The horror of this week at Michigan State University casts a cloud over our state, and especially the campus just five miles east of the Capitol building. It was the 67th mass shooting in the first 46 days of 2023. As we recorded this week’s podcast, a memorial service was gathering in the center of the East Lansing campus in remembrance of Arielle Anderson, Alexander Verner and Brian Fraser … and with prayers for five more students hospitalized at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital.

Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson

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This week it's the “Perry for President” (be still, my heart) edition of “A Republic, If You Can Keep It”. Yes, Perry Johnson thinks he’s ready to be America’s Quality Guru in Chief … along with the somewhat more qualified but equally unlikely to win former South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley. Maybe a Perry - Nicki ticket?

Also this week, Michigan Republicans head to their state convention this weekend secure in the knowledge their next chairperson will be an Election Denier. The pre-convention activities begin, appropriately, with a Matt DePerno fundraiser at The Nut House (a sports bar across the street from the convention hall). 

We're joined this week by President Ron Bieber, who has served at president of the Michigan AFL-CIO since 2015. Bieber joined UAW Local 730 in 1978, after hiring into the General Motors Metal Fabricating plant in Wyoming, Michigan. He was elected to his first union position at the age of 23, and moved up the ranks, being appointed to the UAW International staff in 1992. In 2009, Bieber was promoted as an Administrative Assistant to the UAW President and named the Director of the UAW CAP Department. In this position, his responsibilities included the administration of the Political, Retired Workers and Civil Rights departments of the UAW.

Ron currently serves on the boards of the Economic Alliance of Michigan, the Michigan Association of United Ways, and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

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• Focus Group Research

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• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

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Links to stories we're following

MSU shooting victims remembered: Alexandria Verner, Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser - The Washington Post

Twitter: "A survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting is a student at Michigan State University

Oxford High student survives second shooting at Michigan State - The Washington Post

MSU shooting 2023: ‘We cannot keep living like this:’ Dems vow gun reform | Bridge Michigan

Opinion | Michigan State shootings are a reminder: We must take the guns away - The Washington Post

This week in politics

Michigan House OKs Democratic tax plan as tensions hit Capitol

Minority Leader Hall, Michigan Republicans Set To Turn Their Backs On Inflation Relief - Michigan Democratic Party

Insider: Wentworth-linked nonprofit spent $137,000 on travel

President Perry Johnson? Michigan businessman launches long-shot campaign | Bridge Michigan

Finley: Perry Johnson's bizarro presidential campaign ad aims to shock

Perry for Prez Super Bowl ad via Twitter

Election deniers vie to lead broke Michigan GOP. Donors aren’t happy. | Bridge Michigan