OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," PLENTY OF POST-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE REACTION, THE NEW DEAN OF THE MITCHELL HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL, WE'LL CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY FOR MY FAVORITE CAROUSEL, AND MARY LAHAMMER HEADED EAST TO FOLLOW THE RACE FOR AN OPEN SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: WE'LL SHOW YOU A RACE TO WATCH THAT'S SO COMPETITIVE THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION WERE EACH DECIDED BY JUST OVER 100 VOTES IN THE LAKE ELMO-AFTON AREA.

>> WE'RE PROBABLY EVEN MORE PURPLE NOW.

>> EVERY ELECTION SINCE 2016 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIME.

>> Mary: HAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

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

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AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> CATHY: WE HAVE A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK WITH THE NEW DEAN OF THE MITCHELL HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL, TALK WITH A REPORTER WHO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE RAMSEY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER STORY, TANE DANGER IS HERE WITH A MESSAGE ABOUT POLITICS.

>> ERIC: AND POLITICS IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS DEBATED FOR THEIR FIRST, AND LIKELY ONLY TIME, EARLIER THIS WEEK.

AND FALLOUT FROM THAT DEBATE HAS DOMINATED THE NEWS ALL WEEK.

JOHN MCCORMICK IS A NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER WITH THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" AND A MINNESOTA NATIVE WHO HAS WORKED AT BLOOMBERG NEWS, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, THE DES MOINES REGISTER AND THE ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU GUYS.

I'VE WATCHED THIS SHOW MUCH OF MY LIFE AND, SO, IT'S FUN TO BE ON, INCLUDING WHEN I WAS A REPORTER AT THE ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN.

BOY, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ON THIS SHOW AN AWFULLY LONG TIME.

>> Cathy: WELL, SADLY, YES.

>> Eric: THANKS VERY MUCH FOR NOTING THAT.

>> Cathy: WE HOPE TO CONTINUE, JOHN.

>> Eric: ARE REPORTERS GETTING ACCESS?

WHAT'S THE LEVEL OF ACCESS TO, LIKE, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN VERSUS THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN FOR YOU REPORTERS?

>> NOT A LOT.

I EAN, I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR HOME STATE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

ERIC, YOU WERE OUT AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR WITH E WHEN HE WAS THERE THE DAY BEFORE LABOR DAY, AND, BOY, THEY WHIPPED HIM IN AND OUT OF THAT PLACE.

AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ACCESS.

AND THAT REALLY HASN'T CHANGED VERY MUCH ON THE ROAD WITH HIM.

HE'S KIND OF, YOU KNOW, DOING PHOTO OPS AND DOING SPEECHES, BUT NOT A LOT OF INTERACTION WITH REPORTERS.

>> athy: DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU AT ALL?

>> YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT.

EVERY CYCLE IT SEEMS TO GET LESS AND LESS ACCESS.

THIS IS MY -- I THINK IT'S MY FIFTH PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE, WHATEVER IT IS, MY FIRST ONE WAS IN 1999-2000 WHEN I WAS AT THE DES MOINES REGISTER COVERING THE IOWA CAUCUSES AND IT DOES SEEM LIKE EVERY CYCLE ACCESS FOR THE MEDIA GETS LESS AND LESS.

WALZ IS IN AN INTERESTING PLACE BECAUSE HE CAN'T SAY ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.

SO HE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS.

AND, YOU KNOW, HE HAS TO BE ON THE SAME POLICY POSITIONS AS KAMALA HARRIS.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY'RE JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW, KEEPING HIM FAIRLY CLOISTERED, LOTS OF PHOTOS AT ICE CREAM SHOPS AND FIRE STATIONS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT THE DEBATE COMING UP ON OCTOBER 1st.

SO THAT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, A BIG MOMENT FOR HIM, OBVIOUSLY.

>> Eric: WHAT WAS YOUR SENSE OF THE DEBATE THE OTHER IGHT AS FAR AS, DID IT MOVE THE NEEDLE AT ALL?

WHAT ARE YOUR SOURCES TELLING YOU?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THIS THING WILL -- YOU KNOW, KAMALA HARRIS OBVIOUSLY HAD A VERY GOOD NIGHT.

SHE PUT TRUMP ON THE DEFENSIVE, SHE WAS VERY ASSERTIVE, AND, YOU KNOW, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THAT.

THEY HAD VERY MUCH TELEGRAPHED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE PROSECUTOR, YOU KNOW, AS SHE WAS IN CALIFORNIA.

AND, SO, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THAT.

HE WASN'T.

SHE SEEMED TO REALLY GET UNDER HIS SKIN AND KIND OF GET HIM OFF THE MESSAGES THAT HIS CAMPAIGN ADVISORS WOULD HAVE LIKED HIM TO PUT FORWARD.

AND, SO, IT WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR HARRIS, BAD NIGHT FOR TRUMP.

YOU KNOW, THIS RACE IS SO TIGHT, I DOUBT IT MOVED THINGS MORE THAN A POINT OR TWO.

BUT IT CERTAINLY WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR HARRIS.

IT WILL HELP HER FUND-RAISING.

AND IT HAS BEEN A DISTRACTION FOR TRUMP.

YOU KNEW HE DID NOT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT WHEN HE WALKED INTO THE SPIN ROOM, THEY CALL T IT'S WHERE USUALLY THEY HAVE SURROGATES THE AFTER THE DEBATE TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THEIR CANDIDATE DID TONIGHT.

ON BOTH SIDES.

AND YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE THE CANDIDATE THEMSELVES COME IN.

TRUMP DID IT IN, I THINK, 2016.

BUT IT WAS A LITTLE SURPRISING IN SORT OF TELLING THAT HE CAME INTO THE SPIN ROOM TO TRY TO SPIN HIS OWN PERFORMANCE.

I REMEMBER IN 2012, I WAS COVERING A DEBATE IN MICHIGAN WHEN THEN TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY HAD HAD A MAJOR GAV IN A DEBATE -- GAFFE, IN A DEBATE, HE CAME IN THE SPIN OOM, IT'S USUALLY NOT A GOOD THING WHEN YOU SEE A COANT COME INTO THE SPIN ROOM AFTER A DEBATE.

>> Cathy: HEY, JOHN, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE JOURNALISTS IN TERMS OF THE REALTIME FACT CHECKING THAT HAPPENED DURING THE DEBATE?

>> I MEAN, TELEVISION IS TOUGH, AS YOU GUYS BOTH KNOW, I HAVE A FACE FOR RADIO SO I DON'T DO TELEVISION VERY OFTEN.

SO TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN REALTIME IS VERY CHALLENGING.

OBVIOUSLY TRUMP TOLD MORE FIBS THAN HARRIS DID.

ALL POLITICIANS DO TO A CERTAIN THINGS, THEY EXAGGERATE THINGS.

BUT OBJECTIVELY, TRUMP TOLD MORE UNTRUTHS DURING THAT DEBATE AND, SO, HE WAS FACT CHECKED MORE IN REALTIME.

BUT IT'S A HARD THING TO DO.

I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY, YOU KNOW, HIT THE BALANCE CORRECTLY.

I WAS FRANTICALLY TYPING SO MUCH DURING THE ACTUAL DEBATE, THERE WERE PARTS THAT I MISSED, I PROBABLY NEED TO GO BACK AND REWATCH THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE WRITING ABOUT IT IN REALTIME, IT'S A LITTLE DISTRACTING.

BUT, YEAH, NO, I THINK THEY DID, YOU KNOW, A REASONABLY GOOD JOB.

IT'S A HARD THING TO DO.

>> Eric: YOU DID A STORY FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL "ON PEGGY FLANAGAN, MINNESOTA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I WONDER HOW YOU CAME AWAY FROM THAT THINKING HOW SHE'S HANDLING THE SITUATION?

>> WELL, I WAS INTERESTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HER.

I REALLY DID NOT KNOW KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT HER.

YOU GUYS OBVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN AROUND HER A LOT MORE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK PEOPLE NATIONALLY DIDN'T SORT OF REALIZE HOW PROGRESSIVE WALZ HAS BEEN, AT LEAST IN RECENT HISTORY.

HE WAS SORT OF A MODERATE IN CONGRESS, OBVIOUSLY.

AND THEN HAS A VERY, YOU KNOW, PROGRESSIVE AGENDA IN 2023 THAT THEY PASSED.

SO I SORT OF WANTED TO SEE WHAT FLANAGAN WAS LIKE.

SHE VERY WELL MAY BE THE STATE'S NEXT GOVERNOR.

