>> WELCOME BACK OUR GUESTS THIS WEEK IS SOON TO BE EX U.S.

SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN DEBBIE STABENOW.

OUR LEAD STORY DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU.

ON THE OTR PANEL, KYLE MELINN, JORDYN HERMANI, LAUREN GIBBONS AND CRAIG MAUGER.

SIT IN WITH US AS WE GET THE INSIDE OUT, OFF THE RECORD.

AND NOW THIS EDITION OF OFF THE RECORD WITH TIM SKUBICK.

TIM: THANKS VERY MUCH.

WELCOME BACK TO OFF THE RECORD FROM STUDIO C. LOTS GOING ON.

DEBBIE STABENOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR, FOR PROVIDING SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A HECK OF A LOT GOING ON.

WHEN YOU HEARD THAT, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> I THOUGHT THE TIMING IS RIGHT.

IF EVER SHE WAS GOING TO SAY SHE WAS NOT GOING TO RUNNING RUN, THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO DO IT.

IT GIVES DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICANS TIME TO PREPARE GOING FORWARD TO START RACING THE MONEY BECAUSE RUN FOR SENATE IS A BIG JOB.

>> SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO RUN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

>> WELL, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, YOU, I DON'T KNOW, DEBBIE STABENOW DECIDING NO TOT REASON I GAIN.

IT MAKES A LOT OF SINCE LIKE KYLE SAID.

WE HAVE BEEN HEARING WHISPERS THOUGH THAT THIS WAS COMING DOWN.

YOU NEVER WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE, OH BY THE WAY, I AM DECIDING TO THROW THIS NEWS OUT THERE HAPPENSTANCE AND MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND GIVES THE PEOPLE A LOT OF TIME TO GET THEIR ARSENAL UP.

SENATE SEATS JUST DON'T OPEN EVERY DAY.

SO THIS TIME, IT IS A BOO TOW DEMOCRAT BUT BOO THOUGH REPUBLICAN THEN HEARING A TON OF NAMES THROUGHOUT SO YOU KNOW, IT IS SKIES THE LEM MIT FOR THE EAT SEAT AT THIS POINT.

SO MANY FLAMES HONESTLY THIS DOES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY AND MICHIGAN IS COMING OFF A GREAT DEMOCRATIC NEAR AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE WINGS KIND OF WAITING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY REALLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT.

YOU KNOW, PRET I MUCH EVERY DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED IT THE LAST COUPLE OF HOUR THEN, YEAH.

THINK, I THINK IT IS DEFINITELY AN OPPORTUNITY BOTH FOR THE DEMOCRATS AND CERTAINLY, CERTAIN, THEY SEE ITS A ONE COMING OFF OF THE 2022 ELECTIONS BUT YEAH, REPUBLICANS A THAT POINT HAVE A COUPLE OF YEARS TO BUILD TO BUILD COALITION SEEK OUT GOOD CANDIDATES.

IS REALLY INTERESTING TUNE FOR BOTH PARTIES.

>> IT IS MICHIGAN POLL TIGS.

THINGS ARE GETTING CALM IF A LITTLE BIT.

THE AMOUNT OF UP HEAVE VILL THIS COULD CAUSE FROM CAN DEATHS LEAVING SEATS TO SEEK THIS SEAT THAT WOULD CREATE OPENING FOR ANOTHER HOTLY CONTESTED RACE SO MANY DOMINOES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SCATTER.

DEBBIE STABENOW KNOCK THE TABLE OVER, I THINK.

>> THE POLITICALLY TO RECT THING WOULD HAVE ABOUT TO RUN AGAIN, ANOTHER, IN A YEAR OR TWO, RERETIRE.

OK. THAT WAY WE WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM HANG TON THE SEAT.

IN SECONDLY, SHE IS UNDER TREMENDOUS PRESSURE AND SERVE OUT THE TERM.

I AM GOING TO RUN TO THE TAPE.

SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY TO HER, SENATOR, GET THE TAPE AND MOVE IT UP A YEAR SO THE GOVERNOR CAN APPOINT A DEMOCRAT WHO RUNS AS INCUMBENT WHO HAS A BETTER SHOT OF WINNING AND WILL SHE NOT BE ASKED TO DO THAT.

