>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Cathy: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE'LL BREAK DOWN THE BIG POLITICAL WEEK IN ST. PAUL, INCLUDING THE JUST-ANNOUNCED SUPREME COURT DECISION.

OUR PROFESSOR PANEL IS HERE TO LOOK AT THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND TERM.

AND LARRY FITZGERALD TALKING SPORTS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN BUSY UP AT THE CAPITOL AGAIN THIS WEEK.

>> YOU DON'T GET TO SIT HERE AND MOVE IN SILENCE.

>> A CONTENTIOUS STATE CAPITOL AS THE BOYCOTT IN THE HOUSE HITS THE HIGH COURT AND THE GOVERNOR HITS THE ROAD TO REVEAL HIS ONDING BILL FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

>> THIS IS HERE THE STATE COMES TOGETHER TO WORK ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MILLION PEOPLE THOUGH ITS MEMBER OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION.

IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA, THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Cathy: WE HAVE ANOTHER BUSY SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK WITH A TRIA OF POLITICAL SCIENTIST ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S POLITICAL ACTIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THIS WEEK.

THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS IS HERE LIVE IN STUDIO B. LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE FOR HIS FIRST VISIT IN THE NEW YEAR.

SADLY WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A VIKINGS DEEP PLAYOFF RUN.

>> Eric: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE CONTINUED POLITICAL CHAOS IN ST. PAUL.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN MOVING AHEAD ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, WHO STILL HAVEN'T SHOWN UP AT THE CAPITOL.

BOTH PARTIES ARGUED THEIR CASE BEFORE THE STATE SUPREME COURT ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

AND LATE TODAY, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE COURT ISSUED A RULING IN FAVOR OF THE DFL ARGUMENT THAT A QUORUM IN THE HOUSE IS 68, A MAJORITY OF HOUSE SEATS, WHETHER THEY'RE VACANT OR NOT.

WE'LL TALK WITH HOUSE LEADERSHIP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES BUT FIRST MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE ACTION ALL WEEK.

[ CHANTING ] >> STOP THE COUP!

[ BLEEP ] YOU DON'T GET TO SIT HERE AND MOVE IN SILENCE AND SMIRK AND ACT LIKE [ BLEEP ] >> QUORUM QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF ACTIVITY IN THE HOUSE ARE CREATING NEW TENSIONS AS PROTESTERS CAME TO THE CAPITOL INTERRUPTING A COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF ONLY REPUBLICANS.

>> YOUR [ BLEEP IS GETTING TRANS WOMEN KILLED.

YOUR [ BLEEP ] IS AFFECTING MY COMMUNITY.

YOUR [ BLEEP ] >> GET AWAY FROM MY PERSONAL SPACE AND STOP YELLING IN MY FACE.

>> ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE IS STILL EMPTY AS HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO BOYCOTT THE CAPITOL.

>> THE REASON WHY WE ARE TAKING THIS UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF DENYING QUORUM HERE IN MINNESOTA FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY IS BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER HAD A POLITICAL PARTY PROPOSED TO USE A VOTING ADVANTAGE TO KICK OUT A MEMBER.

>> DO THEY REALLY WANT TO KICK ME OUT, DO THEY NOT WANT TO KICK ME OUT?

AND EVERYTHING WE'VE HEARD IS THEY ABSOLUTELY WILL IF WE ARE TO STEP THAT FOOT IN THAT BUILDING.

>> THE COURT ECISION WAS LONG AND DEEP, THOUGH.

THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A SPECIAL ELECTION, THAT THEY PROVED THE MATH.

IF THAT'S THE BARRIER TO GET THIS SESSION GOING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE RE YOU READY TO CONCEDE, YOU'LL SEAT HIM?

>> I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SEE THAT THE OTHER SIDE OF AISLE IS WILLING TO COME AND DO THEIR WORK.

>> WE HAVE NOT MADE A FINAL DECISION ON THIS.

>> PLEASE BE SEATED.

>> THE STATE SUPREME COURT SIDED WITH DEMOCRATS SAYING THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE IS NOT OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED.

>> WE'RE ESSENTIALLY OPENING UP A CAN OF WORMS, A CAN OF WORMS THAT MIGHT NOT ABLE TO BE CLOSED AGAIN THAT IN OTHER WORDS THIS COURT COULD BE VIEWED BY PARTIES AS A PLACE TO RESOLVE POLITICAL DISPUTES.

>> THIS COURT IS NOT GOING TO GIVE WEIGHT TO, LIKE RETURNING THEM TO THIS POWER SHARING AGREEMENT.

>> HOW CAN THEY MAKE A DECISION WHEN THEY HAVE NO POWER TO CONVENE?

I MEAN, YOU'RE PUTTING THE ART IN FRONT OF THE HORSE IT SEEMS LIKE.

>> WE CERTAINLY, CERTAINLY ARE HESITANT AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

WE SHOULD BE EXERCISING JUDICIAL RESTRAINT WHEN IT COMES O DABBLING INTO THE BUSINESS OF A COEQUAL BRANCH.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE TIMES AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE DONE THIS HERE IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE COURTS ARE REQUIRED TO STEP IN.

>> SESSION MUST BE OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY FOR BILLS TO START MOVING.

SUCH AS THE BONDING BILL.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE STATE COMES TOGETHER TO WORK ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BONDING BILL FOCUSES ON JOBS, PUBLIC SAFETY, CLEAN WATER, AND FLOOD MITIGATION LIKE $10 MILLION TO HELP REPAIR THE RAPIDDAN DAM HERE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

♪ ♪ >> THE WORLD SAW THE HORRIFIC IMPACT OF THAT FLOOD AND THE DAM FAILURE, BUT COMING BACK HERE I THINK FOR THE FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE AND KEVIN AND HIS FAMILY AND ALL THE FOLKS IN THIS AREA, IT'S STILL A STRIKING SIGHT TO LOOK ACROSS THERE, AND THERE'S NO DAM STORE.

>> AS A FARMER YOU LEARN AT A VERY YOUNG AGE FROM YOUR FATHER OR PROBABLY GRANDFATHER THAT WORKING TOGETHER WORKS.

WORKING WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, WORKING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, AND AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, YOU LEARN AND UNDERSTAND THAT WORKING TOGETHER WORKS.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE MOVING AHEAD WITH SESSION, INTRODUCING THEIR TOP THREE BILLS, ALL ADDRESSING FRAUD IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS UNDER THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN RAMPANT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.

>> IT'S TIME TO HOLD GOVERNOR WALZ AND HIS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.

EVERYWHERE I GO IN MY DISTRICT, FOLKS BRING THIS UP TO ME THAT THEY WANT THE WASTE, THE FRAUD, AND THE ABUSE TO STOP.

THEY'RE SICK AND TIRED OF THEIR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS GOING THROUGH THE HANDS OF IRRESPONSIBLE STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> I CAN TELL YOU IT'S BEEN SHOCKING FOR ME TO COME BACK AND THE LAST TWO YEARS AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

THIS DID NOT EXIST.

MINNESOTA WAS A GOOD GOVERNMENT STATE FOR ALL OF ITS HISTORY, UNDER BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT GOVERNORS.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT COURT DECISION THAT A QUORUM IN THE HOUSE IS 68 VOTES IS D.F.L.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DESIGNATE JAMIE LONG.

WE DID INVITE A MEMBER OF HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP TO JOIN US TONIGHT BUT THEY DECLINED.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER ON SHORT NOTICE.

>> THANKS, CATHY.

>> TO BE CLEAR NOW ALL ACTION TAKEN IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE TAKEN OVER THE PAST, 12 DAYS OR SO IS CONSTITUTIONALLY INVALID AND THE SPEAKER EARLIER TONIGHT SAID THE ONLY WAY TO ORGANIZE THE HOUSE WILL BE TO COLLABORATE, SO WHAT'S NEXT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, SO THE COURT RULING SAYS THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED AFTER STEVE SIMON DETERMINED THERE WAS NO QUORUM FROM THE ELECTION OF SPEAKER TO THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS TO THE BILL INTRODUCTIONS WAS ILLEGAL, ILLEGITIMATE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND SO NOW WE'RE AT A PLACE WHERE WE ARE ASKING A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION, WHICH IS CAN WE COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, AND THOSE ARE THE VOTER VOTERS, AND THOSE ARE THE VOT VOTERS IN SHAKOPEE FOR BRAD TABKE'S SEAT IN 54A AND THE VOTERS WHO SENT A TIE TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

WE'RE ASKING WHEN WE GET TO A TIE CAN WE HAVE SHARED POWER.

