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
November 8, 2006 - Election 2006: Mike Hatch and Judi Dutcher concede governor's race to Pawlenty
November 8, 2006 - Election 2006: Tim Pawlenty reacts to his win
November 10, 2006 - A pair of lawmakers from Minneapolis one of them an outspoken critic of Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, will lead the Minnesota House and Senate. Senate DFLers selected Senator Larry Pogemiller as Majority Leader. Pogemiller has been a frequent critic of Governor Pawlenty over the past four years. House Democrats last night also elected Margaret Anderson Kelliher as the next speaker of the House. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
November 15, 2006 - Governor Pawlenty says he wants to extend health insurance coverage to all Minnesota children. He made the announcement yesterday during a speech to a group of health care and policy experts in Minneapolis. Pawlenty's remarks come just one week after he narrowly won re-election and now faces a Legislature that is controlled by Democrats. Several groups were surprised by the announcement. While they applaud the move, they want to hear more specifics before signing on. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
November 30, 2006 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he's disappointed and angry about having to remove fire chief Bonnie Bleskachek from the office he appointed her to in 2004. Earlier this week, Rybak and several other councilmembers voted to fire her from the department's top post, and to reject a settlement offer that would allow her to come back to the force in a lesser rank. MPR’s Brandt Williams report also includes interviews with Bonnie Bleskachek and Greg Corwin, a civil service attorney.
December 4, 2006 - For the first time since 2001, Minnesota's governor and state lawmakers are talking about a tax rebate. The projected surplus for the current two-year budget cycle adds up to $1 billion, and grows to more than $2 billion by 2009. State law requires Governor Pawlenty to propose a tax rebate plan to the Legislature. MPR's Tom Scheck takes a look at Pawlenty's alternatives and whether finance experts believe a rebate is necessary...
December 7, 2006 - Governor Pawlenty has reshuffled his cabinet. Two key commissioners are leaving and another has asked for a demotion. Pawlenty's commissioners of finance and natural resources are stepping down. The revenue Commissioner asked for a different position in the department and has been replaced. The moves come just one month before Pawlenty is set to begin his second term. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 8, 2006 - “The McCarthy Tapes” takes the listener back to the 1968 campaign through audio recordings of the Eugene McCarthy archive, which documents a turbulent time in America's history. McCarthy’s political legacy will forever be defined by 1968, when McCarthy turned his opposition to the Vietnam War into a crusade for the presidency.
December 20, 2006 - Senator-elect Amy Klobuchar joins a narrow Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate in January. What does she hope to accomplish over the next six years? Klobuchar talks about what she wants to do in Washington D.C.
December 26, 2006 - This year in politics. Midday examines the 2006 elections, and looks ahead at the future of politics. Guests: Tom Horner: Republican commentator, Bob Meek: DFL commentator