SH HE MAY BE ASKED TO DO AND LOOK AT WHAT HAPPEN IN THE 2022 ELECTION AND YOU HAD DEMOCRATS WINNING THIS STATE BY TEN POINTS OR MORE THE TOP TIER RACES THEN EXPECTATION THIS IS A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC LEANING SEAT NOW AND SHE FEELS QUITE SAFE TO SAY LET THE RACE HAPPEN THEN LET THIS BE SORTED OUT BY THE VOTERS THEN EASY FOR HER TO SAY AND NOT RUNNING.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE ONE CONCERNED ABOUT HANG TON THE SEAT.

WELL, FOR HER, HI I, YOU KNOW, SHE ISES ONLY BEEN IN THE POSITION FOR A LISTENING TIP AND SERVED IN THE HOUSE BEFORE THAT AND CAREER PUBLIC SER VNT AT THAT POINT SO I THINK FOR HER PERSPECTIVE AND WANT TOES FINISH OUT THE LAST TERM AND SEE IT THROUGH BUT, YEAH, MEAN CERTAINLY, THIS COULD BE PRESSURE BUT, YEAH.

IT IS CRAIG SAID AND IT IS FROM HER PERSPECTIVE, PROBABLY A GOOD TIME TO BOW OUT.

YEAH.

NOT HOW SHE HAS OPERATE AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING GIVEN TO HER AND NOT GOING TO GIVE THE SEAT TOP A ONE ELSE AND WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT, YEAH.

YOU KNOW.

LET PEOPLE FIGHT IT OUT.

LOOK.

SHE TOOK A RISK GOING FOR GOVERNOR IN 49 AND DIDN'T WORK OUT.

SHE TOOK A RISK IN 6 AND WON.

SHE TOOK A RISK AGAINST SPENCE ABRAHAM AND WON.

YOU WANT THE SEAT, RUN FOR IT.

EARN IT.

>> WHO IS THE LEAD ON THE OUR SIDE TO GET THE NOMINATION?

>> GOT THE NOMINATION?

I MEAN.

DON'T KNOW.

THE NAME HAS BEEN THROWN OUT THERE AS HOTLY COMPETITIVE INDIVIDUAL.

SHE HAS MONEY.

SHE HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF WING IN A PURPLE DISTRICT AND FENDED OFF SERIOUS CHALLENGERS BEFORE AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAYING THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT A LOOK.

WHITMER SAID SHE IS NOT INTERESTED.

>> BELIEVE HER MY BYWAY.

ACTUALLY.

NO.

WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE IS GOING TO UMUP IN.

ARE SEEING A LITANY OF PEOPLE, REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO.

WHAT WAS IT.

FIERCELY TARGET OR EX EMILY TARGET THAT SEAT.

JOHN JAMES TUDOR DIXON ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE WOODWORK ONCE AGAIN.

THE LIST OF PEOPLE NOT RUNNING IS SHORTER THAN THE LIST OF PEOPLE RUNNING.

>> ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

SO MAN THINK DIFFERENT PEOPLE, THIS COULD BE THEIR OPPORTUNITY.

>> THEY DON'T COME UP EVERYDAY.

THEY DO NOT COME UP.

THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THIS WILL HAPPEN HE GAIN.

JOSLIN IS SOMEONE I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE LAST FEW DAYS.

IF YOU ARE JOCELYN BENSON WHAT IS THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T TAKE THIS ONE?

BUT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE EYEING THAT THAT COULD PRESEN A MAJOR CHALLENGE OR HER.

I DAM NOT SURE.

I AM KEEPING AN EYE ON GILCREST AND I THINK THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS STILL KIND OF SMARTING FOR NOT HAVING THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO THEN GILCREST GIVES THEM THE BEST TAUNT TO GO FORWARD THEN HE DOES HAVE INROAD THEN THE PROGRESSIVE COME IN YOU AND DOES HAVE TO BE SOMEBODY TO BE THE LEFT.

THE CENTRIST AND GOT TOT HAVE SOMEBODY LEFT OF HER AND GILCREST FITS THAT.

HE IS NOT WELL THEN AND HAS NO TRACK RECORD OF RAYING MONEY THEN YOU DOESN'T HAVE A VOTING RECORD WITH THE INTEREST GROUPS THEN I WANT TO JUMP ONBOARD HE COULD HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT THAT WOULD BE A BIG THING AND POSSIBILITY AND CHALLENGES WITH HEM.

