
Nov. 18, 2022 - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer | OFF THE RECORD
Season 52 Episode 21 | 27m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Who will be the next leader of the state GOP? Guest: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The panel discusses candidates to lead the Michigan republican party. The guest is Governor Gretchen Whitmer discussing the election, her agenda and the rumors of a presidential bid. Panelists Simon Schuster, Jordyn Hermani and Craig Mauger join senior capitol correspondent Tim Skubick to discuss the week in Michigan government and politics.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Off the Record is a local public television program presented by WKAR
Support for Off the Record is provided by Bellwether Public Relations.

Nov. 18, 2022 - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer | OFF THE RECORD
Season 52 Episode 21 | 27m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
The panel discusses candidates to lead the Michigan republican party. The guest is Governor Gretchen Whitmer discussing the election, her agenda and the rumors of a presidential bid. Panelists Simon Schuster, Jordyn Hermani and Craig Mauger join senior capitol correspondent Tim Skubick to discuss the week in Michigan government and politics.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Off the Record
Off the Record is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipWELCOME BACK.
OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS NEWLY-ELECTED GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER.
OUR LEAD STORY, THE BATTLE FOR NEW STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR HEATS UP, WHO IS IN AND OUT.
ON THE OTR PANEL, SIMON SCHUSTER, JORDYN HERMANI AND CRAIG MAUGER.
SIT IN WITH US AS WE GET THE INSIDE OUT, OFF THE RECORD.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH.
WELCOME TO THE SNOWY EDITION.
YOU GOT IN HERE SAFELY.
>> OBVIOUSLY.
>> WELCOME TO STUDIO C. WELCOME TO THE BUSY WEEK.
EDITION OF OFF THE WORD.
SOMEONE HAS GOT TO REASON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
WHO THAT IS GOING TO BE MR. MAUGER.
THE FORM HERB REREPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE OF THE!
HE WHAT'S THE CONVENTION DELEGATES WHO ARE THE ONES WHO WILL MAKE DECISION.
THERE ARE A I LOT OF IN THISES THATS COULD GO WRONG INCLUDING A PE TENSION ARREST BEFORE FEBRUARY A VOW THAT IS, THAT HAS IT.
HE COULD RUN.
HE COULD STILL RUN WHETHER HE IS CHARGED OR NOT.
>> WHAT IS YOUR TAKE INTO WELL, I PARTICIPATE, THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME ABOUT THE WHOLE SITUATION.
WE HAVE MATT DEPERNO THE ANTIESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE AND YOU LOOK AT THE CURRENT CHIR AND CO CHAIR THERE IS A UNION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT.
THE GRASS ROOTS WITHIN THE PARTY.
WHAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN YET AND HAVE NOT SEEN EMERGE IS ESTABLISHMENT ALTERNATIVE TO MR. DEPERSON THE AND I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS.
THOUGH ANSWER IS A RESO YOUING NO.
I THINK IT HAS DETERMINED THIS COMPOSITION OF THE CONVENTION IS A LOSER OR THEM.
WHO DO THEY PUT UP THERE THAT IS GOING TO GET MORE THAT THAN TWO VOTES.
>> HONESTLY.
I DON'T KNOW.
COULD TOM LEONARD COME BACK AND SEE SOMETHING.
COULD A TOM BAR REAND SOMEBODY WHO IS A STRONG MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CANDIDATE FOR CONSERVATIVES THAT YOU LO CAN GET BEHIND WHO IS A WET ON QUOTE LIKE DeVOSBACKED CANDIDATE WHO CAN APPELL TO BOTH SIDES MAYBE.
DONE SEE YOU ANYONE WHO IS CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO STICK OUT THEIR NECK LIKE THAT.
WE WAP CHANGE.
WE WAN SOMETHING NEW.
WE WAN SOMETHING THAT ALOONS WITH US.
WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE STATE PARTY STATEWIDE.
THAT'S THE MOST TELLING THING WHAT YOU BROUGHT UP.
THE ESTABLISHMENT WING OF THE PARTY IS NOT EVEN TRYING TO DO AND THING.
>> THEY BAILED OUT.
THEY CRIED UNCLE.
IT SEEMS LOOK THEY HAVE CONVINCED THEMSELVES.
THEY HAVE TO SET UP SOME TYPE OF SHADOW APPARATUS TO ELECT THE CANDIDATES THEY PREFER.
THERE IS A LOT OF REASONS WHY THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I MEAN, IT IS NOT EASING SY TO DO.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE FLOATED THE NAME PETE AS A MAIM.