AND I'VE BEEN OLD, YOU KNOW, BY MY MINNESOTA SOURCES SUGGESTED THAT SHE REALLY HAD BEEN SORT OF A PROGRESSIVE WHISPERER IN HIS EAR, THAT IF THERE WERE MOMENTS WHERE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER HE SHOULD GO LEFT OR RIGHT, YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD SOMETIMES TUG HIM SORT OF TO THE LEFT.

SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN INTERESTING STORY AND A CHANCE TO PROFILE HER.

HEY, I GOT AN EXCUSE TO WALK AROUND THE STATE FAIR FOR ALMOST AN ENTIRE DAY WITH HER.

>> Eric: JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU DONE THE TRAIL.

THANKS, MAN.

>> Cathy: THANKS, JOHN.

>> THANKS, TAKE CARE.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO THE COUCH NOW TO CONTINUE OUR NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVERSATION WITH A TRIO OF OUR POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> CATHY: WE'VE BEEN CHECKING IN REGULARLY WITH OUR ROTATING GROUP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS THIS ELECTION SEASON.

HERE'S TONIGHT'S TRIO.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

STEVE SCHIER IS A PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT CARLETON COLLEGE.

AND DRIVING DOWN I-35 TO JOIN US TONIGHT, CINDY RUGELEY HEADS UP THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH.

SINCE THE CAMERA'S ON YOU, PROFESSOR RUGELEY, WE ASKED THAT QUESTION OF OUR FRIEND JOHN McCORMICK ABOUT ANY MOVEMENT, DID THAT DEBATE CAUSE ANY MOVEMENT IN THIS VERY TIGHT RACE IN TERMS OF THE POLLS YOU'VE SEEN?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, WE ARE A VERY HEAVILY POLARIZED COUNTRY.

AND I MEAN, I THINK PEOPLE STICK TO THEIR TEAM JERSEYS A WHOLE LOT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A TIGHT ELECTION, ANY ELECTION, I BELIEVE, GOING FORWARD IS GOING TO BE A TIGHT ELECTION.

SO DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

AND IF IT DID, I THINK WHAT IT DID MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE REASSURING PEOPLE THAT THINKING, YOU KNOW, MAYBE I WILL VOTE FOR HER, YOU KNOW, AND, I MEAN, I'M KIND OF CURIOUS TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS THESE VOTERS, AND I THINK THEY MAKE MORE OF A DIFFERENCE THAN PEOPLE REALIZE.

SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THE VOTER WHO VOTES FOR SOMEBODY THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE, IT'S THE VOTER WHO STAYS AT HOME.

AND, SO, I'M ALWAYS WONDER ABOUT THESE VOTERS WHO, THE ONES THAT SAY, I CAN'T VOTE FOR THE PERSON WHO'S IN MY PARTY, BUT I WON'T VOTE FOR THE OTHER ONE.

BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE THE ONES THAT TEND TO MAKE AN ELECTION.

AND I'M WONDERING IF WE HAD SOME CAN'T, WON'T MOVING AWAY FROM TRUMP.

>> WELL, YEAH, BY CONVENTIONAL STANDARDS, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT SHE WAS THE WINNER OF THE DEBATE.

THE EXIT -- THE RECENT SURVEYS RIGHT AFTER THAT INDICATE THAT.

BUT WHAT'S THE EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC, THAT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATTER.

AND I WAS WATCHING THE DIAL GROUPS DURING THE DEBATE, AND HERE'S A KEY FACT.

THE INDEPENDENTS WERE TRACKING ALMOST IDENTICALLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE, NOT THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE, WHICH REALLY STUNNED ME.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, IN NOVEMBER, THAT'S ACTUALLY GOOD NEWS FOR TRUMP, DESPITE A BAD DEBATE PERFORMANCE.

YOU KNOW?

>> Eric: WAS THE BIGGER NEWS ON THAT NIGHT TAYLOR SWIFT'S ENDORSEMENT MORE THAN THE DEBATE ITSELF?

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WENT TO REGISTER THIS WEEK.

>> YEAH, WE'LL SEE IF THAT'S SUSTAINED.

I MEAN, I AGREE WITH CINDY, THAT THE BIG ISSUE HERE WILL BE WHO TURNS OUT.

AND WE'RE NOT TALKING, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE TURNING OUT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DISTINCT GROUPS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN NOT THAT INTERESTED IN THIS ELECTION.

A LOT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION, ANOTHER GROUP VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GAZA, AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE RACE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY ONCE HARRIS WAS THE CANDIDATE OVER BIDEN.

BUT IT STILL MAY BE FLAGGING, AND THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

'.

>> Cathy: SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POLLS, OF COURSE, EACH CAMP HAS THEIR OWN INTERNAL POLLS, RIGHT?

I WONDER, THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR WALZ IS GOING TO DALLAS, AND HE WAS IN VEGAS, I MEAN, DO YOU THINK THAT THEIR INTERNAL POLLS ARE SHOWING SOME -- YOU DON'T EXPECT, YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS IN DALLAS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, YOU'RE FROM TEXAS, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> I THINK YOU GO TO DALLAS TO RAISE MONEY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY FOR DEMOCRATS IN DALLAS.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SEVEN STATES.

I MEAN, POLITICS, IT'S NOT HOW MANY YOU CAN WIN, IT'S JUST 50 PLUS ONE.

THEY JUST WANT TO WIN THE ELECTION.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE SEVEN STATES, AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

>> Eric: HOW DISRUPTIVE COULD THE EVENTS AROUND THE VOTE COUNTING AND THE VOTE CASTING, THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS HAS BEEN CALLED A SERIOUS EVENT BY HOMELAND SECURITY.

>> YES.

>> Eric: WHAT DO WE EXPECT THERE?

AND CAN WE PREVENT SOME OTHER TROUBLES FROM HAPPENING?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE A CLUE AS TO HOW DISRUPTIVE IT CAN BE.

FOUR YEARS AGO, WE KNOW THAT.

AND IT WILL VARY STATE TO STATE.

DIFFERENT STATES HAVE TAKEN DIFFERENT PROCEDURES.

THERE WILL BE GREATER CONTROVERSY IN SOME STATES THAN OTHERS.

AND CYNTHIA WAS SAYING HOW CLOSE IT IS, REALLY IS WHAT WILL MATTER.

SO, IS IT LIKELY THERE WILL BE SOME CONTROVERSIES AFTER THE ELECTION DAY?

YES.

WHERE?

DON'T KNOW.

HOW SEVERE?

IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY.

>> SO I WORK PRETTY CLOSELY WITH ELECTION OFFICIALS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM, IT'S A PIPELINE FOR NEW PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED.

AND THE ELECTION OFFICIALS I TALK TO AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO RUN ELECTIONS, THEY'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT.

I THINK THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE IN A BETTER SPOT THAN THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO.

THERE'S NEW LEGISLATION AROUND THE ELECTORAL -- THE ELECTORS AND HOW THEY'RE HANDLED, SO WE'LL GET INTO THE VICE PRESIDENT/PENCE DRAM A THAT'S BEEN ADDRESSED.

DRAMA.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN THE SUPREME COURT DECISION WHICH UPHOLDS THE LAW IN THE CONSTITUTION IN THE STATES, IT KIND OF PULLS BACK FROM SOME OF THE OTHER EGREGIOUS EFFORTS BY THE LEGISLATURES.

AND, SO, I THINK THERE'S REAL REASON TO THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE FAIRLY CLEAN ELECTION.

THERE WILL BE CONTROVERSY.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND THERE WILL BE CLAIMS OF CONTROVERSY.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW, CLAIMS OF FRAUD.

BUT THAT, I THINK, IS JUST A STRATEGY TO TRY TO CREATE CONFUSION.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> AGREE TOTALLY WITH AGREE.

I AGREE.

>> NO PANDEMIC, THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TOO, IN TERMS OF, THAT PRODUCED A LOT OF HASTY AND IRREGULAR VOTING PROCEDURES THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS TIME.

>> YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH LARRY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS HERE.

ONE IS WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AND ONE IS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO ARGUE AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO YELL.

I MEAN, FORMER PRESIDENT'S ALREADY STIRRING THE POT ON THAT.

SO, YES, THERE'S GOING TO BE CONTROVERSY.

BUT WILL IT BE SOMETHING WHERE THERE TRULY IS PROBLEMS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

LARRY, HE'S RIGHT, I MEAN, WHAT THEY DO AT THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

I THINK THEY'VE GOT IT PRETTY WELL TIGHTENED UP.

>> Cathy: BOTH SIDES ARE LAWYERING UP ALREADY, THOUGH.

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE'S TWO PHASES.

THERE'S THE PHASE BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION DAY.