HE HAS RUN WITH GRETCHEN WHITMER AND WANT YOU ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET BUT HE HAS BEEN PART OF THAT FUND-RAISING MECHANISM SO HE KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A STATE WADE CAMPAIGN IN A COMPETITIVE RACE ON THE OF THE TICKET THEN HE THINK HE IS WELL-LIKED AMONG DEMOCRATS AS WELL.

WHICH I THINK GIVES HIM ADVANTAGE.

HE IS VERY WELL-LIKED WHAT HAPPENED THOUGH.

HE LOST.

HE LOST.

HE LOST.

AGAINST INCUMBENT.

YEAH.

YEAH.

>> SO I THINK IT USP FROM RESTING BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SUCH A BIG BENCH THAT COULD POSES A CHALLENGE AND THEN, I THINK, ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WE JUST SAW, KIND OF, IT PLA OUT, WHERE THERE WAS ISSUE RECRUITING CANDIDATES FOR A STATEWIDE SEAT YOU KNOW, THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BALL GAME THAT IS OPEN SEAT SO PERHAPS, PERHAPS, THERE WILL BE MORE MORE REPUBLICANS COMING FORWARD THAT SAID, THAT SAID, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT LESS ORGANIZATION, THERE IS STILL, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF CONTENTION ABOUT WHO WILL BE THE GOP CHAIR, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT FORWARD A CHALLENGE TO ALL OF THESE DEMOCRATS THAT WE JUST NAMEDDED WHO HAVE A VIABLE SHOT AT THIS.

>> CANDACE MILLER?

>> IF SHE GETS IN.

IF SHE GETS IN T. THAT WOULD BE GAME-CHANGER FOR SURE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT.

YOU KNOW, I FIRST HEARD THE NAME.

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

YEAH YOU KNOW?

WELL, MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHO SAID, WHO SAID, KNOW, THIS IS THE TIME SHE IS ACTUALLY SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT THIS OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS YOU KNOW, INTERESTING NAME.

DOES SHE STILL RESONATE WITH THE VOTERS TODAY?

THAT IS THE QUESTION.

WE DON'T KNEE.

KEVIN AND OTHER NAME THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED THROUGHOUT HE WAS ON THE BILLION LOT HE KNOWS WHO THE PRIMARY VOTERS ARE ANOS WHAT HAS TO BE DONE AND HE HAS THE MONEY SELF FUND AND SOMEONE ELSE TO WATCH.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I THINK LAUREN BROUGHT UP A GREAT POINT, THOUGH.

WHOS THE NEXT MISSION REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR BECAUSE IF THEY PUT UP SOMEBODY WHO IS JUST TO APIECE LIKE THE SOUPER GRASS ROOTS CONSPIRACY THEORY WING.

WOULD SOMEONE LIKE CANDACE MILLER SAY YOU KNOW WHAT INI CAN'T WIN IF THAT IS MY SUPPORT TEAM PHYSICAL THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME ARE SOMEBODY WHIS BUNCH OF PEOPLE CAN'T RAISE MONEY I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO DO IT.

>> SOME POINT, SOME REPUBLICAN HAS TO TRY TO BREAK THIS CHARM THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS ON THE PARTY.

AND REGARDLESS WHO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR IS.

THINK THAT CANDIDATE IS.

I DON'T GIVE A HOOT.

WE ARE GOING TO GO IN.

WE ARE GOING TO GO DONE THE CENTER OF THE AISLE AND THEN APPEAL TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS THEN, LET THE CHAIRPERSON WHOMEVER IT IS DO WHAT THEY WANT TOP DO.

THAT IS THE NAME OF THE GAME, ISN'T IT.

YOU HAVE TO FIND A CANDIDATE WHO IS ABLE TO TUT CUT THROUGH AND WHAT IS GOING ON NOW AND WE SAW THAT IN THE GOVERNORSHIP AND TEN PEOPLE WHOLE ARE SAYING NO, I AM THE BEST MACHINE AND WOMAN FOR THE JOB AND ENDED UP SHOOTING THEM IN THE FOOT AND IT CAME TIME.

>> STAND UP.

TAKE THEM ON.

THAT'S THE BUG THING.

THAT IS WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE LOOK AT AND ALING IT HAPPEN IN THE WAY WAY WAY WAY BACK WHERE WE CANNOT SEE IT IN THEN JUST PUT FORTH THE CANDIDATE AND SAY GUESS WHAT THIS IS THE STIT.

TELLING THEM TOMORROW STAND UP AND TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WORKED IN OTHER STATE IN U.S. SENATE RACE IN 2022 AND THEN IT HAS NOT WORKED AND I MEAN TRUMP WON A LOT OF BATTLEGROUND STATES.

HE IS NO THE SAME GUY.

HE MIGHT NOT BE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN SIT HERE AND SAY HE IS NO THE SAME GIANT TURN AND LOOK AT THE STATE PARTY CHAIR RACE AND SAY WHERES THE ANTI-TRUMP CANDIDATE.

I THINK A LOT OF IT COULD DEPEND ON WHOP ENDS UP PREVAILING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RIGHT.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE DESANTIS MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AND HE IS PROBABLY GOING TO TRY TO APPEAL TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN M I HI SAY LOOK AT WHAT I DY IN MY TY STATE AND SUCCESSFUL ON THE STATEWIDE TICKET THAT COULD BE A GOOD MESSAGE, TOO.

SO I THINK, AS WE, AS WE START TO SEE THOSE NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS PLAY OUT, THAT COULD ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN THE SENATE.

WELL, A TURNING POINT FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE CRUCIBLE THAT DECIDES WHICH DIRECTION THIS THING GOES IF SOMEONE WANTS TO STAND UP TO TAKE THEM ON.

TIM: ALL RIGHT.

A LITTLE STORY UNFOLDING KYLE.

TOUGH TO GET YOUR ARMS WERE A. JOE COULD BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPEAKER OF THE MICHIGAN HOUSE BUT THERE IS A MOVEMENT AFOOT BY THE REPUBLICAN TO SEE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> SO, IT IS 56-546 ADVANCE TAN FOR DEMOCRAT THEN IF YOU LOOK BACK, WHEN THINGS GET TIGHT REPUBLICANS EVEN GOING BACK TO THE 50'S THEN WELL BE BEYOND THAT LIKE LIKE TO PLAY GAMES THEN SEE IF THEY CAN CONVINCE SOME DEMOCRATS EITHER TA STAY HOME, NOT NECESSARILY NOT VOTE FOR DEMOCRATIC CHOICE BUT MAYBE, NOT BE AROUND.

AND CREATE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR REPUBLICANS.

AND IN EXCHANGE FOR SOMETHING FOR THE DEMOCRAT.

KAREN WHO IS A DEMOCRAT OUT OF DETROIT HAS HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH REPUBLICANS DATING BACK.

SHE HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF DEMOCRATIC HOUSE LEADERSHIP IN THE PAST.

SHE HAD SOME STRONG THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THEM.

SHE SUPPORTED DONALD TRUMP DURING THE COVID THING WHEN HE WAS BIG INTO THE HYDROXY CHLOROQUINE AND CLAIMS THAT IS WHAT SAVED HER LIFE WHEN SHE GOT COVID AND SYMPATHETIC WITH DONALD TRUMP ON THAT AND THERE WERE OVERTURES TO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO KEEP YOU HOME NEXT THIS COMING WEDNESDAY WHEN WE DECIDE WHO THE SPEAKER WAS.

SO WE RETCH ARE A ARE REACHED OUT TOT HER AND SAID THE HOUSE SPEAKER IS ELECT HAS BEEN DECIDED AND NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT.

>> THAT IS DENIAL?

>> WELL, IF THE QUESTION IS: HAVE YOU BEEN APPROACHED?

TIM: IS IT DENIAL THEY HAVE NOT LOBBIED ME?

>> THAT IS NOT DENIAL.

TIM: OK. THAT STATEMENT IS USELESS.

>> WELL, SHE HAS COME BACK SENSE AND SAID I WILL SUPPORT JOE TAPE.

TIM: SHE HAS SAID THAT?

>> NO SHE HAS SAID THAT.

YES.

TIM: IN PUBLIC?

>> SHE DID PUT RELEASE A STATEMENT YESTERDAY I DID SEE THAT YES.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE STORY WHEN YOU HEARD IT?

