December 23, 1998 - Everybody seems to be on the move at the state capitol these days: in the House, the new Republican majority is swapping offices with the Democrats... while Arne Carlson's staff members are cleaning out their desks to make way for Jesse Ventura. The calm spot is the Senate, where DFL Majority Leader Roger Moe continues to run things as he has for almost two decades. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, Moe's experience puts him in a unique -- and potentially very powerful -- position. If things had gone according to DFL plans, Roger Moe would be getting ready to move into the Lieutenant Governor's office about now. Instead, the Humphrey-Moe gubernatorial ticket came in third, and Moe is looking forward to his 19th consecutive year as Senate Majority Leader. What's surprising is how upbeat he sounds about the prospect:
December 11, 1998 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone has all but announced he's running for President. The two-term Democrat says he's going to make the final decision over the holidays -- after he gets a chance to discuss it with his family. But in a speech to supporters and financial backers last night (THURS), Wellstone made it sound as though he's already embarked on the campaign trail. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports:
December 10, 1998 - A new poll by MPR and the Pioneer Press indicates most Minnesotans do NOT want Congress to impeach President Clinton. 62 percent of respondents say impeachment is the wrong course of action. 19 percent say Clinton should be impeached, but NOT convicted... Only 14 percent say the President SHOULD be convicted -- and thereby removed from office. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more: On the streets of downtown St Paul, the attitude is one of general disgust with Clinton -- but disagreement over the appropriate punishment. (street bkgrd sfx) ((CHARLES: I don't know if I can't trust him, b
December 8, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports that Governor-elect Jesse Ventura says he intends to keep working in the entertainment business, even after he takes office. Ventura is in the process of closing a deal to tell his life story in a ghost-written autobiography. Ventura calls it a "standard" book contract, and he says he doesn't think he's cashing in on being the governor-elect.
December 7, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports that Minnesota's future First Lady is planning a populist party to mark her husband's inauguration. As honorary chair of the Inaugural Committee, Terry Ventura has nixed the traditional black-tie gala, and has opted instead for a rock-and-roll-style blowout in the Target Center.
November 24, 1998 - Speaker-designate Steve Sviggum named the 28 new chairmen of the Minnesota House legislative committees today (TUES). The chairmen have a lot of say over which bills get a hearing, and they'll set the new tone for the new Republican majority. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more.
November 20, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on how leaders of Minnesota's major political parties are mulling over the meaning of this year's election results…and the meaning of Jesse Ventura's surprise victory, in particular. In the DFL party, there seems to be a growing consensus that change would do the party good, but there's little agreement so far about what kind of change.
November 18, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on the first meeting of Governor-elect Jesse Ventura and Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, who met privately to discuss legislative priorities for 1999. Despite what Ventura calls "philosophical differences" between the two men, their respective "to-do" lists appear to have a lot in common.
November 17, 1998 - Some well-known political figures signed up as volunteer advisers to Governor-elect Jesse Ventura today (TUES). The eight-person advisory committee includes outgoing Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson, Republican state representative Charlie Weaver and former Congressman Tim Penny. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has this report on Ventura's growing circle of advisers -- and their role in the future administration. Jesse Ventura's new advisers come from a variety of political backgrounds, but as far as the Governor-elect is concerned, they have a common pragmatic approach to politics: ((VENTURA: committee members were chosen for their independent thinking, and their ability to work in a non-partisan manner.))
November 12, 1998 - Governor Carlson says the recent governor's campaign shows it's time for Minnesota to re-think its election system. Carlson says the September primary should be moved up to May -- and he says the state should add a SECOND primary in the fall to narrow down the field of candidates. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Governor Carlson says the fact that Jesse Ventura won the governor's race with only 37 percent of the vote is evidence that Minnesota is moving away from the traditional two-party-system. In a Veterans' Day speech to the Bloomington Rotaryt club, he said he was worried that MN elections will become more and more fractious: ((If we're going to have 8 people and several dif pol parties -- we now have 4 major parties, with add of taxpayers' party -- we