BUT MATT DEPERCENT KNOW WILL BE EXTREMELY HARD TO BEAT IN A CONVENTION.
THESE PEOPLE LOVE MATT DEPERNO.
HE GOT THE LOUDEST ROUNDS OF APLUS A THE AUGUST CONVENTION.
IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
>> LIKE A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING ALMOST.
>> REMEMBER THE SHOUTING.
HE DID SOMETHING IN FRONT OF ALL THE PEOPLE.
KNOCK IT OUT.
>> IT WORKED.
>> IT WORKED EVEN AS RON WAS ATTEMPTING TO QUIET THE CRUD AND RON WHO IS CHAIR OF THE MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY.
>> $5 MILLION.
>> COULD NOT EVEN.
HE WAS TREATED LOOK HE WAS A BECOME BUM OFF THE TRET AND SOMEBODY LIKE MATT DEPERNO WHO HAS MAYBE THAT I MICHIGAN LEVEL CHARISMA OF A TRUMP CANDIDATE THEN, MEAN, THAT IS THE WAY THE PARTY IN WITH AS TO TREND THEN I MEAN, HE ITS LOOKING LIKE IT BUT WHETHER THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO SUPPORT IF HE IS CHAIR AND LIKED CHAIR AND YOU KNOW, REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
WELL, THEY COULD NOT RAISE MONEY FOR AG AND HOW DOES HE RAISE IT ANOTHER PARTY.
S THAT HE QUESTION.
THEN CENTRAL THOUGH ITCH TO BE CHAIR AND RECRE AT THE DONOR BASE OF MICHIGAN MY REPUBLICAN PARTY.
OH, RAILROAD THERE IS A SIN GL EFFECTIVE IN THE REPUBLICAN POLL TEXT NOW AND IT IS FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP NO OTHER CANDIDATE WHO IS BUILT.
LOOK, THIS IS A SMALL GROUP OF UNDER FIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEETING IN NORMALLY ABOUT WHERE DOES THIS REPUBLICAN GO IN THE FUTURE.
THEY WERE DESCRIBED TO ME AS NOT THE HIGHEST DONORS BUT HIGH TIER DONORS THEN THEY CAN SEE IT.
THEY CANNOT DID ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.
THEY ARE FOCUSING ON THE NEXT HOUSE RACE IN THE NEXT U.S. SENATE RACE AND HOPING TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER WHERE THEY CAN GET THE OTHER DONORS TO OPEN THEIR CHECK K BOOS WHICH WERE CLOSED DURING THIS PAST ELECTION.
>> LE, I AM SURE THEY ARE.
I AM SURE THEY TRYING TO FIND SOME WAY OUT OF THIS.
THE PROBLEM IS, THAT THE CHAIR OF THE MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY IS ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE A SAY UNHOW THINGS ARE GOING.
REPORTERS ARE GOING TO ASK THAT PERSON QUESTION AND THAT PERSON IS GOING TO INFLUENCE HOW THESE RACES HAPPEN AND WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
ONE OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE SUMMER.
IN THE PAST WE HAVE SEEN HUGE EVERIES TO TRAY TO WIN THIS BATTLE A THE PRECINCT DELEGATE LEVEL AND THEY BASICALLY GAVE UP AND LET THE GRASS ROOTS DELEGATES TAKE OVER AND NOW THERE IS NO WAY OUT OF IT.
THE THINK THAT REALLY, WHAT WE SHOULD UNDERSCORE HERE AS WELL.
THIS IS REALLY SORT OF A HUGE VICTORY FOR THE GRASS ROOTS REPUBLICAN PARTY AND CO-OPTED THE BOTTOM LEVELS OF THE PARTY AND SO READY INSTILL AND INSTILLED THAT HAS BECOME AND POISED TO BECOME THE WIN AND LUCKILY VICTORY FOR DONALD TRUMP.
THAT'S THE POINT THIS PERSON MADE TO ME.
NOTHING CHANGES UNTIL DONALD TRUMP IS OUT OF THE PICTURE.
THE LAST TIME I CHECK HE IS NOT.
YEAH.
RIGHT.
>> WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP UP WITH US AGAIN IN 2024.
HE ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK, YOU OH, HE IS BACK IN BUSINESS TO THES DES MAY OF THE WINGS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WE HEARD ABOUT RON DESANTIS BEING FLOATED AS 2024 CAN DID AND PERSON THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOMEBODY LIKE DESAN THAT IS HAS A RECORD AND HOW BEEN ABLE TO SORT OF GET HIS HANDS AROUND WHAT FOLKS HAVE LABEL AS YOU KNOW CULTURE WAR AND ABLE TO PLAY BOTH SIDES OF THE FIELD AND ABLE TO PLAY TO WHAT HE WANTS AND ONLY WHAT HE WANTS TO TO THE BATTLEMENT OR NOT.
