September 12, 2000 - Governor Ventura made what he said was a welcome stop home in the Twin Cities Monday as part of his nationwide book tour. He signed copies of his newest book, "Do I Stand Alone?," for approximately an hour and a half and greeted a long line of admirers. Ventura says his latest book is about his political philosophy, while his first book, "Aint Got Time to Bleed," was more autobiographical. Five days into his book tour, the governor says he's been well received around the country. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 13, 2000 - Joining us now for analysis of last night's primaries is Steven Schier, chair of the Political Science Department at Carleton College.
September 13, 2000 - A high profile D-F-L senate race wasn't enough to bring voters to the polls for last night's primary. An estimated 16-point-two percent of eligible voters turned out to cast ballots. Joan Growe was Minnesota's Secretary of State for more than two decades. She says the figure is about average for a presidential election year:
September 13, 2000 - Software developer Jim Gibson says as the Independence party candidate for U.S. Senate, he can chart a centrist path between incumbent Republican Rod Grams and the winner of Tuesday's D-F-L primary, Mark Dayton. Gibson, the Indpendence party's endorsed candidate for the senate, easily beat his opponents to clinch his party's nomination. But Gibson says he faces an uphill challenge both in raising the money he needs to compete, and in getting equal treatment among Republicans and Democrats. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 13, 2000 - Mark Dayton easily won yesterday's DFL US Senate primary. Dayton got over forty percent of the vote, nearly twenty percent more than second place finisher Mike Ciresi. DFL-endorsed Jerry Janezich was right behind Ciresi with twenty-one percent. Rebecca Yanish was forth with fifteen percent. Joining us now is the chairman of the DFL party, Mike Erlandson.
September 13, 2000 - The surviving candidates for U-S Senate wasted no time hitting the campaign trail after the primary election significantly narrowed the field. Republican incumbent Rod Grams, D-F-Ler Mark Dayton, and Independence Party candidate James Gibson are all promising clean campaigns focused on the issues. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, the rhetoric is already heating up.
September 14, 2000 - The third place showing of the DFL's endorsed Senate candidate in this week's primary is causing some in the party to again re-examine whether the endorsement process works. Although the endorsement didn't propel Jerry Janezich to victory, it appears to have helped nearly every other Democrat further down the ticket. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
September 14, 2000 - Two DFL lawmakers are reviving a proposal to nurture high-technology job growth in Minnesota. The plan's supporters say unless the state takes an active role in developing and retaining technology firms, Minnesota risks falling behind other regions in the race to develop the dot-com economy. But others say the danger is overstated. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
September 14, 2000 - The price of prescription drugs has emerged as a big issue in this year's political races. Senate candidate Mark Dayton has even taken groups of seniors on a ride to Canada, where they can buy drugs at cheaper prices than they can get here. Those price differences are the topic of a news conference later today in Washington D-C where Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat, and congressman Gil Gutknecht, a Republican, will call for the passage of the Prescription Drug RE-importation bill. Joining us on the line is Minnesota's first district congressman, Gil Gutknecht.
September 14, 2000 - Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeye says the wording of the St. Paul schools referedum ballot question violates state law. In a non-binding opinion, she said the referendum's title is illegal because it advocates for its passage. The St. Paul Schools are looking into amending the wording, which now reads St. Paul Schools Referendum for Student Achievement. David Magleby is a political science professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I asked him what he thought of the referendum's title.