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

>> CATHY: TEN DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL SEGMENTS TONIGHT THAT WILL HELP MAKE YOU BE A MORE INFORMED VOTER.

ALSO IN THE LINEUP, A DAVID GILLETTE ESSAY ABOUT HALLOWEEN.

AND A SPOOKY VISIT TO AN HISTORIC HOTEL IN SAUK CENTRE.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER BRINGS US A STORY ABOUT THE ELECTION THAT FOCUSES ON THE PART OF THE BALLOT THAT MANY MINNESOTANS DON'T THINK ABOUT MUCH.

>> Mary: JUST OVER A WEEK UNTIL THE ELECTION AND THERE'S PLENTIFUL OF CLOSE CONTESTS EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO THE COURTS.

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW MINNESOTA HAS MAINTAINED A UNIQUE, NONPARTISAN JUDICIARY.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF HOW FRAGILE SOME OF THESE TRADITIONS ARE.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: IN A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT SCHOOL TEST SCORES.

AND LATER IN THE HOUR, I WILL INTERVIEW FORMER WCCO/KARE-11 NEWS ANCHOR PAT MILES ABOUT HER NEW BOOK THAT CONCERNS THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE.

BUT FIRST UP, POLITICS.

>> ERIC: THAT'S RIGHT.

TODAY WAS THE SECOND AND FINAL POST-PRIMARY DEBATE IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

MARY LAHAMMER BRINGS US SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DEBATE AND HOSTED MY MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO NEWS, AND THEN TAKES A LOOK AT AN ELECTION ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN UNDER THE RADAR.

>> WHO'S GOING TO FIGHT FOR ME?

>> ALL: W.A.L.Z.!

>> Mary: TIMING WALZ ARRIVED TO ORGANIZED SUPPORTERS, SCOTT JENSEN GAIF GAIK THEM THE THUMBS.

>> SCOTT'S IS A DARK AND FEARFUL VISION OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S ONE WHERE WOMEN ARE CRIMINALIZED FOR MAKING THEIR HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

IT'S ONE WHERE WE DEFUND OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO GIVE TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHIEST.

>> IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD UNITE MEMEPEOPLE, HE WOULD UNITE MINNESOTA.

THAT'S A SHAM.

TIM WALZ FAILED.

MINNESOTA IS BROKEN.

WE'RE FRACTURES.

>> Mary: WALZ ONCE HELD A HUGE LEAD IN THE POLLS IN A RACE THAT VARIOUS MEASURES SHOW IS GETTING CLOSER.

>> MINNESOTA IS NOT BROKEN.

OUR ECONOMY IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

THE BIGGEST THING WE NEED TO DO IS CONTINUE TO INVEST IN NOSE THINGS THAT MAKE MINNESOTA STRONG.

TO INVEST IN EDUCATION.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS BECAUSE WE'RE STRONGER THAN EVER.

WE HAVE MET THE CRITERIA FOR A RECESSION.

WE HAVE A SURPLUS BECAUSE WE HAVE RECEIVES BILLIONS AN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

FIRST PRIORITY FOR ME WOULD BE TO ELIMINATE THE UNCON UNCONSCIONABLE DOUBLE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> YOU QUIT THE NATIONAL GUARD.

I RETIRED BECAUSE MY WIFE HAD TO HAVE SOME SURGERIES.

>> THANKS, I ALMOST ELL ASLEEP.

ARE YOU DONE NOW?

>> YOU ASKED ME TO CLARIFY.

>> HE CAN'T EVEN PRACTICE IN HOSPITALS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T FOLLOW DHIR PROCEDURES.

>> Mary: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL ENDORSE JENSEN SAYING HE WE WILL BRING MINNESOTA BACK FROM THE BRINK.

>> OUR DYE SEAM IS UNDER IS ATTACK.

>> Mary: ONE ASPECT OF THE BALANCE YOU DON'T HEAR MUCH TALK ABOUT INVOLVINGS THE COURTS.

THERE ARE VERY FEW JUDGES STANDING FOR ELECTION THIS TIME AROUND AND SOMEHOW MINNESOTA HAS LARGELY MAINTAINED A NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE A VERY LONG TRADITION IN MINNESOTA OF HAVING A CERTAIN EVEN-HANDEDNESS, AND THAT TRADITION IS HERE ON THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SUPREME COURT RACES IN TWO YEARS AND FOUR YEARS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED.

I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF HOW FRAGILE SOME OF THESE TRADITIONS ARE.

>> Mary: FORMER JUSTICE ANDERSON WAS APPOINTED TO COURT BY REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR ARNE CARLSON.

>> THIS BUILDING IS MAGNIFICENT.

IT SETS FORTH HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS.

SO ENJOY IT.

OH, BY THE WAY, ONE OTHER THING.

YOU BELONG HERE.

THIS IS YOUR BUILDING.

YOU COME TO THIS BUILDING, YOU SEE ALL THREE BRANCHES.

POLITICS IS ABOUT POWER, OKAY?

AND YOU DON'T TAKE POLITICS OUT OF THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR JUDGES.

THERE'S POLITICS THERE, OKAY?

BUT THE PREMIUM IS ON THOSE WHO DIMINISH IT, AND SAID IT'S THERE, BUT WE HAVE OTHER STANDARDS.

>> Mary: THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTIED IN 2014 ENDORSED A CANDIDATE FOR SUPREME COURT WHO THEY LATER HAD TO HIRE SECURITY TO REMOVE FROM THEIR BOOTH TO RESTRICT CANDIDATE ACCESS WITH PENDING CRIMINAL CASES.

SINCE THEN, THE STATE PARTIES HAVE STEPPED BACK FROM POLITICIZING JUDICIAL RACES.

>> IF YOU'VE SEEN ANY OF THE ADS AND THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS AND THE MONEY, IOWA, WISCONSIN, WE ARE SURROUNDED BY EXPENSIVE, UGLY, PARTISAN JUDICIAL RACES.

>> FOR NOW.

>> Mary: IT'S COMING?

>> I FEAR IT WILL.

>> Mary: ANDERSON WAS PART OF THE DOE V. GOMEZ STATE COURT DECISION TO PROTECT ABORTION IN MINNESOTA.

>> IT'S NOT ON THE BALLOT NOW, BUT WHETHER IT ENDURES IS ON THE BALLOT.

THAT'S KIND OF A DISTINCTION.

>> Mary: AND HOW MUCH OF THAT LEGACY MATTERS FOR YOU?

I MEAN, YOU SUFFERED PERSONAL THREAT AND DANGER FROM THAT DECISION.

>> OH, I'VE AD PEOPLE PRAY FOR ME.

THEY'VE CALLED ME A BABY KILLER.

HAD A BULLET SHOT THROUGH MY BEDROOM WINDOW.

I'M PROUD OF MY JUICER PRUDENCE ON THAT ISSUE.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

IT CAME VERY HARD, VERY DIFFICULT.

>> Mary: AFTER RECENT DECISIONS FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, HE SEES THEIR APPROVAL SUFFERING ALONG WITH SOCIETY.

>> THEY APPEAR TO ACT WITH IMPUNITY.

I EDITED SCALIA'S LAST BOOK.

I'VE SAT AND HAD DINNER WITH GINNY THOMAS AND CLARENCE THOMAS.

>> Mary: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK PERSONALLY THEN WHAT YOU'RE SEEING OF THEIR PUBLIC ACTIONS?

>> I AM, AS I SAY, PROFOUNDLY DISMAYED, DISAPPOINTED, AND DISILLUSIONED.

I MEAN, I HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY LIFETIME DEFENDING THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR CIVIL DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW.

AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE HONORING NOSE PRINCIPLES.

THOSE PRINCIPLES.

>> ERIC: DEBATES, PARTISANSHIP, AND THE COURTS.

THREE GOOD TOPICS FOR US TO TALK ABOUT FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES OR SO.

HERE TO HELP US DO THAT, A TRIO OF ESTEEMED POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT IS THE HOME OF PROFESSOR KATHRYN PEARSON.

CYNTHIA RUGELEY HEADS THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH.

PROFESSOR JACOBS, GOVERNOR WALZ DUCKED TV DEBATES IN THE TWIN CITIES.

