September 27, 2006 - Entire debate from the evening of 9/27/06. The debate featured the three major party candidates for Governor: Pawlenty, DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch and Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson. The debate was held at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall, and was co-sponsored by the U of M's Communication Studies Department and Debate Minnesota, a non-profit, multi-partisan organization established by the Independent Bankers of Minnesota to promote civility in politics.
October 4, 2006 - MPR’s Sea Stachura reports on the race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. The contest features two very different candidates…incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht faces DFL challenger Tim Walz. Renewable energy, Iraq war, taxes, budget spending, and healthcare are topics of debate between the two candidates.
October 6, 2006 - Health care is emerging as one of the big issues in this year's campaign for U.S. Senate. Democrat Amy Klobuchar, Republican Mark Kennedy and Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald have all proposed ways to provide more health insurance coverage by controlling the cost of health care. As part of our look at the issues in this year's campaign, MPR's Tom Scheck looks at what the candidates are saying about health care and whether their promises add up.
October 12, 2006 - Minnesota's Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates are sharply divided on issues surrounding taxes and economic growth. DFL-er Amy Klobuchar says rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans would generate tens of billions of dollars that could be used to balance the budget and fund new programs. Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy insists those tax cuts are responsible for economic growth and the creation of millions of jobs. As part of our look at the issues in this year's U.S. Senate race, MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports on candidate’s view on taxes.
October 13, 2006 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson about his opposition to the U.S. Coast Guard conducting periodic training exercises on the Great Lakes to prepare for law enforcement and homeland security missions. The exercises have included live machine gun fire.
October 16, 2006 - As part of our “Meet the Candidates” series, preseneted is a broadcast of Meet the Press debate between Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates Amy Klobuchar and Mark Kennedy. The two debated on issues such as Iraq and tax policy. Debate was moderated by Tim Russert, Meet the Press host. Program closes with follow-up commentary by political analysts Bob Meek and Tom Horner.
October 16, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on national TV appearance of Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates. The candidates for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat are back in Minnesota today after appearing in a nationally televised debate on Sunday. Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Mark Kennedy were in Washington yesterday to appear in an NBC “Meet the Press” debate. The high-stakes appearance took place as, yet another independent poll, shows Kennedy trailing Klobuchar by a substantial margin.
October 17, 2006 - As part of our Meet the Candidates series, Amy Klobuchar, DFL candidate for the U.S. Senate, explains what she would do if she gets to take Mark Dayton's place in the chamber. Klobuchar also answers listener questions.
October 20, 2006 - The two state-supported higher education systems are hoping to take advantage of a rosier financial outlook to boost budget appropriations from the coming legislative session. Both the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system aim to boost the state's share of the cost. But students and faculty say the effort isn't enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
October 23, 2006 - Part of what we do on Minnesota Public Radio is bring you great campaign coverage. We also bring you the voices of real people you may not get to talk with in your everyday routine. This next story is an example of both. We know that many Americans have quibbles with our political process.But Minnesota Public Radio producer Sanden Totten went out to talk with some people who did not grow up with democracy. He wanted to find out if they would be as quick to criticize politics in this country. Here are Lucy and David -- two people who encountered American voting, elections, and freedom only later in life.