Inside The DFL Election

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On this week's podcast:
Behind the Scenes at DFL Election

Why did Betty Folliard tell her delegates to vote for Brian Melendez and power him to victory as State DFL Chair? Peter knows and tells all this week.

Also: US Senate Candidate Amy Klobuchar tells us what her daughter fears most about Amy's run for Federal office.

Comments or questions please call our hotline 206-33-TALKS or email us at insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.

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Pictures & Video From DFL State Chair Vote

Chair Candidate Josh Syrjamaki at the podium


Chair Candidate Betty Folliard at the podium


Brian Melendez supporters rally


The ballots are cast


Brian Melendez introduced by Josh Syramaki as the next DFL State Chair
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Melendez Elected DFL Chair

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Brian Melendez wins in tight 3-way chair race.
On this special edition of "Inside Minnesota Politics" we have on-the-scene coverage of the DFL State Chair election -- including the final vote totals that were NOT revealed to the delegates.

In an exclusive interview new DFL State Chair Brian Melendez tells Peter the first things he's going to do now that he's in office.

Runner-up Josh Syrjamaki tells Peter what his plans are now that he's lost the race.

Talk back to "Inside Minnesota Politics"
We've set up a hotline you can call. Record a comment, give us your opinion or report on an issue. We may use your comment on our next podcast. Call 206-33-TALKS or 206-338-2557. It is a long distance call.

Or you can email us at insidemnpolitcs@mac.com

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DFL State Chair Tells All

On this week's podcast:DFL State Chair Mike Erlandson

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If you made it to Mike Erlandson’s going away party you heard some pretty good stories. But there are some that remained untold – until now. Mike invited Peter Idusogie and “Inside Minnesota Politics” into his home for a very candid, raucous and inspiring interview that every Minnesota DFLer should hear.

Is Mike running for office? Listen and decide for yourself.

Don't let the one hour running time scare you. You'll laugh, you'll get angry, and you'll want to take action.

Comments or questions please call our hotline 206-33-TALKS or email us at insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.

Next time: a much shorter show. We promise!

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No DFL Endorsement for Minneapolis Mayor

Delegates are heading home after 13+ hours and five ballots. Neither R.T. Rybak or Peter McLaughlin got 60% of the vote. Here's the result of the 5th ballot:

Rybak: 653 (45%)
McLaughlin: 765 (52.8%)
No Endorsement: 32 (2.21%)
Total votes: 1450

McLaughlin told "Inside Minnesota Politics with Peter Idusogie" this week that he would consider a no endorsement a "win" for him since he is running against an incumbent mayor

Minneapolis DFL Convention Showdown

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On this week's podcast:
Showdown at the Minneapolis DFL Convention

Minneapolis DFLers are not all one big happy family these days. The two DFL candidates for Mayor are ripping into each other over education, crime and the city budget.

Challenger Peter McLaughlin says Mayor R.T. Rybak "has been essentially missing in action" when it comes to education and "has allowed the violent crime genie back out of the bottle."

Rybak says McLaughlin is trying to scare people so they'll vote for him and McLaughlin's proposals are "budget busters"

Who should be Mayor of Minneapolis? Listen and decide for yourself. The DFL decides this Saturday May 14th.

If you're attending the Minneapolis DFL convention call and give us your opinion on the convention and the outcome. We've set up a hotline you can call. Record a comment, give us your opinion or report on an issue. We may use your comment on our next podcast. Call 206-33-TALKS or 206-338-2557. It is a long distance call.

Or you can email us at insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.

Next week: DFL State Chair Mike Erlandson on what he's accomplished and what the party still needs to do when he steps down.

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Matt Entenza-Community First vs. It's All About Me

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On this week's show:
Community First vs. “It’s All About Me”
That’s how House DFL leader Matt Entenza explains the difference between the DFL and the Republicans. He says “no new taxes” is a “bankrupt pledge” since Minnesotans are being “nickeled and dimed to death” by millions of dollars in “fees”.

He also spells out how the DFL plans to pay for the spending increase it has proposed. You might be surprised at his solution.

Plus… what do paper corporations in Bermuda have to do with increased class sizes in Minnesota?

Peter asks Representative some pointed questions – is he running for Governor? Who is he supporting in the DFL State Chair race?

And Peter explains the hard truth about campaign financing. Why in the end it doesn’t matter that DFL US Senate candidates are financed by individuals, while the Republican candidate is largely funded by Political Action Committee money.

Next week: A preview of the showdown for Minneapolis Mayor. R.T. Rybak and Peter McLaughlin vie for DFL backing at the May 14^th convention.

Talk back to "Inside Minnesota Politics"
We've set up a hotline you can call. Record a comment, give us your opinion or report on an issue. We may use your comment on our next podcast. Call 206-33-TALKS or 206-338-2557. It is a long distance call.

Or you can email us at insidemnpolitcs@mac.com

Click here to stream podcast if you can't download.it