The rest of this hour we're going to talk with our political analyst about the race for governor joining us today. Do you have Tyler Bob me can Republican Nancy long late, and we invite you to join our conversation as well like to get your reaction to the debate. You've just been listening to give us a call 227-6020 area number to 276 thousand. I'll try the Twin Cities 1 800 to +422-828-227-6000 or 800-242-2828 and we'll get started right after station identification.listen for a series of reports examining the progress of welfare reform in Minnesota each day next week on Morning Edition and all things considered the series starts Monday here on Minnesota Public Radio know FM 91.1 You're listening to Minnesota Public Radio. We have a sunny Sky now. It's 63° at Kinder W FM 91.1 Minneapolis. And Saint Paul should be sunny and Breezy all afternoon with a high approaching 70° clear skies are forecast for tonight with a low 45 to 50 partly cloudy with a high 65 to 70 tomorrow. Then there's rain likely on Sunday. We have been joined here in the studio by political analyst Nancy Longley and Bob Meek talking about the race for governor here in the state of Minnesota and again an invitation for those of you who've been listening to the debate to give us a call with your reactions comments to to the debate you been listening to 2276 thousand or one 802-422-8285 Nancy. Thanks for coming in today. Thank you could be here. First of all, are these debates a good guide to what kind of Governor these men would make or do they just indicate? What kind of Debaters they are why I like the debate. So this is the third one that I've listened to and the decent part about it is that we are slowly putting some real information on the table debate by debate sort of flushing out the stances and the differences between the candidates today it seemed. What's a lot of Jessie versus norm and employ Norm tried? I think to underscore is it Jessie has a violently different concept of and role for government than Democrats and Republicans at least moderate Republicans switch Norm claims to be have to work with historically where government does have a role in job creation and in building the economy in and seeing the people have jobs excetera and he called the Jesse's notion that the government should stay out of that that was up to the private sector. He called it observed and ridiculous. I think they are clarifying some differences and I think if I could associate 1 Word with each of these different candidates, I think it kind of gives you a sense and Jesse came across very much as an anti-government gubernatorial candidate. Mr. Humphrey. Came across pretty much. Is one who was someone that had a program for a lot of different needs for the for the community and Amir Coleman came across as someone that really believed in public-private Partnerships and economic development. So I think that there was very clearly some themes that kept coming through for each different Canada and I think that tells people something else from time to time but you need sensor that you folks who picked up on as to how the campaign is actually unfolding out there and can Minnesota to me. It's it's a slow campaign year one. We have new people on the ballot Maine work have very few and compensate with the exception of the state auditor Judy Dutcher work trying to introduce just a whale of a lot of new people to to the state and I think I've read to cyndy brucato with the, campaign. You don't see Norm Coleman around it between cities because he's out introducing himself around the famous L the area where Republicans in the western and southern parts of the state need to get to know Coleman as a candidate this sort of introductory. Has been I think elongated I buy a couple factors won the campaign took off the latest possible date. We never had it a primary. We can have a primary really any later than September 15th second. You did have the untimely death of Muriel Humphrey which postponed things for about a week. Third. You've got all this garbage at Flowing out of Washington and sort of filling up that political mindspace that's available. I think it has taken off slowly. I would expect nor Coleman for example to kick I don't know this after this evening with some ads. I saw the Humphrey 1/2 starting earlier this week and and and I read in the paper this morning the norm veredicto. Jesse Ventura can't get a loan that even Ross Perot is turned him down. So if there are some very real fact is kind of holding back and activecampaign equally in terms of a lot of the of the whole the Washington issue that that is really taking up a lot of space and I think it's it's discouraging a lot of people to to follow what's going on politically. I also think that that kind of drawing yours your first question with in terms of the debates. I think that the debates are are showing that mr. Humphrey does not do as well in those debate sessions and not that he's not a good debater, but that it's clear that he is kind of a one-note Johnny and it seems to be the problem. Transitioning and he can't get off that note. And so as as we focus down into the the election day, I think we're going to see Norm coming across a lot stronger in the number one. He is getting his message out there about jobs and taxes and those kinds of things and secondly, he will be butter seen that with his advertising campaign and I think that mr. Humphries campaigns