This past weekend, Michigan Democrats pulled off a remarkable feat: they held a statewide convention to choose leadership for issue caucus groups, Congressional District organizations, and the top spots in the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) itself completely remotely. The event went remarkably smoothly. MDP staff were present in the various meetings to assist with voting and other procedural issues that […]

The worst and best news you’ve heard all week that  does not directly involve Donald Trump For a moment, let’s set aside everything Donald Trump is trying to do to make sure the GOP eventually loses the Latino vote the way it has lost African-American vote for the last half a century and focus on the most important issue of […]

Recently on the radio program Stateside, I argued that when it comes to message, Democrats need to do a better job of showing voters how core American values drive our policy ideas. Sounds great in the abstract, but the devil’s in how to execute, right? Well, on the issue of healthcare, here’s a powerful story from my neighbor and friend […]

The Ford Motor Co. announced today that it is expanding operations in three Michigan plants and will spend over a billion dollars in the process: Ford Motor Co. will invest $1.2 billion in three Michigan facilities to prepare for production of the all-new Ford Ranger and Bronco, and to support the company’s expansion into mobility. The company said Tuesday it […]

Early last month, the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee (DSCC) met to choose its delegates to the Democratic National Committee [full disclosure: I am a DSCC member]. The afternoon of the meeting, the Chair of the Young Democrats of Michigan Sam Pernick spoke to a group of Senator Sanders and Jill Stein supporters in the hallway outside of the […]

A recent mailing from the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) to absentee ballot holders mistakenly identified the County Clerk as the office to return one’s absentee ballot. THIS IS INCORRECT. Absentee ballots returned to the County Clerk cannot be counted. If you are returning your absentee ballot, deliver it by mail or in person to the City or Township Clerk who […]

Last summer, I asked a very simple question: “Why is Virgil Smith still in the state Senate? Is it because he’s the Republicans’ useful Democratic idiot?” Democratic state Senator Virgil Smith was convicted of shooting up his wife’s car in a domestic dispute and is now behind bars. Until he resigned this past week, he continued to receive his state […]

The Michigan Democratic Party is holding a pre-debate reception this Saturday, March 5th. In addition to national party leaders, members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation, and members of Michigan’s legislature, they will have special guests Gov. Jim and Janet Blanchard and Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. What’s more exciting is that they have recently announced that Sec. Hillary Clinton is […]

Michigan legislators met for two days this week (without taking attendance or casting any votes) then folded up shop and went home for a one-month recess. They did this as our state’s roads continue to crumble and without passing any legislation to deal with the ongoing road and bridge repair crisis. UPDATE: @EmptyWheel reminds me that they did actually take […]

State House Rep. Brandon Dillon first came onto my radar when I watched this video of a floor speech he gave shortly after Republicans made Michigan a Right to Work state where he described Michigan as “where democracy goes to die”: Since then, he’s been a rising star in the House, joining with former Rep. Ellen Cogen-Lipton and others to […]

Update:  The program I mention toward the end of this story was called “The Win Machine” and it was delayed for use but eventually went up and was successfully used by 2500 people, a significant number.  Also, and this did deserve a mention earlier today, but the miabsetee.com app/site was VERY successful and helped both many Democrats and Republicans register […]