Jennifer Granholm: Donald Trump's Bluster Doesn’t Mask 1950s-Era Policies

— -- Before the first 2016 Democratic debate on Tuesday, we asked Hillary Clinton supporter and ABC News contributor -- former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is also a senior adviser to Correct the Record, a pro-Clinton group -- about what to expect from Clinton on Tuesday, about why she thinks the former secretary of state would make a better president than Bernie Sanders, and about Donald Trump, whose policies she described as "anti-immigration, anti-woman, trickle-down extremism."

1] What do you make of Kevin McCarthy suddenly withdrawing from the House speaker race?

Granholm: After McCarthy bragged that the Benghazi Committee was created to attack Hillary Clinton, he was basically forced to drop out of the race for speaker. The entire House of Representatives has now been engulfed by the turmoil of the Benghazi Committee circus, and Rep. McCarthy is just the first casualty of Republicans' zeal to do whatever it takes to take down Hillary Clinton.

As for the future of the Republican House, the Tea Party (Liberty) Caucus now has veto power over the next speaker, which ensures a further tilt to the right. Will any moderate Republicans be welcome in the GOP caucus? It does not bode well for governance.

2] What explains Donald Trump's success in the GOP primary so far? Do you see why he appeals to some voters?

Granholm: People like Donald Trump because he says exactly what he's thinking. Unfortunately, his actual policies are the same as the rest of the Republican field –- anti-immigration, anti-woman, trickle-down extremism. His bluster cannot mask the 1950s-era policies of his campaign and that of the entire slate of Republican candidates.

3] Former Gov. Martin O'Malley has called for more Democratic debates. Is he right? Should there be more?

Granholm: That's up to the DNC to decide. Hillary herself has said that she is looking forward to joining her fellow Democrats on the stage in the upcoming debates, and is open to doing more. Even if it stays at six debates, I think the debates will demonstrate a depth of substance on the Democratic side, and a salient contrast with the Republicans.

4] Speaking of debates, the first Democratic one is in a few days. You are supporting Hillary Clinton. What should be her main objective with this first debate? How critical is this for her? What should we expect?

Granholm: I think this will be a great opportunity for millions of Americans to hear about the many specific policies -- reining in Wall Street, climate change, jobs in energy and infrastructure, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, lowering student debt, gun safety, trade, reducing inequality, foreign policy, and more -- that Hillary has already laid out on the campaign trail, but that have been overshadowed by Donald Trump and the rest of the Republican field. Hillary is a policy champ, interested in promoting ideas that actually can be achieved, and I bet she's excited to lay out her plans on moving America forward.

5] Why would Clinton make a better president than Bernie Sanders?

Granholm: To me, Hillary Clinton is the candidate most committed to improving the lives of the American people through smart, bold, doable policies -— and she’s demonstrated it time and time again throughout this campaign. She's resilient, she's effective, she's compassionate. That's why I'm fighting for her, and that's why I think she'll make the strongest Democratic nominee.

6] I assume you will not confirm the report that Correct the Record is preparing opposition research on Vice President Biden in preparation for his possible presidential bid. However, if he does run, does the recent death of his son Beau change the way the other candidates will compete against him?

Granholm: If Joe Biden enters the race, it will only add to what is already a substantive campaign on issues important to the American people. He's smart and he's experienced, and I know that every candidate is giving him room to make his decision. As it should be.