March Madness (Guest: Rick Pluta)

In the last week, we have learned that Any media outlet criticizing Trump is corrupt and should be in jail; Any DOJ lawyer or investigator looking into Trump’s many crimes is corrupt and will be fired; Any member of Congress investigating Trump’s many crimes should go to prison; Any non-white person whether in the country legally or illegally can be snatched up by Homeland Security and immediately sent to an El Salvador prison; We apparently are at war, much to the surprise of a Congress which has the sole power to declare war; Complying with federal court orders is optional; Any judge ruling against Trump policies should be impeached; and Chief John Roberts may actually have a spine.  In Michigan  Governor Whitmer confirms she’s not running for the U.S. Senate; New polling shows that the woman she beat by 10 points in 2022 is a contender to win the GOP’s nomination for either Governor or the Senate; State House Speaker Matt Hall believes he, like the Governor, has the right to veto legislation; The battle over fixing the damn roads is escalating;  Republican state Representative Bryan Posthumous, a leader in the GOP’s election integrity talk, may be engaged in a little election fraud of his own; and  Michigan Republicans continue to duck face-to-face Town Hall meetings, while Democrats schedule as many as they can. Joining the podcast discussion this week is fellow podcaster and longtime state capitol reporter Rick Pluta. Rick is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener. Rick was one of the first Michigan political reporters to write about “pay-to-play” fundraising, and the controversies surrounding recognition of same-sex relationships. He broke the news that Gov. John Engler was planning a huge juvenile justice overhaul that included adult-time-for-adult-crime sentencing, and has continued to report since then on the effects of that policy decision. He co-hosts the weekly podcast “It’s Just Politics” with Zoe Clark. This episode is sponsored in part by =========================== EPIC ▪ MRA, 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 ===========================