I WONDER, AND THEY DID SQUARE OFF TODAY ON PUBLIC RADIO AT NOON.

IS THIS A TREND AROUND THE COUNTRY, DEBATES BECOMING LESS OF A FACTOR?

>> YEAH, THERE'S JUST NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

THERE'S A VERY MARKED DECLINE OF DEBATES.

CANDIDATES DO A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND THE COST OF POTENTIALLY MAKING A MISTAKE, IN THE CASE OF GOVERNOR WALZ, HE'S NOT EAGER TO BOOST HIS OPPONENT'S NAME RECOGNITION, WHICH IS -- SO I THINK THIS IS FADING AND WE'RE HEARING CONSULTANTS ON BOTH PARTIES NOW ADVISING THEIR CANDIDATES, COOL IT ON THE DEBATES.

>> Eric: GOOD TRENDS, BAD TREND, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> OH, I THINK THE DEBATES ARE HEALTHY.

THEY DON'T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

AS LARRY POINTED OUT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN LOSE IN A DEBATE, BUT YOU VERY SELDOM GET ANYTHING BY WINNING.

SO WHEN YOU PUT IN PLACE THAT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, YOU THINK NOT MUCH THERE FOR ME IF I'M A FRONT-RUNNER.

>> I AGREE WITH ALL OF THAT, BUT IT IS A LOSS TO CITIZEN IS AS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THAT SAID, VOTERS WHO ARE PAYING ATTENTION IN COMPETITIVE RACES AREING PLENTY OF ADS AND INFORMATION FROM THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES IN ADDITION TO OUTSIDE GROUPS.

BUT DEBATES, THEY'RE UNSCRIPTED, AND SO IN DO GIVE VOTERS ONE MORE VIEW.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT POLLS.

THERE ARE FEWER INDEPENDENT POLLS NOWADAYS.

AND ERIC AND WERE TALKING OFF AIR HERE, BUT PARTICIPATION RATES ARE REALLY QUITE LOW IN POLLS.

I MEAN, SO ACCURATE ARE THESE SURVEYS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE SURVEYS ARE GENERALLY ACCURATE.

BUT IT'S GOTTEN HARDER.

YOU'VE GOT NOT JUST FEWER PEOPLE TAKING UP THE CALLS.

BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL THE SAME PEOPLE.

PARTICULARLY, WE'RE HAVING A HARDER TIME REACHING REPUBLICANS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT MATTERS.

AND WE'VE SEEN POLLS OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR ELECTIONS WHERE THE REPUBLICAN, YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATION IS NOT BEEN GREAT.

AND SO THE POLLS HAVE REALLY GOTTEN CRITICIZED.

PARTICULARLY, IT'S THE, YOU KNOW, WHITE FOLKS ITHOUT A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

THEY'RE THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT TURNING UP IN THE SAME PROPORTION, AND LOTS OF STUDIES ARE SHOWING THEY'RE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE'RE UNDERESTIMATING REPUBLICANS.

SO THE BEST THING IS, DO A LOT OF POLLING.

BECAUSE THERE'S KIND OF ACCURACY IN THE NUMBERS.

BUT THIS YEAR, A LOT LESS, AS YOU AY.

>> Eric: IS THE POLLING RELIABLE ENOUGH THAT WE CAN TELL THAT IT'S GOING TO BE THE TYPICAL MIDTERM ELECTION WHERE IT'S A REFERENDUM ON THE SITTING PRESIDENT, BIDEN IS UNPOPULAR, AND SO IT'LL BE A REPUBLICAN YEAR?

IS THAT WHERE WE'RE HEADED OR DO WE KNOW?

>> I THINK THE FUNDAMENTALS CERTAINLY POINT IN THAT DIRECTION.

ONE OF THE POLLS IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IS PULL A SAMPLE OF A POPULATION AND THAT POPULATION WON'T EXIST UNTIL ELECTION DAY, WHICH MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT TOUGHER, PARTICULARLY IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S VOTERS SHOW UP THAT TRADITIONALLY DON'T.

BUT AGAIN, GOING BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, I POLOGIZE FOR WANDERING OFF, IS THAT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT HE FUNDAMENTALS, THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING, THE ECONOMY, IT'S NOT LOOKING TOO GOOD.

>> WELL, THAT'S RIGHT AND WE'RE SEEING MIDTERM ELECTION EFFECTS.

OVER THE LAST CENTURY, THE PARTY IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ONLY WON SEATS IN A HOUSE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN THREE CYCLES, 13 131934, AND EVERY OTHER CYCLE, THE PARTY OF THE PRESIDENT HAS LOST SEATS.

ON AVERAGE 30 SEATS.

I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO LOSE 30 SEATS THIS CYCLE.

BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD YEAR FOR RACES.

>> THIS IS A REALLY FUNDAMENTAL POINT AND IT'S ONE OF THE PREDICTABLE FEATURES OF MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

KATHRYN'S TALKING ABOUT THE RACES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE.

WE DO SEE SOMETIMES DIFFERENCES WITH THE RACES FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

AND WE THOUGHT AT THE BEGINNING, IN THE SUMMER AFTER PARTICULARLY THE COURT CASE FOR THE SUPREME COURT ON ABORTION, DOB BS DECISION, THAT MAYBE THE DEMOCRATS WOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO HOLD OR MAYBE EVEN SLIGHTLY EXPAND AND BUILD A LITTLE BIT OF A MAJORITY BECAUSE THEY'RE 50-50 NOW.

BUT NOW THAT SEEMS TO BE, YOU KNOW, NARROWING.

AND WE'RE NOT SURE ABOUT IT.

BUT THERE IS A HISTORY OF SPLIT.

AND THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTION, THE REPUBLICANS GOT CLOBBERED IN THE HOUSE.

THEY LOST 41.

AND THEN THEY PICKED UP TWO SEATS IN THE SENATE.

COULD THAT HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

POSSIBLY, BUT IT LOOKS A LITTLE LESS LIKELY.

>> IT ALSO DEPENDS WHICH SEATS ARE UP.

ABOUT 3/4 OF SENATE CYCLES, THE PARTY OF THE PRESIDENT LOSES A COUPLE OF SEATS.

BUT THIS CYCLE, THERE ARE ABOUT TEN REALLY COMPETITIVE SEATS, FIVE HELD BY DEMOCRATS AND FIVE HELD BY REPUBLICANS.

>> Eric: I JUST GOT GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEVADA, OHIO.

NORTH CAROLINA MAYBE?

>> NOT ANYMORE.

>> Eric: WELL, WHO AM I MISSING?

GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ARIZONA, OHIO.

>> I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE CLOSEST.

>> Eric: WELL, WHAT NATIONAL RACES WILL YOU BE WATCHING ON ELECTION NIGHT TO KIND OF GIVE US HE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND THE REST OF THE NATION.

WHAT ARE THE KEY EARLY SEATS?

>> I AM, I WOULD SAY, JUST MOVING FROM THE EAST TO OUT WEST, THE PENNSYLVANIA RACE, WE HAD A REALLY DRAMATIC DEBATE THIS WEEK BETWEEN DR. OZ AND JOHN PEDDER MAN.

JOHN PEDDER MAN, OF COURSE RECOVERING FROM A STROKE.

AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO WATCH AT PARTS.

SO THAT RACE HAD FAVORED FEDDER MAN.

NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S REALLY NARROWED AND OZ MAY BE UP BY A LITTLE BIT.

>> Cathy: OTHER COMMENTS HERE?

>> CERTAINLY OHIO, WHICH IS A REPUBLICAN-LEANING STATED, BUT J.D.

ADVANCE HAS STRUGGLE A LITTLE BIT AGAINST RYAN.

>> I'M LOOKING AT -- FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE PENNSYLVANIA ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> Eric: THEY COUNT AFTER, RIGHT?

>> THEY CAN'T START OUNTING ABSENTEE BALLOTS UNTIL AFTER ELECTION NIGHT BECAUSE OF STATE LAW.

GEORGIA, I CAN SEE THAT ONE GOING INTO A RUNOFF.

THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING I THINK IS NEVADA.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SAYING THAT SHE'S STARTING TO COME BACK.

>> Eric: MASTOW'S THE SENATOR AND THERE'S A LAXAULT, WHICH IS A BIG NEVADA NAME RUNNING AGAINST HER.

>> I THINK SHE'S FALLEN OFF LATELY FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN SEEING.

AND OHIO, HONESTLY, THAT WOULD BE A MIRACLE IF A DEMOCRAT WON THERE.

>> IT'S KIND OF JUST ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHERE THINGS LOOK LIKE IT TIGHTENED AND MAYBE SLIGHTLY FAVOR THE DEMOCRATS AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION, THAT AFFECT OF ABORTION, THE ISSUE HAS FADED A BIT.

THE ECONOMY AND PARTICULARLY INFLATION HAS GOTTEN MORE SAILENS AND PROMINENCE.

AND HE EPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE ON HANDLING THAT ISSUE HAS GROWN AND ALL THAT HAS KIND -- IT'S JUST TIPPING THE PLAYING FIELD A LITTLE BIT AND THESE CLOSE RACES, THAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP THE REPUBLICANS.

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE GENERIC BALLOT, WHICH IS A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF WHO ARE YOU TO VOTE FOR, DEMOCRATS HAVE REMAINED PRETTY STABLE BUT REPUBLICANS ARE PICKING UP PERCENTAGE POINTS.

SO AT ONE POINT DEMOCRATS WERE UP BY A COUPLE POINTS AND SO NOW REPUBLICANS ARE UP.

SO THAT BALLOT, DEMOCRATS ALWAYS HAVE TO DO BETTER IN ORDER TO DO AS WELL AS REPUBLICANS.

>> THE ONE THAT'S BEEN WEIRD, AND IT ALWAYS IS ABOUT THIS TIME, I GUESS, IS IOWA.

I MEAN, IT SHOWED THIS REAL TIGHTENING DOWN THERE ON WHAT'S USUALLY A PRETTY RELIABLE POLL.

BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

THAT KIND OF HAPPENED A LITTLE BIT DURING THE 2020 ELECTION, AND THEN THE NEXT ONE CAME OUT AND IT WAS A BLOW OUT.

I'M KIND F LOOKING TO SEE, IF I WAS AN INCUMBENT ANYWHERE, I DON'T THINK I'D BE SITTING TOO HAPPY.

I THINK I'D BE A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED.

PEOPLE ARE IN A BAD MOOD.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ENDORSE AMENDS, AND GOING BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE RIGHT NOW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED SCOTT JENSEN AND FORMER GOVERNOR VENTURA NDORSED WALZ.

DO PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THESE ENDORSEMENTS?

>> WELL, PEEL DO CARE.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE UNDECIDED VOTER WHO WE'RE ALL LOOKING TOO TO.

IT CAN HELP WITH DONORS, SOME PARTS OF THE BASE.

I MEAN, DONALD TRUMP COMING OUT AND ENDORSED SCOTT JENSEN, DIDN'T ASK FOR IT, BUT DOES THAT GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PUSH TO SOME OF THOSE TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND LOYALISTS TO GO OUT AND VOTE?

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SO CLOSE, IT COULD MAKE A LITTLE IT OF A DIFFERENCE.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND, IT COULD TURN OFF INDEPENDENTS WHO WERE PERHAPS CONSIDERING JENSEN, BUT THEN DIDN'T WANT THIS CONNECTION TO TRUMP.

ENDORSEMENTS MATTER IN NOMINATING CONTESTS AND PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES, WHEN VOTERS ARE LOOKING FOR - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ARTISANS.

BUT IN GENERAL ELECTIONS, PLITDCAL SCIENCE IN GENERAL HAS KNOWN THAT THEY DON'T MATTER IN TERMS OF THE VOTE.

THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY OTHER WAYS WE CAN THINK ABOUT IT, BUT JUST THINK ABOUT 2016, HILLARY CLINTON HAD HUNDREDS MORE ENDORSEMENTS THAN DONALD TRUMP.

>> CHANCE OF CANDIDATES LOSING CHALLENGING SOME OF THE RESULTS.

>> IT'S HUNDREDS NOW OF REPUBLICAN, FEDERAL AND STATE, LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON TO THE KIND OF SO-CALLED, YOU KNOW, DENYING THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS.

SO I THINK IT'S QUITE IKELY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SET OF CANDIDATES.

IT'S VERY -- IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY GOING TO RAISE DOUBTS ABOUT OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND THE RULES OF THE GAME.

WE'VE NEVER REALLY HAD THAT.

>> Eric: AND AS A FUTURIST, I LIKE TO KNOW WHEN DOES THE 2024 CAMPAIGN START?

>> YESTERDAY.

>> THE DAY AFTER THE MIDTERMS, EVEN AS THE VOTES ARE STILL BEING COUNTED.

ALL EYES THEN WILL TURN TO BOTH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHAT'S HE GOING TO DO AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

>> CAM LA HARRIS WAS OUT HERE CAMPAIGNING, WHY?

AND I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS WAS TO PUT A MARKER DOWN FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

BECAUSE AMY KLOBUCHAR IS GOING TO BE -- >> Eric: I CAN SEE VIEWERS AT HOME GOING OH NO.

CLASS DISMISSED.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IF YOU NEEDED EVIDENCE OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON EDUCATION, IT ARRIVED THIS WEEK.

NATIONAL TEST SCORES WERE RELEASED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019, AND THIS YEAR'S NUMBERS SHOWED SHARP DROPS IN THE MATH AND READING SCORES OF AMERICAN 4TH AND 8TH GRADERS.

MATH SCORES TOOK THE BIGGEST DIVE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THESE NUMBERS MAY MEAN -- AND PERHAPS WHAT THEY DON'T -- IS LONGTIME EDUCATION REPORTER BETH HAWKINS.

SHE WRITES FOR THE NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS SITE KNOWN AS "THE 74."

HEY, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> I'M WHEAP TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH.

FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THESE TESTS.

WHAT ARE THEY EXACTLY?

>> TOE THIS IS THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

IT'S THE LARGEST MOST AUDIT AUTHORITATIVE TEST AD ADMINISTERED.

AND IT IT'S VERY DETAILED, IT COLLECTS A LOT OF INFORMATION.

IT'S NOT USED TO EVALUATE AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT.

IT'S ADMINISTERED TO A CROSS-SECTION THAT'S REPRESENTATIVE OF FOURTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S USED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT POLICY AND FOR SERIOUS RESEARCH.

>> Eric: I GET THAT THE COVID RESPONSE CAUSED A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS, BUT I HEARD SOMEBODY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAY, THIS HAS BEEN A TREND SINCE 2017, PRE-PANDEMIC.

>> YEAH, AND IF YOU LOOK AT MATH, SINCE 2013.

>> Eric: WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> SO IT'S INTERESTING IN MINNESOTA TO LOOK AT THE GAPS.

BETWEEN OUR AFFLUENT TUDENTS AND OUR STUDENTS WHO SHOW UP AT SCHOOLS WITH BIGGER CHALLENGES.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS THAT THE BOTTOM HAS BEEN ERODING.

THE STUDENTS AT THE BOTTOM HAVE BEEN LOSING GROUND STEADILY.

AND THEY ARE OF COURSE THE STUDENTS WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED BY COVID, WHO WERE FOOD INSECURE, HOUSING INSECURE, PACKED INTO VERY SMALL HOUSES WITH VERY BAD INTERNET AND WHOSE PARENTS WERE ON THE FRONT LINES.

SO I THINK WHAT WE'VE HAD IS A COMPOUNDING EFFECT ON PROBLEMS THAT WERE PREEXISTING.

>> Cathy: WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE FIGURES?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

IN FACT, IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF THE PANDEMIC, RESEARCHERS PREDICTED THIS.

THERE'S UNFORTUNATELY RESEARCH FROM OTHER SCHOOL CLOSURES, OTHER EPIDEMICS, TRIKES.

SUMMER SLIDE, WHICH IS HOW MUCH SOME STUDENTS LOSE FROM SPRING TO FALL.