HOW DOES HE DO IN MICHIGAN.
, THINK RIGHT NOW HE IS CERTAINLY THE LEADING CANDIDATE.
THE RECORD LAST TUESDAY WAS NOT THAT EX'S ARE RY.
THAT WAS.
THAT WAS NOT HIM AND CANDIDATES HE WAS SUPPORTING THEN BECAUSE ITS THE MAG NY TISM OF THE PERSONLELITY AND RHETORIC ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.
WE DN SEE THAT IN MICHIGAN HE SPENT $1 MILLION OF THE ENORMOUS WAR CHEST HE HAS ASSEMBLED THE STATE.
THEN I THINK THEY WERE LEFT LARGELY HIGH AND DRY.
YOU TAKE THE MICHIGAN HOS HE COULD ENDORSE SO NOT A COMPLETE?
VO WHAT ARE THE STORES ARE FLOATING AROUND THIS WEEK.
THE GOVERNOR.
THE GOFF HOR RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
WHAT DID YOU GET FROM HER PRESIDENT ON THAT ISSUE.
SURE.
SO I FOLK THE GOVERNOR YESTERDAY AND TALKED TO HER AND SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN SHE HAS NO INTERESTING IN RUNNING IN 202 AND IN OFFICE THROUGH 2026 SO IT IS NOT TO THE POLITICAL BENEFIT THAT I WILL CUT THE SECOND TERM HALFWAY TO PURSUE THE PRESIDENCY AND ALTHOUGH SHE SAID SHE IS OUT GOING TO RUN IN 20 4 I ASKEDER ABOUT 2028 AND TOLD ME SHE WAS NOT GOING TO FORECAST AND USED AHALL GY FROM THE TIME SHE USE USING THE LEGISLATURE AND EVER GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU AND EVER GOING TO RUN FOR PUBLIC IFS AGAIN AND TOLD YOU KNOW AND WOULD HAVE BEEN WRONG.
IT IS QUITE AMAZING THAT GOVERNOR WHITMER IS TELLING REPORTERRERS SHE HAS NO INTEREST IN GOING TO D.C.
WHEN WE KNOW FOR HE FACT HE WAS INTERESTED IN BEING JOE BIDEN'S VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.
>> SHE WOULD HAVE DONE ITMENT HOW CAN YOU SAY I AM NOT INTERESTED IN GOING TO D.C.
BUT INTERESTED IN BEING VICE PRESIDENT.
I LOVE THE LANGUAGE.
MY INTENTION IS TO SERVE FOUR YEARS CAN YOU SEE THROUGHING THAT?
WHATS THE KEY WORD, GUYS.
INTENTION.
INTENTION.
OK.
I IN TEN TO MAKE $1 MILLION OK.
IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
HE KAY.
WE HAD TO SIT DOWN WITH YESTERDAY AND WHAT YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT.
LET ME READ YOU THESE QUOTES THEN CUT THOUGH CHASE.
WELL YOU PROMISE YOU WILL NOT RUN.
I DON'T WANT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
OK.
I PURSUED FURTHER.
I AM HOT GOING TO REASON FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024 THEN FINALLY I AM NOT RUNNING FOR AND THING FOR THE EXTRA TWO OR FOUR YEARS THAT IS THE ANSWER THAT WE WERE LOOKING NOR NO.
MEAN, IT DOESN'T TRACK HER ANY SORT OF VERBAL BIND.
HE AM 3409 GOING TO RUN FORP IN 2024 AND HAS SAID THAT AND LIKE SIMON SAID IT WOULD TO BE THE DETRIMENT SLIGHTLY TO CUT THE SECOND TERM SHORT BUT NOT PUTTING HERSELF IN A POSITION WHERE SOMEBODY ONCE SHE POTENTIALLY DOES GET ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
NO ONE CAN CALL HER A LIAR IN.
I MEAN.
SHE GAVE HERSELF A LAP HOLE THERE.
YEAH.
SHE SAID TO CNN.
MY FOCUS ON THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND FOR NOW.
WHICH IS ANOTHER DOOR OPENER RIGHT.
SHE WANTS TO GET BEA BEYOND.
THE ONLY WAY TO GET BEHIND THE CONVERSATION IS TO TELL EVERYONE, HEY, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN NOW.
