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Hey folks, Cliff here. 
And I’ll tell you right off the bat—this one was special. Today, David Shuster  and I had the great honor of talking with Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II , a guy I’ve known for nearly two decades, back from our days at Brave New Films. 
Even then, you could tell—this was someone built for leadership, for problem-solving, for building things that matter. And sure enough, Garlin’s gone from tech visionary to public servant, and now he’s running to be the next Governor of Michigan.
Let me be blunt: I’ve already endorsed him. 
Because this guy has both the brains and the backbone, the charisma and courage we need to defend democracy. When we asked why he was running his immediate answer was like sweet music to our ears: He’s fighting Trump, Trump’s attacks on good policy, decency, taste, Trump’s very persona [ [link removed] ] and his piss cotton candy hair. 
Ok, I added that last one myself.
Garlin doesn’t want to send stern letters to a Trumpian wrecking crew hellbent on tearing Michigan—and America—apart. He will be wherever the fight is—in person. 
Garlin’s not a soundbite politician—he’s an engineer, literally, and he approaches government like a system that can and must be fixed. 
Find great candidates like Garlin—subscribe!
He’s stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gretchen Whitmer, helping deliver record education funding, repeal Michigan’s right-to-work law, and restore dignity to working people across his state. And now he’s running to finish the job—protect progress, expand opportunity, and stand up to the billionaire bullies who’ve turned public policy into their personal playground [ [link removed] ].
Go see for yourself what he’s about—and if you can, chip in a few bucks at GarlinGilchrist.com [ [link removed] ]. The average donation to his campaign is just $24. That’s how real movements get built.
David, as always, brought the thunder—this time not just with sharp questions, but also a reminder that he recently rewrote Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven as a searing takedown of Trump’s grotesque reign. It’s up on our Substack, and if you haven’t read it yet, trust me—you’re missing brilliance.
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And if you’ve been following Amped Up, you know this conversation builds on the momentum from last week’s powerful interviews. We talked with  [ [link removed] ]Nina Burleigh [ [link removed] ] about the deep rot and corruption that enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s empire of abuse [ [link removed] ], and with Dana DuBois [ [link removed] ] of  [ [link removed] ]genXy [ [link removed] ] about the fight to preserve truth, equity, and sanity in a world that seems hell-bent on losing all three [ [link removed] ]. 
These conversations aren’t random—they’re the building blocks of what Blue Amp Media is and what we’re trying to build: a platform for truth, courage, and resistance against the rising tide of fascism [ [link removed] ], so we can get rid of this guy.
Because here’s the deal, friends: we’re not just running a show—we’re building a movement. One that connects people who refuse to give up on democracy, who still believe character and compassion matter, who understand that decency is not weakness—it’s strength—and who get that fighting is about doing what it takes to win—whether it’s an election, a policy, a legal battle, a huge protest, civil disobedience or just embarrassing Trump’s lackeys by sending them knee pads [ [link removed] ].
So if you can, become a paid subscriber to Blue Amp Media (Use this link and save 10%! [ [link removed] ]) It keeps the lights on, it funds the work, and it helps us keep conversations like this alive. But even if you can’t, hit that free subscribe button. Join us. Be part of something real, something lasting.
Because democracy doesn’t save itself—it takes all of us.
Stay loud, stay proud, and as always, stay amped up.
—Cliff
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