WHICH IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THE CASTING OF BALLOTS, THE STUFF GOING ON IN GEORGIA, ELSEWHERE THAT HAS ALREADY LED TO LEGAL CHALLENGES.

AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE THE FIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION DAY, PARTICULARLY IF DONALD TRUMP LOSES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE BATTLE.

BUT THE COURTS DID VERY WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE CAN EXPECT THAT TO BE ANDLED IN A VERY PROFESSIONAL MANNER.

I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT IT'S GOING TO GO -- YOU KNOW, IT WILL GO.

>> Eric: IMPACT OF EARLY VOTING?

>> IT ALWAYS HAS AN IMPACT.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING, ONCE YOUR BALLOT'S IN THE BOX, YOU CAN'T PULL IT BACK OUT.

>> Eric: AND IT'S ALREADY STARTED IN SOME STATES, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

THE NORTH CAROLINA THING IS WEIRD, BUT EVERYTHING INVOLVING RFK JUNIOR IS WEIRD.

>> Eric: ON THE BALLOT HERE IN MINNESOTA, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

ON THE WEIRD PARTY.

BUT, I MEAN -- >> Eric: WE GO ON THE 20th OF SEPTEMBER.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> Eric: DOES IT AFFECT -- HELP -- YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS APPARENTLY, THIS YEAR, THEY'RE ENCOURAGING THAT.

>> YEAH, UT DONALD TRUMP'S DISCOURAGING IT.

>> Eric: IS HE STILL?

>> IT'S A BIG MISTAKE BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A GROUP OF VOTERS WHO AREN'T GOING TO USE THE OPTION TO SEND IN THE MAIL BALLOT, VOTE EARLY.

AND THE RESULT IS, THEY MAY LOSE THOSE VOTES.

THE DEMOCRATS, THEIR ATTITUDE IS, LET'S GET ALL THE, YOU KNOW, LEGAL VOTES, LET'S GET THEM IN THE BAG.

AND THAT'S -- >> ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT EARLY VOTING -- >> Eric: QUICK.

>> -- A LOT OF STUDIES EARLY ON SHOWS IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, THEY WERE JUST VOTING EARLY.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, PANEL, SORRY WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

>> NO ORRIES.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> TANE: I’D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT A SERIOUS ISSUE TONIGHT, ABORTION.

>> TANE: I’D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

>> JIM AND DENNIS: NO!

TANE!

DON’T DO IT!

>> DENNIS: PLEASE!

CAN WE NOT TALK ABOUT POLITICS?!

>> JIM: PEOPLE WILL ARGUE!

IT WILL RUIN DINNER!

>> TANE: TALKING POLITICS DOESN’T HAVE TO RUIN THINGS.

IT’S HEALTHY TO HAVE RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENTS WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE.

>> JIM: I DON’T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> DENNIS: NEITHER DO I.

>> TANE: I THINK WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES TO TALK ABOUT BIG ISSUES.

LIKE, I’D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT GUN RIGHTS.

>> NO!!!!

NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN MINNESOTA?

HAS NO ONE EVER GIVEN YOU THE LIST OF PRE-APPROVED CONVERSATION TOPICS FOR MIDWESTERNERS?

>> TANE: THIS ENTIRE LIST JUST SAYS “WEATHER” AND “BASEBALL SCORES.” >> YEAH.

WOO.

>> HOT LATELY.

>> COULD BE CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> TANE: TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE IS GOOD, EVEN (ESPECIALLY) WHEN WE KNOW WE’RE GOING TO DISAGREE.

IF WE DO IT THOUGHTFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY, WE'LL LEARN A LOT, WE'LL FORM DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

SO, I'M GOING TO SWING BIG WITH THIS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ISRAEL AND GAZA.

>> OKAY, NOW, THAT IS IT!

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE A DINNER FILLED WITH MINDLESS CONVERSATION THAT WOULD MELT IN YOUR BRAIN LIKE A BREAD PUDDING.

BUT YOU JUST COULDN’T LET IT HAPPEN!

YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR DEEPLY SEEDED VALUES.

YOU MONSTER!

WELL, TWO PEOPLE CAN PLAY THIS GAME, YOU CONVERSATIONAL TERRORIST.

YOU KNOW WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE NUTS?

SING-ALONGS.

>> WHAT?

>> YOU HEARD ME.

YOU THINK TALKING ABOUT FEMINISM AND THE NATIONAL DEBT AND IMMIGRATION MAKES PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE, GET A LOAD OF THIS.

DENNIS!

♪ SWEET CAROLINE ♪ ♪ BAHBAHBAH ♪ ♪ GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEM SO GOOD ♪ ♪ SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD ♪ ♪ I'VE BEEN INCLINED ♪ ♪ LET ME HEAR IT ♪ ♪♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS WEDNESDAY RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI GAVE MORE DETAILS ON AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE COUNTY'S FORMER MEDICAL EXAMINER, DR. MICHAEL MCGEE.

BACK IN 2021, A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT JUDGE CALLED MCGEE'S TESTIMONY "UNRELIABLE, MISLEADING, AND INACCURATE" ON HIS TENURE AS CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER REACHES FROM 1985 TO 2019 AND CALLS INTO QUESTION CASES ACROSS SEVERAL DECADES.

ST. PAUL "PIONEER PRESS" REPORTER MARA GOTTFRIED HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY AND JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK.

>> HOW DID THEY NARROW THE FIELD FROM, LIKE, 200 SOME CASES DOWN TO, WHAT, SEVEN?

>> THANK YOU.

YES.

THEY STARTED WITH 215 CASES.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> THAT THEY SAID DATED BACK TO THE 1980s.

SO, THEY GIVE AN UPDATE JUST ON WEDNESDAY, AND THEY SAID THEY ELIMINATED CASES WHEN CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH WEREN'T AT ISSUE, ALONG WITH SITUATIONS IF A PERSON WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OR IF THE DEFENDANT WAS DECEASED.

>> Cathy: HOW DID THIS POP UP?

I MEAN, BECAUSE HE'S BEEN AROUND FOR, WELL, OBVIOUSLY A LONG LONG TIME.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: WAS THERE A CASE THAT WAS THE SPARK FOR ALL OF THIS?

>> YEAH, SO IT WAS THE DREW SJODIN CASE, WHICH DATES BACK TO 2003.

AND THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021, A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT JUDGE ISSUED AN ORDER IN THAT CASE AND THAT'S WHEN, LIKE, ERIC SAID, THE JUDGE WAS CRITICAL OF Dr. McGEE'S TESTIMONY IN THAT CASE.

HE THREW OUT THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE MAN WHO WAS CONVICTED, THAT MAN IS STILL SERVING LIFE IN PRISON, BUT THIS ALL CAME ABOUT AFTER THAT JUDGE'S ORDER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021.

>> Eric: WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THE RESULTS OF THE SEVEN CASE INVESTIGATION?

IT'S HARD TO DO A DO-OVER HERE.

OR IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO RETRY CASES?

>> WELL, WHAT THEY SAID AT THE -- ABOUT THE SEVEN CASES IS THEY MADE CLEAR AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY THAT THEY HAD NOT REACHED A CONCLUSION ABOUT THOSE CASES ABOUT WHETHER THERE ARE LEGAL PROBLEMS WITH THEM OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

THEY'RE CASES THEY IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING A CLOSER LOOK.

THEY SAID, THEY'RE ATTORNEYS, THEY'RE PROSECUTORS, THEY'RE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SO, THEY ARE AS PART OF THIS INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION, THEY ARE HIRING ON OR CONTRACTING WITH THREE INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINERS WHO AREN'T FROM MINNESOTA TO TAKE A LOOK THROUGH THESE SEVEN CASES AND TO REALLY ANALYZE THESE EVEN CASES.

AND THEN COME BACK WITH A REPORT ABOUT THEM.

>> Cathy: SO IT'S NOT CLEAR JUST HOW ALLEGEDLY SHODDY HIS WORK MAY HAVE BEEN, IF THAT'S A RIGHT WORD TO USE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE HAVE BEEN CERTAINLY CASES IN ADDITION TO THE DRU SJODIN CASE, THERE WERE OTHER CASES THAT HAVE COME INTO QUESTION, THERE WAS ANOTHER CASE THAT THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE VACATED A SENTENCE IN IN WHICH THEY SAID Dr. McGEE'S TESTIMONY WAS THE LINCHPIN OF THE CASE.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CASES, BUT OF THE SEVEN THAT THE RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE FOUND FROM A MEDICAL REVIEW OF THOSE CASES.