THAT WAS THE SAME POSITION THAT THE SENATE G.O.P.

AGREED TO AND WE'RE ASKING FOR THE SAME THING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TABKE IS A DEMOCRAT FROM SHAKOPEE, NARROWLY WON BY 14 VOTES, 20 VOTES IN THE ETHER SOMEWHERE MAYBE ENDED UP IN A LANDFILL.

HE WON NARROWLY ON ELECTION NIGHT, RECOUNT HE HELD ON AND A COURT GAVE AN ADVISORY OPINION THAT HE'S OKAY, THAT HE SHOULD BE SEATED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BUT THE HOUSE DETERMINES ITS OWN MEMBERSHIP.

>> >> Cathy: SO HE'S A KEY FIGURE IN THIS.

>> HE IS, ABSOLUTELY.

SO HE HAS WON THREE TIMES AND A COURT FOUND IT WAS A MATHEMATICAL IMPOSSIBILITY THAT HE WOULD HAVE LOST.

THEY HAD SIX VOTERS TESTIFY THAT THEY VOTED FOR BRAD AND THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MADE UP WITH THE REMAINING VOTES.

SO THE COURT DID A VERY THOROUGH OPINION, BUT, YEAH, THE HOUSE G.O.P.

RIGHT NOW IS SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO IGNORE THE COURT OPINION, IGNORE THE VOTERS OF SHAKOPEE AND KICK OUT REPRESENTATIVE BRAD TABKE AND THAT IS SIMPLY NOT RESPECTING THE VOTERS OF 54A AND WOULD BE A REAL AFFRONT TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND SET A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT FOR THE HOUSE.

>> Cathy: CAN THEY GET RID OF REPRESENTATIVE TABKE, DON'T YOU NEED 68 VOTES IN THE HOUSE TO DO ANYTHING UNDER THIS RULING?

>> REPRESENTATIVE ABKE UNDER THE HOUSE RULE COULD NOT VOTE ON A CHALLENGE AGAINST HIMSELF.

AND SO HE'S IN THE TOUGH POSITION WHERE HE COULDN'T ACTUALLY STAND UP FOR HIMSELF ON THE FLOOR, AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE IN THIS POSITION RIGHT NOW IS THAT WE ARE ASKING NOT TO MOVE TO KICK OUT A REPRESENTATIVE WHO HAS WON THEIR ELECTION AND WON IN COURT, AND SO FAR THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT AGREED TO THAT.

>> Eric: ACROSS THE METRO AREA IN ROSEVILLE HERE'S A SPECIAL ELECTION IN DISTRICT 40B.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: THE DEMOCRAT WON HANDSOMELY BUT FAILED RESIDENCY TEST.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: AND THAT'S MARCH 11TH APPARENTLY.

WILL YOU BE OUT UNTIL MARCH 11TH UNTIL THAT SPECIAL ELECTION IS HELD?

>> WELL, I SURE HOPE NOT.

I KNOW THE SPEAKER, SPEAKER DESIGNATE ON OUR SIDE MELISSA HORTMAN HAS REACHED OUT TO SPEAKER DESIGNATE DEMUTH AND WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT.

THERE IS NO INCENTIVE ANYMORE FOR US TO PRETEND THAT WE CAN'T WORK TOGETHER AND TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE.

SO WE'RE HOPING WE CAN BE IN NEXT WEEK BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TWO TO BE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT.

>> Eric: WHEN DOES THE WORK PRODUCT OF THE HOUSE BECOME THREATENED?

>> WELL, USUALLY THE BEGINNING OF SESSION IS A LITTLE BIT SLOW.

WE DO INFORMATIONAL HEARINGS AND OVERVIEWS.

I'VE HEARD FROM MEMBERS THEY'VE BEEN BUSIER THESE TWO WEEKS THAN THEY USUALLY ARE WHEN WE START SESSION MEETING WITH FOLKS IN THEIR DISTRICT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET A FORECAST UNTIL PROBABLY MARCH AT THIS POINT.

>> A BUDGET FORECAST.

>> BUDGET FORECAST, THAT'S BEEN DELAYED.

THAT'S USUALLY THE START OF THE BIG PART OF THE BUDGET YEAR IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

AND SO I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO NECESSARILY HAVE TO LOSE TIME.

WE COULD BE BACK IN THIS WEEK IF WE'RE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT.

>> Cathy: DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE LATEST OFFER MAY BE ON THE TABLE AT THIS POINT?

I KNOW THE SPEAKER WAS SAYING SHE WAS WANTING TO HAVE DINNER PERHAPS THIS EVENING WITH SPEAKER DESIGNATE DEMUTH.

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ON OUR TWO BRIGHT LINES WHICH IS THAT WE WANT TO RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN SHAKOPEE AND KICK OUT REPRESENTATIVE BRAD TABKE AND RESPECT THE VOTERS WHO SENT A TIE TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND THAT WOULD MEAN THAT IN MARCH IF WE WIN THE SPECIAL ELECTION WHICH THEY HAVEN'T REALLY ARGUED THAT THEY HAVE A SHOT AT, THEN WE WOULD GET BACK TO A TIE.

IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE G.O.P.

RUNNING THE HOUSE.

IT'S JUST WHEN WE GET BACK TO THAT TIE WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR ABILITY TO GOVERN TOGETHER.

>> Eric: SO WILL YOU BE THERE ON MONDAY?

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

IS THE SESSION MONDAY OR TUESDAY YOU START?

>> WELL, STEVE SIMON I KNOW IS PROBABLY REVIEWING THE OPINION TOO, THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> Eric: SECRETARY OF STATE, YEAH.

>> YES, SO WE DON'T EXACTLY KNOW BUT PRESUMABLY HE WILL CALL THE HOUSE BACK INTO SESSION ON MONDAY AND WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN REACH A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ARE ASKING US TO DO IS TO WORK TOGETHER.

THEY SENT A TIE.

THIS COULD BE A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US.

>> Eric: ANY INDICATION THAT COULD BE TALKS OVER THE WEEKEND?

>> I HOPE SO, THAT'S THE INTENT.

>> Cathy: WILL YOU BE A PART OF THAT AT ALL?

>> WELL, I'M NOT THE NUMBER ONE, I'M THE NUMBER TWO, SO I THINK THAT WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF MELISSA HORTMAN AND LISA DEMUTH.

BUT I HAVE UTMOST FAITH THAT THE TWO OF THEM I HOPE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND FIND THIS COMMONSENSE AGREEMENT.

>> Eric: 30 SECONDS LEFT.

PUSHBACK BY CONSTITUENTS OF DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE >> I'VE HEARD FROM MY CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE WHY WE NEED TODAY TAKE THIS STEP.

>> Cathy: BUT THE OPTICS ARE NOT GREAT FOR YOU ALL.

YOU HAVE TO ADMIT THAT.

>> CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT, I DON'T THINK THE OPTICS FOR THE REPUBLICANS ARE GREAT EITHER WHERE SECRETARY SIMON GAVELED OUT, THEY LITERALLY WENT UP AND TOOK AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ILLEGAL VOTE, UNPRACTICE MOVE IN STATE HISTORY.

THOSE ARE PRETTY BAD OPTICS.

, THANKS FOR RUNNING OVER HERE.

THANKS A LOT.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: YEAH, GOOD LUCK.

♪ >> Eric: JOINING US NOW TO ADD THEIR OWN UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON THE COURT DECISION AND ONGOING BATTLE OVER HOUSE LEADERSHIP, TWO FORMER HOUSE LEADERS.

KURT DAUDT SERVED AS THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FOR TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, FROM JANUARY 2015 TO JANUARY OF 2019.

ALSO SERVING TWO SESSIONS AS HOUSE SPEAKER, D.F.L.