SO THEY WERE ABLE TO EXTRAPOLATE VERY ACCURATELY, EVEN AS EARLY AS APRIL AND MAY OF 2020 WHAT THE GAPS MIGHT LOOK LIKE WHEN STUDENTS CAME BACK.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE DEBATE WITHIN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY?

IS IT MORE MONEY OR BLOW IT UP AND USE OUR EXISTING DOLLARS BETTER?

WHERE'S THAT ALL HEADED?

>> YES TO ALL OF THAT.

THERE'S RESEARCH OUT THIS WEEK PROJECTING THAT IT WILL COST 700 BILLION, WITH A "B," DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO CLOSE SOME OF THESE GAPS AND TO BEGIN TO BRING KIDS BACK.

BUT WE CAN'T SPEND THAT MONEY THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS SPENT IT.

AND WE'RE HARVESTING A LOT OF INFORMATION RIGHT NOW FROM THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE POURED INTO DISTRICTS AND STATES AND HOW THOSE ARE NOT YIELDING RESULTS.

ST. PAUL PULL SCHOOLS WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE WHITE HOUSE FOR A PLAN FOR USING ITS RECOVERY DOLLARS.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY FRUIT BECAUSE THAT WORK IS JUST STARTING, BUT IT'S A PLAN THAT PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE WATCHING.

>> Cathy: HOW DO SCHOOLS HELP THESE KIDS CATCH UP?

>> SO I THINK WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS REVISION TIME, BOTH CHILDREN'S TIME AND ADULTS' TIME.

AND TO BECOME MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SUPPLYING BITS OF ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL RIGHT WHEN A CHILD NEEDS THEM.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU THINK -- >> Eric: WHEN IS THAT?

>> SO IT'S LIKE REVERSE JENGA.

MATH HAS FALLEN THE MOST BECAUSE MATH IS DEPENDENT ON A CHILD BEING IN PROXIMITY TO A GOOD TEACHER.

SO THOSE EIGHTH GRADERS FROM LAST YEAR, THEY'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, AND IF THEY ARRIVED IN HIGH SCHOOL WITH SIXTH GRADE KNOWLEDGE, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME SUCCEEDING UNLESS SOMEBODY IS THERE SUPPLYING LIKE THE EXACT SKILL OR THE EXACT REMEDIATION THAT THEY NEED AT ANY PARTICULAR MOMENT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE EXPERTS HAVE SAID IS, MORE TIME, MORE MONEY, MORE ADULTS, BUT ALSO DURING THAT TIME, LIKE, YOU NEED TO COLLECT A DATA ON WHAT SKILLS EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD MISSES.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE VERDICT ON VIRTUAL DISTANCE LEARNING?

>> IT'S PRETTY GRIM.

AND THE KIDS WHO HAD THE MOST VIRTUAL LEARNING N THE WHOLE, AND I KNOW THIS IS A POLITICAL FIRE BOMB, DID THE POOREST.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB CATCHING KIDS UP VIRTUALLY.

THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT DID BETTER VIRTUAL LEARNING THAN OTHERS.

FLORIDA, FOR INSTANCE IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE NATIONAL RANKINGS AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD A PREEXISTING EXCELLENT STATE VIRTUAL SCHOOL FOR YEARS.

SO IT WAS VERY EASY FOR THEM TO IT TO JUST EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

>> Cathy: SO THIS IS JUST THIS ONE BATTERY OF TESTS.

ARE YOU WATCHING OTHER TESTS?

>> YEAH, SO MINNESOTA DOESN'T HAVE ANY DISTRICTS THAT PARTICIPATE N A NATIONAL SAMPLE.

THERE'S A SAMPLE OF DISTRICTS WITHIN THIS ASSESSMENT THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY DISTRICTS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

BUT WE CAN CORRELATE THIS EXAM, SET OF EXAMS, WITH THE MINNESOTA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS, WHICH ARE CONDUCTED EVERY SPRING.

AND WHICH ARE RELEASED EVERY FALL.

AND THE RESULTS ARE ABOUT THE SAME.

THEY'RE CALCULATED DIFFERENTLY AND THEY'RE EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY, BUT THE SAME KIDS ARE LOSING THE SAME AMOUNT OF GROWTH.

>> Eric: NOT THE PRETTIYEST PICTURE.

>> IT'S AS BAD AS THE NAY SAYERS SAID IT WOULD BE AND IT'S TIME TO STOP ADMIRING THE PROBLEM.

AND GET ON WITH IT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING IN.

>> ALWAYS GOOD.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ GLAID IF YOU HAVEN'T >> IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT YOUR HALLOWEEN COSTUME YET, HERE ARE A FEW OPTIONS.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THINGS MORE FUN FOR THE CANDY GIVERS THIS YEAR, YOU COULD GO AS A SKEE BALL TABLE.

YOU COULD TRY THIS TRIBUTE TO SCIENTIFIC ENGINEERING, THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELL SCONE.

JUST CLICK YOUR CAMERA IN RIGHTS OVER HERE.

FOR THOSE WITH KIDS, I CALL THIS ONE PARENTAL INCOME.

IT TAKES WHATEVER THE ADULT IS GIVEN AND IMMEDIATELY REDISTRIBUTES IT TO THE CHILDREN.

AND I SUPPOSE IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE OKAY TUPLETS YOU'D PROBABLY GET SOME GOOD LAUGHS IF YOU WENT AS AN APPLE SLICE YES, SIR.

I LIKE THAT ONE.

OF COURSE IF YOU WANT TO BE SOMETHING JUST A BIT SCARIER, YOU CAN'T DO MUCH BETTER THAN YEAR THAN A PHONE FULL OF NEWS APPS, AND BONUS, KEEP THE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS TURNED ON.

BUILDING ON THAT, MAYBE YOU COULD JUST PUT AN INFLATABLE EXPANDING DOUGHNUT AROUND YOUR NECK.

THAT RELENTLESSLY CUTS OFF YOUR ACCESS TO AIR, LIGHT, AND EVENTUALLY HOPE.

I CALL IT EXISTENTIAL DREAD.

SORRY, THAT'S PROBABLY TOO DARK FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE.

FOR THE NORTHERN CLIMATES, YOU COULD DRESS P AS ONE OF THOSE TERRIBLE CRACKS YOU GET NEXT TO YOUR FINGER NAILS WHEN THE AIR GETS DRY.

OR FINALLY, F YOU SIMPLY WANT TO KEEP YOUR APTIONS OPEN, BE A WHITE BOARD, YOU CAN DRAW A NEW CREATURE AT EVERY SINGLE HOUSE.

BRILLIANT.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY.

♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ERIC: THE PALMER HOUSE HOTEL AND SINCLAIR LEWIS' CHILDHOOD HOME ARE LOCATED JUST BLOCKS APART IN SAUK CENTRE, MINNESOTA.

THE PALMER HOUSE IS ON THE CORNER OF MAIN STREET, THE AVENUE THAT SERVED AS THE INSPIRATION FOR SINCLAIR LEWIS' FAMED BOOK "MAINSTREET" THAT WAS PUBLISHED A CENTURY AGO.

SINCLAIR LEWIS ONCE WORKED AT THE PALMER HOUSE.

SOME STILL FEEL HIS PRESENCE THERE, ESPECIALLY THIS SPIRIT-FILLED TIME OF YEAR.

TPT'S KRISTOFFER FERNANDES TOOK A PRIVATE TOUR OF THE PALMER HOUSE WITH NATALIE FOWLER, AUTHOR AND PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR.

IT TURNS OUT THAT THE PALMER HOUSE IS ONE OF HER FAVORITE HAUNTS.

>> I PERSONALLY LOVE THE PARANORMAL BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE PAST TO COME INTO THE PRESENT.

THROUGH A GOOD GHOST STORY.

AND THAT APPENS EVERY DAY HERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE REPORT A LOT HERE AT THE PALMER HOUSE HOTEL IN TERMS OF PARANORMAL ACTIVITY IS FOOT STEPS IN THE HALLWAY.

THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN IN OPERATION AS A HOTEL, IT'S ON A HISTORIC REGISTRY, SINCE 1900.

THIS IS THE BASEMENT.

