Left of Lansing

Left of Lansing
  • 5.0 (13)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

An insight into Michigan's progressive political and pop cultural scene. Pat Johnston highlights how the progressive movement is helping shape Michigan's political landscape with opinion and interviews. It's time to make Michigan's political machine work for the people!

  1. 5h ago

    Monday Musing: "Florida" Mike Rogers' Football Attacks On Abdul El-Sayed Are An Incomplete Pass

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for September 14, 2026. In a last-ditch "Hail Mary Pass" to help save his fledgling campaign, MAGA Republican Michigan U.S. Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers, is attacking the Democratic frontrunner in the race, progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, for not being a real man, or a real American, because Dr. Abdul had the temerity to criticize American football's history of toxic masculinity.  No, you read that right. "Florida" Mike Rogers wants you to ignore his record of catering to the Billionaire Big Tech Bros, the Surveillance State, Big Pharma, Defense contractors, Israel's corrupt government, and the entire Epstein Class, and instead focus on... football.  LOL's Pat Johnston tackles this issue of football, and why "Florida" Mike Rogers is hoping you'll talk about it rather than his own record.  And by the way, Dr. Abdul was the Captain of his high school football team. Just saying. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join#podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #VotingRights #Voting #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism  #CorporateClass  #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: "Florida" Mike Rogers' Football Attacks On Abdul El-Sayed Are An Incomplete Pass

  2. 3d ago

    Kelli Van Ginhoven For U.P. State Senate; Joanna Whaley For Downriver State House

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #194 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-12:07: Mike Rogers & 9/11 LOL's Pat Johnston starts the show by talking about the MAGA Republican hypocrisy around 9/11, and he highlights how Michigan MAGA Republican, and Trump boot-licker, U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers voted against helping the heroes on that tragic day. 12:08-40:00: KVG For State Senate! Kelli Van Ginhoven, progressive and anti-establishment state Senate candidate for the 38th District in the Upper Peninsula, stops-by to share her thoughts on her campaign, how the political establishment has damaged the working class in the U.P., and why her MAGA Republican opponent, which includes his corporate backers, fear having someone like KVG representing the working class in Lansing. KVG also explains why she's fighting against the Copperwood Mine project in The Porkies.  Visit KVG's Campaign: https://www.kvgforsenate2026.com/Visit KVG's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kelli.vanginhoven 40:20-62:30: Joanna Whaley For State House Joanna Whaley, progressive candidate for Michigan's second State House seat in Downriver Detroit, talks with Pat about her historic campaign. Joanna's vying to become the first transgender woman in Michigan's House, and she plans on taking the fight on behalf of the working class in her district against the corporate interests, such as DTE. Joanna also shares opinions on why Christian Nationalism is an existential threat to the future of this state and the country. Visit Joanna Whaley's campaign: https://www.joannawhaley.com/Visit Joanna Whaley's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficial 62:01- 64:40: Ending Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Before Mike Rogers invoked 9/11 against Abdul El-Sayed, he voted against care for sick responders." By Steve Neavling of Detroit Metro Times "Telecom industry gave Mike Rogers nearly $100K while he pushed to deepen government data sharing." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Pro-Rogers Super PAC funded by ardent Christian Nationalist." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Former Michigan Strategic Fund board member blasts decision to fund UP’s Copperwood Mine." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #JoannaWhaley #LGBTQ #DTE #MopUpMichigan #KelliVanGinhoven #UpperPeninsula #CopperwoodMine #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers #JaredKushner#DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #911 #Israel #Line5 #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism ChristianNationalism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Kelli Van Ginhoven For U.P. State Senate; Joanna Whaley For Downriver State House

  3. Sep 4

    Friday Short: MAGA Michigan Voter Suppression "Show Your Papers" Drive Blocked By MAGA SCOTUS

