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Politics Heats Up as the Ukraine Crisis Resonates in Metro Detroit

Southfield (CBS Detoit) - It was talk of politics, President Biden's State of the Union speech, the 2022 mid-term elections, his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, as Rudy Hobbs, Deputy Oakland County Executive, and Tonya Schuitmaker, former Michigan State Senator, appear on CBS  62's "Michigan Matters" to discuss a busy time.

Rudy Hobbs
Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Rudy Hobbs, Deputy Oakland County Executive and Co-Director of MPLP

The two, who appear with Carol Cain, Senior Producer/Host, are serving as Co-Directors of MSU's Michigan Political Leadership Program as Hobbs, a Democrat, and Schuitmaker, a Republican, help steer the non-partisan training program that has trained 24 fellows each year for careers in politics.

Tonya Schuitmaker
Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Former State Senator and Co-Director of MPLP

MPLP will hold its 27th Annual Fundraising Dinner in Lansing on Wed, April 10, with pollster Frank Luntz taking center stage. Cain will emcee the conversation. After two years, the event will be in person.  (For  more: https://mplp.msu.edu).

Amb. Levitsky
Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky

Then, Melvyn Levitsky, a retired career diplomat and Professor of International Policy at UM's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, discusses the Russian invasion of Ukraine with Cain. 

Levitsky, who served at the American Embassy in Moscow and as US Ambassador to Brazil and also Bulgaria, shared his thoughts about Russian President Putin and his reasons for invading Ukraine. He also discussed Ukraine's President Zelinsky, who has been catapulted to the world's stage for his brave actions and words. 

Tania Smyck
Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Tania Smyck, Leader of the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan

Then Tania Smyk, a leader of the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan (UACRC), appears to talk about the organization and it came together quickly to support Ukraine.

StandwithUkraine-44
Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan's Stand With Ukraine rally in Detroit (Courtesy of Jon Sniezek)

She talked about her grandparents, who came to this country from Ukraine.

Smyk, a student at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and working three jobs, explains why she is so dedicated to helping the people of Ukraine.

Watch Michigan Matters, Sunday at 8am on CBS 62

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