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The passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is, like many things in American life, the end of an era. A tireless and avowed liberal justice, Ginsburg was fierce in her advocacy for women, for minorities and for justice for all. While she and I may have had differing ideology, neither of us have […]

It has been said that time heals all wounds. But the wounds inflicted by the terror attack 19 years ago should always hurt- so that we never forget. That dreadful day on 9/11/2001 demands we give it it’s full measure of respect and dignity. It was one of America’s worst days. Yet, in the midst […]

“MPD did not kill him, but people assuming they did is rooted in a steep distrust,” Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison tweeted Wednesday night. “Seeing windows broken and items stolen can be beyond frustrating, especially when all that rage was sparked (this time) by misinformation. But so often our policing institutions have themselves been […]

Over the years I have had my fair share of ups and downs. I lost two children to a genetic disease early in their life. I’ve lost close friends and family members far too soon in their life. I’ve lost an election, a recount and a host of political fights and battles along the way. […]

In the early days of the COVID-19 crisis Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, like many Governors around the country – Democrat and Republican – rose to the challenge and prescribed detailed steps that were intended to “flatten the curve” and buy time for our health care systems to absorb the predicted tsunami of COVID-19 cases. But […]

On May 21, 2003 as Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations I convened a hearing on the SARS titled, “SARS:  How Effective Is The State And Local Response?” On July 30, 2003 I held a follow-up hearing title “SARS:  Best Practices for Identifying And Caring for New Cases.” SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory […]

It’s time to re-open America. Carefully and with commonsense. But there’s no question that the time has come to get our economy growing again. Throughout the nation the American people in swaths of tens of millions have answered the call of their government, health care officials, law enforcement and other local, state and national leaders […]

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor America sprang into action. In doing so it ultimately helped defeat Japanese aggression and topple the Nazi regime that wished to establish a 1,000-year rule over the people of the world. But, along the way, our nation made decisions that we came to regret. We placed nearly 120,000 Americans […]

In the best of times Governors like Minnesota’s Tim Walz, New York’s Andrew Cuomo and California’s Gavin Newsom and I would stand miles apart on major public policy issues. But these are not now the best of times. Hopefully with strong leadership in Washington and that of other Republican and Democratic Governors across America, we […]