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
March 4, 2002 - President Bush is in downtown Minneapolis at this hour raising money for Norm Coeman's senate campaign. The president was at Eden Prarie High school earlier this afternoon to promote his education reform plans. We have two reports beginning with Mark Zedechlic who's live at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton: in town working on Coleman's behalf:
March 5, 2002 - (NOTE HOST OUTCUE) Tonight (TUESDAY) marks the start of the 2002 campaign season. The state's four major parties hold precinct caucuses this evening -- the first step towards the state conventions later this year and ultimately the governor's mansion and U.S. Senate. The neighborhood meetings take on a special significance this year since most of the major candidates have agreed to step out of the race if they don't win party backing. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
March 5, 2002 - Minnesotans will gather in community centers and schools across the state tonight (TUESDAY) for precinct caucuses. The meetings are the first step in selecting candidates for the 2002 election. In advance of the caucuses, two Republican candidates for governor - Tim Pawlenty and Brian Sullivan - have been running ads to introduce themselves to voters. In the first in a series of Ad Watches, Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum asks an advertising expert to critique the latest spots...
March 6, 2002 - The 2002 campaign season officially began last night (TUESDAY), as Minnesotans gathered in community centers and school gymnasiums for precinct caucuses. The neighborhood gatherings are the first step in the process of choosing candidates for the November election. In an early sign of party support, Republican caucus attendees favored gubernatorial candidate Brian Sullivan over Tim Pawlenty 51-percent to 37-percent. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
March 7, 2002 - Governor Ventura says the Legislature may have left the state ill-prepared to deal with a terrorist attack. Ventura told an emergency management conference today that a budget balancing bill passed last week over his objections has depleted the state's reserves and has made the state vulnerable. Lawmakers say the state's emergency officials are already adequately prepared. And House lawmakers today proposed legislation that would give law enforcement better investigatory and response training. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 8, 2002 -
March 8, 2002 - - Supporters of the Northstar commuter rail line were confident with support from Governor Jesse Ventura, a line from St. Cloud to Minneapolis would happen. They're still hoping the legislature will offer full funding for the project this session. Northstar officials say they need 120 million dollars. But the proposed House bonding bill gives no money to the project. And the Senate's version of the bill only includes 8 million dollars. Legislators say it's likely some money will go toward the Northstar in the next few weeks. But some doubt it will be 120 million dollars. Northstar supporters say if they don't get full funding this year, the project could be dead. They also accuse lawmakers of using Northstar as a political bargaining chip against one of the project's biggest supporters, the Governor. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports. <
March 12, 2002 -
March 13, 2002 - For the first time since Jesse Ventura took office more Minnesotans dissapprove than approve of his performance. In a poll released today, 43 percent approved of the governor's performance while, 49 percent disapproved. Approval of the Legislature was higher, at 55 percent. Craig Grau is an associate professor of political science at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He says he thinks the public is judging Ventura more on his attitude than his record:
March 14, 2002 - The Minnesota House has spent most of the day debating budget-cutting bills. The bills are part of so-called "phase two," the Legislature's attempt to plug the remaining 439-million dollar projected hole in the state's two-year budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum joins me now from the Capitol with an update. How far along are House members with this plan? Just about done - today passed four of five budget-cutting bills most controversial - and the bulk of the cuts are in health and human services bill - nearly 62-million dollars this biennium - repeals the expansion of health insurance for children - reduces eligibility for general assistance and general assistance medical care programs - low-income adults - many Democrats - including Representative Tom Huntley of Duluth - criticized the cuts in the bill... "This bill goes specifically after our most needy citizens - those in regional treatment centers, those with mental illness, and balances the budget on their backs."