with you're basically saying you can vote for me trust me. I'm a nice guy and I've got some good programs for it. I don't think that's going to resonate with more orders. And I think that he is that coupled with the fact that I think his campaign staff and his closest advisers are I getting a little nervous about putting him on on the debate stage with the other two candidates. He has is really going to start to propel Norm Coleman higher. Well, it is not surprisingly is is a Democrat 8. I see you differently the debate that was broadcast recently on Almanac very heated exchanges between the candidates Humphrey was throwing off quips one way and another two to the candidates. I I thought he seemed very gubernatorial and in that discussion. So I think a little bit of the who's doing well courses is in the eyes of the beholder the the natural situation here is sin Humphrey is the public FrontRunner. Although I doubt it's anything like these initial polls is going to be attracting the attacks of of the other candidates. That's just normal. Now the irony is that since people particularly in the media see Humphrey as someone who I possibly could be there next Governor here in Minnesota that Demand on Humphrey has been a lot stronger than it has been on Coleman or Ventura for instance. Humphrey has had the issue a budget and I I did hear Norm Coleman remarks that it really isn't about you. But in truth if you write down where you're going to spend additional money and and how you're going to spend your money and then you write down where you're going to get it from which is what Humphrey and low have done. I would call that a budget now, mr. Coleman and mr. Ventura just managed to duck that issue entirely. I don't think Jesse mentors going to be Governor. So restricted Norm Coleman for a second he says Well, I'm just going to take the 23 billion dollars state budget that's already there. And then I'm going to give 3 billion plus worth of tax cuts. And then he has a list of some hundreds of millions of dollars of additional new programs, which he has laid out in the Star Tribune. The Pioneer Press the Duluth News Tribune 10 million hair 170 million there 24 million somewhere else. Now. That's the question that if you want to take Norm Coleman, it's a serious candidate and I really think it's a coin toss as to whether he would be governor. What is where is it going to get that money? How do you take the present 23 billion dollar budget that is balanced give another 3 billion dollars in tax breaks and then pursue several hundred million dollars worth of spending program. And I think the least as Norm Coleman comes up in the polls, which I think we will see from the the public to the newspapers the NPR politics cetera. I think that question will be asked more and more Nancy actually have a record to run on I think most people 5 6 7 years ago would have said the same Paul could never have cut taxes again. I'm on the city resident and I still am astounded that our taxes have gone down every year and he's got taxes every year. So I think he does have a record to run on and I think that and particularly with the the people that look at those numbers the voters that look, Get those numbers the most there. They have that since they have that understanding that he's got that number one that record and number to you know, I think that that all natural candidates have to set out. Here's what my here's my ceiling that I'm going to to work with. And again, he's the only candidate that can actually say I've been cutting taxes so that that issue number one, but number two I want to go back again to this whole concept of how the campaigns are going because I think one of the things that I thought was very clearly came out of the ceiling debate and that was that that this was should have been skipped country. You know, it's it's the 8th District that has traditionally historically been a very strong dfl strong and I think that it coming out of this debate and I and of course it is always in the eye of the beholder but it was skip was a clear loser here simply because it was his territory. He didn't do well. And despite his you know, alluding to to his funeral historical relationship there despite his talking about government programs. He still did not resonate with those voters. The other thing I thought was very interesting those that you know you reference the media Bob. Certainly Jesse Ventura got the got the headlines got coming out of that debate, but the amazing thing about it was is that Jesse Ventura was in the 8th District. He didn't know who the IEEE RB was he didn't know that the speaker most are the Senator McConnell was actually not the Speaker of the House. You didn't know that this is not an area that it did can't stand government involvement. They're not anti-government up there. So he clearly, you know, there's been talk. I've heard rumors that is actually 80% Jesse's audience. There were kids. It's showing update musically to see a movie star II really questioned. Despite the headlines. How much how well he did up there at? He probably did himself some damage. But the clear Loser coming out of that was Skip and let me make one more comment on that Norma. This is kind of a beautiful beautiful situation for candidates be in because Norm didn't have to wind up there and get away. I think I think you did because he had the opportunity to to get his messages out and in a very