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
July 28, 1998 - Norm Coleman, St. Paul mayor and gubernatorial candidate, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the issues in the campaign. Topics include uniformity of conceal and carry, partial-birth abortion, and education. Coleman also answers listener questions.
July 29, 1998 - As part of the series Campaign 98’, MPR’s Laura McCallum looks at Reform Party gubernatorial candidate Jesse Ventura’s views on education. Ventura is opposed to open enrollment, sees school busing as a mess, and questions parents role in school issues.
July 31, 1998 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Jesse Ventura, Reform Party candidate for governor. Ventura discusses the issues and his campaign. Topics include surplus, campaign money, hemp crops, neighborhood schooling, parenting involvement, and gambling.
August 4, 1998 - On this Midday, Sheryl Ramstad Hvass and Amy Klobuchar, two candidates for Hennepin County attorney, discuss their plans for fighting crime. Topics include burglary, juvenile justice system, National Night Out, and repeat offenders. Hvass and Klobuchar also answer listener questions.
August 11, 1998 - As part of the MPR’s Campaign 98’ series, MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the welfare views of Jesse Ventura, Reform Party candidate for governor. Ventura comments on “welfare to work” reform, more support for those in the middle-class, and a critique of single-parents on welfare.
August 13, 1998 - A Minnesota taxpayer and a state lawmaker today filed a lawsuit seeking to recover attorneys' fees from the state's tobacco settlement. They say the nearly half-a-billion dollars awarded to the lawyers is excessive, and the money should go to the state treasury. The state's lead attorney and the Attorney General's office call the lawsuit "frivalous" and "politically motivated." Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Republican State Senator Tom Neuville of Northfield and financial consultant Roger Conant of Sunfish Lake say the legal fees going to the private Minneapolis law firm that handled the case are unreasonable. Conant says the 440-million dollar payment amounts to 125-dollars for every Minnesota
August 13, 1998 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Norm Coleman today (THURS) promised to put millions of dollars more into fighting gangs state-wide. Yesterday, DFLer Skip Humphrey made a similar pledge -- again, singling out gangs as a target for more law enforcement. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman responded by saying HE's the only candidate for governor who has real experience combatting crime. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports on the candidates' recent focus on law and order: The race for governor has experienced a sudden rash of gang-related campaign promises. Skip Humphrey started the spree yesterday with by standing near the site of a recent fatal shooting on St Paul's Western Avenue: ((HUMPRHEY: Now that was just another case of the tragic mixture of GUNS and GANGS and DRUGS, and it leaves our citiz
August 14, 1998 - Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president and former ambassador to Japan, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the foreign service, the Asian economic crisis, and campaign finance. Mondale also answers listener questions.
August 24, 1998 - As part of the “Voices of Minnesota" series, this program features MPR’s Dan Olson interviewing Don Fraser, former Minneapolis mayor and former U.S. congressman; and Leonard Lindquist, a Minneapolis attorney.
August 31, 1998 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens Forum gubernatorial debate held at Minnesota State Fair. The five DFL candidates, Skip Humphrey III, Doug Johnson, Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, and Independent candidate Jesse Ventura attended (Republican Norm Coleman did not accept invitation). Star Tribune’s Lori Sturdevant moderated debate, which begins with discussion of Northwest strike.