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 26, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty today (MON) challenged other states to boost their ethanol consumption. He told a meeting of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition that the corn-based fuel will reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. The group consists of 31 states and 5 countries that support ethanol. But unlike Minnesota, few of them mandate ethanol use. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 4, 2005 - Today (TUES) was the deadline for legislative leaders to respond to Governor Pawlenty's menu of special session options, and none of the four leaders returned the list. But that doesn't mean a special session won't happen. Pawlenty invited the leaders to his office on Thursday, and is still willing to call a special session if leaders can agree on the agenda. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 6, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on first mayoral debate between candidates Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin since the September 13th primary. The two candidates sparred over city spending, public transportation, and crime. The candidates also fielded questions from residents of the high rises along Cedar Avenue where the debate took place.
October 7, 2005 - A agreement for a special session of the Minnesota Legislature appears to be near, but stadium proposals for the Twins and Vikings may get left behind. Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders emerged from a meeting yesterday (Thursday) and said they'd only reached a consensus on the proposed $248 million University of Minnesota football stadium. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
October 28, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck summary report on MPR Minneapolis mayoral debate. With less than two weeks before the November 8th election, the two candidates running for mayor of Minneapolis are having some heated exchanges over who's better prepared to lead the city. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin sparred in a debate sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. They discussed issues of crime, city finances, and smoking bans.
October 31, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that a University of Minnesota poll shows Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak leading Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin by nine percentage points in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak's lead is greater than the poll's margin of error of plus or minus five percentage points. Rybak says the survey proves he's the best candidate to lead the city over the next four years. But McLaughlin says he's encouraged that the mayor has support from less than a majority of those polled.
November 2, 2005 - The Steelworkers Union will support Attorney General Mike Hatch in his race for governor, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar in her run for U.S. Senate. Both candidates were in Duluth to accept the endorsements. Amy Klobuchar's family is from the Iron Range; her grandfather worked in the mines. She says the Steelworkers' endorsement carries weight throughout the state.
November 2, 2005 - The Steelworkers Union is backing Attorney General Mike Hatch in his race for governor, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar in her run for U.S. Senate.
November 2, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political spending in last week of Minneapolis mayoral race. With less than a week to go before voters elect the next mayor of Minneapolis, incumbent Mayor R.T. Rybak is leading Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin in fundraising. Rybak has raised nearly three hundred & thirty thousand dollars, thirty-six thousand more than his challenger. McLaughlin... who's also trailing in the polls... is spending his money on television ads that will run between now and election day.
November 7, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty will leave for China, on a trade mission designed to help Minnesota companies take advantage of China's growing economy. More than 200 people will accompany the governor to the world's most populous nation. That's a much larger state delegation than the one Govenor Ventura spearheaded to China a few years ago. In fact, state officials say the majority of those companies on the six-day trip have had no experience in China, but hope to establish relations. Right now, China is Minnesota's 4th largest trading partner. One of the people making the trip with the governor is Charlie Cole, director of International Sales for American Polywater Corporation, which is based in Stillwater. He joins us now.