Party on the Peninsulas with Curtis Hertel Jr.
Official podcast of the Michigan Democratic Party
Recent Episodes
Oct. 27, 2026
Protecting Your Vote (Guest: Mark Brewer)
This Week… How Obama and Trump Made their Cases in Dueling Midterm Speeches The New York Times Obama calls Trump incompetent as he rallies Democrats in Detroit Detroit Free Press Obama rallies rapturous Michigan crowd for El-Sayed: ‘He’ll finish the job we started’ The Guardian In the News Politics and Policy In Islamophobic Rant, Trump Seeks to Stir Republican Base in Michigan | The New York Times Trump escalates anti-Muslim attacks against El-Sayed in Michigan, drawing Arab American rebuke | T
Oct. 20, 2026
Rogers’ Islamophobia
This Week… The Free Press endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor, Eli Savit for Attorney General, Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State In the News Politics and Policy Mike Rogers’ attacks on Abdul El-Sayed cross a dangerous line | Opinion | Detroit Free Press Detroit Democrats challenge Mike Rogers’ touted gains with Black voters in US Senate race | Michigan Advance Rogers and allies go scorched earth to stop El-Sayed | Kyle Melinn/Lansing City Pulse How an Abdul El-Sayed Opponent Handed Him a
Oct. 13, 2026
Two Presidents (Guest: Pollster Bernie Porn)
This Week… The Free Press endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor, Eli Savit for Attorney General, Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State In the News Politics and Policy RGA Scales Back On James | MIRS News Mike Rogers defended tariffs against Canada, now wants to end trade war | Detroit Free Press El-Sayed, Rogers trade barbs, accusations during first televised US Senate debate | Michigan Advance Michigan U.S. Senate race will shape SCOTUS, federal judiciary | Opinion | Detroit Free Press Fact ch
Sept. 23, 2026
Education Spotlight (Guests: WSU and SBE candidates)
This Week… Michigan families have paid more than $26 billion, or $6,419 per household, in tariff-driven costs | Smart Trade Alliance Rogers calls for swift end to Iran War; El-Sayed says he’s ‘flip-flopping’ | Detroit News In the News Politics and Policy Will Lawrence rolls out plan for regulating Big Tech, data centers in Michigan and beyond | Michigan Advance Advocates, moms and lawmakers push for group prenatal care as Legislature weighs insurer issues | Michigan Advance The Medicaid Work Req
Sept. 15, 2026
The Check’s in the Mail (Guest: Media Critic Jennifer Schulze)
This Week… More voters identifying as Democrats and not calling themselves Republican – Gallup Supreme Court rejects Trump’s mail ballot limits before elections | AP News Democrats say supreme court rejection of Trump mail ballot plans will ensure ‘safe, secure and accurate elections’ | The Guardian Don’t watch the Bari Weiss version of 60 Minutes | Indistinct Chatter Substack The Bari Weiss Era of ‘60 Minutes’ Begins | The New York Times In the News Politics and Policy Tucker Carlson, former Fo
Sept. 9, 2026
Political Energy on Campus (Guest: Stella Camerlengo – MI College Dems)
This Week… More voters identifying as Democrats and not calling themselves Republican – Gallup Fact check: No evidence Abdul El-Sayed ‘pledged support’ to Muslim Brotherhood | Bridge Michigan In the News Politics and Policy Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host: “I wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gun point” | Detroit News Fact check: Would ‘money out of politics’ proposal live up to its name? | Bridge Michigan Fact check: Did John James vote to increase health costs for Michiganders? | Bridge Mi