HOUSE MEMBER MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER HELD THAT POSITION FROM JANUARY 2007 TO JANUARY 2011.

WELCOME BACK.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IN THIS SITUATION IF YOU WERE SPEAKER DESIGNATE DEMUTH?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE COURT DECISION OBVIOUSLY WAS A SETBACK FOR THE REPUBLICANS WHO HAD BEEN, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOWED UP TO DO BUSINESS ON THE FIRST DAY AND THEY'VE BEEN CONDUCTING BUSINESS OPEN HOPING THAT THE DEMOCRATS WOULD ALSO SHOW UP.

I THINK THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO WIN THIS COURT DECISION WOULD ONLY HAVE BEEN IF THE COURT WOULD HAVE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO WADE INTO THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO LET THE HOUSE DECIDE.

OTHERWISE I THINK THE LANGUAGE IS SOMEWHAT CLEAR.

BUT WHAT THE LANGUAGE ALSO SAYS IN THE CONSTITUTION IS THAT A MINORITY OF MEMBERS OR LESS THAN A QUORUM OF MEMBERS, IT'S IN THE SAME ARTICLE, THAT THE HOUSE CAN ADJOURN ITSELF AND THE HOUSE CAN -- THAT MINORITY OF THOSE MEMBERS CAN COMPEL THE ABSENT MEMBERS USING WHATEVER MEANS THEY DEEM NECESSARY TO SHOW UP.

AND BY STEVE SIMON GAVELING THEM OUT ON THE FIRST AY HE ACTUALLY DIDN'T ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DO THOSE TWO THINGS.

I DON'T THINK HE CAN GAVEL OUT OF SESSION.

>> Eric: AND IF YOU WERE MELISSA HORTMAN?

>> WELL, I THINK THE SPEAKER HAS DONE THE RIGHT THING HERE.

I MEAN, THERE IS NO DOUBT SHE NEEDS TO PROTECT THOSE VOTERS IN SHAKOPEE.

WE'VE HAD CLOSER ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE.

WE'VE FRANKLY HAD WEIRDER ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE AND PEOPLE HAVE ACCEPTED THE RESULTS.

THE ONLY REASON THIS IS HAPPENING IS IT'S AN OUTRIGHT POWER PLAY.

AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SAVE FACE NOW.

THE COURT ACTUALLY GAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO SAVE SOME FACE, Mr. PAUL NOT APPEALING TO THE SUPREME COURT -- -- >> TABKE'S REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

>> EXACTLY.

IT GIVES LEADER DEMUTH SOME ABILITY TO ALSO SAVE SOME FACE, GET TOGETHER, GET THIS DONE.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH PRESSURE IS SPEAKER DESIGNATE DEMUTH FACING, THOUGH, TO STAY THE COURSE, YOU KNOW, DON'T CAVE, KEEP GOING?

>> I THINK A FAIR AMOUNT OF PRESSURE, BUT THERE'S TWO PIECES HERE.

FIRST IT'S THE BRAD TABKE, YOU KNOW, 14-VOTE, 20 VOTES MISSING THING.

I THINK SHE SHOULD GIVE ON THAT ONE.

I THINK SHE SHOULD SAY AND I HEAR THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE THE VOTES ANYWAY.

>> Cathy: AND SHE SAYS THEY DO, SO SHE WAS PRETTY STRONG WITH THAT.

>> SHE DID SAY THAT, I HAVE HEARD HER SAY THAT.

I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY DON'T, I THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE ON THAT ONE AND SAY, OKAY, IF THAT WAS THE STICKING POINT WE'RE GOING TO SEAT BRAD TABKE, WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY FOR SESSION.

THE PROBLEM THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IS THE REPUBLICANS WON A COURT DECISION LAST WEEK THAT PUSHED OFF THE GOVERNOR CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND THAT MEANS THAT THAT SEAT FROM TODAY IS GOING TO SIT OPEN FOR SEVEN MORE WEEKS, SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP FOR SEVEN -- IT'S ONLY BEEN 10 DAYS, DOES IT MEAN NOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP FOR SEVEN MORE WEEKS?

I THINK THE REPUBLICANS SHOULD CALL THEIR BLUFF AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO SEAT TABKE, WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> I DO HAVE EMPATHY FOR LEADER DEMUTH HERE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU WERE IN THESE CLOSE MARGINS LIKE THIS ONE PERSON, ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO UNBALANCE THE CANOE.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THIS THING.

MELISSA HORTMAN HAS HELD THIS CAUCUS, PEOPLE ARE OUT DOING THE WORK, THEY'RE OUT IN THEIR DISTRICTS, YOU CAN SEE THAT, BUT LEADER DEMUTH HAS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM, I THINK, AND THAT IS ANY ONE MEMBER CAN UPSET THIS, AND I THINK THAT IS POSSIBLY WHAT SHE'S FACING INTERNALLY.

AND THAT IS HARD BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN'T BE SPEAKER IF YOU LOSE A VOTE.

>> Eric: YOU'VE BOTH TAUGHT US THAT YOU DON'T MAKE UNILATERAL DECISIONS, YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CAUCUS OBVIOUSLY.

>> YOU HAVE TO OR THEY'LL THROW YOU OUT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: WELL, AND IS I WONDER IN THOSE CAUCUS MEETINGS WITH BOTH SIDES HAVING A LOT AT STAKE, HOW CONTENTIOUS COULD IT BE?

ARE MEMBERS ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE NERVOUS AND ITCHING TO GO BACK?

WHAT'S THE DYNAMICS THERE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK RIGHT NOW I THINK EVERYBODY'S HOLDING FIRM ON THIS.

>> Cathy: EVEN WITH THE OPTICS, DAY AFTER DAY SEEING KIND OF THE HALF EMPTY CHAMBER.

>> SURE, SEEING HALF OF -- ONE PARTY DOING BUSINESS, YEAH, IT'S BAD FOR EACH OF THEM.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS LIKE A GREAT LOOK FOR EITHER OF THEM.

BUT UNTIL THE REPUBLICANS SAY WE'RE GOING TO HONOR THOSE VOTERS IN SHAKOPEE AND SEAT BRAD TABKE, THEY'RE PRETTY STUCK IN THIS SORT OF CYCLE.

>> Eric: DYNAMICS OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PRESSURE.

I THINK ALSO, AND I HAD DINNER WITH FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TOM BAKK TONIGHT AND WE REMINISCED ABOUT -- >> Cathy: I BET THAT WAS FUN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT WAS FUN, WE'RE GOOD FRIENDS OF COURSE AND WE REMINISCED ABOUT SOME THINGS BUT HE TAUGHT ME AN IMPORTANT LESSON YEARS AGO VERY EARLY IN MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER.

WHICH WAS AT THE END OF SESSION EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE A WON AND DON'T MAKE THINGS PERSONAL.

I KIND OF RAN THE TABLE ON SOME NEGOTIATIONS BACK IN '13 AND AFTER THAT HE SAT ME DOWN AND SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T NEED TO GO THAT FAR ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE AND I KIND OF REGRETTED DOING IT.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST SESSION WAS THINGS GOT PERSONAL.

DEMOCRATS CALLED THE QUESTION, THEY DIDN'T ALLOW REPUBLICANS TO HAVE ANY INPUT IN ANYTHING AND THAT HAS BEEN MELISSA HORTMAN'S KIND OF DOWNFALL I THINK.

SHE HAS NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIND A WIN IN AN END OF SESSION SITUATION FOR EVERYONE.

>> Eric: AND IT PROBABLY WASN'T UP TO THE EMOCRATS TO BAIL OUT THE DEMOCRATS WHO HAD AN INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE THAT GOT CALLED ON BY THE COURTS.

>> YEAH, RIGHT THERE, I MEAN THAT ISSUE IS REALLY PROBLEMATIC IN ALL OF THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DO WANT TO SAY, THOUGH, MELISSA HORTMAN HAS BEEN THE SPEAKER FOR SIX YEARS.

SHE'S MADE A VERY GENEROUS OFFER TO REPUBLICANS HERE N THIS PERIOD OF TIME THAT LISA DEMUTH CAN BE THE SPEAKER.

SHE'S LANDED SESSIONS VERY WELL.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR THE DIFFERENCE -- I HAD TO CALL THE QUESTION ONCE.

>> MORE THAN ONCE.

ONE SESSION.

>> NO, I DID IT ONCE AND IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE >> Eric: IT'S A NUCLEAR OPTION.

>> BUT THAT, REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WANTED A TAX BILL, WE GAVE IT TO HIM.

LET ME JUST SAY I THINK THEY CAN DO THIS.

I DO STILL BELIEVE IN THESE TWO LEADERS.

THEY HAVE NOT LET THIS BECOME PERSONAL BETWEEN THEM.

WE SAW THOSE IMAGES AT THE CAPITOL BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT ISA DEMUTH AND MELISSA HORTMAN CAN GET AN AGREEMENT HERE.

>> Cathy: THEY NOW KNOW THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT EACH OTHER WITH THE COURT RULING.

>> WE'RE STILL AT A STANDOFF, AND THE QUESTION NOW IS IF THE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE POSITION THEY'RE IN AND SAY WE JUST WANT YOU TO SHOW UP AND WE WANT TO DO WHAT EVERY OTHER SESSION HAS DONE AT THE BEGINNING WHICH IS ELECT A SPEAKER SO YOU SHOW UP AND WE'LL ELECT A SPEAKER.

DO THE DEMOCRATS NOW SAY NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, WE WANT TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING WITH YOU BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS DO HAVE A ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE AND IF THE DEMOCRATS SHOW UP AND ALLOW A QUORUM, THAT MEANS THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER WILL GET ELECTED.

OR DO THE DEMOCRATS SAY, NOPE, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OUT AND NOT SHOW UP FOR SEVEN MORE WEEKS?

WHICH PUSHES THIS PAST DEADLINES AND I MEAN JUST THINK OF THE IMPACTS THAT WILL HAVE ON SESSION.

THEN YOU'RE ALMOST CERTAINLY TALKING ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION WHICH THEN THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF LOSES POWER AND THE GOVERNOR GAINS MORE POWER.

>> Eric: IT'S GETTIN' GOOD AND WE'RE OUTTA TIME.

>> Cathy: YOU TWO ARE GREAT.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVES.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> A CLOSE RACE AGAIN.

IT CAME DOWN TO 280 VOTES.

I REALLY THINK IT CAME DOWN TO TALKING TO PEOPLE FACE-TO-FACE AND GETTING TO KNOW THEM AND THEM MEETING ME.

THAT REALLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE.

IT COMES DOWN TO THE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS SO INSTEAD OF BASING IT ON THINGS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON TV THE MOST, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING BEING TALKED ABOUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA THE MOST.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I MADE THAT PERSONAL CONNECTION AND THEY GOT TO MEET ME, TALKED TO ME AND ASK ME QUESTIONS AND THEY SEE THAT I'M A REASONABLE PERSON THAT CARES ABOUT PEOPLE AND JUST WANTS TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.

GETTING TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THEM, WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT AND BRINGING THAT TO THE CAPITOL, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY I WOULDN'T DO SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T MATCH WITH MY VALUES BUT THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS CARE ABOUT THAT ALSO MATCH WITH MY VALUES.

♪ >> Cathy: A NEW MINNESOTA LAW AIMED AT COMBATING PFAS, ALSO KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS, TOOK EFFECT EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE NEW LAW PROHIBITS SALE OF PRODUCTS THAT KNOWINGLY INCLUDE PFAS.

AMONG THE AFFECTED CATEGORIES ARE COOKWARE AND CLEANING PRODUCTS.

BUT A TOTAL BAN ON PFAS IN PRODUCTS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 2032.

RECENTLY BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURERS HAVE PUSHED BACK ON THE NEW REGULATIONS.

JOINING US NOW IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL, ALSO KNOWN AS "AMARA'S LAW," D.F.L.

SENATOR JUDY SEEBERGER.

FROM AFTON.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: AMARA'S LAW.

NOW IS IT NAMED FOR A YOUNG WOMAN WHO DIED OF CANCER, AND SHE WAS EXPOSED TO THESE CHEMICALS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE LAW IS NAMED FOR AMARA STRANDE.

SHE GREW UP IN AN AREA THAT WAS HEAVILY CONTAMINATED WITH PFAS AND DEVELOPED A RARE ORM OF CANCER IN HER YOUTH WHICH ULTIMATELY TOOK HER LIFE JUST BEFORE THE LAW WAS ENACTED.

SHE SHOWED UP AND TESTIFIED AT EVERY HEARING WHERE THE BILL MOVED ALONG.

SO IT WAS A BITTERSWEET VICTORY FOR US WHEN WE FINALLY GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE BUT SHE WASN'T THERE TO SEE IT HAPPEN.

>> Eric: I KNOW THERE ARE BUSINESS CONCERNS BUT I WONDER IF THIS COULD BE A MARKETING TOOL.

I WOULD THINK CONSUMERS MIGHT LIKE BUYING SOMETHING THAT IS PFA-FREE.

>> ONE WOULD THINK.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHAT I LEARNED IS THAT PFAS IS IN EVERYTHING, IT'S IN THINGS THAT YOU WOULDN'T IMAGINE IT WOULD BE IN.

THINGS LIKE DENTAL FLOSS OR MICROWAVE POP CORN, THINGS THAT WE USE EVERY DAY.

AND I THINK CONSUMERS WOULD BE SURPRISED AT JUST HOW PREVALENT IT IS AND WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING IF THEY'RE INGESTING IT OR OTHERWISE EXPOSED TO IT.

>> Cathy: SO THERE IS SO MUCH THAT'S OUT THERE AND OF COURSE A LOT OF THESE CHEMICALS WERE MANUFACTURED AND THEN DUMPED BY 3M IN THE EAST ETRO.

AND I'M WONDERING HOW MIGHT THIS MITIGATE THIS OCEAN OF CHEMICALS, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE KIND OF A DROP IN THE BUCKET IN A SENSE REALLY WITH THIS BAN.

>> WE REALLY HAVE TO ATTACK THIS KIND OF ON A TWO-PRONG APPROACH.

ONE IS TO CLEAN UP THE PFAS THAT'S ALREADY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT WHICH WE'RE DOING BY FILTERING WATER AND IDENTIFYING WAYS THAT WE CAN GET IT OUT OF THE GROUNDWATER AND THE SOIL AND ENVIRONMENT AROUND US.

BUT THE SECOND PRONG IS PREVENTING THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE PFAS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND INTO OUR BODIES.

SO IF WE CAN TACKLE IT IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS WHERE WE MAY BE EXPOSED TO IT OUTSIDE OF WATER, OTHER REAS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, THAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY THAT WE NOW CAN PREVENT THE FURTHER INTRODUCTION OF THIS MATERIAL.

>> Cathy: GIVE US A SENSE OF THE PUSHBACK THEN THAT SOME BUSINESSES -- WHAT WAS THE CONCERN, THE MAIN CONCERNS?

>> I'VE HEARD A COUPLE DIFFERENT ISSUES.

ONE IS THERE'S A COOKWARE ALLIANCE THAT HAS FILED SOOT.

I HAVEN'T READ THE LAWSUIT SO I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HAT THEIR ALLEGATIONS ARE BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM THE MPCA THEY'RE CONFIDENT THAT THE LAW WILL WITHSTAND THEIR CHALLENGE.

ANOTHER CONCERN HAS TO DO WITH JUVENILE POWERSPORTS EQUIPMENT.

THE LAW BANS THE INTENTIONAL ADDING OF PFAS IN JUVENILE PRODUCTS AND NOW THE QUESTION IS DO SMALL DIRT BIKES AND SMALL ATVs OR KIDS COMPLY WITH THE LAW, NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAW, ARE THEY INCLUDED IN THE LAW.

SO WE'RE WORKING OUT SOME OF THOSE ISSUES SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE IN COMPLIANCE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY'RE SELLING.

>> Eric: THEY ARE CALLED FOREVER CHEMICALS, AND THAT WOULD -- THEY'RE CALLED THAT FOR A REASON.

HOW TOUGH IS IT TO GET AHEAD OF THIS OR GET A HANDLE ON THESE CONTAMINANTS?

