(00:00:24) Good morning, and welcome to midday on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten glad you could join us. Well today is election day around the state of Minnesota. And while there aren't any Statewide races on the ballot. There are lots of interesting and important local issues being decided today. The polls are open until 8 o'clock tonight will be on the air at 8 tonight with all the election results. So I hope you can tune in. No one of course knows just how today's voting will turn out but let's face it Election Day this year simply can't compare to Election Day last year. It was one year ago that Jesse Ventura was elected governor launching one of the most interesting episodes in Minnesota political history, perhaps you were listening in as the governor-elect spoke to supporters on that wild night at Canterbury Park one year ago. (00:01:15) First of all, And I say the holy town if we can for a minute and I say this very sincere. Thank you. Thank you for renewing my faith that the American dream still lives, you know, it was back in 64 that a hero in an idol of mine named Mohammad Ali beat Sonny Liston. He won he shocked the world. No one said he could do it. Van 12 and in later years. I think it was 1980. We sent a hockey team to the Olympics above a bunch of amateur kids who weren't given a chance. They had to face the Russians who were like professionals. Nobody gave him a chance and what happened they shocked the world. Now it's 1998 and the American dream lives on in Minnesota as we shocked the world. We lead the way in setting the example for the rest of the country that hopefully hopefully the Democrats and the Republicans will take notice now they will stop wait wait, they will stop their partisan Party politics and start doing what's right for the people. Can you know during this campaign? I didn't make a lot of promises because I'm a person that believes that I don't want to make promises that I can't keep but wait wait, but I'm going to make you one simple promise tonight. I will I promise you I will do the best job that I can do. That's that's the only promise that I can make and I think you all know and I hope you believe that I'll do that and thank you and I you know, I'm human I'll probably make mistakes. But let's remember we all make them and if their mistakes from the heart, then you don't have to apologize for them. But this this is just so remarkable. It's truly mind-boggling but the one thing, you know, I never gave up. The faith when when all when all the experts were saying he can't win. He's the spoiler. He's this he's that I kept thinking back. No, that's not true. We can win and we have one (00:04:01) then governor-elect Jesse Ventura with some comments that he made a year ago at Canterbury Park. Well today on. Midday. We're going to take a look back at this first year of the event or Administration and look ahead to what we might expect during year 2 and Beyond during this hour we'll be talking with former Governor Arne Carlson and legislative leaders Roger mole and Steve swing em to get their thoughts on the event or Administration, but we'd also like to hear from you. How would you rate the governor's performance during this first year in office? What are you expecting from? The governor during his second year and during the rest of his term for that matter. What about the challenge that the governor issued to the Democrats and the Republicans have they changed or is Still as the governor would put it Politics as Usual. Give us a call here. Our Twin City area number is 65122762276 thousand 2276 thousand if you're calling from outside the Twin Cities, you can reach us toll-free and that number is 1-800-218-4243 or 1-800 to for to to 828. How would you rate the governor's performance during this first year? What are you looking for during year to that's our question for this hour now joining us is the man who Jesse Ventura replaced his Governor former Governor Arne Carlson who served eight years as governor of the state of Minnesota before deciding not to seek re-election last year Governor. Thanks for joining us delighted in a nutshell. How would you rate governor of Interest performance during his first year? (00:05:37) Well, I don't think it can be rated frankly in a nutshell is as you so graciously put it I think there are several things. Is that come to mind one is he really came in without an agenda? And that makes it very difficult to make any kind of comparisons as he said he made very few promises and the legislative session was largely driven by the legislature itself. When you take a look at the two big events that occurred one was the the rebate and that was set aside by our Administration for rebate purposes. And the other was the income tax which was largely driven by the House Republicans. So Ventura was really a player in the debate but was not quote the player it was not his agenda that the legislature worked off of and I think what we have seen and will continue to see is that will be the legislature that will develop its agenda. The Democrats for instance now are looking at the Privacy issue. They're traveling around the state talking about privacy concerns that will obviously be a part of their agenda. Under the Republicans appear to one another tax cut that will be part of their agenda and the governor basically has announced that he's not going to develop an agenda until the year (00:06:55) 2001. Is that good or bad that he has taken this approach to legislative affairs in terms of rating his performance. (00:07:06) Well, I guess I would come down on the negative side. It seems