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
August 17, 2010 - With results in from DFL primary election, MPR’s Laura Yuen reports that the Minneosota legislature will be without Hmong lawmakers for first time in 8 years. The upcoming retirements of St. Paul lawmakers Mee Moua and Cy Thao means there won't be a Hmong legislator at the Capitol next session. Yuen examines the future of Hmong politics in Minnesota.
October 5, 2010 - On this Midday, a “Meet the Candidates” program with guest Tom Emmer, the Republican gubernatorial candidate. Dayton answers questions key issues in the gubernatorial election.
October 7, 2010 - On this Midday, a “Meet the Candidates” program with guest Mark Dayton, the DFL gubernatorial candidate. Dayton answers questions about the key issues facing the state.
October 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses. Pawlenty says his opposition to exchanges is the reason he declined to send the US Government a state response to questions about exchanges. Three prominent Minnesota health groups secured a copy of the response and sent it anyway. Former GOP senator Dave Durenberger, a health policy expert, says their move was understandable. Pawlenty says a 2008 state analysis of exchanges found they'd be ineffective at reining in costs.
October 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is standing by his decision to ignore a federal request for input on a key piece of health care reform. The Department of Health and Human Services had asked states for their recommendations on "insurance exchanges." These are online marketplaces where consumers can compare and buy health plans. Pawlenty opposes health reform. He said today (Friday) exchanges are big government interfering with the free market. But three years ago, Pawlenty advocated a similar idea. Elizabeth Stawicki reports: During his radio show today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty expanded on why he decided against sending in a Minnesota health department report about health insurance exchanges. He said the best insurance exchange is the free market:
October 9, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses. Pawlenty says his opposition to exchanges is the reason he declined to send the US Government a state response to questions about exchanges. Three prominent Minnesota health groups secured a copy of the response and sent it anyway. Former GOP senator Dave Durenberger, a health policy expert, says their move was understandable. Pawlenty says a 2008 state analysis of exchanges found they'd be ineffective at reining in costs.
October 12, 2010 - Audio clip of U.S. Representative Tim Walz defending his vote on the federal health care overhaul.
October 12, 2010 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on debate in Mankato between candidates battling in Minnesota's 1st District. DFL Congressman Tim Walz has two challengers in the 2010 election season, Republican Randy Demmer and Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson. The three candidates gathered to debate several key issues, including healthcare and debt.
October 22, 2010 - On this Midday call-in program, former Vice President Walter Mondale joins MPR’s Gary Eichten to take questions about his new political memoir, The Good Fight: A life in Liberal Politics. The book traces Mondale's career from a young Minnesota attorney general to Vice President. While personal, it's also the story of half a century of progressive politics.
November 1, 2010 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on the three candidates vying to represent Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. DFL incumbent Tim Walz, Republican Randy Demmer, and Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson are all campaigning into the final stretch of race.