On this week's Talking Michigan Politics, Ed and Jeff discuss competing plans to reduce the federal budget deficit and a compromise on the pension tax proposal in Michigan.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

Everyone knows two things off limits for casual conversation are politics and religion so on this week's Talking Michigan Politics, Ed and Jeff take on U.S. Rep. Justin Amash's opposition to U.S. military action in Libya, state tax policy and the controversy sparked by the Rev. Rob Bell about whether there is a Hell.…

And buzz is building about at Grand Rapids casino.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av 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 …

The future of offshore oil drilling in the wake of the investigation of the BP Gulf spill. Can Grand Rapids and Kent County become one? And President Obama changes directions on gay marriage on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

Gov. Rick Snyder answered some questions about the controversial and ambitious budget he laid out Thursday before lawmakers in Lansing.Av Jeff Cranson

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

Congressman Justin Amash's vote against the Patriot Act, the highly anticipated major spending cuts in Michigan government becomes public next week and how the State of the City address provoked debate about what God's name is on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.Av 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:Av 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:Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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.Av The Grand Rapids Press

President Obama's speech in Tucson is the topic of a special edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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.Av 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 a special edition of the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Michigan Gov.-elect Rick Snyder talks about his ambitious plans for 2011, his tax restructuring plan and his hope to work with people in the center and not spend time on the extremes.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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 …

Why Democrats are praising Rick Snyder, Rep. Ehlers votes to repeal Don't Ask, Don't TellAv Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

Podcast crew also discusses surprises by Governor-elect Rick Snyder and lame-duck lawmakers.Av 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 supporti…

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:Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

This week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast: Surveys provide surprising findings on Tea Partiers and trade agreements; a Christian roommates controversy in Grand Rapids, and Rick Snyder's first moves as governor-elect.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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.Av Jeff Cranson, Ed Golder and Peter Bratt

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 drawThe Rand Paul supporter head stompTurnoutChina's role in political racesAv Jeff Cranson, Ed Golder and Matt McLogan

Christine O'Donnell sets us straight on the Constitution, more news on hidden campaign contributions, and whether Glenn Beck contributed to a gunman's rage on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av 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.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

How China makes its way into Michigan politics, gay bashing by a state official and a new national poll that finds Bill Clinton growing in popularity, on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcastAv 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.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

On a special edition of Talking Michigan Politics, Grand Rapids Press Political Editor Jeff sits down with Brian Wesbury, chief economist for First Trust Advisors in Wheaton, Ill., frequent guest on CNBC and Fox News, and a contributor to the Wall Street Journal's editorial page. Wesbury keynoted the lunch program at the West Michigan Policy Forum …

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.Av Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder

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.Av 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.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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.Av The Grand Rapids Press

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 move…

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…

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? Snyde…

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 controversia…

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 …

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.Av Jeff Cranson and Matt McLogan

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 maki…

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 Elizab…

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 st…

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 f…

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 q…