to me that when you run for public office particularly office of president of the office of Governor. Are you run on an agenda? And if elected you implement that agenda I mean, he's been very critical of both political parties, but he doesn't tell us what he's going to replace it with. And I think it's incumbent upon him to do that. You can't just sit around forever glorifying a political Victory and then condemning both political parties unless you have some kind of a positive agenda and I think that's what he's got to develop and frankly. He should have developed and should have been held accountable for last session and certainly in this (00:07:46) session. Now the one the two things really that the governor has talked about that. He's interested in for the coming legislative session would be to push the unicameral legislative. I pray and then pass a suppose for lack of a better term kind of a baby bonding Bill scaled-down bonding bill. Is that in your mind a sufficient agenda for a second year for Governor (00:08:09) Ventura? Well, I think the fish is sufficient is a qualifying words. I won't get into that but suffice it to say the bond bill is the biggest bill of the session and if he wants a small Bond Bill he's going to have to do two things one is he's Have to be proactive and come out with his bond bill first and then let the legislature know that if they in any way shape or form exceed those targets that he will veto the bill and we'll see if he's willing to play that role. The second part of it is historically Bond bills come in looking like a toothpick and come out looking like a Christmas tree because in order to accumulate the required number of votes, which is a supermajority you make all sorts of concessions to all sorts of systems and regions of the state and the result is you get a higher than expected bonding bill, but overall Minnesota has a AAA Bond rating I believe its capacity is pretty close to 800 2 million dollars possibly as high as a billion and the governor if I recall correctly wants to come in with a smaller bill which would be somewhere in the vicinity of 450 million dollars. So it really would be well for him at least December to come out with his bond Bill and then let's see how the public wants to react to it (00:09:33) the governor in his comments last year at this time and since then as he's repeatedly challenged the dfl and Republican parties to change their ways has his election had any noticeable impact on the two major parties. (00:09:50) Well, what do you mean by (00:09:51) ways? Well, I guess he would say and the partisan bickering to stop voting with political considerations in mind. I guess that would be too I guess (00:10:06) that would be as I've always said I think it's an absurd comment democracy by itself is instituted for the purpose of allowing people to quote bicker. It's called public debate. We need public debate. We need quality public debate. I think it's healthy that were discussing issues and we have a right to have AB differences of opinions. I think it's healthy that political parties disagree with each other that's all part of the debate process. I think what would be healthy would be for the governor to come up with his agenda and enter to the debate on a positive thoughtful way. I think that would make a make a significant contribution to the quality of the debate but to sit around and say there shall be no debate and when there is call it bickering I don't think that flies. I mean what do people think democracy is if it isn't for the right of people to respectfully (00:10:59) disagree? Okay. Thanks Governor. (00:11:02) I'm always delighted but let me just say this if I may I think one of the things that would be very helpful because I understand where the governor wants to go. But is to elevate the quality of the public debate. I think that's really what the incumbent upon it because we're going through right now all over the United States is because of our prosperity we tend to trivialize Public Service statements that go on challenge anybody can do it. No anybody cannot do it. This is not Amateur hour, when you go into surgery you want a highly competent experienced qualified surgeon to operate on you. You don't want a candy striper come in on the grounds that that individual is hasn't done it before or that lack of experience is a virtue experience is a virtue. I think one of the things that be very helpful be if the governor would sit down in a regular basis with the leadership of the legislature and try to develop a composite of what he would like to accomplish and join in the agenda and identify those areas of agreement and disagreement and then thoughtfully conduct the discourse of the public. That's what leadership is about. Thank you, sir. Always delighted. Thank you. (00:12:15) Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson joining us during this first hour of our midday program. And again, if you just joined us, it's a year. Now since Governor Ventura was elected by the citizens of Minnesota to serve as governor huge huge upset and big surprised everybody Governor Ventura himself admitted. He was little surprised this time last year to find himself elected governor. We thought it would be good today A year later to get your assessment of how the governor has. During his first year and what you'd like to see from the governor during his second year in office and whether or not in your mind the Democrats and Republicans have responded to Governor Ventura has challenged to put the people first when they conduct their business, if you'd like to join our conversation, we'd