Capitol Retort: Backup player; prison outbreak; quarantine reads

Kevin Featherly April 9, 2020

In this March 30, 2020 photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, holds a brief news conference March 30 with Rear Adm. John B. Mustin as the USNS Comfort, a naval hospital ship with a 1,000 bed-capacity, pulls into Pier 90 in New York. Americans give high marks to state and local governments for their handling of the fast-moving coronavirus pandemic that has swiftly remade everyday life. (AP photo: Kathy Willens)

The president refers to the federal government as a “backup” to states. What do you think about the how he’s handling things?

Capitol Retort: Dark democracy; stay at home; whatchya gonna do?

Kevin Featherly April 3, 2020

In this March 26 photo, several Lawmakers in the Minnesota House practice social distancing from a gallery at the State Capitol in St. Paul as representatives take up bills related to the coronavirus in the state. (AP photo: Jim Mone)

Is the Democracy-dies-in-darkness war cry justified in these dire circumstances?

Capitol Retort: Tough call; Burr, that’s cold; Captain Kirk

Kevin Featherly March 27, 2020

Sen. Paul Gazelka, photographed in 2019 before the social distancing directive, has expressed concern that Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership “should not be unilateral and unchecked” during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo)

Sen. Paul Gazelka, while noting that these times call for difficult decisions, expressed public concern that Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership “should not be unilateral and unchecked.”

Capitol Retort: COVID-19 chaos; judicial paths; political pact

Kevin Featherly March 19, 2020

A man stands outside the locked doors of the Government Center service center Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Minneapolis. Efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus continue across Minnesota. (AP photo: Jim Mone)

So, COVID-19 … some virus, huh?

Capitol Retort: Biden comeback; police accountability; lewd renovation

Kevin Featherly March 12, 2020

Sen. Amy Klobuchar endorses former Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign rally March 2 in Dallas. (AP photo)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

In the Hopper: So long, slavery; quality ed; House guns

Kevin Featherly March 6, 2020

House Judiciary Chair John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, displays a copy of the Minnesota Constitution, which one of his ancestors signed. His House File 3008 would ask voters to change the state constitution by deleting all references to slavery and involuntary servitude. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

In a unanimous vote, House Judiciary last week took a step toward eliminating slavery and involuntary servitude from the Minnesota Constitution.

Capitol Retort: Appleton of their eye, viral response, Page turner

Kevin Featherly March 5, 2020

This photo provides an aerial view of the currently closed, privately owned Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota. (Submitted photo: Swift County)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Capitol Retort: Draz maneuver, 61,000 acres, sign stealing

Kevin Featherly February 27, 2020

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, argues for his first-day motion to adjourn the 2020 legislative session sine die. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Capitol Retort: Diss Barr, breach of lease, Celtic stomp

Kevin Featherly February 20, 2020

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Attorney General William Barr in this Oct. 28, 2019, photo. (AP file photo)

U.S. Attorney General William Barr says he’d already planned to step in before Trump’s tweet, but now says the president’s social media posts “make it impossible to do my job.” What do you make of all this?

Special Retort: Impeachment of the president

Kevin Featherly February 13, 2020

President Donald Trump holds up a newspaper with a headline that reads “Trump acquitted” as he speaks in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 6. (AP photo)

How do you think history will come to regard the impeachment of President Donald John Trump?