Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome back to Michigan's Big Show starring Michael Patrick Shields.
I'm Kyle Malynn, editor of the Murors newsletter, filling in today.
We've had a couple of news items from yesterday, and
join us to talk about that as a former governor
of the State of Michigan, Jim Blanchard and former US
Ambassador to Canada. But we're going to go back in time,
if you know, mind, Governor, to your time in Congress,
(00:29):
because we see one of your former colleagues died yesterday
at the age of eighty, Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. I
don't know if you have any memories you can share
about her, but we're more than happy to hear them
if you do.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, Yeah, I do. She was in the State House,
state legislature when I was governor. Then of course I
knew her in Congress. Always gracious. You know, she had
a reputation of being tough, a tough bargainer, but with me,
she was always just trying to be hopeful, always very
gracious and an outstanding politician. And of course I've known
(01:07):
her husband, Bernard as well and his son, and of
course the tragedy of the Sun's problems really spilled over
on her, and I think probably in some ways broke
her heart because she was really a hard worker, very
good politician, represented our state and Detroit honorably, and I
have fond memories of her. She was always just trying
(01:29):
to be helpful to me. I think she dued me
as a kid boy governor, even though turned out I'm
older than she is.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Well, you know, we were talking with Mario Morrow a
little earlier in the program, and we did talk about
the problems with Kwame Kopatrick there near the end of
his tenure in him having to get broomed from office,
and everybody remembers that quote where she said, y'all's boy,
and Hanson Clark used that in his campaign and beat
her in that primary in two thousand and that was
(02:01):
kind of the end of that. But it sounds like
she never was going to apologize for that that. You know,
she was going to stand by her son, and you know,
the chips fell where they may, and she wasn't going
to apologize for it.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Well, you know, most parents don't. They're loving, they give
their children no My mother did that with me, no
matter what I did, unconditional love, and anyone who doesn't
understand that isn't probably a good parent.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Well, let's move on to what happened yesterday with President
Trump predicting that Canadians will travel to the United States
once again after a trade deal is reached. He told
the reporters in the Oval Office while meeting with Prime
Minister Mark Carney that he understands why many Canadians are
refusing to visit, but he said that things are going
(02:48):
to get better and things are going to get worked out.
What do you see as being the future here with
the President and a relationship with Canada.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Well, it's hard to know, because I think what the
President is doing in his people is it's kind of
a long running reality show, sitting around the couch like
Fox and Friends, spewing forth thoughts, some of accurate, some not.
It's hard to know. This is all. Look, I view
the President as someone who really is not all there upstairs,
(03:23):
clearly a good politician and clever. Everything he said about Canada,
most of it is not true. I'm not sure whether
he knows that or not. I mean, this is really
weird stuff, and I give Carnie a lot of credit
for finding a way to complement the president, and they
have a good working relationship. But the reality is, other
(03:43):
than energy, we have a trade surplus with Canada. We
have an auto surplus with Canada. We have a manufacturing
surplus with Canada. We have an agricultural surplus with Candida.
The only area we have a deficit is with energy,
and we want that energy. We want at oil, natural gas, hydroelectric,
pro paine, pro paining. Michigan's the largest consumer pro pain
(04:06):
in the United States, and we get that from Canada,
actually from Mbridge so and the the the steel tariffs,
the steel and aluminum tariffs are costing our auto companies
several billions of dollars. They're totally unnecessary. Steel and aluminum
from Canada is not a national security threat, which is
(04:29):
what Trump has indicated. We've been We've had an integrated
steel market like autos for decades and decades uh and
they're in fact, until recently, the head of the United
steel Workers was a Canadian. So a lot of this
is this nonsense. It's performed entertainment. It's acting like he's
fighting for jobs. And if we don't get a lot
(04:51):
with Canada, it's gonna it's gonna really severely harm our
auto industry in Michigan. We have more to lose and
more to gain by getting along with them. This is
this stuff was totally unnecessary, I might add our governor,
Governor Whitmer was in Toronto spoke to the Empire Club
about Michigan Canada relations and manufacturing and autos, and she
(05:12):
did a wonderful job. That was on October second and
was very well received. And then she pointed out, if
you hit Canada, you really hit in Michigan, and you're
hurting the United States.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
So we were speaking with former Governor Jim Blanchard. It
does sound like Trump just kind of picked the fight
out of nowhere here with Canada and we're not benefiting
from it. I wanted to switch with one more time,
so we started as your time in Congress and Ambassador,
let's go to the governor where we did sign a budget,
(05:45):
a state budget yesterday. And this it did come after
we did havelf a week of a continuation budget, a
very short shut down for state government, only like four hours.