love to hear from you six five. One two, two seven six thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight 286512276 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight and he's on the line from Afton int. Good morning. How would you rate the governor's performance thus far (00:13:30) substandard? I would say I have a I was certainly surprised last year when he was elected after the shock wore off. My surprise changed I was very very pleased. I was very pleased that Minnesota was Progressive enough and live free minded enough to elect a third-party candidate when friends and relatives from around the country called and said made all their their jokes. I actually defended Jesse Ventura and was very pleased that we had a third party candidate elected. I went into it with a very open mind I said, this is going to be a fun ride and indeed it is but after seeing what he's done and especially how often he puts his foot in his mouth. I'm very disappointed that our third-party third-party politician has to be Jesse (00:14:28) Ventura. What would you like to see the governor focus on now that he's got his first year behind him as he moves forward, but would you like to see from the governor (00:14:37) making some substance substance to have changes in? Body of Life economic issues and really it is my feeling and I think it's many people's feelings that he is really out there promoting himself at the expense of the state. (00:14:58) Can you give us one program or idea that you'd like to see them promulgate for the next year or so? (00:15:05) Well, I'm kind of waiting to see what his so-called big plan is before I can pretty cat. Thanks a lot. Thank you. (00:15:14) Let's move on to another caller joining us this hour to comment on Governor Ventura as performance during year one and look ahead to year to Ron. Thanks for calling in. Hi. How would you rate the governor's performance during his first year? (00:15:29) Well, not very well. I think like many people I had some expectations that he might as a reformer so-called move an agenda head that would be positive but frankly we've seen He's he's taken the the agenda of the established parties and and tried to wrap himself around it. And that's the tax rebate but he's really come up absolutely worth noting that that he can call his own not even I must say even this idea of the unicameral legislature. That's that's been around for a long long (00:16:08) time. Can you give us an idea of what it is that you'd like to hear him propose now that he's entering year to. (00:16:15) Well, you know, I guess the Reform Party platform as enunciated by Dean Berkeley so many times when he was a candidate for various offices at least had some elements in it that that would have moved this data head. He talked a lot about education reform. I think he's talked a lot about Transportation infrastructure improvements, I think. Jesse really hasn't moved that agenda ahead. But in the final analysis right now, we're left without anything from the Reform Party as as with Jesse in charge. And sure I'd like to see him do more in education. I'd like to see him do more with with Transportation. Now, he has put some good people in place. We'll give them credit for that. But as Governor, he's got to do much much more and I must say that I haven't always agreed with Arne Carlson, but his little summation of Jesse I think was right on target. (00:17:19) All right. Thank you, sir. Yep. Appreciate your joining us joining us now is one of the men who worked next to Governor Ventura for much of this past year Senate Majority Leader Roger mole the morning Senator. Good morning Gary. How would you rate the you've seen a lot of Governors come and go over the years. How would you rate governor? Torres performance for a first-year (00:17:45) governor Well, I guess I would break it down into two parts terms of the legislative session. He he he I guess he played a pat hand. He played it the way you should play a pat hand what I mean by that. Of course is that any Governor would love to walk into office with billions of dollars of surplus Revenue that allows you to not only do what we did which was to cut taxes but also to adequately fund the important programs of the state. So he played that out. I thought the way he should have in terms of I think the overall Goodwill with the minnesotans least since that time, I think he has squandered a great deal of political Capital by saying some of the things that he did and Being involved in some of the things that he's been involved with. (00:18:54) What could we reasonably expect from a Governor Ventura during the second year now. What should we be looking for? (00:19:06) Well, you would hope that they would start to put some meat on the bones of the big plan. And if they have particular legislative initiatives that they want out of that they obviously are going to have to get that to the legislature before the years out so that we can start that process so that I think would be important. However, I get the impression that there's not going to be a lot of action during the 2000 session in terms of initiatives from them. So I have to assume that at least based upon some of the indications I'm getting in some of these comments is that my guess is that he's going to continue to kind of bash the legislature and Bash the press that seems to be what is going to be coming out over this next year. (00:20:01) Governor. Carlson suggested that it would be good for Governor Ventura to work more closely with you folks to actually sit down and try to develop some some kind of an agenda. Would you anticipate that that