>> I FEEL LIKE IN SOME WAYS WE'RE PLAYING CATCH-UP.

THESE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME, THEY'RE PERVASIVE, THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

I THINK -- I READ SOMEWHERE THAT EVERY LIVING ORGANISM ON THE PLANET HAS PFAS WITHIN THEIR TISSUES.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> SO IT IS EVERYWHERE AND IT'S BIOCUMULATIVE, YOU KEEP ACCUMULATING IT WITHIN YOUR BODY, YOU DON'T GET ID OF IT.

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE, WE ARE PLAYING CATCH-UP, WE HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE NOW TO MAKE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE.

>> Cathy: ANY OTHER LEGISLATION THAT YOU'D BE INTERESTED IN PASSING AROUND THIS ISSUE AT ALL?

>> I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT ADDITIONAL EFFORTS TO CURB IT IN THINGS LIKE FIRE FIGHTING GEAR.

SO I'M A FIREFIGHTER, THERE'S PFAS IN MY TURNOUT GEAR.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS WE CAN MAKE FIRE FIGHTING GEAR, TURNOUT GEAR THAT IS SAFE, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU'RE IN A FIRE BUT ALSO DOESN'T MAKE YOU SICK.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER, SENATOR.

THANKS.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ >> Jearlyn: THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS JUST RELEASED THEIR BRAND NEW ALBUM "ALONE TOGETHER" EARLIER THIS MONTH AND ARE SET TO COLLABORATE ON A CONCERT ON MARCH 7TH AT THE ORDWAY.

BUT FIRST THEY ARE HERE WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

TO ALL OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO KEEP DOING THIS.

>> IT FEELS AMAZING.

I MEAN, YEAR AFTER YEAR WE AVE SO MANY EXCITING PROJECTS, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE RELEASING A BRAND NEW ALBUM CALLED "ALONE TOGETHER" AND IT'S SUPER EXCITING TO BE HERE AT "ALMANAC" GIVING YOU A LITTLE PREVIEW OF A COUPLE SONGS OFF THAT ALBUM.

>> EXACTLY.

SO THE SONG OF COURSE YOU GUYS NOT ONLY LOVE THE SONG UT THE WHOLE ALBUM, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, THE ALBUM IS AMAZING.

>> RIGHT, IT'S REALLY SHOCKING HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T DO THAT BUT I LOVE THAT YOU GUYS DO AND YOU DO IT EXCELLENTLY.

WHAT IS THE NEXT CHANGE FOR YOU ALL?

>> WELL, WE'RE VERY EXCITED IN A COUPLE MONTHS WE WILL BE DOING SPECTACULAR COLLABORATIVE CONCERT WITH THE UK-BASED GRAMMY AWARD WINNING GROUP THE SWINGLES AT THE ORDWAY.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY SHOW THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS, SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE CANTUSSINGS.ORG TO BUY YOUR TICKET AND FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ALBUM, "ALONE TOGETHER."

>> WOW, AND ARE YOU EVER ALONE?

>> NO.

>> >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> ABSOLUTELY NOT, DARLING, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU GUYS ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A GRAMMY, HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED THAT?

>> NOT YET, IT'S ON THE HORIZON.

>> YOU CAN SMELL IT, CAN'T YOU?

>> I CAN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THEN I'LL STAND BY YOU, SIR.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHAT A PLEASURE.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST SONG YOU'RE SINGING TONIGHT?

>> THIS SONG IS THE OPENING TRACK OF OUR ALBUM "ALONE TOGETHER," A TRACK CALLED "WHEN THE EARTH STANDS STILL" BY DON MCDONALD.

>> OH, I LOVE IT.

DON MCDONALD.

GOD HELP US.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU.

♪ >> SINGING: THERE'S A DEEP SIGH IN THE QUIET OF THE FOREST AND THE TALL TREE'S CROWN NOW HOLD ME WILL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO HOLD ME ME AND EMBRACE THE CHILL?

♪ ♪ OR MISS ME WILL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO MISS ME WHEN THE EARTH STANDS STILL?

'CAUSE THERE'S NO USE RUNNING 'CAUSE THE STORM'S STILL COMING ♪ ♪ AND YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING FOR SO MANY YEARS FOR SO MANY YEARS ♪ ♪ >> SINGING: COME LISTEN IN THE SILENCE OF THE MOMENT BEFORE SHADOWS FALL FEEL THE TREMOR OF YOUR HEARTBEAT MATCHING HEARTBEAT AS WE BOTH DISSOLVE ♪ ♪ NOW HOLD ME HOLD ME WILL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO HOLD ME ME AND EMBRACE THE CHILL OR MISS ME MISS ME WILL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO MISS ME WHEN THE EARTH STANDS STILL ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE THERE'S NO USE RUNNING 'CAUSE THE STORM'S STILL COMING AND YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING FOR SO MANY YEARS ♪ ♪ SO STAY WITH ME HELD IN MY ARMS LIKE BRANCHES OF A TREE THEY'LL SHELTER YOU FOR MANY YEARS ♪ ♪ SO MANY YEARS OH, SO MANY YEARS STAY WITH ME ♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] ♪ >> Eric: BACK IN DECEMBER WHEN WE LAST TALKED WITH LARRY FITZGERALD, THE VIKINGS HAD A 10 AND 2, TALK OF A DEEP PLAYOFF RUN AND SUPER BOWL IN OUR HEADS AND WE'RE SAD TO SAY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, BUT MINNESOTANS WE'RE KIND OF USED TO THAT.

SPORTS FANS CAN TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE WILD KEEPING THEIR POST-SEASON DREAMS ALIVE AND BEFORE WE KNOW IT PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT TO TWINS TRAINING CAMP.

WHEN LARRY FITZGERALD ISN'T VISITING US HERE IN STUDIO B, HE DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

FITZY, THE VIKINGS DO THEIR TYPICAL SWAN DIVE AT THE END.

WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH?

A NEW QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY?

>> IT WAS UGLY AT THE END.

TO SCORE NLY 9 POINTS, YOU KNOW, AGAINST THE RAMS AND THEN JUST THE LIONS REALLY TOOK THEM OUT.

AND THREE TEAMS IN THE PLAYOFFS, NO PLAYOFF WINS BY EITHER ONE OF THEM.

THAT REALLY STUNNED ME THIS YEAR BECAUSE I UTHOUGHT THIS DIVISION WAS ONE OF THE BEST IN FOOTBALL, BUT APPARENTLY AS SOMEONE SAID A LONG TIME AGO, IT'S NOT HOW YOU START, IT'S HOW YOU FINISH.

>> Cathy: I'VE HEARD THAT.

>> Eric: SO IS DARNOLD GOING TO BE FRANCHISE TAGGED OR KEPT?

OR IS JJ MCCARTHY GETTING THE KEYS TO THE CAR?

>> I DON'T KNOW OW YOU PASS ON THE A GUY THAT THREW 3030 TOUCHDOWN PASSES AND NINE WINS IN A ROW AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE COULD DO WHEN THE SEASON STARTED AND SO I THINK KEVIN O'CONNELL WHO'S PROBABLY GOING TO WIND UP BEING COACH OF THE YEAR FOR ASSOCIATED PRESS OR SOME OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEY GOT TO MAKE A DECISION, BUT JJ MCCARTHY IS NEXT IN LINE.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO COME BACK WITH SAM DARNOLD YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE HIM A CONTRACT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 25 AND $40 MILLION ON A ONE-YEAR DEAL.

AND I THINK HE'LL TAKE THAT IN A MINUTE.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TWINS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO IN THE OFF SEASON HERE?

>> Eric: THEY AIN'T DOIN' MUCH.

>> Cathy: WELL, THERE'S THAT.

>> THEY'RE SORT OF IN A HOLD MODE.

CHANGING THIS, CHANGING THAT.

TWINS FEST THIS WEEKEND, THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

STILL SNOW OBVIOUSLY DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS AT TARGET FIELD, BUT THIS ORGANIZATION'S GOT TO MAKE SOME QUICK CHANGES AND THEY GOT TO BE RIGHT ON POINT, BECAUSE LAST YEAR THAT WAS A DISASTER.

THAT MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER.

