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It's Just Politics

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

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
GovernmentPoliticsNews

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Artwork for It's Just Politics

Latest Episodes

We're in your feed again this week bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. Yesterday, we heard from U.S. Representative Haley Stevens.

Note: Michigan Public reache... more

This week on the podcast we're doing something different. We're bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have U.S. Representative Haley Stevens. Tomorrow, we'll hear from former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. more

July 2026. We are now halfway through the year. On today’s It’s Just Politics, a look at the top three Michigan political stories of the year. So far.

Support the show: michiganradio.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa... more

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On the heels of Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow’s decision to drop out of the U.S. Senate race, leading contenders in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed met up in a televised debate last night that was Michiganders’ ... more

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Recent Guests

Abdul El‑Sayed
Former Wayne County Health Official, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate (Michigan)
Candidate for U.S. Senate (Michigan)
Episode: U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
Haley Stevens
Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: U.S. Senate Candidate Haley Stevens
Emily Lawler
Politics editor at the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Episode: 2026. So far.
Jennifer Smith
Representative of the Michigan Association of School Boards
Michigan Association of School Boards
Episode: Budget deadline, budget frustration
Hailey Harding
Reporter for Vote Beat
Vote Beat
Episode: Budget deadline, budget frustration
Chai Karve
Former speechwriter for Governor Gretchen Whitmer; head of Karve Coms
Karve Coms
Episode: Crafting a governor’s voice
Simon Schuster
Politics reporter for Bridge Michigan
Bridge Michigan
Episode: Inside the Michigan governor’s race
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

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
#46
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#219
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#126
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#181
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#156
New Zealand/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
Q: What is your stance on health care reform, specifically Medicare for All, and how would it work in practice?
Medicare for All would replace the current fragmented system with a universal, government-backed framework that covers essential care with minimal out-of-pocket costs, while preserving patient choice and ensuring providers are paid in a way that sustains access to quality care.
U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
Q: You've called for abolishing ICE. What is a reasonable alternative?
The alternative is a multi-agency approach that preserves public safety and due process, with a clear legal framework and accountability, rather than an agency operating with impunity; this would include reforming or replacing ICE with a system that upholds constitutional rights while still addressing threats to safety.
Budget deadline, budget frustration
Q: So Haley, what are these unredacted voter roles?
Haley explains that unredacted voter rolls include names plus sensitive data like partial social security numbers and driver's license information. The DOJ hasn't clearly stated why they want it or how they'll use or store it, which raises concerns and has led to legal pushback.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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. Stay Tuned with Preet
5. The Focus Group Podcast

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. Abdul El‑Sayed
2. Haley Stevens
3. Emily Lawler
4. Jennifer Smith
5. Hailey Harding
6. Chai Karve
7. Simon Schuster
8. Jonathan Osteen

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