Episode #264: Can “Minnesota Nice” Survive This Climate?

With all the professional politicians and presidential hopefuls calling for Gov. Ralph Northam to step down in the wake of a race-based controversy, a new poll made it clear that there was one group of people who haven’t been heard from until now:  the people of Virginia.  Mark Rozell of George Mason University talks about whether Northam can survive politically … which may not be the same for his lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, who has been accused of sexual assault by two women. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the latest Democrat to jump into the presidential ring, selling her Midwest roots, her ability to work with Republicans and her “Minnesota nice” image as arguments in her favor.  Tom Weber, a Minnesota political journalist, weighs the pluses and minuses of the fifth senator to join the race. Adam Hochberg of the University of North Carolina offers his reflections of the late Congressman Walter Jones Jr. (R-NC), whose conservative views on social issues and his strong anti-war beliefs made him impossible to classify. And, we say goodbye to John Dingell, the Michigan Democrat who served longer than any person in congressional history. Photo via flickr user Lorie Shaull Music used in this podcast: Space Oddity by David Bowie I’ve Just Seen A Face by The Beatles Amie by Pure Prairie League Believer by Imagine Dragons Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean The podcast episode has been updated to correct the following error: It was erroneously stated that Rep. Ilhan Omar was “one of two Palestinian women elected to Congress last fall.” The sentence should have said, “one of two Muslim women elected to Congress last fall.” We regret the error.