Wellstone's name invoked by Democratic presidential hopefuls

[dajabr]

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a speech to the Democratic National Committee, the Rev. Al Sharpton mentioned the late Sen. Paul Wellstone in the same breath as Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King.

At a recent debate in Iowa, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, called himself "a Paul Wellstone Democrat." And former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean stressed his labor credentials by noting he had won the AFL-CIO's first Paul Wellstone Award.

Wellstone never gained much traction when he considered running for president in 2000, but he's gaining a lot of posthumous exposure from Democrats who want the job in 2004.

Since Wellstone's death in October, at least six of the nine Democratic candidates have invoked his name. It's a clear attempt to appeal to the party's liberal base, which is likely to carry considerable clout in deciding who faces President Bush next year.

--snip--

David Wellstone, the senator's eldest son, said the candidates "understand that people loved the fire and the passion and the integrity that my dad brought to the job. And that was all focused on improving people's lives, and that's why they're mentioning him."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4010627.html

[revcarol]

1. Remembering Wellstone...

So sad and yet so inspirational...(BTW, DK seems the closest to Wellstone in his hopes for America and in his positive and humorous outlook.)

One of the things Wellstone inspired was including those who had never participated in the political process before. WE need to register the many to vote, and GET OUT THE VOTE!!

[kwolf68]

2. Damn I miss that man

I believe the loss of Paul Wellstone is the biggest tragedy to a politician since Bobby Kennedy was murdered, maybe moreso.

Wellstone was something special. My wife (moderate to Conservative) even liked the guy. Paul brought heart, passion, intellect and humor to the cause. He was proud of being a Liberal and would openly challenge anyone who questioned that Liberalism by defending his stands and refuting the cliches of the attackers.

Democracy is missing one of its greatest soldiers in Senator Wellstone.

Not to be pissy, but when right-wing, racist, hate filled, bastards like Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond can hang on for so long and a man like Paul is taken away so soon, it makes you wonder what side God is really one.

As far as the candidates, Dennis Kucinich is the only one who has any claim to Wellstone’s legacy. Kerry’s voting record is pretty good, but it doesn’t stand with Pauls. The problem with Dennis is he doesn’t have the humor and wit that Paul brought to the table. Kunicnich is acting like this is a war (and YES, it is), but Paul was soft around the edges, his appeal to non-Liberals in my view was measurable.

Dennis isn’t soft around the edges. He’s like a little Godzilla stomping through the town. He’s right on the issues (dead ass right), but he isn’t as “likeable” as Wellstone was and this is one of his flaws in my view.

[blm]

3. Kucinich has had to carry more burdens than most

in his life. He Is also one of those people who will almost always be misunderstood for their serious mindedness. I relate more to the easily misunderstood than I do the easily understood soundbite crowd.

[dflprincess]

4. I was going to post this, glad I checked for it before I did

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4010627

<snip>
It's (invoking Wellstone's name) is a clear attempt to appeal to the party's liberal base, which is likely to carry considerable clout in the deciding who faces President (sic) Bush next year.

Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, said that the Democratic hopefuls are engaged in smart politics.

"Wellstone was on the far left of the Senate, but his philosophy is actually precisely where most the activists in the Democratic Party are. How betterto appeal to the actual Democratic electorate than to invoke the name of one of their secular saints?"

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Wellstone - what a hero

Wellstone - what a hero. A true liberal. Thoughtful. Passionate. Honest. I miss him.

[blm]

6. Whenever I hear his name

it hurts all over again. He was my favorite Senator for so many years.