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
April 9, 2008 - MPR’s Sea Stachura profiles 1st District Congressman Tim Walz as he prepares to run for re-election. The Republican Party thinks 1st District Congressman Tim Walz is one of the country's vulnerable freshman Democrats. One analyst says Walz has inoculated himself against a Republican challenger. But will it be enough this November?
May 15, 2008 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports that former Governor Jesse Ventura said he's serious about a possible run for U.S. Senate, and he had harsh words for some of the other candidates already in the race. Comments were made when Ventura broke his boycott of the Minnesota broadcast media, appearing on Minnesota Public Radio's Midday program to talk about his latest book.
May 28, 2008 - As stimulus checks are scheduled to show up in mailboxes soon, consumer confidence is at its lowest point in 16 years. Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell joins Midday to discuss how the still slumping housing market, inflation and consumer concern are affecting the overall state of the economy.
May 29, 2008 - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar says the nation isn't ready for a lower highway speed limit. Klobuchar met with Minnesota truckers to talk about high diesel prices. Diesel fuel is 70-percent higher than it was a year ago, and truckers say it's adding to the cost of practically everything. The Minnesota Trucking Association is calling for a national speed limit of 65-miles-per-hour. Senator Klobuchar told the truckers she hopes individuals will choose to reduce their speed to save gas and money, but Congress won't require it.
May 29, 2008 - Former Republican Minnesota Gov. and Congressman Al Quie and former Republican U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger join Midday to preview the Republican State Convention and discuss what it takes to be elected and serve in public office.
May 30, 2008 - Midday broadcasts live from the Republican State Convention in Rochester. Ccommentators Tom Horner and Todd Rapp offer political analysis and take listener questions as the Republican party gears up to nominate its candidates for the 2008 elections.
May 30, 2008 - Midday broadcasts live from the Republican State Convention in Rochester, featuring interviews with Republican candidates for Congresss, a look ahead to the Senate race for incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, and a look back at 1978's "Minnesota Massacre," when Republicans took the state by storm.
May 31, 2008 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Republican state convention
June 6, 2008 - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar gives speech at 2008 DFL state convention. Klobuchar speaks of various Democrat state candidates. She called for supporters of other Democratic presidential candidates to get behind Barack Obama in his run for presidency, whom she endorsed several months ago.
June 7, 2008 - U.S. Representative Keith Ellison speaking at DFL State Convention.