WAS ACTUALLY USED AS A SCHOOL ROOM.

BACK WHEN THIS TOWN WAS FIRST SETTLED BY SOME OF THE GERMAN SETTLERS.

YOU'RE DOWN HERE FOR A PARANORMAL TOUR, THERE'S MOST OFTEN A FIGHT TO SIT EW TO THE SNOWMAN, AND ALSO SIT AWAY FROM THE SNOWMAN.

DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LAND WITH THAT.

I THINK ONE TIME EVEN DURING A FLU PANDEMIC THE BASEMENT WAS ACTUALLY USED AS AN OVERFLOW MORGUE.

SO THAT CAN PROBABLY ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THE HAUNTED ACTIVITY THAT WE HAVE HERE.

DOWN HERE IT'S AS IF THESE WALLS COULD ACTUALLY TALK TO YOU.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THIS IS THE ORIGINAL FOUNDATION OF THE SAUK CENTRE HOTEL ITSELF.

THESE ROCKS STILL HOLD THE SCOOT FROM THE FIRE HAT BURNT THE SAUK CENTRE HOUSE TO THE GROUND.

THE PALMER HOUSE THAT WE SEE TODAY WAS BUILT OVER THE ORIGINAL FOUNDATION.

>> IN 1900, THEN IT BURNT DOWN, AND ON JUNE 26TH.

AND ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS, THERE WAS NO CASUALTIES AT ALL.

THOSE HOTELS, A LOT OF THEM DIDN'T HAVE THE LUXURIES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE WITH THE SAUK CENTRE HOUSE OR THE PALMER HOUSE BECAUSE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET WAS ALSO AN OPERA HOUSE.

SO THE THING IS, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

>> THIS WAS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR A EALLY LONG TIME.

WHO'S TO SAY THAT IN YOUR AFTER LIFE, IF YOU WANT TO GO HAVE IDRINK AT THE PALMER HOUSE WITH YOUR FORWARDS THAT YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

SO I THINK SOME OF THE ACTIVITY THAT HAPPENS HERE ISN'T ALWAYS GHOST ACTIVITY BUT RATHER SPIRIT ENERGY.

AND MRS PALMER COMES IN TO CHECK IN.

>> PEOPLE, WHEN THEY TRY TO LOOK AT HIS WORK WITH, LIKE, MAINSTREET ," THING IS THEY ALWAYS BELIEVE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT OMEBODY THEY KNEW.

SO THAT CAUSED A LOT OF FRINGS, IFRICTION, I GUESS, YOU KNOW, AND NOT ALL PEOPLE TOOK KINDLY TO THAT.

IT SEEMED LIKE BY 1924, THEY HAD FORGIVEN THEN BECAUSE LEWIS IS BACK AT THE PALMER HOUSE WITH THE BUSINESS MAN AND THEY'RE ALL PROMOTES MAIN STREAT.

MAIN STREET.

>> SO WE RELY A LOT ON OUR GUESTS TO HELP WITH THAT.

WE HAVE BOOKS LIKE THIS ALL OVER THE HOTEL.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU GOES A LONG WAY IN REAL LIFE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE.

SO IF YOU'RE COMING HERE TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCE, REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS.

>> ♪ WHO'S WATCHING ME ♪ ♪ ♪♪ >> I LOVE HALLOWEEN.

IT'’S THE ONLY TIME YOU GET TO DRESS UP, PUT ON A SCARY MASK AND BE SOMEONE ELSE.

IT'S KIND OF IRONIC.

I'’M A DOCTOR, AND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I'’VE BEEN MORE AFRAID OF ANYONE NOT WEARING A MASK.

AS A KID WE NEVER HAD STORE-BOUGHT COSTUMES.

MY MOM WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THEM.

WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO BE, SHE COULD GATHER TOGETHER SOME OLD CLOTHES AND A FEW PROPS AND MAKE YOU A PIRATE.

FOR A LONG TIME -- TOO LONG, REALLY -- I WAS ALWAYS SUPERMAN.

NO MASK, NO MAKEUP, MADE THE "“S"” MYSELF.

I WORKED SO HARD TO GET IT JUST RIGHT, AND THEN MY MOM MADE ME PUT ON A JACKET.

LOTS OF KIDS PICKED THE SAME COSTUME, USUALLY WHOEVER WAS POPULAR ON TV.

EVERY OTHER KID WAS BATMAN OR ONE OF THE MONKEES, PROBABLY DAVY.

NOW WITH STREAMING, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT ANYBODY ELSE IS WATCHING.

YOU MAY HAVE THE PERFECT COSTUME OF THE BACK-UP GOALIE ON TED LASSO, BUT HARDLY ANYONE WILL GET IT.

LAST WEEK I WENT TO A HALLOWEEN STORE TO SEE WHAT COSTUMES WERE POPULAR.

THERE, HANGING BETWEEN THE MANIAC SLASHER AND BLOODY MANGLED ZOMBIE, THEY HAD A DOCTOR COSTUME.

WHITE COAT, SCRUBS, FAKE STETHOSCOPE, AND NAME TAG.

I KNOW, SOME PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF GOING TO THE DOCTOR.

THEY KNOW THEY COULD GET POKED WITH SHARP THINGS, OR WORSE.

BUT COME ON, REALLY?

WHY NO OTHER JOBS?

NO SCARY REAL ESTATE AGENT OR EVIL COMMODITIES BROKER?

THERE WEREN'’T ANY DENTIST COSTUMES, ALTHOUGH THEY DID HAVE THE GIANT TOOTHPASTE TUBE COSTUME AND ONE FOR "“MR.

MOLAR,"” A HUGE TOOTH WITH AN ANGRY FACE.

THE ONLY OTHER DOCTOR I COULD FIND WAS DR. DOOM.

SO I GUESS WHEN I COME HOME FROM THE CLINIC ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, I MIGHT AS WELL JUST LEAVE ON MY WORK CLOTHES.

IF IT GETS TOO SCARY FOR PEOPLE, I'LL PROBABLY JUST PUT ON A JACKET.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: IF YOU'VE HAD A LOVED ONE DIE, YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THE SHOCK OF THAT LOSS.

THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO AFTER A DEATH, AND WE'RE OFTEN COMPLETELY UNPREPARED FOR THE EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, AND SOMETIMES LEGAL UPHEAVAL THAT CAN FOLLOW.

FORMER TWIN CITIES BROADCAST JOURNALIST PAT MILES FOUND HERSELF IN THE BEWILDERING AFTERMATH OF HER HUSBAND BUCKY ZIMMERMAN'S PASSING IN 2019.

MILES, WHO WAS A WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED NEWS ANCHOR AT WCCO AND KARE-11 TV, HAS WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT PLANNING FOR ONE OF LIFE'S TRANSITIONS, DEATH.

HER BOOK IS CALLED "BEFORE ALL IS SAID AND DONE: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LIVING AND DYING WELL."

PAT CAME INTO OUR STUDIO LAST WEEK TO TALK ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES.

PAL MILES, SO GREAT TO HAVE YOU ERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> OH, CATHY, GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: THIS BOOK IS AN ADVICE BOOK FOR FOLKS TO START THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO BEFORE A LOVED ONE DIES.

BUT, PAT, WE HAVE A SOCIETY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT DEATH OR DYING, SO THIS IS A PRETTY TALL ORDER.

>> I KNOW.

IN FACT, WHEN I WAS TRYING TO THINK F A TITLE FOR IT, SOMEBODY SAID, DON'T EVER PUT THE WORD "DEATH" ANYWHERE NEAR THE BOOK, BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO -- "DEATH"?

SO I MEAN, IT WAS HARD TO KIND OF WORK AROUND THAT, BECAUSE IT IS A STORY ABOUT -- AND IT'S REALLY NOT -- IT'S MY STORY, BUT IT'S MANY OTHER PEOPLE'S STORIES.

BUT IT'S A TORY ABOUT LOSING SOMEBODY, AND THEN SORT OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO PEOPLE AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING PREPARES FOR DEATH.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE AFTER BUCKIE DIED, I REALLY DID PREPARE MYSELF.