comfortable fashion number of callers on the line as well with this. I'm reactions to the debate if you'd like to join them to 276 thousand or one 800-242-2828 Jim going to place. Hi. How you doing? Just fine. Good. Okay, first of all, I'd like to say that I'm Norm Coleman clinched it for me my votes going for Jesse Ventura and that's all there is to it. And if everybody else that I've talked to that has been considering voting for him feels the same way. He does stand a chance of winning this election. What do most of the people let me ask you this gym. This is a question. It comes up a lot of the people that that you know are supporting Jesse I do they usually both are they going to vote in? A lot of them will be voting in this election a lot of a lot of the people that I speak with and I'm in sales I travel the whole Northwestern part of the state of the people that I speak with feel that this is a very important election. I've spoken to a lot of people that are just tired of the Democrat and Republican party problems and want somebody that's going to govern its that's a real person instead of a member of a party. Thanks for your call. Call Sue. Yes, you're on here taking my call. I came into this is a voter who was very undecided and just listening to the debate. Going to vote for Ventura. The main reason is is the media. First of all seems to think that whoever won. The My Three Sons race was The Heir Apparent and Skip Humphrey to me. So incredibly boring. It's the same old thing. He's not offering anything new. He does not excite me and I had high hopes for Norm Coleman same thing with him. They're the same record on a different tune. And at least Jesse will admit if he doesn't know something he'll admit that he You know doesn't know about everything but he's willing to learn and I think it's time for the government Minnesota have a little kick in the pants. The other thing is that I noticed you're one, two are there I don't mean this is criticism cuz he certainly not the only one that I heard him use the term violently with Jesse Ventura and I found it interesting that he would say you violently have different views and he's not a violent man and I find it interesting that that added it would get stuck to him and I'll hang out now just listen. Thank you. I guess she was referring to you. I don't recall you saying that but but clearly It does appear are you folks so grossly both parties grossly underestimated. Just how popular mr. Been to her is going to be I don't election day. He is a perfect candidate for the times when we have people just really upset over the kind of antics that are taking place in Washington. And when at home we we basically seem to be in a a prosperous condition. Jesse Ventura has a lot of I wouldn't I don't think ever use the word violent with him, but I would use the word simple simple and direct answers to questions that are perhaps a little more complicated. Let me also to repeat that. I think that that Jesse is a good lightning rod many diseases and if that attracts more people to vote, I think we're all for that my fear with a Jesse Ventura Is that you know while I think that the community colleges and the rest should be no work with business to do all kinds of wonderful job training don't really believe that the office of Governor is a great place for people to learn on the job are just too many demands. There's too many crises that take place I think for you know, Jesse to get his feet wet there an answer you use you cited before the fact that Jesse Ventura was not familiar with the I Triple R B that he had Rodger mobile as the house speaker instead of the Senate Majority Leader, isn't it possible that people really don't care about all that quote inside or stuff on foot. I think that's true. But respond to your question originally which was are the two candidates under estimating are the two parties under estimating his appeal. Yeah. I think they are and in the reason I think it's important is that in this extraordinary volatile political climate? No one knows from day-to-day what could happen National and I think that does have an impact, you know, a lot of times these races are decided, you know, when the last couple of weeks whoever's got momentum. And so I think that it's critical that that that both of them and certainly from my perspective that mare Coleman really begins to Define what Jesse Ventura would be like is a governor and I think that might my comment about the Archer Barbie earlier was was indicative of that. I mean, here's a gentleman that is very much and he's got the retaliate 98 Kia slogan. This is not a Terminator re7. This is not at this is not WrestleMania 98 Jesse. This is about governing and in in minnesotans have a tradition here despite our tradition of other parties. We also have a tradition of a public-private Partnerships of good government. I think Minnesota's Pride themselves on that and I'm not sure that that's meant Mr. Ventura's. Approach and I think that the mayor Coleman needs to begin to Define how people could expect him Ventura to act as Governor. I want you to know how much I have appreciated listening to all the debate and watching them on Channel 8 as well as over the radio. I would like to comment on this. I am 61 years old and I'm 40 miles north of Duluth and I have been to caucus meetings. Now when I go to a Caucus meeting we get to do something called draft and amendments voicing