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
May 10, 2013 - MPR’s Tom Scheck looks at the quick turnaround in political efforts on same-sex marriage. Just two years prior, Republicans, who then controlled the Legislature, thought it would help them politically to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. That failed on the ballot, and now with a push from Democrat legislators, an amendment allowing same-sex marriage is poised to become law.
May 13, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the Minnesota Senate passage of bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state by a vote of 37-30, after more than four hours of debate. Only one Republican joined Democrats on the prevailing side, and three DFLers opposed the bill.
May 14, 2013 - All Thing’s Considered live coverage of Governor Mark Dayton signing a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota. It makes Minnesota the 12th state to take the step. MPR’s Tom Scheck describes the scene, as thousands of onlookers cheer.
May 15, 2013 - MPR’s Conrad Wilson compiles reactions of Minnesotans at the State Capitol after Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota.
May 20, 2013 - MPR presents a speech and commentary from U.S. Representative Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz tells the audience during a recent speech at the University of Minnesota that if America cares about national security, it needs to maintain moral authority in the world and address the complex issues involved in the use of drones.
September 3, 2013 - The Obama administration trying to line up support on Capitol Hill for some sort of military action against Syria. In the House of Representatives, leaders from both parties now say they support U.S. action, but rank-and-file members of Congress are less sure.
September 6, 2013 - With votes on authorizing military strikes against Syria on the possible horizon, members of Congress are getting a lot of pressure from many directions. MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports that during a public lunch meeting, DFL 1st District Congressman Tim Walz got an earful from more than 100 of his constituents in St. Peter.
September 13, 2013 - In 2012, electronic pulltabs debuted in Minnesota, to much promise. They failed. MPR’s Tim Nelson takes a look back at what went wrong, and what's next.
September 18, 2013 - Former Minnesota Governor and congressman Al Quie is celebrating a milestone today. The republican and thirty-fifth governor of the state turns 90 years old. Quie served in Congress for over 20 years, then in 1978, he was elected Governor and served one term. Al Quie joins us now tot alk about his career, and the state of things today.
November 12, 2013 - MPR’s Curtis Gilbert reports on St. Paul electing its first Hmong American city council member. Dai Thao is an information technology specialist who’s never run for office before. He won a special election against six other candidates after the ranked-choice vote count took place.