SO THAT WHEN I'M GONE, MY FAMILY, THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME, CAN JUST GRIEVE ME AND THEY WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

YOU -- YOU END UP NOT BEING ABLE TO GRIEVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MUCH ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.

AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME, I THOUGHT, BOY, I CAN'T BE THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO, AND SURE ENOUGH, ALMOST EVERY PERSON I TALKED TO, SOMETHING CAME UP, SOMETHING WAS LEFT UNDONE, SOMETHING WAS LEFT UNSAID, AND YOU PAY A PRICE FOR THAT.

SO WHY NOT PREPARE?

WE PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING ELSE IN OUR LIVES.

>> Cathy: WE PREPARE FOR BUS RAPIDBUSRAPIDFOR BIRTHS?

>> FOR A CHILD GOING TO SCHOOL, FOR GETTING MARRIED.

SO WHY NOT PREPARE FOR THIS?

BECAUSE I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW ABOUT DYING.

I'M NOT AS AFRAID OF DYING S I WAS BEFORE.

>> Cathy: I HAVE TO BE HONEST, THOUGH.

YOU KNOW, AS A WELL-KNOWN JOURNALIST, BUCKIE ZIMMERMAN WAS SUCH A WELL KNOWN EXPWENT ATTORNEY, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU TWO WOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED.

>> I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE.

LIKE THE PLUMBER WHO COMES HOME BUT DOESN'T WANT TO FIX HIS OWN LEAK.

AND SO WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT.

I JUST ASSUMED BECAUSE HE WAS AN ATTORNEY THAT EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF.

AND -- BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

IF YOU DON'T DEAL WITH IT WHEN YOU'RE WELL, AND TIMES ARE GOOD, IT'S TOO LATE WHEN TIMES ARE BAD.

BECAUSE THEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH INTHB SOMEBODY WHO'S SICK AND DYING.

AND THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS, CAN YOU WRITE DOWN YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGER NUMBERS?

WHAT'S THE PASS CODE TO YOUR PHONE?

YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP THAT PERSON ALIVE AND WELL AND YOU'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT, WELL, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME WHEN YOU DIE.

>> Cathy: YOU WROTE IN THE BOOK AND YOU MENTIONED HIS, WE ALL NEED TO PAY ATTENTION, WE ALL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A BINDER WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THE PEOPLE YOU LEAVE BEHIND ARE GOING TO NEED IF YOU DO NOT COME HOME TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU LEAVE YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS.

YOU LEAVE YOUR PASSWORDS.

YOU LEAVE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE CONTACTED.

YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR LIFE INSURANCE N. INFORMATION.

PAT, IF I PUT ALL THAT IN A BINDER, WHAT IF SOMEBODY BREAKS IN MY HOW FAST AND TAKES IT?

AND I SAID, WELL, THEN PUT IT IN A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX.

AND A LOT OF DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT N. N. >> Cathy: AND I LOVE THE FACT YOU WROTE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS AN INTENTION LETTER, BECAUSE I THINK WHEN YOU DO HAVE A PLAN, THERE MIGHT BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY AS IT'S DOLED OUT AFTER ONE'S DEATH, YOU KNOW?

BUT AN INTENTION LETTER, YOU'RE PRETTY CLEAR AS TO WHY PEOPLE ARE GETTING CERTAIN ITEMS, PERHAPS, AND ALSO IT TAKES ABOUT YOU AS WHO YOU WERE, WHICH IS WONDERFUL.

>> WHAT YOUR LEGACY, WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE.

AND THIS IS WAS THE ADVICE OF A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WHO'S A FINANCIAL PLANNER.

AND THE INTENTION LETTER IS NOT LEGALLY BINDING, BUT LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A DISAGREEMENT OVERVIEW OU AND BROTHER DISAGREE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH DAD'S CABIN NORTH AND YOU WANT TO SELL IT AND YOUR BROTHER WANTS TO KEEP IT.

WELL, HERE'S WHAT DAD WANTS YOU TO DO IF YOU GUYS DON'T AGREE ON IT.

AND IT'S LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, THERE WILL BE DISAGREEMENTS.

THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT COME UP.

AND THERE WILL BE FIGHTS THAT CAN END RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY TIES.

>> Cathy: OVER THAT?

>> IT IS VERY SAD.

BUT A LOT OF IT IS JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK IS ABOUT STEP-CHILDREN AND THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IS "DAD NEVER TOLD US."

AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS ARISE BETWEEN THE STEP-MOTHER AND THE STEP-CHILDREN BECAUSE DAD NEVER TOLD THEM WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO.

AND THEY BELIEVE, AND MANY CASES, WELL, THAT'S ANOTHER NOT DAD WOULD WANT US TO HAVE.

YOU FORCE DAD TO DO THAT.

AND SO THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND AND NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

SO THAT THEY KNOW WHY DAD DID WHAT DAD DID.

>> Cathy: THE INTENTION LETTER IS GREAT.

SAY, BEFORE WE GO, I READ SOMEWHERE A LONG TIME AGO, AND THIS IS ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY NOW, AFTER THE DEATH OF BUCKIE, THAT A BROKEN HEART IS AN OPEN ONE.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> HMM.

YOU KNOW, I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I AM TRYING TO REIMAGINE MY LIFE.

I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEBODY, IT'S LIKE YOUR FIRST REACTION IS, THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING.

THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING.

THIS IS NOT MY LIFE.

AND YOU JUST CAN'T -- IT TAKES A WHILE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THAT PERSON IS GONE, THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK.

AND, YOU KNOW, I SAY, I WAS PAT MILES ON TV, AND WHEN I MARRIED BUCKIE, I WAS PAT ZIMMERMAN AND NOW I'M NOT EITHER ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

AND SO I'M TRYING TO REIMAGINE FOR MYSELF A NEW LIFE.

AND IT'S A PROCESS.

AND I FINALLY NOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE MY YEAR TO FOCUS ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE FIRST YEAR I SPENT DEALING WITH ALL THE ISSUES.

THE NEXT TWO YEARS, I SPENT WRITING THIS BOOK, AND NOW I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON WHERE I'M GOING TO GO WITH WHAT I HAVE LEFT.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

WE ALL RE.

PAT MILES, IT'S BEEN SUCH A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> I THINK PAUL WERE HERE, HE'D WANT US TO THINK ABOUT ONE THING, AND THAT IS TO CARRY OUT THE FIGHT THAT HE LED WITH SUCH BRILLIANCE AND COURAGE OVER ALL OF THESE YEARS.

AND PAUL AND SHEILA, WE INTEND TO DO THAT.

>> PAUL WELLSTONE HAD A PASSION.

FOR THE GOOD THINGS FOR PEOPLE.

AND HE EXPRESSED IT BRILLIANTLY.

ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

AND HERE IN MINNESOTA.

HE WAS A MAN OF ENORMOUS ABILITY.

BUT MOST OF ALL, HE WAS A CARING PERSON.

>> PAUL AND SHEILA LOVE PEOPLE.

I HAD LUNCH WITH PAUL NOT TOO LONG AGO.

AND THE SENATE DINING ROOM.

WHAT OTHER UNITED STATES SENATOR WOULD GO INTO THE KITCHEN AND THANK THE DISHWASHER?

[ Laughter ] [ Applause ] THANK THE COOKS FOR THE LUNCH?

[ Applause ] THAT WAS PAUL WELLSTONE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S ODD TO TALK ABOUT ELECTION DAY, KNOWING THAT MORE THAN 280,000 MINNESOTANS HAVE ALREADY VOTED.

WE'LL SPEND THE REST OF HOUR TALKING ABOUT THE HOT RACES, THE BIG ISSUES, AND THE NAGGING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

HERE TO HELP US DO THAT, TWO WILY POLITICAL OBSERVERS.

ABOU AMARA IS A LAWYER, A FORMER STAFFER AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, AND A DEMOCRAT.

ANDY BREHM IS A LAWYER, A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN.

ANDY, WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THE DEBATE TODAY ON PUBLIC RADIO BETWEEN JENSEN AND WALZ?

A LOT OF TALK ABOUT COVID?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A LEGITIMATE ISSUE.