>> Eric: AS HE DEFENDED HIMSELF AT ALL PUBLICLY, PRIVATELY, IN COURT, ANYWHERE ELSE?

>> Dr. McGEE IS THE SUBJECT OF A LAWSUIT AND I GUESS I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN EXACTLY WHAT THAT LAWSUIT'S ONGOING, I HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT'S COME OUT OF THAT.

I KNOW THIS WEEK I TRIED TO REACH HIS ATTORNEYS, AND I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THEM AS FAR AS WHAT HE THINKS OR THEY THINK OF THE CURRENT REVIEW.

>> Cathy: IS RAMSEY COUNTY SAYING AT ALL, PROBABLY NOT, RIGHT?

>> THE COUNTY, SO THERE'S BEEN A DIFFERENT MEDICAL EXAMINER SINCE HE LEFT IN -- I BELIEVE SHE TOOK OVER IN 2020, BUT THEY HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT WHAT HEIR CURRENT PRACTICES ARE.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: IS THERE -- COULD THERE BE NEW TRIALS INVOLVED OR RE-EXAMINATION OF THE CASES?

WHAT MIGHT BE DONE WITH THIS WORK PRODUCT WHEN IT'S CONCLUDED?

>> YEAH, IT'S HARD TO SAY.

I THINK THERE COULD BE.

I THINK THOSE WILL BE QUESTIONS THAT WILL GO TO RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT'S FOUND, WHETHER THERE WOULD BE NEW TRIALS OR WHETHER HE WOULD LOOK AT DISMISSING A CASE, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT COULD HAPPEN, VACATING A SENTENCE.

>> Cathy: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION, I'M GOING TO TRY IT ANYWAY, THOUGH, BECAUSE YOU COVER COURTS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH EVIDENCE, AND I WONDER, THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE QUESTIONS, NOT LWAYS, BUT IT SEEMS SENSITIVE, MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT'S PRETTY SENSITIVE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: IS THIS PAR FOR THE COURSE IN OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE RESULTS OF A CASE ARE EXAMINED LIKE THIS OR IS THIS UNUSUAL?

>> I DON'T KNOW IN PARTICULAR ABOUT MEDICAL EXAMINER CASES.

I KNOW FORENSIC EVIDENCE IS ALWAYS COMING INTO QUESTION.

AND I SHOULD SAY, FOR THESE SEVEN CASES, THE ONES THAT ARE REMAINING, ONE ASPECT OF THEM IS THAT THEY SAID THE CAUSE OF DEATH WASN'T NECESSARILY STRAIGHTFORWARD, IT WASN'T LIKE THEY WERE DEALING WITH A MURDER CASE THAT WAS A GUNSHOT CASE.

SO THEY WERE CASES THAT SEEM TO BE MORE COMPLEX AS FAR AS THE CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH.

>> Eric: THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> Eric: WE LEARNED A LOT TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: WE APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> THIS IS INTERESTING.

DAVID STARTS OFF WITH OUR PRODUCER OF "ALMANAC," BRENDEN HENEHAN.

BRENDEN.

AND HE IS OFF ALREADY, ON TO OUR SECOND PERSON, KIESA.

OH, KARI.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER.

THE CHOICE OF UTENSIL IS ACTUALLY INTERESTING.

>> I NEED ONE OF THOSE PIECES OF PAPER BACK, ACTUALLY.

>> E IS NOT -- DAVID IS USUALLY A SHARPIE MAN THAN.

THIS TYPE OF MARKER, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

AND I THINK OTHER CARTOONISTS MIGHT HAVE CHOSEN A DIFFERENT UTENSIL.

SO THIS IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

OUR NEXT PERSON HAT WE GO TO, I'M NOT ACTUALLY SURE -- OKAY.

WELL, LAURA.

>> WHOA!

>> OUR GRAPHIC ARTISTS, THIS IS NTERESTING.

WE ARE ON TO NUMBER .

THIS ONE IS EASY, CATHY.

CATHY HAS HIGH STANDARDS, APPARENTLY.

>> Cathy: I REMEMBER THAT.

THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

AND I STILL HAVE MY PICTURE, BY THE WAY, AT MY DESK IN MPR.

SPEAKING OF FUN, ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD IS RIDING CAFESJIAN'S CAROUSEL.

THE 110-YEAR-OLD CAROUSEL JUST WRAPPED UP ANOTHER SUMMER SEASON AT COMO PARK.

IT'S CELEBRATING ITS BIG BIRTHDAY.

IT BOASTS A VARIETY OF HORSES, OR JUMPERS FOR YOU CAROUSEL CONNOISSEURS OUT THERE, AND THE ATTRACTION IS FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED WITH ORIGINAL PAINT.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN NEAR THE RIDE, YOU MAY HAVE EVEN HEARD THE FULLY RESTORED WURLITZER 153-BAND ORGAN BLASTING MUSIC.

HERE TO TAKE US FOR A SPIN THROUGH THE CAROUSEL'S HISTORY -- SEE WHAT I DID -- AND FUTURE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NONPROFIT OUR FAIR CAROUSEL, TRACY TOLZMANN, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS, CATHY AND ERIC, GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Cathy: WELL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

THE BIG CELEBRATION WAS LAST WEEKEND.

>> 110, HOW MANY 110-YEAR-OLDS DO YOU KNOW THAT ARE RUNNING LIKE THAT RIDE?

>> Cathy: I HAVE TO SAY SHE GOES REALLY -- SHE DOES REALLY WELL.

>> IT GOES EIGHT MILES AN HOUR, WHICH IS A LITTLE FASTER THAN MOST CAROUSELS.

>> Cathy: NOW, THERE ARE THREE STYLES OF CAROUSEL CARVINGS, I UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?

AND OUR -- YOUR CAROUSEL, OUR CAROUSEL IS CARVED IN THE PHILADELPHIA STYLE, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, THE PHILADELPHIA STYLE, WHICH IS MORE REALISTIC.

THE HORSES LOOK MORE REAL THA THAN, SAY, THE CONEY ISLAND STYLE, WHICH IS MUCH MORE FANCIFUL AND MAYBE THE HORSES JUST DON'T LOOK QUITE ANATOMICALLY CORRECT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> YOU KNOW, THEIR NECKS ARE EXTRA LONG, YOU KNOW, ODD THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT PARTS AND MAINTENANCE?

YOU BROUGHT EVEN A -- WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> WELL, THE ONLY SPARE PART THAT WE HAVE -- >> Eric: HOLD IT UP.

>> -- ON THIS 110-YEAR-OLD CAROUSEL IS THIS, AND THIS IS THE MAIN BEARING.

THIS IS A USED MAIN BEARING THAT WE REMOVED IN 2015.

BUT THE 30-TON RIDE RIDES ON TOP F THIS, ON TOP OF THE 25-FOOT CENTER POLE, SO THE WHOLE HING S BALANCED ON THIS BRONZE BEARING.

AND THIS IS THE ONLY PART THAT THE PHILADELPHIA TOBOGGAN COMPANY IN PHILADELPHIA STILL MAKES.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS NONEXISTENT.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> SO IF -- WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL FUND.

WHEN PEOPLE SPONSORED OUR HORSES, WE HAD ADOPT A PONY AND YOU COULD ADOPT A PONY FOR BETWEEN 25,000 AND $10,000, AND WE DO HAVE A FEW LEFT, ABOUT TEN MORE READY, OF THE 68 TOTAL, THAT ARE UP FOR ADOPTION.

BUT, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WE'VE GOT THAT MONEY FROM THAT GOES INTO OUR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE FUND IS WHAT I LIKE TO CALL IT.

IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN, FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF THE CRANKS THAT HOLDS FOUR HORSES EACH THAT MAKES THE HORSES GO UP AND DOWN, BECAUSE ALL OF OUR HORSES ARE JUMPERS, AS YOU POINTED OUT, IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO THAT, WELL, WE'D HAVE TO HAVE IT MANUFACTURED SPECIALLY.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> AND IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

>> Eric: CAN'T GO DOWN TO MENARDS.

>> NO, NO.

NOW WE HAVE ONE A FEW QUICK FIXES HERE AND THERE.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CATASTROPHIC FAILURES.

A YEAR AGO, LABOR DAY WEEKEND, WE WERE SHUT DOWN, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY OF LABOR DAY, BECAUSE WE HAD A LITTLE SQUEAK UP IN THE UPPER WORKS.

WELL, A LITTLE SQUEAK CAN TURN INTO A CATASTROPHIC AILURE.

>> Cathy: NO KIDDING.

>> SO WE HAD TO JUST CLOSE UNTIL THE MILLWRIGHTS COULD COME IN, THESE GUYS ARE EXPERTS, THEY CRAWL AROUND UP ABOVE AND LIE DOWN AND WATCH THINGS AND READJUST.

