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 4, 2006 - MPR’s Sea Stachura reports on the race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. The contest features two very different candidates…incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht faces DFL challenger Tim Walz. Renewable energy, Iraq war, taxes, budget spending, and healthcare are topics of debate between the two candidates.
October 6, 2006 - Health care is emerging as one of the big issues in this year's campaign for U.S. Senate. Democrat Amy Klobuchar, Republican Mark Kennedy and Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald have all proposed ways to provide more health insurance coverage by controlling the cost of health care. As part of our look at the issues in this year's campaign, MPR's Tom Scheck looks at what the candidates are saying about health care and whether their promises add up.
October 12, 2006 - Minnesota's Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates are sharply divided on issues surrounding taxes and economic growth. DFL-er Amy Klobuchar says rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans would generate tens of billions of dollars that could be used to balance the budget and fund new programs. Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy insists those tax cuts are responsible for economic growth and the creation of millions of jobs. As part of our look at the issues in this year's U.S. Senate race, MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports on candidate’s view on taxes.
October 16, 2006 - As part of our “Meet the Candidates” series, preseneted is a broadcast of Meet the Press debate between Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates Amy Klobuchar and Mark Kennedy. The two debated on issues such as Iraq and tax policy. Debate was moderated by Tim Russert, Meet the Press host. Program closes with follow-up commentary by political analysts Bob Meek and Tom Horner.
October 16, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on national TV appearance of Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates. The candidates for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat are back in Minnesota today after appearing in a nationally televised debate on Sunday. Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Mark Kennedy were in Washington yesterday to appear in an NBC “Meet the Press” debate. The high-stakes appearance took place as, yet another independent poll, shows Kennedy trailing Klobuchar by a substantial margin.
October 25, 2006 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on a tighter than expected race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Incumbent Republican candidate Gil Gutknecht is finding a strong opponent in DFL candidate Tim Walz.
October 30, 2006 - Minnesota's candidates for governor sparred last night (SUN) in their first televised debate of the campaign. During a debate broadcast live on KSTP-TV and three affiliated ABC stations around the state, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, DFL candidate Mike Hatch and the Independence Party's Peter Hutchinson disagreed on issues such as transportation, immigration and property taxes. The debate also offered a glimpse into the personalities of these three men, as they talked about what they liked and disliked about each other. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
October 31, 2006 - Midday presents a broadcast of KSMQ 1st District debate between incumbent Republican candidate Gil Gutknecht and DFL candidate Tim Walz. Gutknecht and Walz sparred over issues ranging from the Iraq war to the controversial DM&E railroad extension that would run through Rochester.
November 1, 2006 - In less than a week, voters in Minnesota's 5th district will elect a new representative to Congress for the first time in nearly three decades. MPR's Brandt Williams checks out all four campaigns.
November 2, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on U.S. Senate race, interviews the candidate’s campaign managers, and gets views from potential voters. With less than a week to go before the Midterm elections, a new MPR/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows Democrat Amy Klobuchar with a wide lead over Republican Mark Kennedy. The poll, however, does show that the gap is closing at a time when other polls show Klobuchar extending her lead. MPR’s