But I was curious during your time, I'm as governor,
did you ever fear that government was ever going to
shut down? Because you guys couldn't come to a budget agreement.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Just a little bit once, but it didn't happen. And
I guess what I would say is, you know, I
have such fond memories of the eight years, even though
some of them were rough and tumble, so I try
to remember the good things. But the bottom line is
that is that we had a divided government basically for
(06:30):
the whole time I was there, and John Angler was
eyeballing my job, but he didn't want to really shut
the government down. He just wanted to play some games
that were politically I think for him astute. So I didn't.
It all got worked out. I'm glad that the Governor Whitner,
and the House and Senate got it worked out. It's
too bad they can't do that in Washington. The problem
(06:51):
in Washington is that the Republicans control the White House
and the House in the Senate and they can't get
a budget, and they're trying to blame the Democrats. Look,
if you control the House and the Senate and the
White House, you ought to be able to get a
budget through it. And you can say, well, we have
to have some Democrats. Well, they had to find a
(07:12):
way to get some Democrats. The Democrats are not interested
in continuing the abuse that the administration is heaping on
federal agencies and federal workers. So I think lancing is
a good model. They got it done, and I'm happy
they did.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
On the federal level. Here, it looks like the Democrats
are playing hardball on healthcare. They want the some of
the restrictions that were put in place, some of the
changes to healthcare dialed back. Do you think that's an
unfair ask for to ask Republicans to undo what they
(07:52):
already did and they won big beautiful bill.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, I think that a lot of the Republicans have
said they would like to modify that so called one
big beautiful bill, and so they should really do it
and not just say we'll talk about it. I think
the Democrats feel like they've been cooperative earlier in the
year and they got punished for it because then Trump
just doubled down on all of his excesses. So healthcare
(08:19):
is a huge issue. The costs are going to skyrocket
in Michigan. We could have rural hospitals closed. Costs are
going to go up, and I think the big issue
is affordability for people, whether it's housing, healthcare, gasoline whatever.
Gasoline seems to be okay now, but it's affordability and
I think those of us in politics have failed to
(08:44):
understand how many people are on fixed incomes.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Well, we'll see what ends up happening and if they
keep that in mind as they settle this budget standoff
in DC. Appreciate the time former Governor Jim Blanchard, you're
listening to Michigan's big show.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
People can't have access to quality medical care without affordable
health insurance. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we
understand increasing health insurance costs are becoming more of a
strain on the budgets of the businesses and people we serve.
Affordability matters. It affects real families, real decisions, and real care.
That's why at Blue Cross were dedicated to finding solutions
(09:22):
to learn about this critical issue in our efforts to
make healthcare affordable for all. VISITMI blue Daily dot com
slash affordability today.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Whether they are dough boys, comments or even gremlins, every
public school in Michigan is proud to be known for something,
and at the Michigan Lottery we're proud to be known
for something too. Education. I'm Lottery Commissioner Susanna Shrelli, and
one hundred percent of our profits go to support the
state School Aid Fund. Last year, the lottery contributed over
one billion dollars. So whatever hometown school you're from, we're
(09:52):
rooting for all of them at Michigan Lottery for Fun
for Schools.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
Knowing your limits is always.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
The best back.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Dean Transportation is looking for compassionate people to join our
team of school bus drivers and attendants. Visit deanjobs dot
com to see all openings. Dean Transportation provides paid training
to obtain a commercial driver's license, increased starting pay, comprehensive benefits,
and flexible schedules with no weekend shifts, no experience needed.
(10:22):
Apply today at Dean jobs dot com and train for
back to school season. That's da n jobs dot com.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Change is Bright.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
It's a clean energy future fueled by fields of solar.
It's led lighting in every home, and Consumers Energy is
making it happen with their industry leading clean energy plan.
This year, They're going all in on their commitment to
protecting the planet while serving nearly seven million Michigan neighbors.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Learn more and join the movement at consumers, Energy dot
com slash clean energy,
Welcome back to Michigan's Big Show starring Michael Patrick Shields.
I'm Kyle Malynn, editor of the Murors newsletter, filling in today.
We've had a couple of news items from yesterday, and
join us to talk about that as a former governor
of the State of Michigan, Jim Blanchard and former US
Ambassador to Canada. But we're going to go back in time,
if you know, mind, Governor, to your time in Congress,
(00:29):
because we see one of your former colleagues died yesterday
at the age of eighty, Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. I
don't know if you have any memories you can share
about her, but we're more than happy to hear them
if you do.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, Yeah, I do. She was in the State House,
state legislature when I was governor. Then of course I
knew her in Congress. Always gracious. You know, she had
a reputation of being tough, a tough bargainer, but with me,
she was always just trying to be hopeful, always very
gracious and an outstanding politician. And of course I've known
(01:07):
her husband, Bernard as well and his son, and of
course the tragedy of the Sun's problems really spilled over
on her, and I think probably in some ways broke
her heart because she was really a hard worker, very
good politician, represented our state and Detroit honorably, and I
have fond memories of her. She was always just trying
(01:29):
to be helpful to me. I think she dued me
as a kid boy governor, even though turned out I'm
older than she is.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Well, you know, we were talking with Mario Morrow a
little earlier in the program, and we did talk about
the problems with Kwame Kopatrick there near the end of
his tenure in him having to get broomed from office,
and everybody remembers that quote where she said, y'all's boy,
and Hanson Clark used that in his campaign and beat
her in that primary in two thousand and that was
(02:01):
kind of the end of that. But it sounds like
she never was going to apologize for that that. You know,
she was going to stand by her son, and you know,
the chips fell where they may, and she wasn't going
to apologize for it.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Well, you know, most parents don't. They're loving, they give
their children no My mother did that with me, no
matter what I did, unconditional love, and anyone who doesn't
understand that isn't probably a good parent.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Well, let's move on to what happened yesterday with President
Trump predicting that Canadians will travel to the United States
once again after a trade deal is reached. He told
the reporters in the Oval Office while meeting with Prime
Minister Mark Carney that he understands why many Canadians are
refusing to visit, but he said that things are going
(02:48):
to get better and things are going to get worked out.
What do you see as being the future here with
the President and a relationship with Canada.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Well, it's hard to know, because I think what the
President is doing in his people is it's kind of
a long running reality show, sitting around the couch like
Fox and Friends, spewing forth thoughts, some of accurate, some not.
It's hard to know. This is all. Look, I view
the President as someone who really is not all there upstairs,
(03:23):
clearly a good politician and clever. Everything he said about Canada,
most of it is not true. I'm not sure whether
he knows that or not. I mean, this is really
weird stuff, and I give Carnie a lot of credit
for finding a way to complement the president, and they
have a good working relationship. But the reality is, other
(03:43):
than energy, we have a trade surplus with Canada. We
have an auto surplus with Canada. We have a manufacturing
surplus with Canada. We have an agricultural surplus with Candida.
The only area we have a deficit is with energy,
and we want that energy. We want at oil, natural gas, hydroelectric,
pro paine, pro paining. Michigan's the largest consumer pro pain
(04:06):
in the United States, and we get that from Canada,
actually from Mbridge so and the the the steel tariffs,
the steel and aluminum tariffs are costing our auto companies
several billions of dollars. They're totally unnecessary. Steel and aluminum
from Canada is not a national security threat, which is
(04:29):
what Trump has indicated. We've been We've had an integrated
steel market like autos for decades and decades uh and
they're in fact, until recently, the head of the United
steel Workers was a Canadian. So a lot of this
is this nonsense. It's performed entertainment. It's acting like he's
fighting for jobs. And if we don't get a lot
(04:51):
with Canada, it's gonna it's gonna really severely harm our
auto industry in Michigan. We have more to lose and
more to gain by getting along with them. This is
this stuff was totally unnecessary, I might add our governor,
Governor Whitmer was in Toronto spoke to the Empire Club
about Michigan Canada relations and manufacturing and autos, and she
(05:12):
did a wonderful job. That was on October second and
was very well received. And then she pointed out, if
you hit Canada, you really hit in Michigan, and you're
hurting the United States.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
So we were speaking with former Governor Jim Blanchard. It
does sound like Trump just kind of picked the fight
out of nowhere here with Canada and we're not benefiting
from it. I wanted to switch with one more time,
so we started as your time in Congress and Ambassador,
let's go to the governor where we did sign a budget,
(05:45):
a state budget yesterday. And this it did come after
we did havelf a week of a continuation budget, a
very short shut down for state government, only like four hours.
