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 26, 2000 - Eugene McCarthy, former Minnesota senator and former presidential candidate, visits MPR studios to talk with Gary Eichten about politics, journalism, and 25 years after the end of the Vietnam War. McCarthy also answers listener call-in questions.
May 12, 2000 - Hmong veterans will have to wait to hear about legislation that would allow them to take the US Citizenship test in their own language. The US Senate has set aside the bill until at least next week. Hmong veterans were pleased when the House passed the legislation last week. But things have gotten bogged down in the Senate, where there is disagreement over details of the bill. Democrat Paul Wellstone supports the House bill, while Republican Rod Grams has introduced a slightly different one. Senator Grams joins us now.
May 24, 2000 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Walter Mondale, former U.S. ambassador to Japan and former vice-president, on congressional bill that would allow China permit normal trade status. Following Mondale interview, David Foster, director of the NW quadrant of states for the United Steelworkers of America, shares his view on the bill and its impact.
May 25, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura stops by MPR to talk with host Midday host Gary Eichten and answer listener call-in questions. Topics include mining, NWA, governmental roles, education, hemp, and trade.
June 7, 2000 - Walter Mondale, former vice-president, speaking at second program of 50 Years: The Mondale Lectures on Public Service. Mondale’s address was titled "Democracy's Challenge: Balancing Personal Liberty and National Security." Following Mondale’s speech, Walter Pincus, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, reflects on misuse of FBI file created on him. Final speaker is Andrew Young, civil rights worker and MLK aide, who addresses the proper use of intelligence agencies. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
June 7, 2000 - Walter Mondale gives a speech titled "Democracy's Challenge: Balancing Personal Liberty and National Security." This is followed with speeches by James Kallstrom, Taylor Branch, Andrew Young and David Aaron.
June 13, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura said in California yesterday he will not be a candidate for president, even though he could get on the ballot in all fifty states and win even if he waited until the last minute to enter the race. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports on the first leg of Ventura's trip to California.
June 27, 2000 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with reporter Dan Gunderson about Governor Jesse Ventura’s fourth leg of Tour 2000. The Governor began his day in Moorhead and by tomorrow will visit 12 Northwestern Minnesota cities to talk about flood relief, the state of agriculture, and business development.
June 27, 2000 - D-F-L Senate candidate Mark Dayton is taking a busload of Minnesota seniors to Canada later this week to buy cheaper medicine. The former state auditor wants to highlight what's becoming a key campaign issue in the Senate race - the high cost of prescription drugs in the U-S. But his publicity stunt has raised questions about whether Dayton is trying to buy votes by providing free transportation. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
June 28, 2000 - Governor Ventura is wrapping up his two day bus tour of northwest Minnesota. MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on one of the governor’s stops in Mahnomen, where he met privately with recently elected White Earth Tribal Chairman Doyle Turner and members of the tribal council.