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 11, 2002 - This morning at 7:46 central time, bells rang at the Minnesota State Capitol to mark the one year anniversary of the moment the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center. The bell ringing was part of an event attended by several hundred people which featured remarks by Governor and Mrs. Ventura. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum was at the event and she joins us now from the Capitol. At Memorial Park in Moorhead, people gathered this morning to hear the reading of the names of all the people killed in the September 11 attacks. Bob Reha was there, and he's on the line now. Later today, Minnesota's law enforcement organizations are holding an event at the metrodome called "Remember the Heros." Speakers will address the crowd before the Twins game, which begins at 12:05. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen is at the Dome right now.
September 13, 2002 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty says he's running for the job he's always wanted. But Pawlenty's road to the governor's race has taken a few twists and turns. The House Majority Leader dropped out of the race four years ago and considered running for the U.S. Senate this year, before a call from Vice President Dick Cheney changed his mind. During his ten years in the Legislature, Pawlenty has developed a reputation as an able leader and a quick wit, but critics say he moved to the right to get his party's support this year. In the latest in our series of gubernatorial candidate profiles, Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has this look at Tim Pawlenty...
September 16, 2002 - A new television ad promoting Republican Norm Coleman's US Senate campaign is drawing criticism from the re-election campaign of DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. The ad, put together by the Republican Party of Minnesota, attacks Wellstone for votes against military spending, tax cuts and welfare reform. There's agreement across the board, the latest ad moves Minnesota's highly contested Senate race in a new, gloves off, direction. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 17, 2002 - (NOTE: HOST OUTCUE) The governor's race is locked in a virtual three-way tie between DFLer Roger Moe, Republican Tim Pawlenty, and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny. A new poll from Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press shows the three clumped tightly together as the campaigns head into the final two months of the election. Green Party candidate Ken Pentel trailed a distant fourth -- and is in danger of losing major party status for the Greens. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
September 17, 2002 - Was Germany a U.S. ally during World War II? Why was the Civil War fought? These may sound like easy questions, but studies show many kids don't know the answers. Today is the 215th anniversary of the signing of the constitution and President Bush took the occasion to unveil a plan to improve history lessons. We find out how students are doing and discuss plans to improve history instruction. Guest: Charlie Skemp, K-12 social studies specialist for the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning. Former Minnesota Governor Al Quie, former chair of the National History Standards Review.
September 18, 2002 - Republican Norm Coleman and DFL Senator Paul Wellstone are both claiming victory with the most recent polls showing Minnesota's US Senate race remains very tight. A Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows Wellstone with 47 percent support, Coleman with 44 percent. Because that falls within the three percentage point margin of error, the race is a statistical tie. Wellstone backers say they're pleased months of what they call negative attacks have not eroded the incumbent's support. Coleman's camp claims the Republican is in good shape because he's been able to keep up with Wellstone even though Wellstone has outspent him.
September 18, 2002 - A new Minnesota Public Radio- St. Paul Pioneer Press poll indicates the US Senate race remains very tight. Despite millions of dollars in campaign spending, DFL Senator Paul Wellstone and Republican Challenger Norm Coleman are locked in a statistical dead heat. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 20, 2002 - A new round of ads may have made it more difficult to figure out just what Minnesota's two leading U.S. Senate candidates have in mind for the Social Security system. The campaigns of DFL Senator Paul Wellstone and Republican challenger Norm Colemanare airing Social Security ads criticizing each other's positons. But none of the ads does much to explain just what the candidates would do for the keeping the system solvent. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 23, 2002 - MPR's "Meet the Candidates" series with Paul Wellstone, U.S. Senator discussing re-election campaign issues.
September 25, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura is en route to Cuba today. Ventura will spend the next three days participating in the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana. The governor and leaders from several prominent Minnesota companies say the island nation presents a new market for the state's farmers -- but Ventura's visit has drawn criticisms from Bush administration officials who say he's only lending legitimacy to Fidel Castro's government. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with Ventura. He prepared this report.