Our concern. You know, what happens to this is busy work. Can you imagine who looks at this girl who really cares what we wrote down or what we had to say. It's the same thing as when you were applauding GIF, please budget what difference does it make I cannot name a candidate in the whole United States ever submitted a budget and then he was held to it or it made any Different other than busy work Jesse Ventura has struck a chord with the people as simple as this man Mikey he has struck a court and it is a very important and I want to say a whole bunch of things and I'm trying to editorialize myself or just hold it back. But I think when you're talking about Jesse, you get the intellectualizing and you get this Upper Crust atmosphere in your voice and you start to talk about him and you're talking about us the majority of the voters and remember the silent majority. And so please remember that I'm fascinated by that all the colors have talked about. Mr. Ventura. And the thing that is so us down to me is this this kind of irony in this juxtaposition between what's going on federally this disgruntlement with the Republican Congress. At the same time they are supporting Jesse Ventura and the thing is amazing to me about that is that Jesse Ventura's language in verbage and toning and all that? It is rhetoric is very similar to the more radical republican Congress people in 1994. And so so it is such an irony that that so many people are supporting him and I think what it would it's telling me is that there that people are very frustrated with Politics as Usual and I certainly can understand that but if you don't nut it it ought not to diminish how they look at who's going to be a better governor. And you know, maybe they'll ultimately choose Jesse Ventura. What I would suggest is think about some of the more radical freshman Republicans elected 1994, and I don't think that's what folks want. Michael you're coming. Thanks. I had a couple comments. The first one is I don't know if it's all of you caught it or not. But toward the end of the debate when the moderator a woman address the three gentlemen and told them that they could make their final comments. She said, mr. Humphrey will go first and then mr. Coleman and then Jessie that that was how she worded it. I thought this is very interesting. It's kind of an unintentional but very candid look at how minnesotans I think of you the race. I'm not decided yet who I will vote for but the fact that we see him we see the candidates as mr. Humphrey and mr. Coleman and Jesse and I think that that's just even to his appeal and I would I would suggest that although I do understand that your female gets their the comment that she just made that you know, we have to look at who would be best and I think the underlying assumption there is that government experience would be better for minnesotans. I would say that a lot of minnesotans after having seen the quality of government in recent years are prepared to allow someone to come into the office who maybe would have to learn as they go but someone do they can count on to be sincere to be forthright and to you know, delegate things that they're not familiar enough with and so I think those are some of the appealing things to people regarding Jesse Ventura and that maybe this is a sort of a turning point in Minnesota where people are going to be willing to say, you know, we've tried so many of these career candidates let's let's give someone new a shot even if arguably they do have things to learn about a positions in government and some of the government details support for Jesse is coming through loud and clear the other side. We have a lifetime politician serving in the offices after office and governing for his whole life as governor of Minnesota. You know, Arne Carlson 30 years plus in government has a 70% approval rating. He's running the state with a balanced budget with unemployment in the to 3% level. He's a liberal on social issues that I think are important to minnesotans and he's a conservative work comes to financial issues. So yes at the you know, giving Jesse his do he he's he's a very interesting person in the campaign, but I wouldn't then automatically say that minnesotans do not like career politicians. In fact 70% of them think that the Career politician of all-time Arne Carlson is just fantastic. We've been focusing on Jesse Ventura the personality Jesse Ventura. The candidate is it turns out this hour seems to be the overwhelming response of people who have been calling in. Anyway, are there any issues that seem to be catching fire during this campaign or is it all over the lot know it as matter fact, I think that is one of the reasons the Jessie factor is such a critical one at least judging by today's phone calls. And that is that that I think Mary Coleman would say his platform really is about jobs jobs jobs. That's how you open to debate and he talks about cutting taxes and and returning more money to to to the families of Minnesota. I think would Woodward we're breaking down here is that for whatever reason that is not resonating with that Core group of people who are the so-called Swing Vote and he's not getting his message across as strongly. He is he is he has been known to do in the past. He's really strong as its st. Paul mayoral candidates. And so I think he needs to do that. I also think he needs to to put to put mr. Ventura to Camp with his feet