Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
April 24, 1998 - As part of our "Meet the Candidates” series, DFL Gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson answers questions from listeners about issues facing Minnesota, and his plans if he is elected Governor. Topics include taxes, abortion, and education.
May 4, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidates Mike Freeman and Norm Coleman added to their victories in district convention straw polls over the weekend. Democrat Freeman overwhelmingly won the informal ballot in the Eighth District in Northern Minnesota, while D-F-L challenger Skip Humphrey won in the Seventh. Republican Norm Coleman continued to chalk up straw poll wins with the metro-area Fourth and Sixth Districts, but Joanne Benson and Allen Quist each took outstate wins. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has this wrap-up of the weekend's district conventions. (ANNCR TAG: Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil and Mark Steil also contributed to this report) Mike Freeman's early union endorsements and years of wooing party insiders helped propel him to a commanding straw poll victor
May 4, 1998 - Joining us now to provide some analysis is Steven Schier, chair of the Carleton College Political Science Department. Sun 28-MAY 11:22:41 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 7, 1998 - Tobacco company attorneys present their closing arguments this morning in Saint Paul amidst rumors of settlement talks. Minnesota Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Skip Humphrey sounded like he'd prefer to settle Minnesota's tobacco trial but also said he's prepared to let the jury decide. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Humphrey spoke before an audience of public health professors at the University of Minnesota giving few clues as to whether he's close to settling the case. Settlement rumors have been flying since Monday when the St Paul Pioneer Press reported parties for the state, blue cross/blue shield and tobacco companies had outlined an agreement. That agreement reportedly called for the industry to pay five-billion-dollars over the next 25 years and submit to marketing restrictions to teenagers.
May 8, 1998 - Midday presents an MPR special on the tobacco settlement. Program includes report from MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki, followed by speeches and interviews from Skip Humphrey, Minnesota attorney general; Michael Ciresi, state's lead attorney; jurors, and others. A key component to settlement was the banning of tobacco marketing to children.
May 8, 1998 - Minnesota State Attorney General Skip Humphrey met with reporters and supporters this afternoon to outline some of the details of the tobacco settlement. Humphrey emphasized the elements of the agreement that are designed to reduce smoking among young people...... Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey, speaking to reporters and supporters earlier this afternoon. Sun 28-MAY 11:19:21 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 11, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidate Mike Freeman appears to be maintaining his lead in the race for the DFL party endorsement. This weekend Freeman won two more DFL straw polls, at the party's 3rd and 4th Congressional District conventions -- which represent Minneapolis's southwestern suburbs and the St Paul area. About HALF the delegates polled indicated they're backing Freeman, with second-place finisher Skip Humphrey scoring about 37 percent. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more: Attorney General Skip Humphrey wore a big smile, walking into Saturday's DFL conventions -- ((SH: Let me just say this is a beautiful day today in a lot of ways!!))
May 19, 1998 - The reaction to news of a compromise on the BWCAW worked out between U.S. Representatives Jim Oberstar and Bruce Vento has been swift... and mixed. Oberstar's proposal to allow trucks on two wilderness portages has been entered into the transportation bill now under consideration by a Congressional Conference Committee. It has Vento's reluctant support after the addition of a provision removing some lakes from motor access.
May 20, 1998 - Steve Young, a former dean of the Hamline University law school says it's unethical for the Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi Law Firm to charge $560 Million dollars for its work on the state's recently-settled tobacco lawsuit. Young filed a complaint with the Lawyers' Professional Responsibility Board, alleging that the size of the fee violates professional rules.
May 20, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on Obertstar-Vento compromise over motor use in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildnerness. Northern Minnesotans hope the compromise will settle long standing disputes over the region. Congressman Jim Oberstar's proposal to allow trucks on two wilderness portages has been entered into the transportation bill now under consideration by a Congresional Conference Committee. It has Congressman Bruce Vento's reluctant support after the addition of a provision removing some lakes from motor access.