EYE DID NOT BELIEVE IT.

NO.

[LAUGHTER] I MEAN, I BELIEVE THAT MAYBE SOMEONE REACHED OUT TO HER.

BELIEVE THAT.

MAYBE SOMEBODY LOBBIED HER HER.

A COULD BE CORRECT.

THE IDEA THAT SHE WOULD LOOK AT THIS SAY AND SAY, TEN YEARS IN THE MY MINORITY IN THE HOUSE DEMS THEN I PUT THAT AT RISK TO MAKE IT 55-55.

TIM: OF FOR THE MOON AND THE SKY?

>> WHAT CAN THEY OFFER HER, THOUGH?

I MEAN, THE DIE NAM EKES HERE THEY HAVE 56 SEATS AND IF SHE CROSSES OVER, OR DOESN'T SHOW WERE UP SHALL I MEAN, DO THE HOUSE R'S HAVE MAJORITY THEN?

THEY DON'T.

>> WITH ALL THE TIME SHE HAS LEFT WITH THE CHANGE IN TERM ALMOST HE MITS AND HAS SIX YEARS LEFT SHE COULD RUN.

I MEAN, IF SHE DECIDES TO CROSS THE DEMOCRATS LIKE THAT IT COULD BE A VERY, VERY HARD YEAR, HARD SESSION FOR HER OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS THEN TRYING TO REASON AGAIN, I MEAN, YOU MAY AS WELL NOT EVEN TRY AT THIS POINT.

>> SHE WOULD BE GOING AGAINST A FELLOW DETROITER.

THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN IF PRIT SOMEONE RANDOM.

THIS IS SOMEONE FROM HER CITY, THAT THEY WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, ASKINGER TO VOTE AGAINST.

AND YEAH.

THINK CRAIG BRINGS UP A GREAT POINT.

PHYSICIAN THE REPUBLICANS WERE IN THE MAJORITY CERTAINLY SHE WASES ONLY WILLING TO LISTEN IN THE PAST BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN SHE IS A DEMOCRAT AND SHE CAN PROBABLY YOU KNOW, ASK FOR THE MOON FROM HER DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH A WILL DO A LOT TO KEEP THEIR CAU KINS LINE.

WELL, OF COURSE, WE WENT TO THE REB LAN LEADERS.

HE WOULD HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF IT.

WHAT DID HIS OFFICE SAY?

HIS OFFICE SAID THIS IS NOT IN THIS HE CARDS.

THAT IS NOT AT DENIAL EITHER.

IT IS IT?

>> LE, YOU KNOW WHAT?

REPUBLICANS GO GOT TRY SOMETHING RIGHT.

YOU LOOK FOR THE WEAKst.

WHY WOULDN'T YOU?

LOOK FOR THE WEAKst LINK?

TEST OUT.

SEE IF YOU CAN GET ANTICIPATE WHERE WITH IT.

SHE IS VERY CLOSE TO HER DISTRICT.

KAREN WOODSON IS VERY, VERY TIGHT WITH THE PEOPLE IN HER DISTRICT AND IF SHE FEE FIELS LIKE OR THE DEMOCRATS PUSH BACK AND SAID YOUR DISTRICT IS GOING TO GET SCREWED OUT OF THIS WHOLE DEAL DON'T DO IT THE SHE WOULD BACK OFF AND SAY ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE IN THAT OFFICE HAS WATCHED TOO MANY WEST WING EPISODES.

YEAH.

YEAH.

MEAN IF YOU LOOK AT KAREN'S SOCIAL MEDIA OVER THE LAST YEAR AND YOU SAY PICTURES OF JOE BIDEN AND YOU SEE PICTURES OF KAMALA HARRIS AND CHANGED THE APPROACH FROM WHAT SHE SHADE IN 2020 AC LOO IN THE STATE BUDGET OF WHO GOT SPECIAL PROJECTS RECENTLY THEN SEEING A LOT OF MONEY GO TO KAREN'S DICE TRY AND PROBABLY BECAUSE OF JOE AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE REB CABS.

WE HAD THE INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, LIKED THE DIFFERENT KIND OF EVENTS THEY TRIED TO CREATE BECAUSE OF IT.