Governor Ventura might be more involved in the legislative goings-on next (00:20:18) session again, that's good advice from Governor Carlson and that is exactly the way the process should work because we all I think all of us bring to the table something all of all the members of the legislature as well as the administration and we everybody knows that you can't do everything not through a combination of factors most of all time. And so what we ought to do is see if we can agree to sum things up front and then process them in an orderly orderly manner that that would be good advice to follow, but I guess I will wait and see if Comes to pass. I I'm not optimistic (00:21:05) finally Senator last year at this time speaking out of Canterbury Park Governor Ventura said that he hoped his election would serve as a as a message to those of you in the dfl party and those of your fellow legislators in the Republican party to kind of change your ways set aside your partisan bickering and and do the people's business has his election had any impact as far as you can see on on the way you folks do your (00:21:33) business. I'd say the impact that he had was. At least I can only speak from the Senate and I got the same sense from the speaker who was advancing the agenda for the house was that there was a real serious effort to try to reach agreement on the important issues that we had before us during the 99 legislative session and to get that get those differences resolved and adjourn on time. We did that. So I'd say he had an influence on that but I'm not sure if he's had any influence on the overall impact or the overall Services of government again are our number one priority is education that hasn't changed. We did some kind of creative things. We set aside the tobacco money, but that was in the works before he was elected governor. So, I mean, I'm not sure if he had an influence on some of the policy but I'm saying Terms of genuine desire to try to get things resolved and do them in the least try to put the partisan bickering aside. I think he's had an influence on that. (00:22:54) Thank Senator appreciate you joining us. Thank you. Very Senate Majority Leader Roger mole joining us during this hour of midday as we rate the governor's performance during his first year in office. Look ahead to number two. It was a year ago this week that Governor Ventura was elected governor of the state of Minnesota. And again, if you'd like to join our conversation love to get your assessment 6512276 thousand outside the Twin Cities 1-800 to for 22828 Angela. How would you rate the governor's (00:23:24) performance? I guess I'm very disappointed with the governor's performance. I just think that the governor has well, I guess two things is speaks to me to the disarray of the democratic party and the Republican party that they're not really speaking to the needs of your common average person. And so I'm very disappointed. Did I believe that he's really used his position and power of influence and ways to promote his own, um kind of status and also in terms of you know, making a lot of money for himself, you know, because he is in the Limelight as governor and will be in the Limelight as (00:23:57) Governor. You lost me just a little bit there Angela. Are you suggesting that the Republicans and Democrats are kind of out of touch but you're saying that the governor is (00:24:08) I think he's using his and I think you know when I shall we put it up I guess when he uses his he's on he's on television, you know frequently, he goes for these interviews and I think you know, he's uses this in some ways to gain a lot. He has some sure getting a lot of money a lot of status from this and he's going to walk out with the governorship a lot richer man. Probably the most of the former governors have like Carlson and perpich simply because he because of his notoriety and I think that you know, that doesn't speak. Well when you know Governor's first spending all his extra time writing books to people, you know, really That really we don't need to hear that kind of detail (00:24:47) Beyond limiting his private activities. What would you like to see him accomplish or at least try to accomplish here in his second year, (00:24:56) I guess what I would like to see him try to accomplish in the second year is I guess I agree sort of a little more of a instead of making kind of wisecracks in one-liners to do the nitty-gritty detailed work of really trying to work for the common good, you know, the citizens of your average working person because I think a lot more could I would love to see him, you know work a little more in the interview a little more from mental health. I would like to since he's the one who promote so much people working for themselves and not expecting government to do so much for them. I would love to see him do a little bit propose a little something for the illegal. Excuse me for the undocumented workers who are here in Minnesota. So many of them are working very very hard to jobs and you know are treated like criminals and they're not and they are not using Social Services of the Of Minnesota, which is always the big fear that they're going to export social services. But in fact just it just to give him some green card where they would have some kind of status here since he promotes people working for themselves and taking care of themselves. (00:25:58) Okay? Okay. Thanks for your call. Sure. We are assessing governor of Interest first year in office during this hour of midday. Looking ahead to year number two and let me give you the number again. All of our lines are busy