WHOO, THEY JUST COULDN'T BEAT AND COULDN'T COMPETE WITH ANYBODY BUT THEY'RE COMING BACK OBVIOUSLY WITH ROCCO, HE'S GOING TO BE THE MANAGER AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE VIRTUALLY ANYTHING IN THE OFF SEASON O FAR AS FAR AS SIGNING ANYBODY.

>> Cathy: DO WE THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOLD HERE BETWEEN NOW AND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING TRAINING?

>> TODAY IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING'S HUSH-HUSH, WE'RE MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, WE'RE GOING TO BE ON TELEVISION MORE AND ALL THESE THINGS, BUT THEY'RE STILL LOOKING TO TRY AND DRAW 2 MILLION OR MORE FANS DOWNTOWN AND DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS AT TARGET FIELD.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THE FANS ARE GOING TO BE QUICK TO GO AND PULL OUT THEIR WALLETS WITH THE WAY THE TEAM FINISHED LAST YEAR AND THE TEAM BEING FOR SALE.

I TALKED TO ALEX RODRIGUEZ WHO'S A PART OWNER OF THE VIKINGS IN THIS ARBITRATION -- TIMBER WOLVES IN THIS ARBITRATION AND I ASKED HIM WAS HE INTERESTED IN THE TWINS AND HE SAID NO, I JUST WANT TO STAY RIGHT HERE WITH THE TIMBERWOLVES.

>> Eric: NOW, HE WILD IS GETTING INJURED PLAYERS BACK.

THEY'VE WEATHERED THE STORM PRETTY WELL, HAVEN'T THEY BEING SHORTHANDED >> ABSOLUTELY, TO NOT HAVE A SUPERSTAR LIKE KAPRIZOV, HE HAD LAST PLAYED DECEMBER 23RD AND PLAYED LAST NIGHT AND UTAH, WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO NAME THEM?

I MEAN, THEY CAME IN AND ABSOLUTELY JUST DOMINATED THE WILD.

AND YOU KNOW THE WILD HAVE BEEN PLAYING VERY GOOD HOCKEY.

OUTSTANDING ON THE ROAD, ONE OF THE BEST ROAD RECORDS.

I THINK HEY'VE GOT 16, 17 ROAD WINS, THAT'S BEST IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE.

BUT AT HOME THEY'RE JUST A 500 SQUAD AND FOLKS PAY PRETTY NICE DOLLARS TO SIT IN THAT ARENA OVER THERE.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Eric: KARL ANTHONY TOWNS FLOURISHING IN NEW YORK.

JULIUS RANDLE.

>> THAT TELLS YOU WHO WON THAT TRADE.

WHEN KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS S A STARTER IN THE ALL STAR GAME COMING UP IN FEBRUARY IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE EAST AND THE TIMBERWOLVES DON'T HAVE A STARTER IN THE ALL-STAR GAME EVEN THEY HAVE AN ALL-STAR IN THE PAST AND ANTHONY EDWARDS, AND AN OLYMPIAN, ALL HAT TYPE OF STUFF.

THIS TEAM SO FAR THEY'RE EIGHTH IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE AND THEY'LL PLAY DENVER TOMORROW.

AND DENVER, MY GOODNESS.

YOKIC, HE'S BEEN A FOUR-TIME MVP AND FOUR GAMES WHERE HE'S HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE.

, THERE'S A CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN THE NBA, THEY NEED A NEW GENERATION OF STARS, CURRY AND THOSE GUYS ARE GETTING OLDER.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THEY'RE STARTING STILL, THOUGH.

>> Eric: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SEE YOU.

COME BACK AND SEE US.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

THANKS.

♪ ♪ >> Adia: I HAVE AN ANNIVERSARY COMING UP.

NOT A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SOMETHING MUCH MORE PERSONAL AND A BIT MORE EMBARRASSING.

IT’S THE THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF STARTING TO READ “BLACK LEOPARD RED WOLF” BY MARLON JAMES, AND, AS OF TODAY, I’M ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY THROUGH.

NO SHADE TO MR. JAMES.

THE BOOK IS FANTASTIC; DENSE, BUT FANTASTIC.

THE PROBLEM IS 100% ME.

YOU SEE, I HAVE ANOTHER MILESTONE TO COMMEMORATE.

I FINISHED CIXIN LIU’S “THREE-BODY PROBLEM” IN TWO WEEKS.

THE DIFFERENCE?

AN EXTERNALLY-IMPOSED DEADLINE AND A DEEP FEAR OF VIOLATING THE SACRED LIBRARY HONOR SYSTEM.

HERE’S THE THING: “THREE-BODY PROBLEM” WAS A “LUCKY DAY” BOOK, WHICH I’VE LEARNED IS A GENIUS MARKETING PLOY TO MOTIVATE SLACKERS LIKE ME.

A “LUCKY DAY” BOOK IS ONE THAT CANNOT BE RENEWED BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT BE ITCHING TO CHECK IT OUT.

FOR THOSE OF US WHO THRIVE ON EXTERNAL PRESSURE, COUPLING THAT WITH POSSIBLY FABRICATED SCARCITY IS ALL THE MOTIVATION WE NEED.

IT’S LIKE THE LIBRARY DARED ME THAT I COULDN’T FINISH IT.

“OH, YOU THINK I CAN’T READ THIS?

YOU THINK MY KIDS AND MY MULTIPLE JOBS AND MY PREFERENCE FOR TURNING ON THE TV AND ZONING OUT ARE GOING TO STOP ME FROM SHOWING YOU UP?

BET.

WATCH ME.” OF COURSE, THE LIBRARY STILL WINS.

THEY’RE GETTING PEOPLE TO READ MORE.

SNEAKY.

NEVERTHELESS, I WAS FEELING COCKY, SO I CHECKED OUT ANOTHER BOOK.

IT MIGHT NOT BE A “LUCKY DAY” BOOK, AND I MIGHT ONLY BE 20 PAGES IN AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS, BUT I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO FINISH IT.

DEFINITELY.

♪ >> Cathy: WHILE THE POWER STANDOFF IN THE STATE HOUSE CONTINUES IN MINNESOTA IT WAS INAUGURATION WEEK IN D. CONSIDER.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE FIRST DAYS OF THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN CONTROVERSIAL, FILLED WITH CONTENTIOUS CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AND A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE ALREADY ELICITED LAWSUITS.

HERE TO HELP US SORT THROUGH IT ALL IS A COUCH OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

CINDY RUGELEY HEADS THE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S DULUTH CAMPUS.

GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY.

GOSH, WHAT SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT?

UM, LET'S BEGIN WITH PROFESSOR SCHULTZ.

>> OKAY.

>> Cathy: SO THERE WERE CONCERNS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD WEAPONIZE THE PRESIDENCY.

GIVEN THE SLEW OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HE SIGNED EARLIER IN THE WEEK HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE HOW HE'S WIELDING POWER AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, REMEMBER WHAT HE WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE HE SAID HE WANTED TO BE A DICTATOR A DAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SO HE'S USING A LOT OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS BUT IF YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, CERTAINLY NOT ALL OF THEM, SOME OF THEM ARE BEING CHALLENGED, SOME OF THEM ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SOME OF THEM ARE PROCESS, SOME ON SUBSTANCE.

BUT SOME OF THEM ALSO ARE GOING TO BE, WHAT, THEY'RE NOT REALLY SAYING ANYTHING, THEY'RE JUST SORT OF LIKE MORE LIKE PRESS RELEASES.

BUT THERE ARE A CORE THAT ARE IMPORTANT OUT THERE AND WE NEED TO SORT ALL OF THOSE OUT AT THIS POINT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT IN TRUMP'S FIRST TERM, I'LL CALL IT TRUMP 1.0, THIS IS 2.0.

GOING BACK TO ROOSEVELT, TRUMP PRESIDENCY HAD THE WORST RECORD IN COURT OF ANY PRESIDENT IN THE LAST 80 OR 90 YEARS.

EXPECT TO SEE THE SAME THING HAPPENING THIS TIME.

>> Eric: WHAT SECRETARY OF STATE ROLE OF THE COURTS GOING TO END UP BEING?

QUITE ACTIVE I WOULD GUESS.

