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
December 16, 1998 - (WITH IMPEAC) 4th district MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN BRUCE VENTO SAYS THE HOUSE PROBE INTO PRESIDENT CLINTON COULD LAST A YEAR. VENTO VOTED AGAINST AN OPEN ENDED INQUIRTY INTO THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR TODAY. MOST DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION PREFERRED AN INQUIRY THAT WOULDN'T HAVE LASTED PAST THE END OF THE YEAR. Sun 28-MAY 08:32:35 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 17, 1998 - Minnsota's congressional delegation has been tracking events in Iraq, and trying to prepare for tomorrow's floor debate on whether to impeach President Clinton. 3rd district Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad says he approves of the airstrikes, but he's still withholding judgement on the impeachment issue: Minnesota 3rd district Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad. Sun 28-MAY 07:29:07 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 21, 1998 - Sober and somber. That's how members of Minnesota's congressional delegation described the historic impeachment vote against President Clinton over the weekend. The delegation split along party lines as the House voted to impeach the president for his actions in the Monica Lewinsky affair. Emily Harris reports from Washington: Sun 28-MAY 07:28:26 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 23, 1998 - It's a word that makes many lawmakers cringe, but talk of stadiums will be back before the legislature in 1999 session. A task force appointed by Governor Carlson is asking lawmakers to create a new commission to fund sports stadiums and arts venues. Legislative leaders and the Governor-elect are skeptical.
December 23, 1998 - Everybody seems to be on the move at the state capitol these days: in the House, the new Republican majority is swapping offices with the Democrats... while Arne Carlson's staff members are cleaning out their desks to make way for Jesse Ventura. The calm spot is the Senate, where DFL Majority Leader Roger Moe continues to run things as he has for almost two decades. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, Moe's experience puts him in a unique -- and potentially very powerful -- position. If things had gone according to DFL plans, Roger Moe would be getting ready to move into the Lieutenant Governor's office about now. Instead, the Humphrey-Moe gubernatorial ticket came in third, and Moe is looking forward to his 19th consecutive year as Senate Majority Leader. What's surprising is how upbeat he sounds about the prospect:
December 28, 1998 - As Governor-elect Jesse Ventura’s administration prepares to begin, MPR's Mike Mulcahy has a look back at the Arne Carlson’s years as Minnesota governor. Carlson will be remembered for the record number of bills he vetoed, his love of the Gophers' basketball team, and for his flamboyant ex-wife…but the Carlson legacy will be also be marked by the record budget surpluses that piled up during his watch.
December 29, 1998 - Walter Mondale, former vice-president, and his son Ted Mondale, former state senator and gubernatorial candidate, talk about politics and politicians...then and now. Topics include leadership, trust, and necessity of genuine debate. The Mondale’s also answer listener questions.
December 29, 1998 - Honey, we can't afford to fix the car! Right now we need every penny to pay our taxes!..)) Jesse Ventura didn't make a lot of specific campaign promises on the election trail last fall... but he did get specific on the subject of tax relief, in radio ads like this one:
December 30, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on that Governor-elect Jesse Ventura spoke to reporters about his agenda for the 1999 legislative session, which begins next week. But Ventura did NOT get very specific, and he stopped short of presenting a short list of his legislative goals.
December 31, 1998 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura meeting with "disenchanted voters." Ventura met with thirteen randomly selected Minnesotans who voted for the first time, or for the first time in several years, to understand what worked to draw voters out this year and what would keep them engaged in the future.