IT'S AMAZING.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SHOW PICTURES OF THESE HORSES UP CLOSE.

WE'VE GOT SOME VIDEO.

WE'RE GOING TO ROLL THAT.

YOU'RE GOING TO TALK OVER IT.

WE MENTIONED THE CARVING, OBVIOUSLY.

AND I'M WONDERING, THE CAROUSEL WAS AT THE STATE FAIR FIRST, RIGHT?

>> THE CAROUSEL WAS AT THE STATE FAIR FOR 75 YEARS, FROM 1914.

THE STATE FAIR USED TO START ON LABOR DAY, SO LAST SATURDAY, THE 7th OF SEPTEMBER WAS OUR ACTUAL 110th ANNIVERSARY.

BUT WHEN IT OPENED ON THAT DAY, IT ONLY OPENED FOR A FEW RIDES BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD A MAIN BEARING FAILURE.

WELL, THAT'S REALLY NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

THE CENTER POLE WAS SLIGHTLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, AND IT HAS TO BE SO PERFECTLY BALANCED.

SO, ANYWAY, LUCKILY THEY GOT IT FIXED AND ABOUT 8,000 PEOPLE RODE THAT CAROUSEL AT THE FIRST FAIR.

BUT SINCE THEN, IN 1988, THE CAROUSEL WENT ON AUCTION.

THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, THE STATE FAIR NEVER OWNED IT, IT WAS A FRANCHISE, A PRIVATE OWNER, SOLD THE CAROUSEL, OUR FAIR CAROUSEL WAS FORMED BY PETER BOEM AND NANCY ETERSON, JUST TWO CONCERNED CITIZENS THAT FORMED THE NONPROFIT.

>> Cathy: THEN, OF COURSE, I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU, BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, SO IT ACTUALLY GOT TO COMO PARK, BY THE WAY.

DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?

>> WE NEED VOLUNTEERS.

WE'RE STILL OPEN.

FRIDAY AND SUNDAY THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER, AS LONG AS IT'S 45° OR WARMER.

>> Cathy: GREAT.

>> SO, WE CAN USE VOLUNTEERS.

WE ASK PEOPLE TO DO THREE-HOUR SHIFTS.

THEY EARN FREE TICKETS.

SO EVERY HOUR THEY WORK, THEY GET A TICKET, WHICH THEY CAN GIVE TO THEIR FRIENDS OR FAMILY, ANYONE THEY'D LIKE.

>> Cathy: IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES.

>> Eric: WE'VE GOT TO RUN.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY.

>> HANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME TOWN.

WE HAVE TWO EVENTS COMING UP.

HISTORY IN MOTION.

>> Cathy: RIGHT, SEPTEMBER 24th AND OCTOBER 2nd.

WE GOTTA GO.

SEE YOU LATER.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> DON'T YOU WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE?

>> I'LL GO FOR A RIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I'LL BUY.

>> WHAT'S THE OBJECT OF THIS?

>> BASICALLY JUST TO HANG ON.

JUST HANG ON.

ENJOY THE RIDE.

>> OW LONG DOES IT LAST?

>> NOT TOO LONG, ERIC.

ONE ADULT, ONE CHILD.

>> ARE YOU SCARED?

>> I'M SCARED TO DEATH.

GIVE ME FIVE.

>> IS T A REAL HORSE?

>> WHAT?

>> IT'S NOT A REAL HORSE.

>> IT'S NOT?

>> NO.

>> WELL, NOW THEY TELL ME.

YOU EVER ATCH PUBLIC TV?

>> WHAT?

>> YOU EVER WATCH PUBLIC TV?

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: EARLIER THIS SUMMER THE MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW ANNOUNCED THAT CAMILLE DAVIDSON WOULD BE TAKING OVER LEADERSHIP AS THE SCHOOL'S NEW PRESIDENT AND DEAN.

DAVIDSON, THE THIRD PERSON TO HOLD THE POSITION, COMES TO THE UNIVERSITY FROM LEADING THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SIMMONS LAW SCHOOL AND A LONG CAREER IN ACADEMIA AND PRIVATE PRACTICE.

SHE JOINS US TODAY AS STUDENTS ARE COMING BACK TO CAMPUS FOR THE NEW SEMESTER.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A MAGNET FOR YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW STARTED THE BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM.

IT IS NOT AN ONLINE PROGRAM.

WHAT IT IS IS SOMEWHAT OF A HYBRID MODEL.

STUDENTS COME TO CAMPUS TWICE A YEAR.

SO THEY COME TO CAMPUS THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL, WE CALL THAT PREP WEEK.

THEY HAVE INTENSIVE CLASS WORK, THEY MEET THEIR PROFESSORS IN PERSON, THEY MEET THEIR COHORT OF STUDENTS.

SO THAT WHEN THEY GO HOME, AFTER THAT WEEK, THEY'RE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING.

AND THEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE SEMESTER, THEY COME BACK AGAIN FOR AN IN-PERSON COMPONENT OF THEIR EDUCATION.

SO IT'S A WONDERFUL BLEND OF SELF-PACED ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING, ALONG WITH THAT FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT THAT IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LAW SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LAW SCHOOL, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THE MAIN FOCUS IS GETTING THE LEGAL KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU NEED, BUT THERE'S SOME CRITICS WHO SAY, A LOT OF SCHOOLS ARE NOT HELPING LAW STUDENTS BUILD THE PRACTICAL SKILLS THEY'RE GOING TO NEED, ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS AS ATTORNEYS.

A LOT OF TECHNICAL SKILLS ARE NEEDED.

ARE YOU DOING THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT OR ALMOST 125 YEARS.

SO AS WE GET READY TO CELEBRATE 125 YEARS OF MITCHELL HAMLINE, WE STARTED AS THE St. PAUL COLLEGE OF LAW, AND FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED WITH AND BEEN LEADERS IN PRACTICAL EDUCATION.

WE CALL IT PRACTICAL WISDOM, WE SAY WE'RE GOOD IN THEORY, EVEN BETTER IN PRACTICE.

WHETHER OUR STUDENTS ARE IN THE BLENDED PROGRAM OR THE IN-PERSON PROGRAM, WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLINICS, FOR EXTERNSHIPS, FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK IN VARIOUS LEGAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR THOSE WHO ARE BLENDED.

>> Cathy: I BET YOU'VE HEARD OF THIS PHRASE THAT LAW FIRMS ARE LOOKING FOR T-SHAPED ATTORNEYS NOWADAYS.

WITH, AGAIN, THE OBVIOUS SKILLS YOU NEED, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SET OF SKILLS YOU NEED NOWADAYS.

WHAT IS THAT, EXACTLY?

>> SURE.

I THINK WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE, NOT ONLY TO THINK AS ATTORNEYS, BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE -- THAT WE ARE TRAINING LAWYERS WHO ARE CULTURALLY COMPETENT.

THAT MEANS THAT THEY ARE EMPATHETIC, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT, WHILE THE CLIENTS IGHT NOT BE LIKE THEM OR COME FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND, THAT THEY HAVE THE SKILLS AND TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO ENGAGE IN DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS.

>> Eric: ONE OF YOUR JOBS IS TO RAISE MONEY.

>> INDEED.

>> Eric: AND TELL US HOW YOU LANDED THIS $10 MILLION WHALE DOWN AT SIU?

>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW THE SECRET TO THAT SAUCE, I TELL YOU.

>> Eric: THAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

>> IT WAS THE BIGGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY, WITHOUT A DOUBT.

IT'S CALLED RELATIONSHIPS, I THINK ONE PERSON AT A TIME, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING SINCE I ARRIVED HERE JULY 1st.

JUST GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE, GETTING TO MEET THEM, LISTENING TO THEM, UNDERSTANDING WHAT DRIVES THEM, WHAT MAKES THEM HAPPY, WHAT THEY ENJOYED ABOUT THEIR LAW SCHOOL AREER, WHAT THEY'RE ENJOYING ABOUT PRACTICE.

AND THEN SORT OF MATCHING WHAT RESONATES WITH THEM WITH THE IDEAS OF WHAT THEY MAY HAVE FOR THE INSTITUTION.

ACTUALLY THE $10 MILLION DONOR WAS NOT AN ALUM, BUT WAS A PRACTICING LAWYER IN THE REGION WHO REALLY RESONATED WITH THE MISSION OF THAT SCHOOL, WHICH IS VERY VERY SIMILAR TO THE MISSION OF MY CURRENT INSTITUTION, MITCHELL HAMLINE, AND THAT IS TRAINING ATTORNEYS TO SERVE THE REGION.

