Home

David's Essays

After Hours: Campus Tour (05/13/08)

Mary and David venture outside for a look at the buildings that surround the Capitol mall.

After Hours: Military Training (05/05/08)

David interviews a member of this year's legislative intern program and finds out how well Matthew's army tours prepared him for working at the Capitol.

After Hours: No Resting Allowed (04/30/08)

Go behind-the-scenes on the Almanac: At the Capitol set and watch David grill Mary about what life is like as a political reporter.

After Hours: Plugged In (04/22/08)

If you walk around the Capitol during the session, you might not see many reporters in the House or Senate galleries. So where, exactly, are they getting their news?

After Hours: Citizen Lobbyist (04/16/08)

David interviews Rich Newmiester, a citizen lobbyist who has spent 30 years advocating for privacy and civil liberties. The downside to his job? It's an unpaid position. The upside? He's beholden to no boards, organizations, or other groups.

Legislative Leaders (04/15/08)

After the governor, what's the most powerful position in Minnesota politics? Whose job is it to control the spin? David goes out on a limb with this look at the leadership family tree.

After Hours: Lobbyists and Luck (04/08/08)

What does it take to be a successful lobbyist? As Mary explains, "smarts, knowing your industry inside out ... and the brass equivalent of a rabbit's foot found in the Capitol rotunda."

Look Out, Here Comes the Legislation! (04/04/08)

David shares his hard-earned insight into how a bill really becomes a law in this third chapter of An Outsider's Essay on State Government.

After Hours: Capitol Controversy (04/01/08)

Did you know the Capitol has many ties to the Civil War ... including "Confederate marble?" Mary and David explain how Cass Gilbert honored the era and its aging veterans.

Making Presidents: Chapter 2 (03/31/08)

David attends two very different Democratic campaign rallies in the heart of primary season. The experience leaves him asking, "Will the 'aura of popularity' that brings people to a campaign rally get them in the voting booth?"