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 14, 2008 - As part of the Meet the Candidate series, Midday presents Minnesota 1st Congressional District debate between incumbent DFL Representative Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Brian Davis as they met in Mankato to debate the issues. Walz and Davis spar on topics of economy, energy, foreign policy, social security, and healthcare.
October 20, 2008 - National Democrats think they have a chance to unseat Michele Bachmann. Their growing sense of optimism comes after a cable TV interview where the 6th District Republican congresswoman used the word "anti-American" to refer to Barack Obama and called for an investigation into members of Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that Bachmann discredited herself. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said it intends to spend more than $1 million in ads to defeat Bachmann. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 29, 2008 - On Election Day, voters will have the choice of supporting or rejecting a Constitutional Amendment that would fund natural resources and the arts. Phil Krinkie of the Taxpayers League and Paul Austin of Conservation Minnesota join Midday to debate the issue before voters head to the polls. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lori Gildea is defending her seat on the state's Supreme Court from challenger Judge Deborah Hedlund. Both candidates join Midday for a debate before Election Day.
November 3, 2008 - Midday presents the final U.S. Senate debate, which took place just two days before Election Day. U.S. Senate candidates Republican Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken, and the Independence Party's Dean Barkley gathered at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul for a fireworks filled debate. The MPR hosted event was moderated by Midday's Gary Eichten.
November 4, 2008 - Election night raw audio of Keith Ellison speaking about Obama's presidential victory.
November 4, 2008 - Pawlenty talks to GOP crowd, gives pep talk, at 10:10.
November 14, 2008 - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger discussed the 2008 election results and their implications, at a recent discussion sponsored by the Minneapolis Club and the Minneapolis Foundation.
November 24, 2008 - DFL U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will convene national health care leaders for a summit in Minneapolis. Klobuchar says she organized the event to give industry leaders an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen America's health care system, including Medicare. She says the goal of the summit is to examine how to offer quality healthcare at an affordable price.
November 24, 2008 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on DFL U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar holding meeting with national health care leaders for a summit in Minneapolis. Klobuchar says she organized the event to give industry leaders an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen America's health care system, including Medicare. She says the goal of the summit is to examine how to offer quality healthcare at an affordable price.
December 1, 2008 - While the 2008 election is nearly over - but for the Senate recount - some people are already gearing up for another big civic activity -- the U.S. Census. The Census doesn't take place until the year 2010, but the preparation for the count is already underway.