But I was curious during your time, I'm as governor,
did you ever fear that government was ever going to
shut down? Because you guys couldn't come to a budget agreement.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Just a little bit once, but it didn't happen. And
I guess what I would say is, you know, I
have such fond memories of the eight years, even though
some of them were rough and tumble, so I try
to remember the good things. But the bottom line is
that is that we had a divided government basically for
(06:30):
the whole time I was there, and John Angler was
eyeballing my job, but he didn't want to really shut
the government down. He just wanted to play some games
that were politically I think for him astute. So I didn't.
It all got worked out. I'm glad that the Governor Whitner,
and the House and Senate got it worked out. It's
too bad they can't do that in Washington. The problem
(06:51):
in Washington is that the Republicans control the White House
and the House in the Senate and they can't get
a budget, and they're trying to blame the Democrats. Look,
if you control the House and the Senate and the
White House, you ought to be able to get a
budget through it. And you can say, well, we have
to have some Democrats. Well, they had to find a
(07:12):
way to get some Democrats. The Democrats are not interested
in continuing the abuse that the administration is heaping on
federal agencies and federal workers. So I think lancing is
a good model. They got it done, and I'm happy
they did.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
On the federal level. Here, it looks like the Democrats
are playing hardball on healthcare. They want the some of
the restrictions that were put in place, some of the
changes to healthcare dialed back. Do you think that's an
unfair ask for to ask Republicans to undo what they
(07:52):
already did and they won big beautiful bill.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, I think that a lot of the Republicans have
said they would like to modify that so called one
big beautiful bill, and so they should really do it
and not just say we'll talk about it. I think
the Democrats feel like they've been cooperative earlier in the
year and they got punished for it because then Trump
just doubled down on all of his excesses. So healthcare
(08:19):
is a huge issue. The costs are going to skyrocket
in Michigan. We could have rural hospitals closed. Costs are
going to go up, and I think the big issue
is affordability for people, whether it's housing, healthcare, gasoline whatever.
Gasoline seems to be okay now, but it's affordability and
I think those of us in politics have failed to
(08:44):
understand how many people are on fixed incomes.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Well, we'll see what ends up happening and if they
keep that in mind as they settle this budget standoff
in DC. Appreciate the time former Governor Jim Blanchard, you're
listening to Michigan's big show.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
People can't have access to quality medical care without affordable
health insurance. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we
understand increasing health insurance costs are becoming more of a
strain on the budgets of the businesses and people we serve.
Affordability matters. It affects real families, real decisions, and real care.
That's why at Blue Cross were dedicated to finding solutions
(09:22):
to learn about this critical issue in our efforts to
make healthcare affordable for all. VISITMI blue Daily dot com
slash affordability today.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Whether they are dough boys, comments or even gremlins, every
public school in Michigan is proud to be known for something,
and at the Michigan Lottery we're proud to be known
for something too. Education. I'm Lottery Commissioner Susanna Shrelli, and
one hundred percent of our profits go to support the
state School Aid Fund. Last year, the lottery contributed over
one billion dollars. So whatever hometown school you're from, we're
(09:52):
rooting for all of them at Michigan Lottery for Fun
for Schools.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
Knowing your limits is always.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
The best back.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Dean Transportation is looking for compassionate people to join our
team of school bus drivers and attendants. Visit deanjobs dot
com to see all openings. Dean Transportation provides paid training
to obtain a commercial driver's license, increased starting pay, comprehensive benefits,
and flexible schedules with no weekend shifts, no experience needed.
(10:22):
Apply today at Dean jobs dot com and train for
back to school season. That's da n jobs dot com.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Change is Bright.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
It's a clean energy future fueled by fields of solar.
It's led lighting in every home, and Consumers Energy is
making it happen with their industry leading clean energy plan.
This year, They're going all in on their commitment to
protecting the planet while serving nearly seven million Michigan neighbors.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Learn more and join the movement at consumers, Energy dot
com slash clean energy,
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