August 28, 2008 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy interviews Congressman Tim Walz at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Walz is from the 1st Congressional District in southern Minnesota. Walz was elected back in 2006 in a surprise upset of a longtime Republican incumbent. He thinks Barack Obama's message will play well in rural areas, but he acknowledges there's still work to be done
September 4, 2008 - As part of MPR special convention coverage, Gary Eichten broadcasts live from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, the site of the 2008 Republican National Convention. As the RNC comes to a close, Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., prepares to accept his party's nomination. Eichten is joined by Todd Rapp, a Democrat political analyst; and Tom Horner, a Republican political analyst.
September 17, 2008 - With Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG, and other financial institutions in turmoil on Wall Street, an unemployment rate at 6.1 percent (a five-year high), and a housing market still slumping, experts Chris Farrell and Louis Johnston join Midday to discuss the current economic crisis.
October 2, 2008 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews DFL 1st District Congressman Tim Walz about bailout bill making its way through Congress. He says the bill passed by the U.S. Senate is better than the one the House rejected earlier this week, but he's still planning to vote against it.
October 9, 2008 - MPR’s Sea Stachura reports on Democratic Representative Tim Walz facing off against his challenger Republican Dr. Brian Davis in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District race. The two provided a stark contrast in style and approach in their first debate. Walz and Davis disagreed on energy, social security and healthcare.
October 14, 2008 - As part of the Meet the Candidate series, Midday presents Minnesota 1st Congressional District debate between incumbent DFL Representative Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Brian Davis as they met in Mankato to debate the issues. Walz and Davis spar on topics of economy, energy, foreign policy, social security, and healthcare.
November 3, 2008 - Midday presents the final U.S. Senate debate, which took place just two days before Election Day. U.S. Senate candidates Republican Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken, and the Independence Party's Dean Barkley gathered at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul for a fireworks filled debate. The MPR hosted event was moderated by Midday's Gary Eichten.
November 4, 2008 - Election night raw audio of Keith Ellison speaking about Obama's presidential victory.
November 5, 2008 - MPR Brandt Williams reports on local reaction to Obama’s election to become President of the United States.
November 14, 2008 - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger discussed the 2008 election results and their implications, at a recent discussion sponsored by the Minneapolis Club and the Minneapolis Foundation.