MINNESOTA HAD A VERY AGGRESSIVE STANCE IN TERMS OF CLOSING DOWN BUSINESSES.

THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO GOVERNOR WALZ.

AND, YOU KNOW, KEEPING SCHOOLS CLOSED.

SO I THINK IT'S A LEGITIMATE THING FOR US TO TALK ABOUT, WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY OR NOT.

A LOT OF US DON'T THINK THAT IT WAS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE DEBATE I THINK, DR. JENSEN DID VERY WELL.

AND THE MESSAGE OUT 6 IT FROM GOVERNOR WALZ WAS, MINNESOTA IS FINE.

THE STATUS QUO IS FINE.

AND, YOU KNOW, HIS RECORD'S FINE.

AND I THINK MOST OF -- MOST MINNESOTA VOTERS, MYSELF INCLUDED, DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE WE IN THIS RACE?

I SENSE SOME CONCERN AMONG THE DEMOCRATS?

>> I HINK DEMOCRATS HAVE KNOWN TO BE A BIT OF BED WETTERS AT TIMES.

BUT THE DEBATE WAS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT THE GOVERNOR BEING ABLE TO SELL A COMEBACK STORY.

YES, WE'VE HAD DIFFICULTIES.

YES, WE'VE BEEN TESTED AND YES, WE'VE COME OUT STRONGER.

AND ON THE SIDE OF SCOTT JENSEN, WE'VE HEARD MINNESOTA SUCKS, DOOM AND IS A GLOOM ESSENTIALLY.

BUT AT THE END DAFT, THEY FEEL LIKE WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S CORRECT AT ALL.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEMS AND NOT TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, WIPE OVER THEM.

AND DR. JENSEN TALKED ABOUT WAYS, NOT THAT MINNESOTA'S BAD, BUT THAT MINNESOTA CAN DO MUCH BETTER.

AND I THINK THAT'S EVIDENT TO MOST VOTERS THAT THE CURRENT DIRECTION WE'RE ON, WHETHER IT'S OUR SCHOOLS THAT ARE FAILING OR WHETHER IT'S OUR CITIES THAT ARE CRUMBLING FROM CRIME, OR WHETHER IT'S BUSINESSES LEAVING OR MASSIVE FRAUD AND WASTE, WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER.

I THINK THAT'S THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: THE "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" FRAUD DID COME UP DURING THIS DEBATE.

AND IT'S A COMPLEX STORY.

DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG STATEWIDE ISSUE?

>> I DON'T, AND HERE'S WHY.

FIRST, EVERYBODY AGREES THAT FRAUD IS WRONG.

THERE'S NOT ONE PERSON DEPENDING WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

YOU SEE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MOVING FORWARD.

THEY SHOULD BE FULLY PROSECUTED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

AND THEN THE SECOND POINT, I JUST THINK MINNESOTANS UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MY KITCHEN TABLE OR MY RIGHT TO CONTROL MY BODY IS MORE IMPORTANT.

THAT EGAL PROCESS IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN VETIONZ TO FIGURE WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FACT.

SO IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

BUT MINNESOTANS ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GAS TANK, THEY'RE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ABORTION, THE ECONOMY, THAN I THINK THAT FEEDING THE FUTURE ISSUE.

>> WELL, THINK VOTERS CARE A LOT ABOUT THE FACT THAT $250 MILLION OF THEIR MONEY -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WEND TO FRAUDSTERS AND THIS IDEA, THAT, WELL, IT WAS INEVITABLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL DOING HIS JOB, WHEN YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR DOING HIS JOB, IT'S THEIR JOB TO ROOT OUT THINGS LIKE THIS, AND AS THE SPROIB NOTED IN -- "STAR TRIBUNE" NOTE NOTED IN THEIR STORY TODAY, OTH F THEM HAD NOTICE OF THIS BACK IN EARLY I THINK AS OF 2017 -- >> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> WELL, NO, IT IS.

AND WE HAD TWO LAWYERS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYING THAT KEITH ELLISON COULD HAVE DONE MORE.

SO LEADERSHIP HAS CONSEQUENCES.

WHEN YOU HAVE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT, THINGS DON'T GO WELL.

>> Cathy: ABORTION DID ALSO COME UP IN THIS DEBATE.

NO SURPRISE.

IS ABORTION AS MOTIVATING AN ISSUE AS IT WAS AFTER THE INITIAL DECISION CAME DOWN FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT?

>> YOU KNOW, IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, I DON'T THINK SO.

AND THE REASON THAT IS, IS BECAUSE VOTERS ARE DISCERNING.

I MEAN, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION IN THE GOVERN'S RACE?

MINNESOTA, THERE'S -- ABOU KNOWS THIS WELL, THERE'S A SUPREME COURT CASE THAT SAYS THAT IS A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT UNDER THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION.

THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN CHANGE IS IF YOU AMEND THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION AND THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN HAPPEN IS BY THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA VOTING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.

THERE'S ONE PERSON NOT INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS AND THAT'S THE GOVERNOR.

SO IT'S IRRELEVANT.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS NOT IRRELEVANT.

WE ALL KNOW IN MINNESOTA THAT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, THE STATE SUPREME COURT, THEY'RE APPOINTED BY WHO?

THE GOVERNOR.

AND SO IT OBVIOUSLY MAKES SENSE THAT WHOEVER WINS THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO GET MULTIPLE PICKS ON THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT.

AND WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN JUSTICES.

UNLIKE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHERE THEY HAVE NINE.

SO ALL YOU NEED ARE FOUR PEOPLE TO COMPLETELY DO YOU KNOW THAT DOE V. GOMEZ YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THAT'S EXACTLY HAT WE SAID WITH ROE V. WADE AND WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED THAT THERE.

IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN IN MINNESOTA AND THAT'S WHY GOVERNOR WALZ HAS TO BE REELECT AID.

>> Eric: HAD LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BATTLE FOR THE BUSHES WHERE ABORTION HAS BEEN LINKED TO THAT STRUGGLE OUT THERE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> WELL, I THINK VOTERS IN THE SUBURBS, VOTERS EVERYWHERE, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME AND INFLATION.

I MEAN, EVERY POLL SHOWS THOSE ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

SO AGAIN, I THINK WHAT MINNESOTA VOTERS ARE DOING, THEY'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT, ABORTION ISN'T AN ISSUE IN THIS ELECTION.

THESE TWO THINGS ARE WHAT I CARE.

IF YOU VOTE FOR TIM WALZ, YOU'RE GOING TO GET MORE OF THE SAME.

IF YOU WANT A CHANGE, IF YOU WANT SAFE CITIES, IF YOU WANT AN STATE THAT'S GROWING, AN ECONOMY THAT'S GROWING, YOU VOTE FOR DR. JEN JENSEN.

>> Eric: THAT'S THE BATTLE, GROUND?

RIGHT?

>> AND AS I'VE SAID MULTIPLE TIMES ON THIS SHOW, ONE OF THE LARGEST GROUPS OF INDEPENDENTS ARE MIDDLE AGED WOMEN, THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR THAT DEMOGRAPHIC IS IS A BOSSER.

SO YES, IT IS TRUE THE ECONOMY IS IMPORTANT OVERALL, BUT WHEN YOU START TO SLICE AND DICE THE DEMOGRAPHICS TOGETHER, THAT'S SUBURBAN MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN VOTE IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL AND WITH THAT GROUP, CHOICE IS GOING TO BE KEY, BECAUSE THEY REMEMBER A TIME IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN THEY DID NOT HAVE THOSE RIGHTS AND THEY'VE EARNED THOSE RIGHTS AND THEY'VE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.

>> Cathy: SAY, POLLS SHOW THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF DECLARED INDEPENDENTS OR UNDECIDES IN SOME OF THESE RACES.

THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT OF SCOTT JENSEN, DOES THAT HELP OR HOTTER?

HURT OR HURT?

>> I THINK IT'S KIND OF IRRELEVANT.

THE ENDORSEMENT WASN'T SOUGHT BY DR. JENSEN.

HE WASN'T PARTICULARLY ENTHUSE TACK ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK THAT WAS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

SO TELEHEALTH END OF THE DAY, I THINK DONALD TRUMP MATTERS LESS AND LEST.