OUR REPORTER WAS OVER THERE AND SHE TOOK A PICTURE OF THE ICE SCULPTURE THAT ENORMOUS CAPITOL, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG DID THAT STAY AROUND?

IT MELTED AWAY.

I DON'T KNOW.

TIM: WINTER ENDS IN JULY, OK. >> THE ICE CORNHOLE.

I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS CRAZE CRY.

>> THAT IS CRAZE CRAZY.

>> THEY GOT LOST.

IT IS FINE.

>> WELL, I DES, WHEN I THINK OF IT, YOU KNOW, SHE MENTIONS, SHE MENTIONS SOME THINGS I WASN'T NECESSARILY EXPECTING LIKE GUN CONTROL.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT TO AM COOUT.

SHE HAS BEEN SAYING THAT FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> YEAH.

SHE HAS.

>> THAT WAS NOTHING NEW.

>> WELL, REALLY?

I JUST DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS IT.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM SOMETHING.

LIKE A SPEECH.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

I THOUGHT.

I NEVER HEARD HER SAY THIS IS MAY PRI ORS WE HAVE TO DO BUT THE CALLING THAT WAS PUT OUT I BY THE CHAMBER SHOWED BROAD SUPPORT FOR THE REFORMS AND SITTING THERE AND LOOKING AT WHAT WOULD BE POPLAR WITH THE VOTER THEN WHAT WOULD BE POPULAR WE'RE THE DEMOCRATIC BASE AS WELL THEN THIS SEEMS LIKE EASY THING TO GO AFTER.

THESE ARE THE COMMON SENSE STUFF WHICH TRANSLATED AS I CAN GET 56 VOTE THEN 20 TO DO THIS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS 0% OF THE PEOPLE OK. THEN HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN OHIO WHO, YOU KNOW, ARE FOR IT.

SO IT IS EASY.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I THINK, THE FOCUS ON KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES AS WELL AND BRANDING AS KITCHEN TABLE AND THE TIGHTROPE SHE AND BY LARGER EXTENT THEY HAVE TO WATCH WHICH IS GIVE FOOD TO THE IS ABOUT AND NOT GOING SO FOR THE LEFT YOU RUN A CHANCE OF BUTTING THE HOUSE IN TWO YEARS IN JEOPARDY AND GOING TO BE THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

RIGHT THEY WANT A 40 YEAR SO THE WAY YOU DO THAT IS BY CONTINUING TO EMPHASIZE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUE A EVERYBODY TALKING ABOUT THE PRICE OF EGGS A IN GAS AT THE PUMP AND GET IT SOMETHING DONE FOR THE BASE ON GUN CELL AND THEN YOU ARE ALSO APPEASING THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WHILE BEING ABLE TOLL SAY GUESS WHAT INWE DID STUFF TO HELP, TOO.

ONE OF THE ASSIGNS IS TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH ERIC WHOM SHE DOESN'T KNOW FROM ADAM OK. THEN, MATT HALASZ WELL AND I WATCHED THESE GUYS ON TWITTER AND GOING TO GET BE BEYOND TWITTER THEN GET AT FACE-TO-FACE RIGHT.

YEAH.

THINK SO.

HONESTLY THAT IS WHAT I AM INTERESTED IN GOING TO THE SESSION AND I THINK THE SPEAKER QUESTION IS A LITTLE BIT OUT THERE.

BUT CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT THESE COMPETITIVE SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND ESPECIALLY SAYING HEY, YOU KNOW, IF THEY BRING UP THESE BIG POLICIES THEN ISSUESES WHERE THEY COULD GO TO SOME DEMOCRATS THEN SAY YOUR DISTRICT IS ON THE LINE.

YEAH.

YEAH.

NEXT WEEKMENT ALL RIGHT.

TURN MU TO THE INTERVIEW WE DID EARLIER THIS WEEK THANKS TO THE FRIENDS AT CHANNEL 6T V6 NEWS HERE IS OUR DISCUSSION WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED DEBBIE STABENOW.

HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

FIRST OF ALL, SENATOR.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

THIS IS SORT OF CAME OUT OF THE BLUE.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT WHEN POLITICIAN SAYS I AM NOT GOING TO RUN AGAIN BAWLS I AM GOING TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY, THERE MUST BE A HIDDEN AGENDA SO KICK OFF STUFF TO GET THAT OUT OF THE WAY.

