# Wellstone Farewell Becomes Political -- Will it backfire? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 30, 2002, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526 "2002-10-30T12:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/1 "2002-10-30T12:31:35Z")
Minnesota Democrats used Paul Wellstone’s funeral as a political event. Will this decision help them retain Paul Wellstone’s Senate seat, or will it hurt Democratic candidates? > [@](#): > > The event that began as a poignant farewell to the late Senator Paul Wellstone Tuesday evening culminated in a furious series of partisan speeches… > > Kahn’s comments, which came more than an hour into the planned two-hour tribute shocked media outlets across the state which were carrying the event live. Viewers and listeners were outraged. By 10:15 p.m., KARE TV’s operator had logged more than 100 calls. It is unknown how many call went to the station’s overflow voicemail system. Turning a funeral into a partisan event is low class. It seems clear that the plan for a political rally was the real reason Vice President Cheney stiffed. The Wellstone family had claimed that they didn’t want the funeral to be disrupted by the need for security. This excuse never made sense, since Bill Clinton and Al Gore were present. That’s fibbing. Another bit of hypocricy was Democratic accusations that Republicans were still campaigning too soon after Wellstone’s death. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. This [photograph](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/021030/168/2k504.html) of Clinton and Mondale yukking it up at Wellstone’s funeral could be viewed negatively. The Democrats may have shot themselves in the foot. This could be portrayed as “win-at-all-costs Democrats” not deserving the mantle of the sincere Paul Wellstone. Since the Mondale campaign will last only a week or two, this funeral could be its defining event. OTOH the funeral was televised throughout Minnesota, so it may have done Democrats a lot of good. It was a chance for the Democrats to reach many voters. Many viewers may have been turned on by the Democrats’ message. Ultimately, the political impact of the funeral may depend on how the media play it. We’ll know in a week. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/2 "2002-10-30T13:01:05Z")
I wondered about that, too. But then I shrugged it off as business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/3 "2002-10-30T13:28:45Z")
In terms of predictions, I think the OP is a striking example of wishful thinking. Wellstone’s death is likely to energize Minnesota Democrats and ensure sufficient turnout to win the race for Creaky Walter. And it _may_ (don’t hold your breath) send a signal to other Dems that standing up for your beliefs is a widely admired trait. The belief that hypocrisy in politics is some sort of aberration is, in itself, indicative of a brain disorder for which sufficient life experience is usually curative. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/4 "2002-10-30T14:38:14Z")
> [@](#): > > The belief that hypocrisy in politics is some sort of aberration is, in itself, indicative of a brain disorder for which sufficient life experience is usually curative. True, excluding the amateurish psychological diagnosis. But, this is the second time Clinton has been filmed lauging at a funeral. When does life experience change his behavior? The master of photo ops should know better. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/5 "2002-10-30T14:44:49Z")
I agree with the OP that turning a funeral into a rally is low class, especially when the eulogies claim stuff like “we will drown in a river of tears” if Coleman is elected. OTOH, I don’t know if this will have much of an effect the way most Minnesotans will vote. I thought that Cheney wasn’t invited because he had something to do with [Wellstone’s assasination](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=127&e=6&u=/021030/7/2k5lk.html)\*? \*[sub]I found this accusation disgusting even by my already-low Ted Rall standards.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/6 "2002-10-30T14:47:39Z")
> [@](#): > > This photograph of Clinton and Mondale yukking it up at Wellstone’s funeral could be viewed negatively. Geeeeeeez. :rolleyes: Is there no end to your passionate hatred of the Democratic party? Are you ready, willing, and able to take even the most innocuous photograph or sound bite or news item, and twiiiisssssst it to serve your Democrat-hating purposes? Two men laughing at a funeral is NOTHING. (What, there’s some kind of law that prohibits laughing at funerals?) But, oh, no, wait, they’re two DEMOCRATS, and they’re laughing at a funeral–they are evil, evil, evil. I give up. > [@](#): > > But, this is the second time Clinton has been filmed lauging at a funeral. To repeat–what, there’s some kind of law that prohibits laughing at funerals? BTW, I notice that in the Yahoo picture, Joan Mondale is yukking it up, too, so somebody must’ve said something genuinely amusing, unless you think she’s just a spineless toady, laughing at all her Evil Master’s jokes… Is this just going to be another Clinton-bashing thread? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/7 "2002-10-30T14:52:32Z")
Heh. [http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/29/elec02.mn.s.memorial/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/29/elec02.mn.s.memorial/index.html) > [@](#): > > In all, more than 20,000 people… > > …cheered every time the monitors showed former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York. \<\< sings \>\> _“Rub it in, rub it in…”_ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/8 "2002-10-30T14:59:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > Turning a funeral into a partisan event is low class. Tell that to Marc Antony. :rolleyes: Sua ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/9 "2002-10-30T15:10:30Z")
