Paul Wellstone 1944-2002 Scholar, public servant, patriot

Paul Wellstone 1944-2002
By The Editors

Oct. 25, 2002 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- "Shocked." "Unbelievable." "Profound sadness."

The words have been bandied about on cable news TV and political bulletin boards and blogs, and spoken by the nation's leaders.

Early this afternoon, Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN), his wife and daughter, three campaign aides and the two pilots were killed when his charter plane crashed making a landing approach to Eveleth, Minnesota airport.

"The on-air host on CNN said there was breaking news out of Minnesota -- a plane crash. I kept working until I heard the name 'Paul Wellstone'. At that point I pretty much dropped everything. The tone was pretty ominous on CNN and MSNBC. About a half hour later, both networks confirmed he was dead. I can't even begin to describe my feelings at that moment. Wellstone was the real deal -- an unreconstructed progressive liberal -- and in a flash, he's gone."
-- Gene Gaudette, publisher, apj.us

Wellstone seemed like the last of a disappearing breed -- a full-blooded liberal Democrat, unabashedly unashamed of the dreaded "L" word, a proud banner-bearing progressive. He had been a political science professor before he won his Senate seat back in 1990 in an astounding upset victory against Rudy Boschwitz.

"Paul Wellstone was a man of deep convictions. He was a plainspoken fellow who did his best for his state and for his country."
-- George W. Bush

He didn't look or act like your typical Senator, working in a chamber with an unwritten, kabuki-like, nuanced "code of conduct". He arrived in Washington without a power suit to his name. He seemed to many observers clumsy at first -- but quickly mastered Senate rules without compromising a sometimes blunt but always ingenuous style. And over a twelve year period, he garnered arguably the most liberal voting record of anyone in the Senate.

"Today, the nation lost its most passionate advocate for fairness and justice for all. He had an intense passion and enormous ability to reach out, touch and improve the lives of the people he served so brilliantly."
-- Edward Kennedy

Even given his strong left leanings, Wellstone also achieved a reputation as one of the most approachable and friendly elected officials on the Hill, and had a talent for reaching across party and ideological barriers on a number of bread-and-butter issues.

"Today the state of Minnesota has suffered a deep and penetrating loss, with all of us suffering from the numbing experiences of our nation's recent tragedies. This loss seems especially cruel for those of us who knew and worked with Sen. Wellstone, his dedication to his state and nation was profound." -- Jesse Ventura

Wellstone also cultivated profound respect as a man of deep principle. He was a strong advocate for human rights -- teaming with Jesse Helms in two unsuccessful attempts to sanction China for human rights violations. He was also an ardent advocate of better health care programs -- and a notable critic of the pharmaceutical industry.

"Dot Helms and I are deeply saddened by Senator Wellstone's tragic death -- along with his dear wife, daughter, staff members and pilots. Despite the marked contrast between Paul's and my views on matters of government and politics, he was my friend and I was his. He unfailingly represented his views eloquently and emphatically. Paul Wellstone was a courageous defender of his beliefs."
-- Jesse Helms

He was an effective advocate for his constituents, but in his second term took on more national issues. He took plenty of heat -- and full responsibility -- when he voted against the Senate's resolution on Iraq. He again teamed with a conservative -- this time Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) -- to shepherd pioneering legislation that would expand mental health benefits through the Senate.

Domenici's appearance on CNN this afternoon to comment on Wellstone's death carried more eloquence than any words could. He tried to speak, but was overcome with emotion, unable to say a syllable -- and Domenici, one of the most respected and powerful conservatives in Washington, broke down in tears.

Come this Sunday, the weekly political talk shows will no doubt make Wellstone's death and the political aftermath a major topic of discussion. Surely there will be replays of politicians paying tribute to their colleague. And they'll tell it like it is -- Wellstone was not merely respected, he was beloved. We suspect they won't play Domenici's emotional moment -- which would be a shame. In a political atmosphere that is venomous, in a city that can show little mercy, Domenici's tears spoke volumes about Paul Wellstone.