December 12, 2005 - A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics. MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks back at McCarthy and his political legacy.
December 12, 2005 - A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics.
December 12, 2005 - Politicians of both parties are remembering former Democratic U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy for his activism and public service. McCarthy died Saturday in Washington, D.C. He was 89. McCarthy served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. But his political zenith came in 1968, when he challenged President Lyndon Johnson for the Democratic party nomination. McCarthy didn't win, but his opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade that led to Johnson's withdrawl from the race. Former South Dakota Senator George McGovern was a friend of McCarthy and another opponent of the war.
December 12, 2005 - Former presidential candidate and Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who died over the weekend, appeared on Midday many times over the years. He reflected on politics, read poetry and talked baseball. A tour of the Midday archive showcases McCarthy's brilliance, wit and wisdom.
December 12, 2005 - One of Minnesota's most famous sons slipped away Saturday morning. Eugene McCarthy, the Minnesota senator whose 1968 presidential campaign energized the anti-Vietnam War movement, is no longer with us, but his friends and admirers will never forget him.
December 13, 2005 - As congress moves into its last week in session, representatives in the senate and house have two things on their minds: taxes and immigration. MPR's Tom Crann examines the different sides of the debate.
December 14, 2005 - Joining us now for more about today's pandemic flu summit are two officials who will participate: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. They discuss how people should should be getting ready for this pandemic flu, and what that entails.
December 15, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty has named Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Russell Anderson as the next Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Pawlenty tapped Anderson to replace Kathleen Blatz who is retiring in January. The governor also named Hennepin County District Court Judge Lorie Gildea to succeed Anderson. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
December 16, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty says he's meeting with groups across the state to discuss the impact of undocumented immigrants on the state of Minnesota. Pawlenty says illegal immigration is a serious national problem and needs immediate attention. He says he plans on releasing several proposals over the next few months to toughen the state's immigration laws. Critics say Pawlenty is using the issue of immigration as a political wedge to help him get reelected next year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
December 21, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers are pointing fingers at each other in the wake of a judges ruling that struck down a key tobacco fee. A Ramsey County Judge ruled yesterday that the 75 cent-a-pack fee violates a settlement reached with tobacco companies in 1998. That agreement brings in billions of dollars to the state from the tobacco industry to cover the costs of government health programs caused by smoking. The settlement also banned the state from making future claims on tobacco companies. Legislators approved the fee over the summer to help solve a state budget crisis, and the fee was projected to raise 400 million dollars over the current budget cycle. Governor Pawlenty is promising to appeal the decision. DFLer lawmakers say the governor's insistence that the measure be called a fee instead of a tax put it at legal risk. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.