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE BUSY COUPLE OF YEARS.

I REALLY DO.

I THINK TO BEGIN WITH I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT YOU COULD DO AWAY WITH BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP.

AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS HAVE EXTENDED THE BOUNDS OF WHAT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IS SUPPOSED TO BE, AND SO I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THAT.

AND SO, YEAH, HE -- AND HE'S ISSUED A TON OF THEM.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE EFFECT ON MINNESOTA.

I FULLY EXPECT THAT THE BLATNIK BRIDGE IS GOING TO GET TAKEN CARE OF BUT WE MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER PRESS CONFERENCE WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN IT.

THINGS LIKE THE BLATNIK BRIDGE AND THEY SHUT DOWN FOREIGN AID.

SO THE WHOLE THING WITH N. I.H.

COULD BE A BUGABOO IF IT'S NOT REASONED IN.

>> Eric: IT DOES MAKE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SEEM EVEN MORE SLEEPILY, DOESN'T IT?

HE'S OFF TO FAST START.

>> THEY'RE HOPING TO PASS MAYBE ONE LARGE BILL BUT EVEN THAT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

THE HOUSE IS HISTORICALLY SMALL IN TERMS OF THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES.

>> Eric: GOT TWO VOTES TO SPARE.

>> HE'S GOT TWO VOTES BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD THREE REPUBLICANS DEPART, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT A VERY SMALL MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

AND YOU'VE GOT DIVISIONS WITH WITHIN BOTH.

THEY CAN'T AGREE ON THE CORE ELEMENTS OF LEGISLATION.

SO I THINK YOU CAN LOOK THIS SLOUGH THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AS A SYMPTOM OF THE FACT THAT DONALD TRUMP IS UNABLE TO PASS MUCH IN CONGRESS, HE'S VULNERABLE IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE POWER.

WHEREAS JOE BIDEN, HE WAS LAYING OUT LEGISLATION.

THEY PASSED QUITE A BIT.

>> IF I CAN ACTUALLY SOUND LIKE A POLITICAL SCIENTIST FOR A SECOND.

WITH REAL DATA, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE LOOK AT BY THE WAY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS BEING ISSUED AND THE AMOUNT OF LEGISLATION BEING ADOPTED IN CONGRESS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WHAT WE'RE FINDING AS CONGRESS HAS BECOME MORE POLARIZED, NOT A SURPRISE, PRESIDENTS HAVE TRIED TO GOVERN MORE BY EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

AND WE ALSO KNOW IN THE PROCESS HERE THAT HE SUPREME COURT HAS TRIMMED BACK ON EXECUTIVED ON POWER IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND SO THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PARDON SAY FOR THE J6-ERS, COULD THAT BOOMERANG SOMEHOW ON THE PRESIDENT?

GIVEN THE PUSHBACK THAT HE'S RECEIVING ON THAT ALREADY.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT THEMES WE'RE GOING TO BE TRACK ALONG THE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

YOU NOW, HE RAN AS A LAW AND ORDER PRESIDENT, AND NOW HE'S LETTING PEOPLE GO THAT THE POLICE ARE SHOCKED AT.

HE TALKED ABOUT BEING ONE OF THE PEOPLE, REPRESENTING WORKING CLASS FOLKS, AND THERE HE'S GOT ELON MUSK WITH AN OFFICE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AND STEVE BANNON'S ATTACKING HIM BECAUSE OF HIS IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

JUST A LOT OF CONTRADICTIONS HERE THAT ARE GOING TO GET MORE AND MORE ERRING, AND I THINK WILL DIMINISH DONALD TRUMP IN TIME.

THIS WAS JUST EARLY DAYS HERE.

>> Eric: THE PRESIDENT TAKES OFF AS A LAME DUCK, SO IS THAT INDICATE A SHORT HONEYMOON WHAT HE COULD GET STUFF DONE?

>> I MEAN, THIS IS HIS FIRST WEEK OF OFFICE AND THAT SHOULD BE YOUR STRONGEST POINT WHERE YOU CAN GET THINGS DONE AND MAKE A SELL.

HE'S SPENDING A LOT OF CAPITAL RIGHT NOW.

HE REALLY IS.

I MEAN, THE PARDON IS AN EXAMPLE OF IT, INTERFERING IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP FOR INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE A TWO-SEAT ADVANTAGE.

HE'S SPENDING A LOT OF CAPITAL AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE CONTRADICTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, THE THING WITH THE PARDON OF THE FELLOW WHO OPERATED THE DARK WEB WEBSITE, PARDON HIM OUTRIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME HE'S SAYING WE SHOULD EXECUTE DRUG DEALERS, IT'S BIZARRE.

>> I THINK THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THEME BUT IT UNDERSCORES AN ELEMENT OF A PRESIDENCY THAT IS BIPARTISAN, WHICH IS THE GROWTH OF THE IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY, THAT IS THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT TO ACT ALONE WITHOUT CONGRESS AND WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EXECUTIVE ORDERS BUT THERE'S A WHOLE SLOUGH OF POWERS THAT PRESIDENTS HAVE GATHERED.

WALTER MONDALE AFTER SERVING AT ONE POINT SAID THAT BOTH PARTIES HAD LEFT A LOADED GUN ON THE TABLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND DONALD TRUMP IS REACHING FOR IT, WHETHER IT'S DOMESTIC POLICY OR INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> WELL, LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING REAL QUICK, LARRY.

HOW MUCH OF THAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PRESIDENT TAKING POWER, AND HOW MUCH OF IT IS CONGRESS JUST GIVING IT UP?

>> BOTH.

>> IT IS -- TWO THINGS.

FIRST, THE GREAT YOGI BERRA, IT'S DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN.

THE TRUMP 1.0, SAYING DO I WANT TO MOVE AN AGENDA R DISABLE GOVERNMENT?

SAME CONTRADICTION HERE THAT WE'RE SEEING ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND THEN JUST IN TERMS OF HOW THIS IS ALL GOING TO PLAY OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT CONTRADICTION WHATSOEVER.

BUT THINK ABOUT POST-WATERGATE.

WATERGATE, POST-WATERGATE THE BIG REFORMS ON BUDGETING, ON EMERGENCY POWERS AND ON WAR POWERS.

THEY'VE ALL COLLAPSED, BUT IN THE PROCESS OF ALL THIS CONGRESS HAS GIVEN -- AS YOU'RE BOTH POINTING OUT HERE -- SO MUCH POWER TO THE PRESIDENT THAT ARTHUR SHA LESSINGER JUNIOR THE GREAT HISTORIAN TURNS OUT TO BE RIGHT, THIS IS THE PATH DOWN TO THE EMPIRICAL PRESIDENCY.

>> Cathy: EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ABDICATION OF CONGRESS IN TERMS OF POLARIZATION AND INABILITY TO AGREE ON ANYTHING?

>> IT'S PARTLY THE DYSFUNCTION OF CONGRESS.

SO THE PRESIDENT INCLUDING JOE BIDEN, JOE BIDEN SENDS TROOPS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

WE'RE PROTECTING ISRAEL.

HAD CONGRESS ACTED?

HAD CONGRESS AUTHORIZED THAT?

NO, HE WAS JUST ACTING AND CONGRESS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE VOICES RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, THEY DID NOT NOTHING.

THEY LET THE PRESIDENT ACT.

AND WHETHER IT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL SECURITY, DONALD TRUMP HAS SENT TROOPS TO THE BORDER.

WELL, HOW'S HE DOING THAT?

HE'S MAKING A DECLARATION ABOUT HIS POWER, IT'S AN ASSERTION THAT MAY WELL BE OVERTURNED BY THE COURTS.

>> ROFESSOR RUGELEY.

>> THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS, AS LARRY MENTIONED, THE WHOLE THING WITH IMMIGRATION PART OF THE REASON IS IT NEVER GETS RESOLVED IS IT'S NOT THE EXECUTIVE THAT SHOULD BE DOING IT, THEY SHOULD BE PASSING A BILL ON THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: WELL, THEY TRIED.

>> WELL, THEY DIDN'T.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: YEAH.

RIGHT.

>> THEY IDN'T, THEY DIDN'T GET IT DONE.