SHE IN WITH AS TO GET ON TO SCORE SOME MAJOR VICTORIES IN THE LEC SLY TURE BUT OF COURSE, IF THE DOOR OPENS, THEN, THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY, IT SEEMS LIKE SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE INTERESTED IN IT.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I AM INTEREST MOOD WELL, I WILL GO WITH I WILL NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024.
THAT IS HOW HARD IT GETS.
I DON'T THINK IT CAN GO BEYOND THAT.
OK.
I YUN TAN WHAT THE POLITICAL BEN NOT FOR HER TO RUN IN 2024 WOB.
IT IS LIKELY AT THIS POINT THAT JOE BIDEN IS GOING TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AND IN I DON'T KNOW WHY SHE WOULD WANT A PRIMARY ONCE ARE CANNING HER FOR A RUNNING MATE AND NOT A LOT OF POLITICAL DOWNSIDE.
>> IT IS A HUGE DISTRACTION FROM HER.
SHE IS FOCUSED.
THE GOT A TATE OF THE STATE.
A BUDGET TO DO YOU KNOW WHAT INYOUR MAM SHOWS UP IN THE NEW YORK SOMETIMES.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT ASH AND THEY INYEAH.
A GOOD FUN RAISING THING TO RAISE MONEY TO HELP XEM DEMOCRATS.
YOU DOESN'T RAISE MUFF THE LAST TIME.
RIGHT.
THE FUND-RAISING EVERY ENDS BUT THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO HER TO TRY TO GET OUT TO SAY, YEAH.
JOE BIDEN, IF YO BIEN DOESN'T RUN AND IF THERE IS THE TOON I WOULD RUN IN 202 BUT IF JOE BIDEN DID DECIDE AND SOMETHING SHE WOULD HAVE A MEETING ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW.
I DONE IN.
WHAT ABOUT LAME DUCK?
WHAT DO WE DO M. WELL, I THINK, I THINK IT IS VERY IN HOOKLY TO ME WE ARE GOING TO SEE SEG CAN LEMMING LATIVE MOVEMENT AND I DONE IN WHAT THE POISE IS FOR HER.
A FEW SHORT MONTH THEN I THINK ANY AMBITION CIOUS POLICIES THAT CALM FOR WARD AND NOT GOING TO COME FORWARD UNTIL JANUARYMENT ALL RIGHT.
WILL CHECK IN HERE BECAUSE I LOST MY TIME HERE.
HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE LEFT, GUYS.
TWO.
CAN WE FILL TWO MINUTES DO YOU THINK WELL DEA A TAX CUT IN LAME DUCK?
I SPOKE WITH HOUSE SPACKER JASON RENT WORTH YESTERDAY AND SAID ON THE DOCKET BUT YOU MEAN TILL TKCALLY ANSWER THING THEY WAN ON THE DOCKET IF YOU ASKED REPUBLICANS PREMID DETERMINE TEPS WE WE WOULD HAVE BE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION AND YOU KNOW REPUBLICANS MAY GO OUT TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE RECORD SAYING WE WORK IN BIPARTISAN FASHION BUT THERE IS NO REAL SKIN IN THE GAME FOR DEMOCRATS HERE.
I MEAN WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO YOU KNOW POTENTIALLY FURB PUSH THROUGH A TAX CUT PACKAGE WHICH IS A PORTION OF WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU CAN DRIVE THE CONVERSATION COME JANUARY.
YEAH.
ONE OF THE MOST INTEREST THINGS I THINK TO WATCH IN LAME DUCK IS SOMETHING ELSE.
HE TALKED ABOUT DOING THE ETHICS PACKAGE.
SO HE HAD.
STILL.
YEAH.
IT IS IN IT.
IT IS FASCINATING TO ME, THOUGH.
WE HAD THE HISTORIC VICTORY FOR DEMOCRATS THEN, HOW, THERE IS FINALLY APPARENT LAY POSSIBILITYING THIS THE HISTORIC LEDGE LATION COULD PASS IN LAME DUCK AND GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT MIKE DOES.
IS THE FACT MIKE IS LEAVING THEN HE DOESN'T HAVE TO FOLLOW ANY A OF THIS GOING TO BE THE THING THATTIVE GAS HEM THE IMPETUS TO FINALLY PUT THIS ON THE BOARD IN THE SENATE.
WHERE THERE ARE THE VOTES TO PASS THE THINGS.
>> SOME WOULD SAY MIKE SHOCKERY WON'T DO IT.
THAT IS WHERE I WOULD PROBABLY LAND.
YEAH.