ARE YOU HEALTH?

I.

>> I AM ABSOLUTELY THERE.

>> ARE YOU BURNED SNOUT.

>> NO.

>> DO HAVE A LUCRATIVE JOB OFFER AROUND THE HORIZON?

>> MY GOODNESS, NO.

>> ARE YOU RUNNING FOR SOMETHING SMELLS.

>> NO.

>> DO YOU HAVE A SINGING GIG LINED UP?

>> MAYBE.

NO.

[LAUGHTER] >> SO GIVE ME THE TIKTOK ON THIS POINT TODAY, SENATOR, IF YOU WOULD?

>> SURE.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY HAS BEEN HONOR TO SERVE MICHIGAN IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS SINCE I WAS 24 YEARS OLD AS GRADUATE STUDENT AT MICHIGAN STATE AND WORKED HARD TO SAVE THE MEDICAL CARE FACILITY THEN RAN FOR COMMISSION AND FOR ME, I HAVE ALWAYS FELT, FIRST OF UL, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY BUST THROUGH A DOOR FOR YOURSELF BUT KEEP IT OPEN FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

I HOPE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP DO THAT.

SO WE REAT A POINT WHERE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND I THINK IT IS TIME TO PASS THE TORCH TO THEM AND FOR ME, PERSONALLY, AND YOU KNOW, MY FAMILY PARTICULARLY MY MOM WHO IS NOW 96 AND HAS BEEN MY NUMBER ONE SUPPORTER IS AT A POINT AND TIME WHERE, I WANT TO BE THERE AND HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT FOR HER WITHOUT THE RIGGERS OF A CAN CALM PANE AND SO IT REALLY IS ABOUT FAMILY.

IT IS ABOUT BEING THERE FOR MOM AND MY GRANDKIDS AND EVERYONE AND AT THE SAM TIME, IT IS ALSO A GOOD TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT LEADERS AND I HAVE ALWAYS FELT IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO PASS THE TORCH AND I THINK IT IS FOR ME.

>> WHEN DID YOU REACH THAT DECISION?

>> WELL, REALLY, FINALLY, JUST IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THEN YOU KNOW, ONCE THE ELECTION HAPPENED AND, AND I SAW WHAT A WONDERFUL ELECTION IT WAS FOR MICHIGAN THEN ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT AND EVERYBODY WHO GOT ENGAGED THEN REJECTED YOU KNOW, THE EFFORTS TO ATTACK OUR DEMOCRACY AND, AND MOVE US BACKWARDS AND IT REALLY GAVE ME GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT I COULD REALLY SERIOUSLY SIT DOESN'T AND MAKE THIS DECISION AND FEEL CONFIDENT THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO PASS THE TORCH AND TO A DEMOCRAT, SO I FEEL CONFIDENT IN BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.

DID YOU FIRST HAVE THE IDEA A YEAR AGO, SIX MONTHS AGO, YESTERDAY?

WELL, IT, IT IS, I MEAN, I HAVE BEEN RUNNING.

I HAVE BEEN RAISING MONEY AND UNRUNNING IN PLANNING AND RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

SO IT REALLY WAS JUST IN THE HE LA LAST FEW WEEKS THEN VARIOUS YOU KNOW, JUST, JUST VARIOUS THINGS YOU KNOW, BEING BUY GNING TO THINK THIS FALL ABOUT IT.

OK. OK. YOU KNOW, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT I CAN REALLY SERIOUSLY SIT DOESN'T AND DECIDE THIS.

>> DID YOU GO BACK AND FORTH IN YOUR HEAD, YES I WILL?

YES I WON'T?

>> WELL, YOU ALWAYS, WELL, A BIG DECISION.

THIS FOR ME HAS BEEN A LIFETIME OF SERVICE BE WHERE AND I INTEND TO CONTINUE AFTER MY ELECTED OFFICE AND FINDING WAYS SO I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN AND BUT OF COURSE, I PANE, IT IS SERIOUS DECISION BUT YOU KNOW, I FEEL ONCE I MADE IT.

I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT.

>> WHY TWO YEARS NOW?

WHY OUT MAKE THIS DECISION NEXT YEAR?

WELL, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN, RUNNING FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS A LOT OF WORK.

IT IS VERY BIG.