though. Don't call right now. You'll just get frustrated. But the number would be 6512276 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight get to some more callers in just a couple minutes (00:26:21) programming on NPR is supported by Ecolab dedicated to improving cleaning and sanitation standards for leading Hospitality Healthcare and food processing customers worldwide on the web at Ecolab.com. (00:26:34) Listen. We're celebrating Prairie Home Companion 25th anniversary were Not all the stops. What do you got on the dog and reminding you that we couldn't have done it without your help. So please join us during a special Prairie Home Companion on November 6th at 5 p.m. (00:27:03) Invitation to join us over the noon hour second hour of our midday program. It's off to the National Press Club. We're going to hear from new US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke right now news headlines. Here's Kathleen Helena. Thanks Gary. The Coast Guard is worried about bad weather. So it's stepping up its search in the Egypt air crash crews are searching the waters off Nantucket where the plane went down Sunday authorities have found only one body and some wreckage. So far President Clinton is meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders today in Oslo Norway during a ceremony earlier Clinton urged both sides to honor the memory of former Israeli leader. Yitzhak rabin's by completing a final peace treaty being was assassinated four years ago. The Senate has passed the last spending bill for the fiscal year that began last month and it's headed to the White House for a veto President Clinton opposes. The way Congress has allocated money for education and he doesn't like the bills across the board cuts. A CBS News producer is being held. Contempt of court in the Texas dragging death trial of Sean. Barie. Mary Mapes had been ordered to hand over outtakes from an interview of bury. The judge says Mapes won't have to report to jail until a hearing on her appeal later this week Governor Ventura has landed in Tokyo where he begins a 10d trade Mission Ventura answered questions from a small group of Japanese reporters who met the plane and to her begins his first full day in Japan tomorrow with some sightseeing dry weather is helping Farmers wrap up harvesting but the dry weather also has them worried about next year the weekly Minnesota crop report indicates many farmers are concerned about the lack of moisture for next Spring's crops. They're hoping for a couple of inches of rain before the ground freezes. Mostly sunny skies are forecast today winds will be brisk. Hi should range from 35 near Duluth 248 near Worthington in the Twin Cities. It will be sunny and windy through the day with a high around 40. To this is our in Duluth. It's partly sunny 32 Rochester sunny and 36 Fargo-Moorhead Sunny 34 in the Twin Cities. It's sunny and 38 Gary. That's the latest out of The Newsroom. Thanks Kathleen 25 minutes before noon. This is midday on Minnesota Public Radio. This hour We're assessing Governor. Jesse Ventura has first year as governor of Minnesota. He was elected a year ago this week looking ahead to year number two as well interested to find out what what you folks would like to see the governor do during his second year and Beyond joining us now is how speaker Steve swag? Mm. Of course who's been working with the governor for the last year morning mr. Speaker. Good morning Gary. How would you rate the governor's performance so far? (00:29:46) Well, I certainly passable grades from the standpoint of you know, the results the product of the legislative session Gary. There are some things I think in each of us that we'd like to change. I know I know my wife would like to change some things in my actions, but I I think that the governor certainly would deserve a passing grades from the product of the session all those, you know, you have to judge some of the actions and the words that he has chosen to use in a highly critical way. I would (00:30:18) think what could we reasonably expect from the governor during his second year now. (00:30:24) Oh boy as we look into this next year. I'm hoping that the governor will focus a lot more in the policy aspects of state government that become more involved in setting his agenda Gary working with the House and Senate with the majority leader and the the Senate dfl majority the house Republican majority in the house to move forward a product in Minnesota and become engaged in that process from the beginning not just at the end of the legislative session to break some log jams, but but to actually work with with legislators from with people all over the state on an agenda from the beginning of the session (00:30:59) Republicans and Democrats alike pledged after governor. Toro was elected pledged to work with them. Not not try to sabotage him. Do you expect that same kind of cooperation going forward? (00:31:14) I think so, you know that certainly was a strong message given to us by the citizens of the state last November a year ago at this time, you know to kind of get rid of the old partisan Politics the Republicans against Democrats Democrats against Republicans Democrats against reform, whatever it may be and I think that we heard that message and I believe that that certainly carried through with a with a strategy of the session of last year. Now as we look into the next year Gary, no doubt the governor has probably strained that relationship somewhat both with the actions in the words of this last summer all the way from the Summer Slam to the Playboy interviews to the potential conflict of interests