I HEAN, I ASKED WENTWORTH YESTERDAY ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SHOCKERY WHO SAID TIME SOMETIMES THE SENATE HAVE DIFFERENT PRI ORS AND THEY GET BUSY THEN I CANNOT FALT HIM FOR NOT WAPPING TO SAY I PISH ARE WISHED THIS COULD HAVE GOTTEN PAST ABOUT IT IS A BIG STUMBLE IN MY OPINION TO SAY THE HOUSE TIDE US TO THIS AND HE WAS PROUD YESTERDAY WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE ETHICS REFORMS THEN, ONLY FOR THEM TO LIKE SEVERAL THINGS HAVE THIS YEAR GONE THINK OF SENATE TO LANGUISH AND DIE.
ALL RIGHT.
AT THIS POINT WE'LL ROLL IN THE INTERVIEW WE DID WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HER OFFICE YESTERDAY AND STARTED OUT ON THIS ISSUE OF TAXES.
>> GOVERNOR, ARE YOU OPEN TO ROLLING BACK THE STATE INCOME TAX RATE?
>> OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SEEN UNPRECEDENTED CHANGE, THAT PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN HAVE REELECTED ME, REELECTED A DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED HOUSE AND THE SENATE.
BUT IT IS NOT OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.
WE ARE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT IT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE STRATEGIC AND THOUGHTFUL AS WE DETERMINE WHAT OUR PRI ORS ARE AND WHAT WE, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST, AND WHERE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE PEOPLE RELIEF.
ANY RELIEF THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT I PUT ON THE TABLE IS TARGETED TOWARD HELPING PEOPLE THAT REALLY ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THE BILLS.
BUT YOU GUILTY TO GIVE SOMETHING.
>> WE'LL SEE IF THE R'S WANT TO DO ANYTHING BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
>> WELL, LET'S DO THE NEXT YEAR IF THEY COME TO YOU AND LOOK, WE'LL MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU ON THE EARNINGS OF TAX CRED BUT THE ROLL BACK IN PLACE THE GOVERNOR WOULD SAY I HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
I AM SEEING EEAGER TO HAVE THAT.
THEY ARE IN THE MIND OR TY DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
>> IF E WANT IT.
THEY WILL GIVE IT TO THEM.
IT DEPEND ON WHAT THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE TIM.
>> YOU CAN SEE A GRAND PACKAGE OUT OF THIS THING WOULD INCLUDE INCOME TAX RULE THAT YOU CAN ENVISION THAT.
I CAN EN INVESTIGATION A LOT OF THINGS.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK AT WHERE THE ECONOMY IS RIGHT NOW.
WHERE WE ARE HEADED.
WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THE PHYSICIANMENTALS REALLY, REALLY WELL.
WE KNOW THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN GIVE FOLLOWS RELIEF, BUT ALSO, CONTINUE TO MAKE END VESTPS THAT ARE LONG OVERDUE.
THEN, THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE AND THE ROADS AND EDUCATION AND THESE ARE IMPORTANT INVESTPS WE HAVE MADE BUT THESE ARE LET ALSO COMBATING DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT AND WE CANNOT, WE CAN THINK OF A JOBS DONE YET.
WOULD YOU NOT ROLL IT OUT.
TIM I WON'T RULE ANYTHING ELSE I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING I WOULD.
ALL RIGHT YOU MENGED YOU HAVE A LIMB MAJORITY IT IS ABOUT AS SLIM AS IT GEES.
YOU WILL NOT GET THE DEMOCRATS IN ALL THE PROGRAMS RIGHT?
YOU KNOW, I HAVE CERTAIN ARE SERVED I KNOW HOW HARD THE JOBS ARE.
I AM GRATEFULLE THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHOLE ARE WILLING TO PUT THE.
ON THE BILLION LOT THEN I KNOW, THEY WILL HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THNGS TO NAVIGATE FOR INDIVIDUALS DISTRICTS THEN, SO I AM, I HAVE ENCOURAGED ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO COME WELL OPEN MIND AND GET READY TO ROLL UP THE SLEEVES THEN LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER.
WELL, DEMOCRATS BOEING DEMOCRATS WILL BE ON SOME STUFF YOU WANTED TO DO, RIGHT?
EVERYONE WILL BE ON SOME STUFF WE WANT TO DO.
I WILL BE BE A CITY NEN ON SOME THINGS PROBABLY ON OCCASION.
BUT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE NOT UP TO THE TASK AHEAD OF US.
WE ARE.
I THIS I, I HI, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF NEGOTIATIONS TO BE HAD AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT SPEAKER TATE TO WORK WITH AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BRINKS AND THEY ARE TWO INCREDIBLE LEADERS AND, AND, PEOPLE THAT I HAVE NONE FOR A A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF GREAT STUFF ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
BY THE SAME TOKEN YOU DON'T KNOW SQUALL AT ALL.