AND, IF I WERE, YOU KNOW, WAITING ANOTHER YEAR, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD BE RAISING MONEY OR PEOPLE WOULD KNOW I WAS NOT RUNNING BECAUSE I WAS NOT RAISING MONEY SO YOU KNOW, IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE DECISION AND, AND, MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED HAVE TIME TO EVALUATE IT AND TO PREPARE AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THAT, THE MOST VARY THING I COULD DO REALLY AND IT WAS TO DO THIS NOW AND TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> SENATOR WOULD YOU RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY BEING THE ASTOOP POLITICIAN THAT YOU ARE TO NOT FULFILL YOUR TERM AND GIVE THE GOVERNOR A CHANCE TO MAKE APPOINTMENT AND THAT PERSON THAT YOU ARE PASSING THE TORCH TO RUNS AS THE INCUMBENT WOULD YOU RULE THAT OUT OR IN?

>> I IN TEN TO BE HERE THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM THAT I LEADED THAT COMES UP EVERY FIVE YEARS CALLED THE FARM BELL DID YOU AT IN THE OF THIS YEAR AND IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE FEW THINGS WE WILL GET DONE AND BIPARTISAN BASIS AND INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO MICHIGAN FROM A STANDPOINT OF FOOD ACCESS AND AGRICULTURE AND JOBS AND LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION AND SO, I AM RUNNING LUG THE TAPE.

>> WELL, YOU SAY, YOU INTEND TO FINISH?

>> I AM RUNNING THROUGH THE TAPE.

I INTEND.

I IN TEN TO PASS THE TORCH IN JANUARY OF 2025.

IF I SAY, ANOTHER, THE DEMOCRATS, SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO SAY, FOR THE GOOD OF HE OF THE PARTY, IF YOU ARE GUNG-HO ON PASSING THE TORCH HELP OUT THE PERSON AND LET THEM RUN.

HOW COULD YOU RULE THAT SNOUT WE VERY A NUMBER OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED I THINK THEY ALL DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THEMSELVES FORWARD AND I BELIEVE THE BEST WAY I CAN SERVE MICHIGAN IS BY COMPLETING MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT.

ARE YOU DONE WITH ELECTIVE OFFICE?

>> YES.

Y. I DON'T INTEND TO SERVE, I HI, ONCE, YOU KNOW, I AM NUMBER THROWN THE LEADERSHIP OF AND IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE MAJORITY AND SO, FOR ME, YOU KNOW, THIS IS CERTAINLY A HIGH POINT AND I DON'T INTEND TO ELECT OTHER ELECT OFFICE.

SO YOU DON'T WANT TO BE VICE PRESIDENT?

>> NO.

>> AND NO OTHER ELECTED OFFICE THAT HAS ANY APPEAL TO YOU AT ALL?

>> NO.

I AM READY TO RETIRE IN 2025.

TIM: SO WHAT WILL YOU DO?

YOU WILL NOT GO OUT TOT PASTURE, ARE YOU?

>> I JUST MADE THIS DOE SESSION.

WE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO THE NEXT TWO YEAR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT.

FRANK HI, I AM NOT BEEN FOCUSED ON THAT.

I KNOW, I WILL HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES, SO I HAVE NOT FOCUSED ON THAT.

AND I HAVE NOT HAD TIME, HONst WILLING TOY FOCUS ON THAT.

I WILL AT SOME POINT.

>> WILL YOU WRITE A BOOK?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

TIM: IF WE HAD TO FIND A SONG OR A BOOK TITLE FOR YOUR LIFE, CAN YOU COME UP WITH ONE OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEADED?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD BE.

TIM: HOW ABOUT BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING.

>> AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP ME FROM SERVING.

I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT PART OF MY LEGACY AND IN ADDITION TO SHOWING THAT GOVERNMENT CAN WORK FOR PEOPLE IS OPENING DOORS.

TIM: DO YOU REGRET YOU WERE NEVER GOVERNOR?

>> NO.

IT WAS A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

AT THE TIME TO HAVE THAT RACE.

IT ACTUALLY OPENED UP OTHER DOORS FOR ME THAT HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL.

TIM: YOU LEAD WITH NO REGRETS, RIGHT?

>> NO NONE.

>> SENATOR, HONOR TO COVER YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING MORE.

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