Minnesota Political Hall of Fame

became the By Dane Smith leader of the Staff Writer Communist Party in the Way downstream near the dirtier end of the United States. Mississippi River, the town of Winnfield, ~a., " last week opened a dubious new tourist . Congressman ".,.f attraction called the "Louisiana Political Hall Andrew ~ of Fame." Volstead of Granite Falls, Among the charter inductees was Huey the so-called Long, the notorious former governor and "Father of senator of the 1930s who has become a Prohibition" symbol In U.S. politics of demagoguery and whose good intentions spoiled by abuses of power. constitutional Andrew Volstead amendment Another inductee was the present governor, dried up the Edwin Edwards, who staged a comeback nation for 14 last year despite a checkered past, years. including an indictment on corruption charges. Edwards expressed surprise at his Clar", Hampson Ueland, a Minneapolis induction, saying, "I'm still alive, and woman and a leading advocate of women's creating problems, and doing damage." SUffrage. Forrest Harris, a pivotal behind-the-scenes leader of the liberal wing of the DFL First, wouldn't a "Hall of Party. Shame" be more appropriate for Louisiana? And second, why doesn't Minnesota, just as While discussions of whether Elmer L. rich in political figures and oh-so-much Anderson deserves to be inducted may more politically correct, have its own never generate the same passion as the Political Hall of Fame? Pete Rose question, at least one institution may be interested in furthering the Political Both states are rather famous for their Hall of Fame notion. politics, but in very different ways. Bill Handley, director of news and public Louisianans take a certain pride in their affairs for KTCA-TV, Channel 2, said the unsavory but fun-loving politicos. There's a "Almanac" show might ask viewers about saying that the only thing that could get a who should be in a hall of fame. One of the Louisiana politician in trouble with voters show's more popular features is a weekly would be to be found in bed with a dead girl trivia test, often focusing on Minnesota B. Robert Lewis ~ or a live boy. political history. (Leave it to pUblic television to get on board ...) ~ Minnesotans, by contrast, take a more Little Crow, prudish pride in the cleanliness and Even If the concept never gets off the the Dakota seriousness and national impact of their ground, Minnesota's political junkies can leader who politicians. have a lot of fun speculating on who should unwillingly led and should not his people in Despite the be inducted 1862 in a tawdry into a hopeless final gubernatorial hypothetical war to drive campaign of Hall of Fame. whites from 1990 and Sen. Minnesota. Dave Humphrey, Durenberger's considered by Nellie Stone current some Johnson of troubles, historians to Minneapolis, a Minnesota be among the pioneer of the deserves its civil rights most Nellie Stone Johnson reputation for important U.S. movement producing politicians and a DFL upstanding, never to be ieader for 50 years. high- president, Hubert Humphrey Harold Stassen achieving, would Congressman Charles Lindbergh Sr" - visionary .... undOUbtedly father of the famous aviator, and a much politicians, especially in this century. occupy a place of special honor. Olson, abused opponent of U.S. entry into World Stassen and Mondale also would be War I. From reform governors such as John A. charter members. Johnson, Floyd B. Olson and Harold Congresswoman Coya Knutson, the Stassen, to vice presidents Hubert An unofficial trio of consultants, consulted woman whose husband ordered her in the Humphrey and Walter Mondale, and by the Star Tribune, offered some intriguing, 1950s to "come home" to domestic life an~ today's rising stars such as conservative lesser-known nominees. The consultants ruined her political career. RepUblican strategist Vin Weber, are Debbie Miller, head of research for the Minnesota has produced a steady stream of Minnesota Historical Society; Hy Berman, a Gov. RUdy Perpich, the state's longest ' major-league talent. history professor at the University of serving governor, and who might demand that two spots be reserved since he served Minnesota, and David Lebedoff, a former 1 It has churned out not only politicians but University of Minnesota regent and an two interrupte'! ideas and policies that have been copied by author who has written extensively about terms. other states. Innovations include the modern politics and politicians. r progressive income tax, no-smoking Susie ~. i sections in public places, open meetings These are some of their potential hall-of Stageberg, a and open government records, easy access famers, in no particular order: Red Wing to the voting booth and efforts to spread the teacher and I wealth between rich and poor school Joseph Rolette, the territorial legislator feminist activel districts. who disappeared with the bill that would in both the have established the state capital in Women's Neal Peirce, a leading authority on the southern Minnesota, thus preventing St. Christian Temi political culture of states, wrote in ''The Peter from robbing St. Paul. perance Uniori Book of America" that Minnesota leaders "have played a role in national life, far out of U.S. Sen. EugerwSy'lpCarthy, whose ~~~~~~-Labor I proportion to their state's modest 2 percent antiwar Candidacy in 1968 convinced Party. I .Qf the national popUlation." And no state, President Lyndon Johnson not to run for 'J'beirce said, "has offered as close a model reelection. Susie Stageberg 'fo the Ideal of the successful society as Minnesota." Gus Hall, the native Minnesotan who.

Load more