>> , YOU KNOW, I HAVE GO IN TO KNOW MATT HALL A BIT.
I DO NOT KNOW ERIC VERY WELL.
OBVIOUSLY, I FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER AND SO YOU KNOW, I GOT I GOT A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT DRIVES THEM BUT I THIS I, KNOW, WE HAVE TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
ALL RIGHT.
THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER THEN MR. HALL HE IS THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE WHAT ARE YOU DOING.
ARE YOU GOING TO IN SOOT OVER FOR DNER WE'LL GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY THEN YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM YET AND.
THEY HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU.
HE AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH THEM.
WE'LL BE GETTING THE MEETINGS UP AND ONE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AT ONE TIME.
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOVERNOR AT A TIME SO WE DON'T WANT TO GET OURSELVES BUT THE SAME TOKEN WE GOT TO GET READY TO WORK TOGETHER.
YOU SAID THIS WEEK YOU WANT TO REPEAL RIGHT TO WORK BUT YOU DOP WANT TO LEAD WITH THAT PAUSE THAT WOULD LOOK OF THE REPUBLICANS.
THERE WON'T BE A LOT OF SURPRISES.
I GOT A LONG RECORD.
PEOPLE KNOW WHERE I STAND ON THESE ISSUES I REJECT THE PREMISE THAT YOU ARE EITHER PRO BUSINESS OR PRO WORKER.
WE HAVE SEEN INDUSTRY WHETHER ITS IN THE UTILITIES SPATIAL OR AUTOS, THAT YOU CAN BOTH RUN A THRIVING BUSINESS, AND TREAT YOUR WORKFORCE WELL.
I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, THIS WILL BE ONE OF MANY THINGS THAT WE'LL GET TO WORK ON.
>> BUT YOU DONE WANT TO LEAD WITH THAT GOVERNOR AND HACK OFF THE REPUBLICANSES?
>> I AM NOT LEADING WITH THAT.
AM WRITING A BUDGET NOW.
THAT IS NOT THE FIRST OUT OF THE BOX THOUGH.
>> RIGHT TO WORK.
>> NOT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
THEN LATER RATHER THAN SOONER.
>> I CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT THE CALENDAR LOOKS LIKE TIM.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THISES THAT I KNOW I AM VERY INTERESTED IN GETTING ACCOMPLISHED THIS TERM?
YOU MADE SOME SAMES THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS PRESIDENTIAL THING.
>> GOOD.
I AM HOPING TO PUT THAT TO BED.
AM NOT SPENDING ANY MORE MEN ARE GLY.
>> SPER FER WITH YOUR CHATTER.
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE CHATTER OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN WITHOUT ANYONE EVEN ASKING ME SO I AM GLAD WE HAD A FEW PRESS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT IT.
>> THEY DIDN'T ASK THIS QUESTION.
GOVERNOR, I DON'T WANT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT?
I DON'T WANT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
I SAID IT MANY TIMES.
ILE WILL NOT KEEP SAYING IT.
I WILL POINT TO WHAT I HAVE SAID.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
>> WILL NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
>> EVER?
NO.
I HAVE NEVER PLANS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
ALL MY PLANS ARE IS TO FOCUS ON MICHIGAN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS SO NOT GOING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024 PERIOD.
>> YOU MEAN?
IT.
>> YES.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO KEEP THIS STORY GOING.
EYE DON'T KNOW WHY.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
I TELL YOU WHERE I AM.
YOU KNOW?
IT IS UP TO YOU WHETHER YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I SAY.
OH, I THINK FROM MY RECORD, YOU KNOW.
I MEAN WHAT I SAY.
>> YOU DO LANGUAGE THIS WEEK THAT LEFT THE DOOR OPEN.
INTEND TO FINISH OUT THE FOUR YEARS YOUR BUDDY BILL BALLENGER CALLED THIS A WEE SELL WORD, INTEND.
>> PERIOD.
I AM NOT RUNNING FOR ANYTHING IN THE NEXT TWO OR FOUR YEARS.
I AM GOING TO STAY TOW CONSISTING HERE ON LEADING OUR STATE.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IN MY LIFE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE BUILD A STATE THAT IS WORTHY OF OUR KIDS.
THATTATION STATE THAT CAN THRIVE AND SO I WANT TO HAND THIS STATE OVER TO WHOEVER SUCCEEDS ME IN FOUR YEARS IN ANG STORE POSITION THAN IT IS IN NOW.
