontrunner Lt. Gov. John Cherry.Also, what will TV reports that link Cox to the investigation of a stripper's murder and an investigation of an alleged ...
1:28: Health care reform. Despite adoption of a bill with one Republican's support in the Senate Finance Committee, House speaker Nancy Pelosi insists a final version will contain a public option. Meanwhile, the rancor and partisan divide created by the health care debate and other issues has more voters identifying themselves as independents, according to recent polls.14:48: Michigan's budget standoff and the 2010 governors race. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Senate Majority Leader Mi...