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
September 16, 1998 - Minnesota's race for Governor is now down to three major party candidates. Recent polls had predicted Skip Humphrey would win yesterday's five-way D-F-L primary. Humphrey, who has consistently had the highest name recognition, captured about 38-percent of the vote. Not surprisingly, Republican Norm Coleman - who faced token opposition - won his primary, and the Reform Party's Jesse Ventura - who had no opponent at all - also goes on to the November general election. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The man with Minnesota's most famous political name called his primary victory a very special night. In a race of the sons of favorite sons, however, the highlight of the evening may have been a
September 16, 1998 - The election primary for the State's top lawyer--Attorney General now sets the stage for a November race between a former commerce commissioner who wants to investigate the health insurance industry and an Anoka State representative who wants to fight juvenile crime. Both winners have different plans for the office that's largely fought consumer fraud under Skip Humphrey's direction for the past 16 years. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
September 16, 1998 - It's been only 24 hours since the primary election campaign ended, and already the general election campaign is shaping up as an old fashioned battle between business and labor. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Norm Coleman wasted little time taking his campaign straight to his core constituency -- business people -- and bringing along the best salesman to make the pitch: Governor Carlson: ((Carlson: My exp in politics has been this -- it's kind of like a first date -- the two parties sorta keep their distance and jockey around for awhile... and by the end of the date it's a wrestling match. I'd rather start the wrestling match right off the bat!)) The Governor addressed a friendly crowd of busin
September 23, 1998 - Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator, talks about current issues facing congress, including a possible presidential impeachment proceeding, campaign finance reform, government appropriations and tax bills, farm legislation, and more. Wellstone shares his concern that congress has lost focus, and answers listener questions.
September 24, 1998 - Friends and family members gathered to remember the life of Muriel Humphrey Brown today. More than 500 people attended her memorial service at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. The wife of former Vice President Hubert Humphrey died Sunday at the age of 86. She was buried this morning in a private ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis . She is survived by her second husband, Max Brown, as well as her four children and other family members. Former Vice President Walter Mondale, a friend of the family for 50 years, offered one of the tributes at today's service.
September 28, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidates Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey exchanged fire over their respective budget plans today, accusing each other of bad money management. Coleman toured the state with Governor Arne Carlson. The Republican candidate promised to lower taxes if elected, and charged Humphrey with making too many campaign promises that cost money to keep. Humphrey made much the same charge about Coleman
October 1, 1998 - Midday presents the first general election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and broadcast from Brainerd Community College. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate. Topics include state surplus, taxes, healthcare, agriculture, education, and stadium funding.
October 1, 1998 - Another Health care company is pulling out of the Medicare market. Today Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it's dropping its Blue Plus Preferred Seniors Plan in the metro area. Two days ago, another Health Care giant, Medica, announced it was dropping its medicare HMO's in four counties. The Health care companies say the can't afford to provide the plans because federal reimbursement rates for Medicare patients are so low. Former Minnesota senator David Durenberger is now serving on a federal commission charged with solving the Medicare problem. He says Minnesota seniors who had these plans will still be able to see their regular doctor and go to their usual clinics and hospitals.
October 1, 1998 - The three major-party candidates for governor met today in Brainerd for the first debate of the general election campaign. The League of Women Voters had billed the event as a debate of rural issues, but the candidates ranged over most of the contentious issues of the '98 campaign.
October 1, 1998 - Leaders of the Hmong community are asking state lawmakers to help stop a pattern of violence in their community. There have been a number of high profile crimes against Hmong women and children recently that have shaken the community of forty-thousand. Yesterday, about 30 Hmong professionals met with lawmakers to see what government support is available to prevent further violence. DFL state representative Andy Dawkins represents the frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul where many Hmong people live. Dawkins says the Hmong are a "hurting community" and yesterday's meeting was a first step.