OOP THAT IS AS CLEAR AS I HAVE HEARD YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
WELL, GOOD.
HAEB THE LAST TIME WE TALK ABOUT IT.
NO MORE DISTRACTIONS.
I GOT A JOB DO.
THAT IS WHERE THE FOCUS IS.
>> ON ELECTION NIGHT, IS IT TRUE YOUR POLLSTER TOLD YOU HAD A ONE-POINT LEAD.
>> NO.
>> HOW CLOSE WAS IT ON ELECTION NIGHTING.
>> I THINK WE ALWAYS SAW THAT IN EVERY POLL THAT WE DONE, MY NUMBERS WERE STATIC SO WE ANTICIPATED THAT THING WAS GET CLOSER IN THE FINAL DAYS.
TEN AND A HALF POINTS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH BUT I TELL YOU THIS.
THEY KEPT TELLING ME IF YOU HIT 52% WE TAKE THE SENATE.
>> DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
DY.
BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WERE ACHIEVE.
YOU KNOW?
YOU CAN IMAGINE MY GLEE WHEN I GOT THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE AT 5:18 THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION WHEN HE HEARD WE HAD FLIPPED THE HOUSE.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT ONLY HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN 130 YEARS IN THIS STATE.
PRETTY REMARKABLE.
>> WAS THERE EVER A MOMENT WHEN YOU SAID TO YOURSELF, I COULD LOSE THIS?
>> ALWAYS.
YOU KNOW?
>> REALLY?
>> ALWAYS.
>> EVERY RACE I EVER WON.
I KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE VORES WILL MAKE DECISION AND WHY I DRIVE SO HARD, THAT IS WHY I WORK SO HARD, THAT IS WHY I BORN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS AND SHOW UP AS THE HAPPY WARRIOR EVERYWHERE I GO BECAUSE YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY, THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE DECIDE WHO THE LEADERS ARE AND RESPECT THE LAW OF THE PEOPLE.
WELL, YOU DOESN'T THINK YOU WOULD LAST?
PK, I DIP, TIM.
ANYONE CAN LOSE.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
WE HAVEN'T LEARNED THAT THE ENVIRONMENT CAN CHANGE FAST AND WE HAVE NOT LEARNED THAT LESSON OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS THEN YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
WHAT ISSUE DID YOU THINK YOU WERE VULNERABLE ON.
OH, I AM NOT EVEN GOING THERE WITH YOU, TIM.
>> THAT WOULD BE FUN.
>> COME ON.
NO.
YOU KNOW, I THINK, I THIS I, COVID.
THINK THAT THE ENVIRONMENT WAS SO VOLATILE.
IN ALL THINGS, OUT WORK, TRY MAKE SURE THAT WE OUTSMART, OUT TRAJIZE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING AGAINST US AND THAT IS, I THINK, BEEN PROVE TON BE A GOOD MOTTLE.
>> YOU HAVE ASKED FOR RESIGNATION LETTER FROM ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SURROUNDING YOU?
>> FROM ALL OF THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH.
GIVE ME THE LETTER OF RES MATION.
GIVE YOU WIGGLE ROOM TOLL REARRANGE THE CHAIRS.
NO.
I HAD ONE-ON-ONES WITH THE CABINET AND I HAD MEETINGS WITH THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
I FEEL GOOD ABOUT OUR TEAM AND OBS RY, IN A SECOND TERM WITH VERY DIFFERENT LEGISLATURE WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT YOU KNOW, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES THAT, NO, I THINK, I THINK I GOT REALLY GOOD TEAM.
>> DID YOU BOTHER TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE STATE RETIREMENT INVEST PRESIDENT FUNDS TOOK A HIT ON THIS FTX THING GOING OWNER IF YOU KNOW?
I HAVE NOT GOT IN THAN PA SELFIC KIND OF REACTION.
I WILL TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, I HAD A MEETING WITH THE STATE TREASURE YESTERDAY ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES.
DID THAT COME UP IF.
>> IT DID.
BUT YOU KNOW, THAT IS CERTAINLY A GOOD QUESTION.
TIM: WELL, ONE YOU NEED TO KNOW PAUSE WE GOT A LOT OF RETIRED FOLKS WHO ARE CONCERNED RIGHT.
>> YEP.
TIM: WHEN WE FIND OUT ABOUT THAT GOVERNOR CIRCLE BACK.
TIM: DID YOU THINK MIKE WANTS TO >> I HAVE NO IDEA.
JA OH, YES YOU DO.
>> I HAVE IDEA.
