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
October 31, 2003 - Charlie Weaver, Governor Pawlenty's chief of staff, is stepping down to become the head of the Minnesota Business Partnership, an association of chief executives from Minnesota's 100 largest companies. Weaver says the opportunity was one he couldn't pass up.
November 13, 2003 - Former Minnesota Democratic U.S. senator and former Presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy in the MPR studios with Gary Eichten to talk about politics and current events. McCarthy discusses the state of the DFL, polarization of the parties, war, his 1968 campaign, and also answers listener questions.
November 18, 2003 - The chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board says the plane crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others last fall was a tragic accident that should not have happened. The NTSB today (Tues) issued the final report on its investigation into the crash and laid the blame squarely on actions of the flight crew. The board also announced regulatory recommendation it hopes could prevent similar accidents in the future. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports....
November 19, 2003 - The National Transportation Safety Board says the cause of the crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone and 7 others was a result of pilot error. The crash happened in October of last year during the heat of Wellstone's campaign for a 3rd term. The NTSB said the plane lost air speed, and the aerodynamic lift required to keep the plane in the air, as it approached the airport in Eveleth. The Board also agreed with investigator's findings that the pilots lacked proper training in crew coordination. Former Wellstone campaign director Jeff Blodgett says the findings of the report are difficult to take.
November 19, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is taking his prescription drug importation plan to Washington. Pawlenty will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee tomorrow morning at the invitation of chairman Senator John McCain. Pawlenty is the only Republican governor to actively push the idea of importing drugs from Canada. Larry Jacobs is a political science professor at the University of Minnesota who follows the politics of health care. He's also the author of the book "The Health of Nations." Jacobs says the importation issue comes at a good time for Pawlenty.
November 20, 2003 - Midwestern governors like Tim Paulenty are disappointed to hear that a drug importation plan backed by the House was dropped from the final Medicare bill.
November 20, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee at the request of committee Chair, John McCain of Arizona. Senator McCain and others on the committee gave the governor and his prescription drug plan a warm welcome. Max Cacas of Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Hill bureau reports.
November 25, 2003 - Authorities have dismissed charges against a couple who fled Minnesota after being charged with child abuse in 1984. Edward and Karri LaBois were arrested outside of Salt Lake City earlier this month. Nineteen years ago, the two were accused of abusing their 4-year-old daughter in their home in Minnetonka. Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar says there isn't sufficient evidence to move the case forward.
November 26, 2003 - Minnesotans had grown used to seeing former Governor Jesse Ventura in the national limelight. But they might not have expected Governor Tim Pawlenty to draw much attention from the national press or Washington opinion-leaders. Nonetheless, Pawlenty has maintained a relatively high national profile in the last few months, particularly as he touts his plan to re-import less expensive prescription medicines from Canada. Some observers say it shows astute political instincts. Others say he's may have gone out on a limb. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
November 27, 2003 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports that Gen. Vang Pao, a former Vietnam-era military leader of CIA sponsored forces in Laos and head of the United Lao Liberation Front made a stark change in his position by saying he'd support normalizing trade relations if Laos improves its conduct on human rights.