"Reminiscent of Paul Wellstone."

[goodhue]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20060913/cm_thenation/1120919

"Reminiscent of Paul Wellstone."

John Nichols
2 hours, 28 minutes ago

The Nation -- Press reports on the primary victory of Minnesota Democratic U.S. House candidate Keith Ellison make note of the fact that he is now likely to become the first Muslim elected to Congress. But Ellison is also likely to become one of the most left-leaning members of the next House.

* * *

What the Minnesota Democrat did right is instructive.

Running against a crowded field for the nomination to replace retiring Representative Martin Sabo, Ellison distinguished himself as a passionate progressive who, in the words of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, mounted a campaign that was "reminiscent of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone."

* * *

It was Ellison's outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq -- which Wellstone also opposed in a critical Senate vote shortly before his death in a 2002 plane crash -- that helped him to win the pre-primary endorsenment of the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and the enthusiastic support of grassroots activists during a fast-paced campaign that began only after Sabo unexpectedly announced in March that he would not seek a new term.

"Nearly 2,600 Americans have been killed since the war began on March 19, 2003, and an the estimated 15,800 have been wounded. President Bush recently admitted to 30,000 Iraqi dead, but other estimates put the toll as high as 100,000," argued Ellison. "It is time to admit this war was a terrible mistake and bring our troops home as soon as possible."

The DFL candidate's supporters distributed "Bring Our Troops Home Now" literature throughout the Minneapolis-based district prior to the primary. In the leaflets, Ellison complained that Democrats had "allowed the Republicans to control the dialogue," and promised to "advocate for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq!"

* * *

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20060913/cm_thenation/1120919

[Warpy]

1. Gee, what a surprise

The candidate who offered a CLEAR DIFFERENCE won. Sorta makes you think of Gov. Brian Schweitzer in Minnesota, doesn't it?

Democrats have got to stop being so damned timid. They've got to ignore all that DLC conventional "wisdom" that says the contry has gone conservative.

The only reason it's looked like that is because there have been so few real Democrats to vote for.

[lonehalf]

2. I agree.

I can tell you that our party has given up on Georgia.

At every meeting I try to get them to be what they are - PROGRESSIVE!!!

But they just seem to want to win some state wide and local races.

They tell me that we have permanently lost Georgia.

[marmar]

3. "candidate who offered a CLEAR DIFFERENCE won"

Exactly. Why Dems can't get it through their thick heads is beyond me. People are tired of triangulation and wimpiness. Let it rip.

[KyndCulture]

4. Congrats to my MN brothers and sisters in CD5!

Way to go!

[Totally Committed]

5. The day his plane went down, America lost a treasure.

There will never be another Paul Wellstone.

TC

[dpbrown]

6. Ellison has great potential

I hope he proves truly effective in Congress.

[goodhue]

7. some victory party video here . . .

http://blip.tv/file/73328

[goodhue]

8. .

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Heard this guy on Schultz *gack* Wednesday...

...Very promising candidate. Well-spoken, humble and passionate.

[Doctor_J]

10. Stay out of small aircraft, Keith!

you are a threat