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
August 25, 2005 - Candidates for Minneapolis mayor offered their visions for dealing with public safety issues during a sometimes-contentious debate last night. Organizers invited R.T. Rybak, incumbent Minneapolis Mayor; Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner; and Farheen Hakeem, Green Party candidate to the forum, but before it was over a fourth candidate, Marcus Harcus, forced his way onto the stage to participate.
August 29, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political repercussions of Hennepin County smoking ban. The Hennepin County smoking ban is becoming a big issue in the race for Minneapolis mayor. Bar and restaurant owners who feel the ban is hurting their business have helped convince Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, to reconsider his support for the ban. McLaughlin is running against Mayor R.T. Rybak. Rybak says campaign contributions from the bar owners appear to have helped change McLaughlin's mind.
August 31, 2005 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on despite the fact that it is not a statewide election year in Minnesota, that hasn't stopped state officials from making their usual visits to Great Minnesota Get-Together. Politicians say the State Fair is the place to take the pulse of Minnesotans. For 2005, they're finding that the burning issues for fairgoers are gas prices and stadiums.
September 2, 2005 - It's Minnesota Public Radio Day at the Minnesota State Fair and Governor Tim Pawlenty takes the stage at Carousel Park to answer questions from his constituents. Topics include stadiums, Hurricane Katrina disaster, death penalty, Minnesota National Guard, and taxes amongst others.
September 7, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on fund-raising in Minneapolis mayoral race. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is the top fundraiser among the city's mayoral candidates. Rybak's campaign reports the mayor raised two hundred & forty-five thousand dollars between January 1st and August 30th. Rybak's top challenger, Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, raised two hundred & eleven thousand dollars over the same period. Farheen Hakeem, Green Party Candidate, raised less than ten thousand dollars. The fundraising totals were released on the same day the city's police union started a campaign to unseat Rybak.
September 8, 2005 - As part of the Meet the Candidates series, Midday presents interviews with six mayoral candidates…St. Paul mayoral candidates include Green Party candidate Elizabeth Dickinson, incumbent Mayor Randy Kelly, and former City Councilman Chris Coleman. Minneapolis mayoral candidates include Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, incumbent Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Green Party candidate Farheen Hakeem.
September 14, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak primary win. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will face Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak advanced to the November ballot after receiving 44 percent of the vote. McLaughlin received 35 percent. Rybak says the primary victory gives him the needed momentum to win in November but McLaughlin says Rybak doesn't have the support he thinks he has.
September 26, 2005 - About 400 people gathered in the woods outside Eveleth Sunday. They came to dedicate a memorial to Senator Paul Wellstone. Wellstone, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia Markuson, and three staff members were killed in a plane crash nearby, nearly three years ago. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
September 26, 2005 - Supporters and political allies of the late Senator Paul Wellstone gathered near Eveleth over the weekend to dedicate a memorial and historic site. The memorial is built in the woods near where a small plane crashed nearly three years ago, killing Wellstone, his wife and daughter, and three members of his staff. Lisa Boulay (BOO-LAY) volunteered for Wellstone's Senate campaigns. She came from Bemidji for the dedication.
September 26, 2005 - About 400 people gathered to dedicate the Wellstone Memorial and Historic Site near Eveleth Sunday. The memorial is built in the woods near where Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others died in a plane crash three years ago. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {