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It's Just Politics

Michigan Public
Michigan
Gretchen Whitmer
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Donald Trump
Mike Duggan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Economy
Detroit
Lansing
Road Funding
Kamala Harris
2024 Presidential Election
Matt Hall
Michigan State Budget
Detroit News
Michigan Legislature
Michigan Government
Senate Seat
Jocelyn Benson

Politics can be messy. Politics can be confusing. But, that certainly doesn't mean politics can't be a joy-ride. Join It's Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta as they drill down on what’s happening in Michigan politics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for It's Just Politics

Latest Episodes

It looks more and more likely that lawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will not pass a state budget by the July 1st statutory deadline. What comes next?

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to y... more

Michigan Senate Democrats propose new data center regulations. What would the bills do and could they actually become law?

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's J... more

YouTube

The clock is ticking on Michigan's state budget, and there's growing skepticism lawmakers won’t meet the July 1 deadline.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Ju... more

YouTube

A big union endorsement, millions in outside spending, and a three-way Democratic fight that's only getting tougher. Michigan's open U.S. Senate race is quickly becoming one of the country's most closely watched contests.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Plut... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Lauren Gibbons
Journalist, Bridge Michigan
Bridge Michigan
Episode: Where the U.S. Senate race stands
Chai Karve
Former speechwriter for Governor Gretchen Whitmer; head of Karve Coms
Karve Coms
Episode: Crafting a governor’s voice
Jonathan Osteen
Deputy politics editor at Bridge Michigan
Bridge Michigan
Episode: Inside the Michigan governor’s race
Chad Livengood
Politics editor at the Detroit News
The Detroit News
Episode: Charges in grant scandal
Jason Rowe
Political strategist and former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party
Republican Party / Michigan political consulting
Episode: A campaign roundup
Jason Hay
Episode: A campaign roundup
Alabas Farhat
Democratic State Representative from Dearborn, Michigan
Michigan House of Representatives (Democrat)
Episode: Is Lansing functional?
AJ Jones
Reporter for WCMU covering the race
WCMU
Episode: 35th Senate District race
Stephen Henderson
Detroit PBS host and Bridge Detroit executive advisor
American Black Journal on Detroit PBS; Bridge Detroit
Episode: Duggan disruption

Hosts

Zoe Clark
Host of It's Just Politics
Rick Pluta
Co-host of It's Just Politics

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Great political coverage in Michigan

    I love that these hosts are still elsewhere on Michigan Radio but I miss this show. I loved the snappy pace and tone and how well it caught me up on politics after I moved to Michigan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andrew.conkling
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate strong guest rosters and practical takeaways for campaigns or sponsorships.
On-spot insights from reporters and guests give a reliable read on state issues.
The hosts balance speed with depth, keeping complex Michigan politics accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#93
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#75
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#82
New Zealand/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Where the U.S. Senate race stands
Q: You see this as self-inflicted wounds from intra-party competition—how does that affect the general?
The guests discuss that while competition can sharpen candidates, it also risks weakening the party's cohesion and deflecting attention from general-election threats, with concerns about how the primary dynamics could influence the fall race.
Where the U.S. Senate race stands
Q: So, Lauren, can you just first put the race into context as of this week on the Democratic side?
Lauren explains the race remains competitive, with the UAW endorsement as a significant but not universal factor; labor endorsements vary by faction, and the Democratic field remains divided with Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow all in the double digits without a clear frontrunner.
The Michigan mood
Q: What does the data say about the two-party system and the role of independents like Duggan in Michigan politics?
Voters show a preference for compromise and a desire for more competition and options beyond the traditional parties, with independents highlighting structural biases in ballot access and party dominance.
The Michigan mood
Q: So let's start with these numbers. Why does Governor Whitmer have unusually strong approval in her second term?
Whitmer resonates with female voters, communicates in a direct, non-hostile style, and pursues issues important to her while not attacking opponents, which together sustain her broad approval.
Charges in grant scandal
Q: What specific red flags stood out in the Badun grant case as the investigation unfolded?
The discovery of disparate expenditures tied to the grant—such as a $4,500 coffee maker and a $550,000 salary—along with a paper trail showing Badun collaborating with a Republican donor to influence who in the government could access the funds, signaled a systemic misuse of the state program and potential criminal activity.

Audience Metrics

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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About It's Just Politics

What is It's Just Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced, state-focused political show that dissects Michigan politics through a roundtable of seasoned reporters and analysts. Episodes routinely tackle insider dynamics, budgeting, elections, ballot proposals, and policy battles, with guests ranging from editors and journalists to pollsters and lawmakers. The format tends to blend on-the-ground reporting with big-picture context, offering practical takeaways for listeners considering sponsorships or guest opportunities. Notable strengths include a strong Michigan-centric lens, accessibility for non-expert audiences, and a track record of vivid, issue-driven conversations that connect local concerns to national narratives.

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Which podcasts are similar to It's Just Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with It's Just Politics:

1. MichMash Politics
2. MIRS Monday Podcast
3. On Hand
4. Throughline
5. Planet Money

How many episodes of It's Just Politics are there?

It's Just Politics launched 13 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on It's Just Politics?

Recent guests on It's Just Politics include:

1. Lauren Gibbons
2. Chai Karve
3. Jonathan Osteen
4. Chad Livengood
5. Jason Rowe
6. Jason Hay
7. Alabas Farhat
8. AJ Jones

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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