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for September 4, 2026. The MAGA Supreme Court blocked an effort to hear an appeal to get a strict citizens-only "show your papers" voting suppression law on Michigan's ballot.  The Court dealt a major defeat to the MAGA Republican effort to make voting more difficult for the working class in this country. The so-called "Americans For Citizens Voting-Michigan" tried to get the initiative on the ballot this November. However, the group failed to gather enough VALID signatures to qualify for the ballot, which is funny considering how the group claims to fight against voter fraud.  As Pat Johnston explains, this was another effort to institute a modern-day poll tax on voters, and thankfully, it lost.  But don't be fooled. MAGA Republicans and The Epstein Class will return with a renewed effort to block as many American citizens voting as possible.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Citizenship voting proposal denied ballot access by US, Michigan Supreme Courts." By Bridge Michigan Staff in Bridge Michigan "US Supreme Court declines to hear application on Michigan citizens-only voting ballot measure." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Michigan election fraud cited in Trump speech had no impact on votes." By Jacob Knutson of Democracy Docket #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #VotingRights #Voting #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism  #CorporateClass  #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: MAGA Michigan Voter Suppression "Show Your Papers" Drive Blocked By MAGA SCOTUS

  4. Aug 31

    Monday Musing: CBS "News" Posts ANOTHER Anti-Abdul El-Sayed "Story"

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for August 31, 2026. Bari Weiss's "CBS News" posted a story today declaring that some of Michigan's progressive Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's social media postings regarding 9/11 "invites scrutiny." It's nothing but a hit-job by the pro-Big Tech Bro, pro-Epstein Class, and pro-Trump CBS "news division," and it's essentially saying that Michiganders must beware of the Muslim Man! Yet, when one actually reads the so-called controversial tweets, one will realize they aren't controversial at all. Not only that, but they make it appear that once again, Dr. Abdul is with the mainstream of Americans on a host of issues, while MAGA Republicans are on the fringe extreme.  LOL's Pat Johnston explains.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "For Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, Sept. 11 commemoration invites scrutiny of past remarks." By Zak Hudak of CBS News #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #WorkingFamiliesParty  #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #911 #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: CBS "News" Posts ANOTHER Anti-Abdul El-Sayed "Story"

  5. Aug 28

    Friday Short: J.D. Vance To Visit Michigan And Tell Voters To Ignore Reality

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" on August 28, 2026. The Trump Regime's Vice President J.D. Vance will visit Michigan this coming Monday to campaign on behalf of beta MAGA Michigan Republicans. Those betas are U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers, Congressman and gubernatorial candidate John James, and congressional candidate Mike Bouchard.  LOL's Pat Johnston wonders what exactly is J.D. going to say in his efforts to help these three guys while Michigan suffers from the disastrous Trump Economy.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "You won’t believe what John James said about submitting penises to the Lord." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times "Michigan farmer says Trump beef import plan hurts producers." By James Felton of WNEM-TV5 News "Trump’s MAGA Inc. to host first public event in battleground Michigan." By Jessica Piper of Politico#podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #WorkingFamiliesParty  #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: J.D. Vance To Visit Michigan And Tell Voters To Ignore Reality