to the fire. He needs to be able to say Jesse. How are you going to do these things instead of Jesse's kind of mock response always seems to be you know government doesn't have a role in this area is all it's all with the private sector won't let you know that that's not going to cut it. We have to we have to move forward forward in terms of can you define how what that relationship is going to be then he doesn't do that on the other hand. I'm not clear yet what his exact same is a alloy just talked a lot about affordable health care and education. And so and I think people are pretty clear on what that is. So bye-bye Tuesday see any defining issues shaping up out there the the number one issue and and it was settled a bit. Well before the primary began. It's taxes in the end. That's why you have Jesse saying I'll never meet attacks that I like. You can be assured of that. I'll just meet on the mall and then you have norm and Skip saying, you know, read my proposal. You know, I'm I'm going to do a targeted tax cuts. If your skip plus property tax relief and if your Coleman I'm going to do income tax cuts and and they're going to be significant and there's they have heard that message delivered to them in person. If it came as a result of having a 4 billion dollars worth of surplus and taxpayers want that that money back. So tax is number one number two issue I think is education and that it is is the issue that Jesse also, which I thought very effect. Attacking Norm Coleman on again today, which was I think your statement was after Norm said well might my kids go to religious schools and and Jesse came back and said, you know the pasta when you're going to send people into war is would you send your children in the test about the school says would you send your kids to the public schools? I mean there is an argument being played out also between Humphrey and Coleman over where the the emphasis should be on education funding and that is something that Coleman has been variously in his career supported vouchers. And now he says he doesn't but in the debate it was kind of interesting when when Humphrey said I'll take the big Vito pain and get rid of any voucher bill that comes to my desk and Jessie. Agreed Norm came up with a a wonderful non-answer what which was it doesn't snow in July in Minnesota, and I've I've lived in Minnesota my whole life and I don't do a lot snow anytime of the year in porcelain just about out of time here, but the quick preview from both of you as to what we can expect from the candidates now or we're we're less than a month away from the election. What do what should we look for here? And Norm is going to be continued to be more aggressive and he'll be enrolling his advertising campaign and stressing jobs odds of getting money back to families and in his experience in in cutting taxes kind and sweet ads or attack ads so far. They're they're pretty nice and gentle from what I understand. Bob I think the Republican campaign has been underestimated understated weather purposely or or you know by accident they have more money but by far in terms of their their party organization and and their efforts and I think normal that much stronger candidate then he is so far been been given credit for he clearly is on the attack. He's been on the attack in in the debates and and he's going to have to take that into the media as as well. They however have not had a great deal of luck with their negative ads against Humphrey so far. I think this is a bad climate to be behind in and to rely on negative ads and very briefly since we've spent so much time talking about Jesse Ventura. He's having trouble getting money for his ad campaign. Is that really going to hurt him or is he so well-known that it just doesn't matter that much. Oh, I I I think it does hurt him. I mean I I think with the Ross Perot in the folks and quit your whining. We are going to give you any money. I mean, I I would Jesse sue for non-support so much for joining us. We're out of time. Sorry by Meek who is Nancy Longway Republican talking this hour about the campaign for governor here in the state of Minnesota reminder on Monday here on. Midday. We're going to hear from the candidates again. They're participating in a forum on education Sunday night at the University of st. Thomas and will be broadcasting that conversation starting at 11 Monday here on Minnesota public radio programming on Minnesota Public Radio is supported by Potlatch producing fine coated paper and building products in Minnesota for nearly a century and programming an NPR supported by the Catholic Community Foundation celebrating 5 years of service a promise to Future Generations that does it for our mid-day program today Gary I can hear thanks for joining us sleep reduce. Bar program Sarah Meyer we had help this week from Carrie Dwyer Steve Griffith a near Adel and Bob Keller hurt. Again, thanks for joining us today and make sure you join us on Monday won't you on the next All Things Considered will look at the support behind Reform Party candidate for governor, Jesse Ventura. Is he attracting new voters or defectors from other parties? It's all things considered weekdays at 3 on Minnesota Public Radio Kano W FM 91.1 You're listening to Minnesota Public Radio. We have a sunny sky 63° at Contra W FM 91.1 Minneapolis. And st. Paul sunny and Breezy all afternoon with a high approaching 70° clear tonight with a low 45.