YOU KNOW, AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> HOW ABOUT GOVERNOR VENTURA WEIGHING IN -- THAT WAS A IS A BIT OUT OF THE BOX.

HE SAID SOME CONTROVERSIAL STUFF, I'D BE HONG WITH YOU ABOUT THAT.

BUT I THINK HE'S SOMEBODY WHO KIND OF CUTS THROUGH AND FOLKS WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE DAY-TO-DAY POLITICS SEE HIM AS AUTHENTIC.

BUT SOMETIMES THEY LISTEN TO FOLKS LIKE.

THERE A REASON HE WAS BLE TO CUT THROUGH THE REPUBLICAN-DEMOCRATIC PARADIGM AND WIN AN ELECTION IN MINNESOTA.

>> I THINK IT WAS SURPRISING TO SEE GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN WELCOME THAT ENDORSEMENT.

I MEAN, JUST OF JESSE VENTURA SAID SOME WILD AND WACKY STUFF.

HE THINKS THAT 9/11 WAS A HOWE.

HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ITH ALEX JONES.

THIS WOULD NOT BE THE KIND OF ENDORSEMENT THAT I WOULD WELCOME AS A CAMPAIGN.

I WAS SURPRISED.

>> Eric: DOWN FROM GOVERNOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE, AND AUDITOR.

I'M WONDERING IF THE REPUBLICANS GOT A SHOT TO WIN A COUPLE OF STATEWIDE RACES FOR HE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE.

>> DARN RIGHT.

>> Eric: WHICH ONE ARE YOU MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT OR MOST HOPEFUL ABOUT?

>> I'M MOST ENTHUSE EXACT FOR MY FRIEND JIM SCHULTZ WHO I THINK IS A FINE MAN AND A GREAT LAWYER AND WHO HAS NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER AND I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

HE'S INTERESTED IN DOING THE JOB OF BEING THE CHIEF LAWYER OF THE STATE.

HE'S A VERY SUBSTANTIVE GUY.

AND HE'S RUN A GREAT CAMPAIGN.

SO I'M VERY EXCITEED.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTIONS THESE RACES ARE GOING TO BE CLOSE, BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE HISTORY.

REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SAME SONG AND DANCE SINCE 2 ON 006.

AND SO I SUSPECT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE TWO THINGS HAPPENING.

ONE, YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS PULLING A MAJORITY OF INDEPENDENTS.

WE'VE SEEN THAT IN MOST OF THE POLLING.

AND SECOND, YOU HAVE KETD ELLISON WHO HAS THE TURN OUT OPERATION IN HE STATE BAR NONE IN TERMS OF GETTING VOTERS OUT.

AND I THINK THAT MACHINE AT THE END OF THE DAY IS WHAT'S GOING TO GET THE TICKET ACROSS THE LINE.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

HE DOES HAVE A GOOD GET OUT OF THE VOTE OPERATION.

WHEN YOU CAMPAIGN WITH BERNIE SANDERS AND ILHAN OPENLIOR, YOU ARE GOING TO GET VOTERS OUT TO VOTE AGAINST YOU.

IT'S A BIZARRE STRATEGY.

>> Cathy: IS JULIE BLA HALF VULNERABLE?

>> WITH LIMITED RESOURCES ON THE LOWEST RACE ON THE TICKET.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK MUFF OF THIS IS GOING TO BE WINS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE.

>> Cathy: Y'ALL WATCHING TYLER CONSIST ENTER AND AGE JEE CRAIG I BETS IN THE SECOND?

>> IT'S A VERY, VERY CLOSE RACE.

>> THE SUBURBAN INDEPENDENTS I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> Eric: DO WE HAVE SENSE OF CONTROL OF STATE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> YEAH, AS SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN THE HOUSE, I'VE SEEN POLLING.

IT'S KIND OF A TO THE-UP.

IT'S COME DOWN TO THE CANDIDATE QUALITY.

SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN HAS REALLY RAISED A TON OF MONEY, INVESTED IN CANDIDATES WELL.

AND MANUFACTURE HOPEFULLY THAT LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO GET THOSE FOLKS AT THE TOP.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

>> I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, REPUBLICANS HAVE FIRST-CLASS CANDIDATES.

WE ARE COMPETITIVE.

KELLY FENTON FOR INSTANCE IN WOODBURY, AN AREA THAT WENT HEAVILY FOR BIDEN.

SO I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT THAT NARROW MAJORITY THAT THE D.F.L.

HAS WILL BE ELIMINATED IN NOW.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT HAPPENS IN CONGRESS.

>> WELL, I MEAN, RIGHT NOW.

POLLINGIS SHOWING THAT THINGS ARE FAVORING REPUBLICANS A LOT.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE 70% OF THE -- 670% OF AMERICANS SAYING THEY'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THE DIRECTION.

COUNTRY, THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR CHANGE AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Eric: SKY THE LIMIT FOR TOM EMMER AND THE REFUND LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE?

>> YES, HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB.

IT'LL BE EXCITING.

AND GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Eric: AND WHO'S GOING TO RUN AGAINST AMY KLOBUCHAR IN 2024?

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL SCHULTZ.

I'LL HROW THAT OUT THERE.

>> Eric: WE BETTER ASK HIM IF HE'S GOING TO SERVE A FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM AS A.G.

IF HE WINS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: HEY, IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

SO LET'S SEE WHAT THE PRODUCERS HAVE COME UP WITH THIS WEEK.

FOR OUR QUESTION, WE GO BACK IN TIME TO THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST IN 1983.

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS MADE FOOTBALL HISTORY THAT DAY BEFORE A CROWD ANNOUNCED AT A BIT MORE THAN 30,000 FANS.

WE WANT YOU TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY THAT ENTERED THE NFL RECORD BOOKS.

THINK ABOUT THAT AND THEN CALL IN YOUR ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

WHAT HISTORY DID THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS MAKE ON AUGUST 6TH, 1983?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM NEAR BUD LAKE, GRANT LAKE, FRAN LAKE, OR TARKINGTON LAKE.

ONE OF THOSE LAKES IS FAKE.

BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHICH ONE.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL NUMBER.

CALL EARLY AND OFTEN.

ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU DIAL CAREFULLY.

THAT'S JUST COMMON COURTESY.

EMAILS ARE GREAT TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS THE WAY TO REACH US.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, IT WAS THIS WEEK IN 2009 THAT ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS, MINNESOTA FOLKSINGER ANN REED MADE HER FIRST EVER "ALMANAC" APPEARANCE.

WOW!

SO LET'S HONOR ANN BY PLAYING THE TUNE SHE PLAYED FOR US 13 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

"THE COFFEE TASTED BETTER WHEN YOU WERE HERE."

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON THE FINAL FRIDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

♪♪ >> ♪ SIT HERE WONDERIN' WHAT HAS CHANGED ♪ ♪ MY COFFEE TASTED BETTER YESTERDAY ♪ ♪ BOUGHT IT FROM THE SAME JAVA-BEANERY PLACE ♪ ♪ MY COFFEE TASTED BETTER YESTERDAY ♪ ♪ SAME OL' KITCHEN ♪ ♪ SAME OL' CUP ♪ ♪ SAME OL' WAY I TEND TO DRINK THE STUFF UP ♪ ♪ ONLY THING I ADDED IS A LITTLE TEAR ♪ ♪ GUESS THE COFFEE TASTED BETTER WHEN YOU WERE HERE ♪ ♪ START THE ENGINE, GO FOR A RIDE ♪ - ♪ THE CAR'S SO QUIET, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY ♪ ♪ I HAVEN'T CHANGED THE FUNNY WAY I DRIVE ♪ ♪ THE CAR'S SO QUIET, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY ♪ ♪ SAME OL' CHASSIS ♪ ♪ TIRES AND JACK ♪ ♪ SAME OL' ROUTE TO THERE AND BACK ♪ ♪ ONLY THING MISSIN' IS JUST THE RIGHT SONG ♪ ♪ THE CAR'S SO QUIET NOW THAT YOU ARE GONE ♪ ♪♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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