that has come forward but you know, he still kind of continually tries to blame, you know the ledge. Slate your are the legislative processes are Republicans and Democrats and at some time or another Gary that that wears a little bit thin. So, you know, I would like to see the governor maybe have an attitude of working with the legislature rather than maybe just hitting on the legislature (00:32:20) and the governor has indicated that at this point anyway, his big priority next year is going to be to get the unicameral legislature legislative idea before voters. Is that sufficient a sufficient legislative agenda you think for a second (00:32:36) year I would say it is not I would say it is lacking, you know, as we look into this next session of the year 2000. There's a lot more things that need to be on our plate. Obviously that bonding bill will be the biggest issue we deal with but our clock is going to have an agenda of another tax cut of rural economic development of dollars for transportation for Transit and roads and bridges and I think that the governor needs to broaden his agenda. I'm just the unicameral single house legislature, by the way, which Gary I do support and I think would be very positive from the standpoint of accountability in the state. But but that in itself is not enough of an agenda for the upcoming (00:33:16) session. Thank you, sir. Appreciate your joining us. Thank you, Gary Minnesota house Speaker. Steve swag. I'm joining us. Lots of callers are on the line with their assessment of the governor's first year and look ahead to year number two of the been to our Administration Phil. How would you rate the governor? (00:33:33) I give him an A plus for the way, he's done in his first (00:33:35) year. This is Phil Mattson, isn't it? Yep working closely with the governor through the past year. What would you like to see the governor focus on now during the second year (00:33:48) well before we get into that, let me respond to a couple of things at some of the career politicians have said and that's the point. I want to make Carlson said the governor Arne Carlson said earlier that you don't want just anybody running for office. What's new in Minnesota this year? The fact that we have a non career politician in the governor seat in the capital and things are significantly different the facts have not changed since the legislature adjourned earlier this year and at that time I can recall all kinds of people talking about how productive the session had been and how masterful Governor Ventura had been in in working with the legislature. And now time has passed the facts have not changed but people are saying different things there at least, you know, the legislative leadership is and when I hear them talking about wanting to work with the legislative legislators early what I really hear I'm saying is, you know, I want the governor to tip his hand early. I don't want him to Outfox this this time like he did US last time and you know, he did work well with the legislators, I mean with the tax rebate was was Aventura initiative the tax cut the Republicans help to increase that the governor, you know worked with them and they came to agreement their Light Rail Transit and class. Class size reductions the Democrats worked with the governor on those issues. So the notion that the governor is not working with the legislature is I don't see any basis for quite frankly going ahead this bonding bill that he's proposing. The basic idea behind it is is he wants a pork free bonding Bill. He's talking about bonding for Statewide initiatives and he's talking about getting under control all of these little special bonding projects that legislators like to bring home to their districts, but may not be in the best interest of the state overall and only a non career politician who does not have designs on a political career would have the courage to take that kind of a position. So it's going to be a rough year in the legislature this year because there's going to be a lot of pork that's going to come under the gun and it's interesting to see how the Democrats and Republicans are positioning themselves knowing that that's going to be the reality (00:35:57) one last quick question for you filled in I want to get on to some other callers here there were people who were Assume that because Governor Ventura was coming from the outside that he was a member of the Reform Party and so on that he was going to really shake up state government big changes. Are you at all disappointed that there haven't been more huge changes in the way state government operates. (00:36:22) Not at all. The first step was to get his feet on the ground. He's only gone through one session and this is the first of a four-year term and what he accomplished in his first year when you look at what's happened both in the administration with you know, in one case two agencies were Consolidated their he's meeting with the cabinet. He got high praise for the way his cabinet was established and the quality of people that are there the tax rebate was the first light rail Transit has been languishing for 20 years. Finally something got done with that with the governor and office. So he's making things happen next time around he's going to be talking about unicameral and a pork free bonding Bill. Those are exactly the kind of changes that you read about. You know, Rome wasn't built in a day and Not going to turn a huge ship of State like Minnesota opera on a dime. But if his first term in office or his first year in office is any indication. I think we're going to see more and substantive