Another mass shooting with an AR-15 armed shooter brings more thoughts and prayers from NRA-owned politicians … and that’s about all. In Washington. While Republicans in the U.S. House focus on protecting kids from drag queens and classic books … instead of protecting them from being shot in their classrooms … Michigan’s Legislature continues to do just the opposite. Gun safety is the latest issue to move from campaign promises all the way to the Governor’s desk. Also enacted in this hyper-active legislative session: returning union rights to workers and civil rights for all Michiganders regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

Joining the discussion this week is Democratic Party pollster Celinda Lake with insights on how Democrats can leverage the MAGA takeover of the Republican Party and reclaim the allegiance of Midwest blue-collar voters.

Celinda is one of the Democratic Party’s leading political strategists. She was one of two lead pollsters for the Biden campaign in 2020 and continues to serve as a pollster to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), other national party committees, and dozens of Democratic incumbents and challengers at all levels of the electoral process. Celinda and her firm, Lake Research Partners, are known for cutting-edge research on issues including the economy, health care, the environment, and education.

Celinda, a native of Montana—born and raised on a ranch—and one of the political world's most avid whitewater rafters, holds a master’s degree in Political Science and Survey Research from the University of Michigan and her undergraduate degree from Smith College in Massachusetts, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

She is co-author of a must-read book on political strategy, “A Question of Respect.” Celinda teamed up with Republican pollster Ed Goeas to provide a political resource and a compelling case for how the nation reached a moment of massive political divisions, where it needs to go, and what it will take to get there. She also led research on behalf of American Family Values of how the Democrats’ brand in the Midwest is damaged in blue-collar counties. The report concludes that “Democrats have their best opportunity to make progress in these counties in a generation.”

===========================

This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is 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

===========================

Links to Stories We’re Following This Week

Democratic Report Explores Blue-Collar Struggles: ‘Our Brand Is Pretty Damaged’ - The New York Times

A Question of Respect

Path to the Majority: Expanding the Map - Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

Opinion | The GOP gains among ‘voters of color’ are overhyped - Perry Bacon/The Washington Post

Democratic Report Explores Blue-Collar Struggles: ‘Our Brand Is Pretty Damaged’ - The New York Times

Path to the Majority: Expanding the Map - Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

Opinion | The GOP gains among ‘voters of color’ are overhyped - Perry Bacon/The Washington Post

Benson won't run for U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2024 - Detroit News

Legislature's three-month sprint reflects sea change in Michigan politics - Detroit News

Michigan 1st state in decades to repeal 'right-to-work' law - AP News

New Laws Enacted so far in 2023 - Legislative Service Bureau