AND THE SAME THING, I MEAN, IT'S BEEN OUT THERE FOREVER.

I MEAN, GEORGE W. BUSH WAS DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE.

IN THIS LAST WEEK THEY PASSED A LAW ABOUT TIK TOK AND HE SAID, AH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

AND, OH, THAT'S COOL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

AND IT'S JUST A WEIRD SET OF SITUATIONS.

>> IF I COULD ADD ONE MORE THING TO IT.

A SIMPLISTIC THING I TELL MY STUDENTS.

WHAT IS PRESIDENCY POWER?

ARTICLE II POWERS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BY THE CONSTITUTION AND POWERS THAT THE CONGRESS GIVES TO THE PRESIDENT.

SOMEWHAT IT'S ABDICATION BUT IT'S ALSO CONGRESS SAYING WE'RE GOING TO GET THE PRESIDENT DO THIS STUFF.

>> Eric: IT'S EARLY DAYS BUT DO WE KNOW HOW TRUMP TWO IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN TRUMP ONE?

>> RIGHT AWAY WE'RE SEEING MORE ORGANIZATION.

THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A GOOD NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS ALREADY WRITTEN OUT, THEY'VE DONE SOME THOUGHT ON IT.

THEY'VE GOT A CHIEF OF STAFF WHO KNOWS WASHINGTON VERY WELL.

SHE COULD BE THERE FOR SOME TIME AND SHE'S GOT THE ADMINISTRATION BETTER ORGANIZED.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE ASSERTION OF POWER WITH REGARDS TO IMMIGRATION, THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DOING THE DEPORTATION.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY STOPPING, YOU KNOW, MEASURES WITH REGARDS TO ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

DEI IS MOVING AHEAD MUCH FASTER, DIVERSITY PROGRAMS THEY'RE MOVING AHEAD MUCH FASTER TO STOP THAT.

AGAIN AND GAIN I'M SEEING A LOT BETTER INITIATIVE AND THEY LOOK BETTER ORGANIZED.

>> HE SEEMS ANGRIER THOUGH AT THE SAME TIME AND I THINK THAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THAT.

BUT HE WENT TO CALIFORNIA AND HE AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM, YOU KNOW, HANDLED IT WELL.

>> Eric: THEY GOT ALONG?

>> YEAH, THEY DID, THEY SPOKE -- THEY WERE NICE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, YOU ARE ALWAYS FANTASTIC.

>> Eric: FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR POLITICAL SCIENTISTS FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: IT'LL BE INTERESTING.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> IN THE END HIS REALLY AS A PERSONAL DECISION.

I LOVE PUBLIC SERVICE AND I'LL STILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN SOME WAY BE DOESN'T HAVE BE TO IN ELECTED OFFICE.

AND I THOUGHT I COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT GOVERNOR, THE EXPERIENCE I HAD IN ST. PAUL, KEEPING LIDS ON TAXES, REVIVING AN ECONOMY THAT WAS REALLY IN TROUBLE.

I THOUGHT FOLKS MAY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP TODAY BUT IT WASN'T THE RIGHT TIME.

>> Cathy: THAT WAS FORMER ST. PAUL MAY MAYOR AND FORMER U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN 15 YEARS AGO AND HE HAS STAYED IN POLITICS, OF COURSE, ACTIVE IN POLITICS SINCE THEN.

LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE HISTORY PORTION OF THE SHOW NOW.

IT'S BEEN A FEW WEEKS, SO LET'S REVISIT OUR QUESTIONS.

WAY BACK IN DECEMBER, WE ASKED WHICH MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM BROKE TWO BIG RECORDS IN A HIGH-SCORING REGULAR SEASON GAME?

NO ONE CALLED WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER RIGHT AWAY SO WE GAVE YOU MORE DETAILS.

ON DECEMBER 13, 1998, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS AND THE BALTIMORE RAVENS DID SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SET AN NFL RECORD THAT STILL STANDS TODAY.

IN THE SAME GAME, GARY ANDERSON SET A RECORD THAT HE WOULD BREAK HIMSELF LATER IN THE MONTH.

WHAT TWO NFL RECORDS WERE SET ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998?

WELL, THAT STILL DIDN'T HELP THESE NEXT CALLERS.

>> “FIRST RECORD, THE GAME FEATURED FIVE GO-AHEAD TOUCHDOWNS IN THE FINAL TWO MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS OF THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE SECOND RECORD IS THAT FOUR TOUCHDOWNS WERE SCORED IN JUST TWO MINUTES AND FIVE SECONDS."

>> “I THINK THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS WHEN WE PLAYED THE BALTIMORE RAVENS, THE SCORE WAS 38-28, AND GARY ANDERSON SCORED 20 POINTS, THE MOST POINTS A KICKER SCORED IN A FOOTBALL GAME.” >> “ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS SET TWO NFL RECORDS DURING THEIR GAME AGAINST THE ATLANTA FALCONS IN THE NFC TITLE SHOWDOWN: MOST POINTS SCORED IN A SEASON.

THE VIKINGS SCORED 556 POINTS, NEVER SCORING FEWER THAN 24 IN A GAME; AND FIRST PERFECT REGULAR SEASON FOR KICKER GARY ANDERSON."

>> “THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S INDEX FILE QUESTION ARE THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS AND WHOEVER THE OTHER TEAM WAS, KICKED THE MOST FIELD GOALS COMBINED IN AN NFL GAME, AND GARY ANDERSON, I DON’T KNOW, BROKE SOME RECORD THAT DAY TOO AND THEN HE’D BREAK IT LATER.

ANY RATE, I’M PRETTY SURE THAT’S THE RIGHT ANSWER.

THIS IS JEFF FROM EXCELSIOR.

LOVE THE SHOW!” >> Cathy: OH, JEFF, YOU ARE FUNNY.

YOU'RE ALL WRONG, ALL OF YOU.

WE DID HAVE ONE CALLER GET ALL THE DETAILS RIGHT.

SO TAKE IT AWAY, TYLER.

>> “THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS THE TWO TEAMS COMBINED FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE KICK RETURN TOUCHDOWNS.

BALTIMORE HAD TWO, WE HAD ONE.

THE OTHER FEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GARY ANDERSON SETTING AN NFL RECORD FOR MOST CONSECUTIVE FIELD GOALS.

THAT’S MY GUESS.

THANK YOU.” >> Cathy: GOOD GUESS, TYLER, WELL DONE.

YOU GET THE POINTS.

COUPLE OF QUICK TUNE-IN NOTES BEFORE WE GO.

REMEMBER TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" WITH MARY LAHAMMER, LIVE FROM THE CAPITOL WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

YOU CAN ALSO CATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON THE SAME STATEWIDE CHANNEL.

NOW WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME, YES WE DO, FOR ANOTHER TUNE BY MY FAVORITE GROUP, CANTUS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

♪ ♪ >> SINGING: WHEN WE SING WHEN WE SING WHEN WE SING WE ARE ONE COME ON LET'S SING EVERYBODY, OME LET'S SING COME LET'S SING COME LET'S SING COME LET'S SING EVERYBODY, COME LET'S SING WHEN WE SING WHEN WE SING WE'RE BREATHING TOGETHER LIVING LIFE IN HARMONY EVERY HEARTBEAT PULSING TOGETHER WHEN WE SING WHEN WE SING WE'RE ONE MIND AND BODY JOINING HEARTBEATS THROUGH OUR SONG.

EVERY BREATH WE TAKE IS TOGETHER WE ARE ONE THROUGH OUR SONGS WE LIVE, WE LOVE, WE BREATHE AS ONE COMMUNITY IN HARMONY ♪ ♪ IN TIMES OF WAR OUR SONGS BRING PEACE THEY EASE OUR TROUBLED MINDS IN HAILING, EXHALING WE'RE BREATHING TOGETHER WE'RE BEING, WE'RE FEELING WE'RE SHARING WHILE SINGING TOGETHER WE'RE SINGING TOGETHER ♪ ♪ WHEN WE SING WHEN WE SING ♪ ♪ WHEN WE SING WE ARE ONE LET'S SING COME LET'S SING LET'S SING OH, YES EVERYBODY COME LET'S SING ... >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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