YOU HAVE TO ASK MAYOR ABOUT IT.
TIM: YOU HEARD THAT CHATTER?
>> I HEARD ALL SORTS OF CHARTER FOR MANY YEARS.
AND SO I DON'T PUT A WHOLE LOT OF CREDIBILITY INTO ANY IN THE UNTIL THE PERSON TELLS ME THEMSELVES.
TIM: WHATS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF FINISHING OUT FOUR YEARS.
>> YOU ARE CALLING ME A LAME DUCK AGENT DAYS AFTER I WON THE ELECTION.
50 DAYS BEFORE I TALK THE OATH OF OFFICE IN THE YOU ARE KNOW WHAT?
I SUPPORT TWO-FOUR-YEAR TERM LIMIT FOR GOVERNOR.
TIM: MORE THAN ENOUGH?
>> YEAH.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS FOR FOUR MORE YEARS AND IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WE ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF ARE GOOD THINGS DONE.
AND YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, I WILL BE HAPPY TO SERVE EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THEN PROBABLY HAPPY AT THE CONCLUSION OF IT AS WELL.
TIM: IF I TOLD YOU WE COULD GIVE YOU ANOTHER FOUR YEARS YOU WOULD TELL ME?
>> YOU KNOW WHAT?
I THINK EIGHT YEARS AS OF NOR IS ABOUT RIGHT.
TIM: DO PEOPLE KNOW ITATION MEAT GRINER FOO I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE KNOW.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE SWABS OF THIS JOB THAT PUBLIC NEVER SEES.
AND THE LEGISLATURE NEVER SEES YOU KNOW?
AS FORMER LEGISLATURE I CAN TELL YOU.
THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THIS, THIS YOU KNOW, OFFICE THAT I DIDN'T REALLY APPRECIATE UNTIL I WAS SWORN IN AND -- >> SUCH.
>> I A AM CONNED COME MAN ARE AND CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.
I SADLY HAD TO MAKE PHONE CALLS TO LOVED ONES WHO LOST YOU KNOW, THEIR BREATHER OR SISTER, DAUGHTER, SON, IN THE GUARD OR WHO, YOU KNOW, BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF SERVICE AS POLICE OFFICERS.
THE HEAVINESS OF THE OXFORD SHOOTING WAS WAS THE WORST.
YOU KNOW?
AS HARD AS THE DAYS HAVE BEEN.
WE HAD MORE THAN OUR SHARE OF CHALLENGES FROM FLOODING EVENTS TO EVACUATIONS TO A GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO, YOU KNOW, ASSASSINATION PLOT AND ATTEMPT.
MAIN, THE DAYS AND THE WEEK OF THE OXFORD SHOOTING WERE THE HEAVIEST BECAUSE I DO THIS WORKS ABOUT I LOVE PEOPLE.
I WANT SO SOL PROBLEMS.
WANT TO GIVE PEOPLEPORT.
THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO OR SAY TO A FAMILY WHO LOST A CHILE CHILD DUE TO A SCHOOL SHOOTING.
THERE IS NOTHING.
IT IS JUST SHOWING UP AND SHARING, YOU KNOW, THE PAIN.
AND SO I THINK THAT IS A HEAVY SIDE OF THE OFFICE THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW BITING IS.
JU DIDN'T KNOW THAT WASSING TO BE ONE OF THENGS THIS THAT WOULD BE TOUGH HAN FEEL?
WELL, WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO BE ONE OF THE STATES THAT HAD SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN.
THERE IS TOO MUCH GUN VA LENS IN AMERICA.
AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND MOTHER, I CAN TELL YOU, IT IS CRUEL AND CRAZY THAT ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY GUNS ARE THE.
ER ONE KILLER OF OUR KIDS.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I AM DETERMINED IN THE SECOND TERM TO GET COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY MEASURES DONE.
ITS NOT ABOUT TAKING HUNTER'S GUNS AWAY.
I IS ABOUT MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR SCHOOLS SAFE EVERY.
TIM: GOVERNOR THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
GOD TO HE SUE.
>> THAN, TIM.
TIM: WE'LL GET TO YOU TOGETHER IN DECEMBER DID YOU NEOKAY.
I THOUGHT IT WAS IN LOU OF THAT.
KAY.
JUST KIDDING.
SOUNDS GOOD.
>> PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY:

- News and Public Affairs

Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.

- News and Public Affairs

FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.












Support for PBS provided by:
Off the Record is a local public television program presented by WKAR
Support for Off the Record is provided by Bellwether Public Relations.