changes coming down the road. Thanks for joining us. (00:37:17) Thank you. So Madsen who was a webmaster relief for the Ventura campaign. Patricia joins us from Bemidji a Patricia. How would you rate the governor's performance? (00:37:28) I would say aye he's done a good job. He's been honesty honesty is refreshing my enjoy your show Gary. So thank you for letting me talk Ventura was the People's Choice and I have to believe that Minnesota should be happy with their choice happy that he has stood where he said he would stand. I know everyone might not agree where he stands, but typically I would have been a republican supporter. I could not I did not feel I would but I could live with the choice that was offered and He has done a good job, you know people say they can criticize him but yet, where would we be if one of the other candidates had been in office, (00:38:12) what would you like to see the governor focus on now during his second year and beyond (00:38:16) that. Well, my choice of course is always a stand against abortion and that's why I voted for him. He does. He has not made a stand. I think if he does make a stand I would of course choose he would go against pre-birth murder, but I can at least accept him not making a stand if he does take a stand on it. Then I would think that that would greatly hurt his chance of being elected if he chooses to run again and I did want to say about the year 2000. I hear a lot of people saying well, he should make a choice make a decision. You know, show us his platform. Well, I think year 2000 has to be carefully watched that no expansive work should take place. Until we as a state. We as a nation know of all the problems that may arise from it. And I think the governor is wise to be conservative in his attitude of waiting and seeing what's the best course to take for us for our minnesotans and I think that (00:39:22) Patricia I'm going to move along here to another caller but I appreciate your (00:39:26) comments. I was then I suppose just going to say I'm happy with my choice. Thanks so (00:39:31) much. Thank you. Let's move on to Ken who's on the line from Cambridge. Good morning, Ken. Hi Gary. How would you rate the governor's first year? (00:39:39) I would probably give him about a C+ and I think part of the reason for that is is frankly, I think Governor Carlson raise the bar a little bit. He had eight pretty darn good years. But I did see a couple of things that I'd like to change in Jesse's modus operandi I guess one is is you know, when he first came on he sort of reveled in his celebrity status and and initially I think that was a good thing. It's sort of raised Minnesota's awareness around the country, but I think that's gone on long enough and I wish now that he would show a little bit more reserved and no. Mr. Matson says he's been very involved with the legislature. I guess. I don't quite see that. So I'd like to see him get a little bit more engaged in that way. The other thing is that His agenda for this session. If I were going to remake it one thing I would include a beef campaign Finance reform. That's something that Jesse's talked about, but I haven't seen any movement on yet. And I think that would be a real big plus for him with a lot of minnesotans. If you would do that (00:40:45) very quick comment from you. Can the other thing that the governor noted last year at this time speaking out of Canterbury Park that we heard earlier this hour he challenged the Republicans and Democrats to write actually change their ways set aside the partisan bickering. Do you sense that that has occurred? (00:41:04) Well, you know Governor Carlson disagreed said we need good debate and he's right but I think what Jesse wanted them to do was stop the name-calling, you know, liberals and religious right and all that and to stop the kind of political maneuvering that goes on the legislature for political gain blocking certain bills and other bills to get something else through when you know, that bill a is a good For everybody in should go through sometimes things are held hostage for political gain. And I think we've had enough of that. (00:41:33) Okay. Thanks Ken. Yeah, thank you. Let's move on to Andre who is on the line from Hastings? Good morning. (00:41:39) Good morning, Gary and thank you very much for taking my call your assessment. I think he's got a lot to learn about being a governor and my biggest concern is it appears to me? Especially when he's out trying to promote the state of Minnesota that he really doesn't go prepared. He doesn't really understand and know the Minnesota situation an example of that is he's currently now trying to promote Minnesota in Japan and when he was asked the question, what does Minnesota have to offer he said? Well we have pork and we also have anything else that you'd want in a sort of has it all. I mean he speaking in generalities when He has the opportunity to really be very specific about what Minnesota has to offer. It appears. He's not really prepared to do that and consequently. I think he just speaks out and says things that are getting really don't look good for governor that represents a state of Minnesota. (00:42:48) Is there any one thing that you'd like to see the governor promote or try to pass during the second year or even beyond (00:42:56) that? I really feel that as a nation. Our biggest problem is our farm crisis, and this is you know, we are the food built for the world and if we don't do something to assist our farmers, and I don't mean throw a few bucks at them and say well now, you know, we expect you to be here next year for us. That's like