  6. Aug 27

    DSA Member Jessica Newman & Why DSA Candidates ARE Winning

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #193 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-17:30: LOL's Pat Johnston pays a brief tribute to Dolly Parton. Then, Pat shares thoughts on Dear Leader Trump's insane tariff war with Canada while his other tariffs continue to hurt an already struggling working class. And he wonders when will Michigan MAGA Republican Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers be held to account on whether or not he agrees with these tariffs, not to mention if he still believes in Trump's economy. Pat wraps-up the segment illustrating how MAGA Republicans call EVERY Democrat either a "socialist" or a member of the far Left.  17:31-41:00: DSA member Jessica Newman Pat talks with Jessica Newman, who's a Metro Detroit Democratic Socialist of America member, campaign director, and Secretary of Ferndale Public Schools in Oakland County. Jessica explains why she chose Democratic Socialism, and why DSA candidates are winning across Michigan and the nation at this time. That includes her work on the winning campaign for DSA state House candidate Chris Gilmer-Hill, who defeated a Democratic incumbent in Metro Detroit. Jessica also shares her outrage over pro-Israel & pro-AIPAC Democrats continue attacking progressive candidates, like Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Visit Metro Detroit Democratic Socialist of AmericaVisit Democratic Socialists of America 41:50-51:13: Last Call: Dems Still Attacking Piker In the "Last Call," establishment Democrats continue to join MAGA Republicans in attacking a progressive podast streamer rather than attacking the Trump Regime and MAGA Republicans.  51:14-55:22: Coffia On Line 5/Ending The episode ends by sharing a clip of working class Michigan Democratic state Rep. Betsy Coffia calling-out Governor Gretchen Whitmer to stand-up for Michigan, and rejoin the fight to shut-down Line 5. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Telecom industry gave Mike Rogers nearly $100K while he pushed to deepen government data sharing." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Scoop: Mike Rogers-AIPAC rupture roils Michigan Senate race." By Alex Isenstadt of Axios "Enbridge Line 5 leaks natural gas in Wisconsin." By Isiah Holmes of Michigan Advance "How Trump Is Destroying Detroit." By Robert Kuttener of The American Prospect "Trump's Tariffs Are About to Make Back-To-School Season Painful— Families Could Spend Nearly $4,000 Per Child, Report Finds." By Tonya Rawat of Yahoo Finance "Canada's tariffs target certain U.S. states. See which regions are most vulnerable." By Megan Cerulla & Aimee Picci of CBS News "Hakeem Jeffries Privately Met with Jared Kushner." By Distill Social "Off-The-Record" episode from August 21, 2026 featuring Jim Runestad on WKAR#podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #WorkingFamiliesParty  #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights #WilliamLawrence #DonavanMcKinney #MikeRogers #HakeemJeffries #JaredKushner#DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #Line5 #BetsyCoffia #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    DSA Member Jessica Newman & Why DSA Candidates ARE Winning

  7. Aug 24

    Monday Musing: Mike Rogers Afraid AIPAC Hurts More Than Helps

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for August 24, 2026! A new report over the weekend reveals that MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers is afraid AIPAC's involvement in Michigan's Senate race will hurt more than help. AIPAC spent $32 million to defeat the progressive Democratic candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, in the primary, but Dr. Abdul still won the race. He's against Israel's genocide in Gaza, the War on Iran, and continued funding of Israel. As LOL's Pat Johnston explains, The Rogers Campaign is requesting AIPAC to not get too involved in the race, but it still would like AIPAC's big donors, of course! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll on TV ads!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Scoop: Mike Rogers-AIPAC rupture roils Michigan Senate race." By Alex Isenstadt of Axios #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary    #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #MikeRogers #DataCenters #AI #TomBarrett #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #CitizensUnited #CorporateClass #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: Mike Rogers Afraid AIPAC Hurts More Than Helps

  8. Aug 21

    Friday Short: MAGA Congressman Tom Barrett Tries Hiding His Love For Data Centers

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for August 21, 2026! MAGA Michigan Republican Congressman Tom Barrett, and MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers, are suddenly, and conveniently, suggesting they'll act tough against the billionaire Big Tech Bros and their data centers. Strange switch for both of them considering Tom Barrett voted to grant the Big Tech Bros $85 Billion in tax cuts to build their data centers across Michigan, and rest of the United States. And Florida Mike Rogers, like Tom Barrett, collect tons of cash from the Billionaire Big Tech Bros, and has been a champion for additional surviellance of American citizens. However, Tom Barrett's challenger in the 7th Congressional District, progressive Democrat William Lawrence, has stood against the data center push in his district, and fought to stop on being built in Lansing. And, progressive Democratic Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, says NO more funding for data centers until safeguards are in place to protect Michiganders and their communities.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll on TV ads!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "MI-07: Tom Barrett Scrambles to Bury His Data Center Past." By David Dayen of The American Prospect "Michigan gave schools $224M for infrastructure, but they need billions." By Matt Mencarini of Bridge Michigan #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #WorkersRights  #BigBeautifulBill #WilliamLawrence #MikeRogers #DataCenters #AI #TomBarrett #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: MAGA Congressman Tom Barrett Tries Hiding His Love For Data Centers
See All (445)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

An insight into Michigan's progressive political and pop cultural scene. Pat Johnston highlights how the progressive movement is helping shape Michigan's political landscape with opinion and interviews. It's time to make Michigan's political machine work for the people!

Information

  • Creator
    Left of Lansing
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    445
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Left of Lansing

You Might Also Like