AND AT MITCHELL HAMLINE WE KNOW WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE MORE THAN 50% OF THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE ALUMS, SO MANY OF THE PRACTICING LAWYERS ARE ALUMNI.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT RESONATED THERE, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT RESONATES HERE.

>> Eric: WELL, WELCOME.

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

BRING THAT MONEY HOME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GOTTA WORK ON IT.

>> Eric: -- TO MITCHELL HAMLINE.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: IN THIS WEEK'S RACE TO WATCH, MARY LAHAMMER HEADED EAST TO THE LAKE ELMO-AFTON AREA WHERE SHE CAUGHT UP WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES VYING FOR AN OPEN HOUSE SEAT.

THEY HAVE LOTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE LOOKING TO MOVE UP TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: A LAKE ELMO RESTAURANT THAT'S NOT SHY ABOUT ITS POLITICS IS THE PLACE WHERE THIS REPUBLICAN IS TRYING TO RETAIN HOUSE SEAT 41A FOR HIS PARTY.

>> HI.

I'M WAYNE JOHNSON, I'M RUNNING FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE.

WASHINGTON COUNTY AND SPECIFICALLY MY DISTRICT IS PURPLE.

MARK ONLY ON BY 120 VOTES.

WE'RE PROBABLY EVEN MORE PURPLE NOW.

SO IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE ABOUT CONNECTING WITH THE VOTERS THAT WANT TO WORK WITH BOTH SIDES, WANT TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> Mary: SO DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE EVEN CLOSER?

I MEAN, COULD THIS BE LESS THAN 100 VOTES THIS IME?

>> I WOULD NOT BE URPRISED.

>> I'M LUCIA WROBLEWSKI, I'M RUNNING FOR STATE HOUSE.

>> Mary: AT A SCANDINAVIAN HOUSE IN AFTON -- CAFÉ IN AFTON, THE CANDIDATES AND HER SUPPORTERS KNOW AN OPEN SEAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLIP A DISTRICT.

>> FEELS LIKE EVERY ELECTION SINCE 2016 IS HE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIME.

AND IT REALLY IS.

>> Mary: HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL KNOWING CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE HOUSE, I MEAN, STATE GOVERNMENT COULD FALL IN A RACE LIKE THIS?

>> OH, IT'S A REALLY SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY.

IT'S BEEN ALL REPUBLICAN HERE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

AND I FEEL LIKE THAT WORKING PROCESS ISN'T WORKING.

FLIPPING A SEAT -- FLIPPING THE SEAT WILL BE A BIG DISTRICT FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN HAS APPEARED ON LOCAL BALLOTS BEFORE, WINNING SEATS ON CITY COUNCIL AND COUNTY BOARD.

>> GOING DOWN TO THE CAPITOL, KIND OF HELPING TO START WORK TOGETHER, START TALKING TO EACH OTHER DOWN THERE.

IT'S A NONPARTISAN ROLE.

SO IT NEVER GOT BROUGHT UP, OH, THIS IS THIS SIDE, THIS IS THAT SIDE, YOU'RE WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY IS GOOD FOR OUR DISTRICT.

I KNOW WITH MY EXPERIENCE OF BIPARTISANSHIP, AND THEN ALSO I'VE BEEN DOWN THERE, TESTIFYING, AND I'VE ALSO BEEN TO D.C., SO I KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH BOTH SIDES.

>> I THINK WE'VE BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED HERE.

>> Mary: THE DEMOCRAT WAS A St. PAUL POLICE OFFICER FOR DECADES BUSINESS AND ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE SERVING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON CITY COUNCIL AND A PLANNING BOARD.

>> I WON IN WHAT PEOPLE TERM A LAND SLIDE.

AND THEN I RAN UNOPPOSED IN THE MOST CONSERVATIVE WARD IN OUR CITY.

PEOPLE LIKE THE WORK I DO.

I REALLY CARE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS, LIKE I DID THE RESIDENTS OF St. PAUL.

DOING THAT KIND OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND DEALING WITH CONSTITUENTS AND DEALING WITH ALL THE ISSUES IN THE BUDGET, AND ALL THE ISSUES THAT COME UP IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IT'S AN AMAZING PROCESS, AND THERE'S -- THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE.

>> Mary: NOT ONLY WAS THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION HERE DECIDED BY JUST OVER 100 VOTES, BUT THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ONE MONTH GO WAS EQUALLY AS CLOSE.

>> IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK, MORE WORK THAN I PROBABLY HAVE EVER DONE IN ANY OF MY OTHER RACES.

THEY SAW ME MORE AS A MODERATE, MORE AS A WORKING WITH BOTH SIDES.

>> Mary: NOT A LOT OF MODERATES ARE WINNING PRIMARIES RIGHT NOW, THOUGH, ARE THEY?

>> NO, THEY'RE NOT.

THAT'S WHAT WAS AMAZING.

>> Mary: THE MIDDLE IS UNUSUAL TERRITORY IN POLITICS THESE DAYS.

SOMETHING BOTH CANDIDATES ARE SEEKING HERE.

YOU BOTH SAY YOU WANT TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE, YOU WANT TO USE YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, I'M DIFFERENT BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE, AND NOT JUST TALKED ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, SOMEBODY HAS A TRUMP SIGN AND MY SIGN ON THEIR PROPERTY.

I MEAN, WHAT DOES THAT SAY?

I REALLY WILL WORK FOR EVERYBODY HERE.

>> HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE ELECTION COMING UP?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> HAVE YOU?

DO YOU NORMALLY GO REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?

>> I DON'T HAVE A -- INDEPENDENT.

>> Mary: THE DISTRICT IS GROWING AND GETTING EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE, A 10 OR 20-POINT MARGIN WOULDN'T SURPRISE PEOPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME WORK HARDER, IT MAKES ME WANT TO KNOCK THE EXTRA DOOR, TALKING TO BOTH SIDES.

I THINK THE BEST ADVICE WAS GIVEN TO ME BEFORE, ALWAYS ASSUME YOU'RE BEHIND.

>> SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> OH, MY GOD.

>> YEAH.

>> SO, I'M ALL OVER IT.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: THE CHARMING, QUIRKY RIVER TOWNS AND STUNNING St. CROIX ARE WORTH PROTECTING FOR THIS DEMOCRAT.

>> WE HAVE A SCENIC PROTECTED RIVER, THE ST. CROIX RIVER.

>> Mary: WHAT ELSE ARE YOU HEARING, OTHER TOP ISSUES?

>> WELL, ECONOMY IS HUGE.

WE HAVE THIS BOOMING ECONOMY, THEY SAY.

BUT IT HASN'T HIT THE WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASS.

THE OTHER THING I'LL JUST TELL YOU IS I HAVE -- WE DO HEAR ABOUT THE WOMEN'S RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES.

AT THE DOORS.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> HAVE YOU DECIDED WHICH DIRECTION YOU'D LIKE TO GO?

>> ALWAYS CONSERVATIVE.

>> OH, BLESS YOU.

>> FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE A GOAL.

>> WHEN YOU GO TO THE DOORS, YOU KNOW, THEY USUALLY HAVE, WHAT, 30% ON ONE SIDE, 30% ON THE OTHER.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE 40% IN THE MIDDLE.

WHEN I'M GOING UP TO THE DOOR, AND THEY'RE SAYING, I'M TIRED OF ALL THE EXTREMISM AND NOBODY WORKING TOGETHER, AND I SAY, WELL, I CAME FROM A BIPARTISAN OR A NONPARTISAN ROLE, AND I'M USED TO WORKING, OH, THANK YOU, WE NEED YOU DOWN THERE.

SO I'M GOING DOWN THERE WITH THAT BECAUSE I GET FRUSTRATED TOO.

>> WELL, YOU CAN COUNT ON A COUPLE OF VOTES HERE.

>> IT'S JOBS AND HOUSING.

AND OUT HERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY.

>> I WOULD SAY THE MAJORITY OF THEM CALL THEMSELVES INDEPENDENT, WHETHER THEY'RE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I REALLY WANT TO TALK TO.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT'S BEEN A HARD ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS.

HOW DOES THAT HELP YOU IN A DISTRICT LIKE HIS?

>> I DON'T BUY THAT DEMOCRATS ARE FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

YOU KNOW, ONE OR A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAY THAT.

I THINK THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAMPED DOWN RIGHT AWAY.

BUT PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY LIFE.

>> THANKS, LUCIA.

IT WAS LOVELY TO MEET YOU.