putting a Band-Aid underwater won't stick. (00:43:26) Thanks, honey. (00:43:27) Appreciate it (00:43:28) move on to Sarah who joins us from Minneapolis morning Sarah. Hi. How would you rate the governor during year (00:43:34) one dismal I would say but the question I'm really more interested in is what you're asking about the effect of having a third party reform candidate as our governor, you know kind of a precedent-setting thing Nationwide and the thing that really concerns me about that is if you look at how Ventura was elected he was elected as a pop-culture candidate. He was elected as you know, Jesse The Body Jesse the Mind Jesse the action figured all you know, however, you want to say that and I think it's it's a real shame because there are some real Third Party politics in this country that have much more substantive things to offer and that if the if the message is getting out from than Torres governorship is that you have to be this pop culture figure in order to get around. What are absolutely the enormous Names of the big two parties that's not a good message and that's what concerns me (00:44:32) most. He has three more years to go. Is there any one thing that you'd like to see him focus on here in the next year next two (00:44:40) years? Well sure. I mean, I think that there's some very important issues living wage issues support of higher education. I'm particularly concerned about the way in which the president of the University of Minnesota is thinking that beautifying the campuses what is going to upgrade the quality of Education there. I'd like to see the governor get more involved in seeing that, you know, some of the money that's getting spent on big buildings is also spent on better programs. So I think there's some very important things that need to be done. (00:45:08) Thanks for your call. Next caller is from Farmington CJ. Thanks for calling in. (00:45:15) Yeah. Good morning, Gary. Thanks for taking my (00:45:17) call. We don't have a lot of time but I'd like to get your assessment of the governor (00:45:21) first-rate. Sure. I think rhetorically I would probably give them a pretty good grade. In action, probably not so good. It seems his rhetoric doesn't match up too much often times with his (00:45:34) rhetoric how so (00:45:36) well, I take the business with the with the tax rebate and tax cutting. It seems as though he ran on a platform and in general seem to be very sympathetic to taxpayers and reducing Tech the burden on the taxpayers when when the legislative session open. However, it just it just felt like he was very very reluctant to actually open the purse strings back up to the taxpayers (00:46:08) looking ahead. What would you like to see him focus on the second (00:46:10) year. Well, I think to the extent that his his initiatives on as mr. Madsen was saying cutting some of the pork out of the budget and to the extent that those can reduce the size and the intrusiveness of the I think that's probably where is best focus should be (00:46:30) okay. Thanks for your call CJ. Thank you. One last caller before we wrap up this hour Eric and like you're going to get the last word. How would you rate the governor's (00:46:38) performance? I'd say he's been doing a fine job. I think his policies and what he's been saying is I thought it was to be a to be expected. He's been doing a good job. He's been speaking his mind and I'd say you can't expect too many things to happen is first year. I mean, it's his first time in a position this high up and he's learning the ropes and I'd say is doing a good (00:47:00) job bar higher for year number (00:47:02) two. Oh, I'd say as it as he moves on in a second and then it was third year that you'll start to see more things happening and I think people's minds will change again. (00:47:13) What would you like to see him focus on during the next year? (00:47:16) Um, I'd say you should focus on whatever is in front of him and whatever he thinks he should do a good job on I personally would like to see him maybe change a little bit of things in the schools that are having a harder time. Monday through 12. I don't think higher education is much of an issue as some people make it out to be that it is important for people but it's K through 12 needs to work (00:47:37) first. All right. Thanks for your call Eric. Thank you. Unfortunately, we are out of time during this hour of our midday program like thank all of you who've been listening this hour, especially those of you who called in or trying to call in with your comments. Of course our coverage. Will the governor of the governor rather will certainly continue during year to he's out in Japan right now and Martin cos T is with him and sort of public radio reporter and we'll keep you posted on the governor's visit to Japan while we have a moment an invitation to join us at 8:00 tonight. It's election night again this year and will be on the air 810 denied with all the election results. So hope you can tune in. You're invited to a special performance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Loft Mentor series selected shorts (00:48:20) brings its radio series from New York to the (00:48:22) Twin Cities for an evening at the Fitzgerald theater Sunday, November (00:48:26) 7th. (00:48:27) Join host Isaiah Sheffer and nationally known authors from the mentor series for a live performance (00:48:32) tickets are available through the (00:48:34) Fitzgerald box office at 6'5 1290 1221 MPR and Loft members receive a discount over the noon hour. It's off to the National Press Club for new UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.