>> YOU MADE Y DAY, GUYS.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GOING TO DIVE RIGHT INTO OUR FINAL POLITICAL CONVERSATION OF THE HOUR WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST, SARAH LÓPEZ, POLICY ACTIVIST.

ABOU AMARA, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, TURNED ATTORNEY.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT, BRIAN MCCLUNG, FORMER GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SPOKESPERSON.

WE WELCOME AUSTIN ALTEN BERG TO THE COUCH, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR FORMER WISCONSIN GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER AND WISCONSIN U.S.

SENATOR RON JOHNSON.

SAY, BRIAN MCCLUNG, VOTERS KNOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP PRETTY WELL.

AFTER THAT DEBATE, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS?

>> THAT WAS THE MAIN TAKEAWAY, WAS, NEW YORK TIMES SIENNA POLL SHOWED GOING INTO THAT DEBATE MORE THAN A QUARTER OF VOTERS SAID THEY WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, ONLY ABOUT 9% OF PEOPLE SAID THEY NEEDED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

SO THAT WAS, I THINK, WHAT SHE SET OUT TO DO.

AND CLEARLY VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS WAS VERY WELL PREPARED.

AND ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, DONALD TRUMP'S IMPROV STYLE WAS JUST NO MATCH FOR SOMEBODY WHO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT IN AND AME IN READY TO GO.

AND, SO, SHE BAITED HIM, SHE HAD FACTS, SHE HAD INFORMATION.

I THINK THAT PRESIDENT HAD HIS S BEST MOMENT AT THE VERY END OF THAT DEBATE WHEN HE SAID, IF YOU WANTED TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS, WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE IT?

YOU KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS.

YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THOSE THINGS.

BUT HIS ERROR WAS IN NOT LEADING WITH THAT KIND OF MESSAGE.

AND WAITING UNTIL PROBABLY A LOT OF PEOPLE TUNED OUT.

>> Eric: SARAH, ARE DEMOCRATS SAD THAT THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER DEBATE, APPARENTLY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK WE DID GREAT ON THE FIRST ONE.

WE SHOWED IN 90 MINUTES THAT WE HAVE A PERSON, A PRESIDENTIAL ANDIDATE, THAT IS READY TO SERVE, WHEN SHE WALKED INTO THE ROOM, STEPPING INTO POWER, SHAKING HIS HAND, I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO DEFINE IN THOSE 90 MINUTES WHAT THE POLITICAL PROJECT FOR THE COUNTRY IS.

SO I'M ACTUALLY REALLY EXCITED.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED MORE.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES TRUMP HAVE TO DO GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK HE HAS TO DRIVE THE KEY MESSAGES HOME THAT HE FAILED TO DO SO IN THE DEBATE.

HE HAS TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMY, HIS NUMBERS INCREASED AFTER THE DEBATE ON WHO DID BETTER ON THE ECONOMY.

HE HAS TO DRIVE HOME IMMIGRATION.

THAT IS HIS BREAD AND BUTTER, IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

THERE'S CLEARLY PROBLEMS OUT THERE ON IMMIGRATION THAT HE CAN PEAK TO THAT RESONATE WITH PEOPLE.

SO IF HE DRIVES THOSE TWO MESSAGES HOME, I THINK HE'S IN A STRONG POSITION.

>> REALLY, WHAT YOU'RE SAILING, IF DONALD TRUMP WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON, HE'D MAKE AN EFFECTIVE MESSAGE.

HERE'S THE REALITY.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT CATS AND DOGS BEING EATEN.

WHEN YOU LEAD WITH THAT AS YOUR MESSAGE, NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ON IMMIGRATION, ON THE ECONOMY, THERE'S A THRESHOLD QUESTION OF SIDE BY SIDE, WHICH ONE OF THESE TWO PEOPLE IS PRESIDENTIAL, WHO CAN I SEE GETTING THE CALL AT 3:00 A.M. AND IN THAT DEBATE KAMALA HARRIS WON THAT, NO QUESTION.

>> Eric: IS MINNESOTA BEING PORTRAYED CORRECTLY?

IT'S COME UNDER KIND OF A MICROSCOPE WITH THE MEDIA, SO FORTH, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT WALZ ON THE TICKET.

ARE THEY GETTING A TRUE PICTURE OF MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY'RE GETTING THEIR PICTURE FROM.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GETTING YOUR PICTURE ON TRUTH SOCIAL, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY NOT.

IF YOU'RE TAKING A BROADER LOOK AT MINNESOTA, HOPEFULLY YOU ARE.

I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND JD VANCE HAVE KIND OF GOTTEN DISTRACTED BY THIS IDEA OF WANTING TO ATTACK TIM WALZ AND WANTING TO ATTACK WHAT HE'S DONE IN MINNESOTA.

I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, ALMOST NO ONE IS VOTING FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET BASED ON WHO THE NUMBER TWO IS.

SO, -- BUT THEY ARE SO TEMPTED BY WANTING TO TELL THE STORY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS ON FIRE THAT THEY ARE DRAWN TO IT LIKE MOTHS TO A FLAME.

AND, FRANKLY, EVERY MINUTE THAT THEY SPEND TRYING TO TELL THAT STORY IS A MINUTE THEY'VE LOST, LIKE AUSTIN SAID, WHERE THEY'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND IMMIGRATION AND ISSUES THAT ACTUALLY WORK FOR THEM.

>> Eric: SARAH, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT, FIRST OF ALL, WE ALL BELIEVE IN THIS ROOM THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY, RIGHT?

AND I THINK THAT ESPECIALLY DURING THE DEBATE, PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO SEE, RIGHT, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE CURTAILING YOUR FREEDOMS WHILE SCAPEGOATING COMMUNITIES, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, IMMIGRANTS, THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, AND MAKING SURE THAT WOMEN DON'T GET THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

SO I FEEL THAT FOR MINNESOTA VOTERS IN THE TATE, PEOPLE CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH THAT.

AND THE MORE THE SENIOR CITIZEN ROLE GOES UP, IT'S ALSO LIKE A REFLECTION THAT FOLKS ARE MOVING TOWARDS COMPETENT LEADERSHIP, WHICH IS THE HARRIS/WALZ TICKET.

VITRIOL.

>> I THINK ONE THING WE LEARNED, TIM WALZ IS SO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BATTLEGROUND STATES OVERALL.

HIS ABILITY TO GO INTO VFW HALLS, AIRLINE HANGARS AND TALK TO THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE.

JUST EARLIER TODAY HE WAS IN LANSING, MICHIGAN, TALKING TO SUBURBAN MOMS.

HIS ABILITY TO SELL A PROGRESSIVE MESSAGE TO A BROAD SWATH OF THE COALITION IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK KAMALA HARRIS AND THEIR TEAM UNDERESTIMATED.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE POLLING SO FAR?

AND DO YOU THINK -- THE NEEDLE MOVED TOWARD HARRIS MORE SINCE THIS DEBATE OR WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN TERMS OF NUMBERS SO FAR?

>> I THINK WE'RE OMING OFF OF A QUITE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN THE LAST DEBATE, WHERE IT OBVIOUSLY MOVED THINGS SIGNIFICANTLY.

BUT IN THE PAST DEBATES HAVEN'T MOVED THE NUMBERS THAT MUCH.

SO, I THINK THAT THIS DEBATE IS GOING TO BE A REFLECTION OF THAT.

WE HAVE TWO MONTHS LEFT, TWO MONTHS IS AN ETERNITY IN POLITICS.

A LOT CAN CHANGE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER DEBATE.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT DRIVING THOSE MESSAGES HOME.

THERE'S A MILLION WAYS THEY CAN DO THAT, YOU KNOW.

SPEAKING IS ONE WAY.

BUT SOCIAL MEDIA IS A WHOLE OTHER WAY THAT HAS JUST EXPLODED SINCE THE DEBATE.

AND SOME OF IT'S IN REPUBLICANS' FAVOR.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPRINGFIELD, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE PLACES THAT WE WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT BEFORE.

GRANTED, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CATS AND DOGS.

>> CATS AND DOGS IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> YES, WHICH IS CERTAINLY WILD.

BUT WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE EXPERIENCING.

SPRINGFIELD, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS SEEN A MASSIVE INCREASE IN ITS POPULATION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND THAT, FOR THE COMMUNITY, I THINK THE MAYOR WAS JUST ON, HAS MENTIONED HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO THEM AND IT'S A PROBLEM THAT THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING WITH.

>> CATHY, YOU YOU TALK ABOUT THE POLLING, THE THING ABOUT THE POLLING IS, THIS IS STILL DONALD TRUMP'S RACE TO LOSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLS, BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, ESPECIALLY, IT IS NECK IN NECK, AND PROBABLY WITH A SLIGHT DVANTAGE TO TRUMP.

AND, SO, OF COURSE, I SAY IT'S DONALD TRUMP'S RACE TO LOSE.

HE CERTAINLY COULD VERY WELL DO THAT.

BUT JUST LOOKING AT T, ESPECIALLY THE WAY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE LINES UP, HE IS STILL IN A VERY STRONG POSITION.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS BEAT HIM IN THAT DEBATE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE WILD AND BIZARRE THINGS HE'S BEEN SAYING, BUT, NEVERTHELESS, WE SHOULD NOT DISCOUNT THE FACT THAT HE IS STILL IN A STRONG POSITION WITH VOTERS.

>> I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS DID SUCH AN AMAZING JOB ARTICULATING WHAT'S AT STAKE IN TERMS OF REPRODUCTIVE RATES RIGHTS THAT AT LEAST I'VE BEEN TALKING TO SOME OF MY PEERS AND FOLKS THAT A LOFT WOMEN FEEL WAY MORE COMPELLED TO MOVE TOWARDS MORE, WHAT I WILL CALL, JUST COMPETENT LEADERSHIP, RIGHT?

AND JUST FINALLY, IF YOU'RE A PERSON WHO LIKES TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, I WILL RECOMMEND EVERYBODY TO GO LOOK UP PROJECT 2025 TO SEE WHAT'S AT STAKE.

>> HERE'S THE REALITY.

HE IS TALKING ABOUT POLLING IN THE ABSTRACT.

IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE BATTLE GROUND STATES, I'D CALL THE TIER TWO BATTLEGROUND STATES, KAMALA HARRIS IS ABLE TO HOLD THOSE STATES IN PLAY, NORTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, ARIZONA, NEVADA.

WHY ARE THOSE STATES STILL IN PLAY?

BECAUSE OF THE RESURGENCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC COALITION.

KAMALA HARRIS IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO WIN STATES LIKE NORTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA THAT JOE BIDEN NEVER COULD HAVE WON.

>> Eric: WISCONSIN IS A SWING STATE, WHERE IT'S HEADED?

>> MARQUETTE POLL JUST CAME OUT, THAT'S THE INSTITUTIONAL POLL IN THE STATE, IT SHOWED VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS UP BY ABOUT FOUR POINTS.

THAT'S GOOD FOR HER.

BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT TRUMP CHRONICALLY UNDERPOLLS ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO WE SAW THIS EXACTLY THE SAME THING OF IN 2020 AND PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THAT STATE BY LESS A PERCENTAGE POINT.

SO, IF, YOU KNOW, F YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, I THINK IT'S A DEAD HEAT.

IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN, THERE ARE ACTUALLY -- THEY'RE ACTUALLY SEEING SOME OPPORTUNITIES, THE REPUBLICANS ARE, SOME WEAKNESS FROM WHAT THEY'VE SEEN BEFORE, WHICH IS A BIT CURIOUS.

BUT IT'S ALSO A PLACE FOR OPPORTUNITY.

IF THEY CAN BUMP THEIR NUMBERS UP, THEY CAN IMPROVE THEIR POLL NUMBERS, AND IT CAN BE COULD BE EVEN MORE.

>> HAT'S WHY I THINK YOU SEE TIM WALZ GOING TO SUPERIOR TOMORROW.

>> YUP.

JD VANCE IS ACTUALLY IN EAU CLAIRE.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT, AGAIN.

I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE BIG MONEY RAISED BY DEMOCRATS, I MEAN A LOT OF MONEY.

HOW IS THAT -- HOW MIGHT THAT FILTER DOWNBALLOT?

>> YEAH, WE'VE SEEN ALREADY THAT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS HAS COMMITTED $25 MILLION FROM THE JOINT FUND FOR DOWNTICKET RACES.

THIS IS IMPORTANT, WHEN YOU'RE COMING INTO A NEW CAMPAIGN, THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, A LOT OF ENERGY, SHE COULD HAVE HARNESSED THAT ALL FOR HERSELF, BUT WHAT SHE DID WAS, SHE SAID, WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS ALONG WITH THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, TO ENSURE AT THE STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, THE CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL THAT THERE'S RESOURCES FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED, ULTIMATELY, THAT'S GOING TO TRICKLE UP, NOT JUST DOWN.

>> IT'S A CONCERN IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE THE TOP OF THE TICKET HERE IS ROYCE WHITE AND HE'S GOING TO RAISE ALMOST NO MONEY.

RELATIVE TO AMY KLOBUCHAR, WHO'S, YOU KNOW, SITTING ON, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE MILLIONS.

AND, SO, WHEN REPUBLICANS HERE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL IN ON WINNING BACK THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPUBLICANS NEED TO WIN FOUR SEATS TO DO THAT.

THAT IS ENTIRELY DOABLE UNDER THE IGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT A CONCERN IS THAT ALL OF THAT EXTRA CASH, YOU KNOW, PRESIDENTIAL, ATIONAL, U.S. SENATE, CAN THEN FILTER DOWN IF THOSE RACES ARE NOT AS COMPETITIVE HERE.

AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> AND I KNOW THAT IS SUPER TEMPTING TO TALK ABOUT MONEY, BUT I WILL NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE TEN YEARS OF RELATIONAL ORGANIZING THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK THAT THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT TO MENTION.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S JUST GOING TO SEAL THE DEAL FOR US THIS 2024.

>> Eric: TAYLOR SWIFT?

>> YEAH, SO NORMALLY ENDORSEMENTS DON'T MATTER.

THIS ENDORSEMENT MATTERS.

THERE'S DATA, I WAS WATCHING CBS EARLIER, THERE'S DATA TO SUGGEST, THERE'S SOMETHING LIKE 300, 400,000 PEOPLE WHO CLICKED THE LINK AND REGISTERED TO VOTE BECAUSE OF TAYLOR SWIFT, SHE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.

>> Eric: THANK YOU, PANEL.

>> Cathy: NICELY DONE.

>> Eric: ENDED RIGHT ON TIME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> THIS PORTRAIT IS ABOUT 30% LARGER THAN LIFE.

SO I PAINTED 21 PORTRAITS IN ONE EVENING FROM 8:00 AT NIGHT UNTIL 4:00 IN THE MORNING.

>> AND THE FIRST LADY, YOU'RE WORKING ON HER PORTRAIT RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH, SHE'S NEXT.

>> Cathy: HOW IS THAT 25 YEARS ALREADY, OH, MY GOSH.

PETER MAX WAS A FUN GUEST.

TIME TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE HISTORY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

LET'S VISIT OUR MOST RECENT QUERY, WHICH STUMPED ALL OF YOU THE FIRST TIME WE ASKED SO WE ADDED A LOT OF HINTS LAST WEEK AND ASKED YOU AGAIN.

WE TOLD YOU OUR MYSTERY PERSON WAS BORN IN BELFAST, IRELAND, IN 1863, AND EVENTUALLY SETTLED IN WHAT WE NOW CALL SOUTH ST. PAUL.

IN 1885, THEY BEGAN A 36-YEAR CAREER, WHICH HELPED MAKE TRAVEL SAFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

THEIR DEDICATION TO THIS JOB EARNED THIS PERSON A PLACE IN THE NATIONAL RIVERS HALL OF FAME.

AND THEY ARE ALSO THE SUBJECT OF A SONG BY SINGER/SONGWRITER CHARLIE MAGUIRE.

YOUR TASK WAS SIMPLE: TELL US WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHAT MADE THEM FAMOUS?

THESE NEXT CALLERS STRUGGLED DESPITE THE EXTRA INFO.

>> CATHY: WHILE THAT TRIO OF CALLERS DID NOT HIT THE MARK, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SEVERAL OF YOU GOT THIS ONE RIGHT.

HERE'S ONE OF THE PRODUCERS FAVORITES.

>> CATHY: YES, JIM AND PAM, YOU ARE CORRECT.

JANE MUCKLE ROBINSON WAS THE MYSTERY MINNESOTAN WE SOUGHT.

THERE SHE IS.

LOVE THE HAT, LOVE THE HAT.

SHE LOGGED MORE THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE RIVER AS SHE LIT THE WAY FOR NIGHTTIME TRAFFIC.

HAVE A QUESTION YOU THINK WE HAVEN'T ASKED THAT WILL STUMP YOUR FELLOW VIEWERS?

GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1430.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE TOO.

OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, HOP ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

OR CHECK OUT ONE FROM THE PAST THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2012 KATY VERNON STOPPED BY STUDIO B TO PERFORM FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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