Honestly, I don’t really see the problem here. Paul Wellstone was passionally committed to the Democratic party and the ideals of liberalism and social justice, and part of remembering a person’s legacy means committing yourself to continue that legacy…to make sure that after his death, the values he held survive and thrive. It’s not low class to remember Wellstone at his funeral, and it’s not low class to honor his memory by committing his mourners to pursue his values. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/10 "2002-10-30T16:28:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuaSponte \* > \*\* > > Tell that to Marc Antony. :rolleyes: > > Sua \*\* “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot/Take thou what course thou wilt!” I wonder if you’ve really lent any thought to the precedent you just cited. :rolleyes: indeed. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/11 "2002-10-30T16:56:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jackmannii \* > \*\*In terms of predictions, I think the OP is a striking example of wishful thinking. \*\* You’re probably right, **Jackmannii**. Still, FWIW here are some [comments](http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/778639/posts) from a right-wing message board. [quote] [ul][li]As I mentioned on another thread, Ventura has been slamming the service all morning. He also stated the First Lady was crying the whole ride home because of the tone of the “memorial.” [/li] GOP HQ raised $150,000 just last night during and after the rally alone with really pissed off people. Radio stations across the dial are BURNING with pissed off people and democrats calling in haven’t really been able to defend it real well. Who knows. For all of us obviously this is an outrage, but how will it play elsewhere in the state.[li]In southeastern Minnesota the spectacle is not playing well at all. People are talking about how unseemly and rancid the whole pep rally was. Maybe Mondale will have second thoughts, because the whole stunt backfired badly for the [Democrats].“Ventura has also now said on KSTP 1500 this AM that he expects this thing will go to a special election next year because of a lawsuit he expects from the DFL. [/li] He also said he WILL NOT appoint a Democrat after last nights spectacle. Of course he also said it would not be a Republican either. His requirement would be someone who would never try to run again for office.”[li]People are talking about it at work this morning. [/li]This is an office environment that usually tries to stay away from all political discussion because of how passions can get inflamed. Its amusing to see people try to express their disgust at the rally but not reveal their political leanings. On KQRS radio morning show. Terry Trane, the female sidekick, described it in a very Minnesotan way. “Ick.”[li]I talked to my sister just a little bit ago (a touchy feely type who enjoys watching the West Wing and agrees with them). [/li] She was disgusted by last night’s charade and vows that she will be voting for Coleman next Tuesday (and believe me, she will). One down – many more out there are probably feeling the same way…[li]I did not see the memorial service myself last night on the tube, but in hearing the reaction from co-workers, it has REALLY fired them up to go out and vote Republican on election day. Even the democrats that I work with are turned off with “both” parties. They don’t want to vote Republican, but they’re not really enthusiastic about voting democrat. I personally don’t care if the polls say that Mondale is leading 99% to Coleman having only 1%, on November 5th, I’m going to make it a point to vote for Coleman. Polls be damned! [/li] What really irritates me about this “memorial”, is that ALL parties agreed NOT to campaign before the Democrats would name a replacement! So much for taking Democrats at their word! They have absolutely no idea of what a gentleman’s agreement is. Their own word means nothing to them.[li]Not well. Ventura is on the radio slamming what happened last night. The MN GOP is overwhelmed with calls and donations. Last night, the State GOP Chair says they raised $150,000!!! The news stations feel like they were taken for a ride and plan on trying to equalize the time for Coleman. Complaints to news stations last night were huge. Folks who were going to vote for Wellstone, will vote for Mondale. Same for Coleman. However, the undecideds and the few moderates, IMO, will strongly swing towards Coleman.[/ul][/li][/quote] Again, this is a sample of right-wingers only; I may well be indulging in wishful thinking. Are there any Minnesotans on the Board who can comment? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/12 "2002-10-30T17:05:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > \*\* > > I wonder if you’ve really lent any thought to the precedent you just cited. > :rolleyes: indeed. \*\* \ Well, one way or the other, Antony’s speech worked for him. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/13 "2002-10-30T17:22:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \* > \*\* > > \ > > Well, one way or the other, Antony’s speech worked for him. \*\* And for some, that all it comes down to. Kind of like attending a wedding while at the same time scouting for new additions to your circle of Amway distributors. ---
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/14 "2002-10-30T17:34:01Z")
Having just read the news report, I made two predictions, one that there would be a thread in Great Debates on this issue and second that **december** would be the author. Pretty perceptive eh? Sadly, I was right. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/15 "2002-10-30T17:42:46Z")
More from the world of Totally Shocking Political Hypocrisy, or Tales That **december** Inadvertently Forgot to Post Threads About: Remember the Republican outrage (much of it justified) over the Clinton use of the White House for political purposes, including Lincoln bedroom stays and fundraising within the White House? Well, the Bush administration is running a Radio Day promotion, setting up a tent _on the White House lawn_ today to push G.O.P. policies and candidates. Cabinet officials and White House staffers will be doing interviews, and talk show hosts like Sean Hannity and that fine upstanding American Oliver North will be on hand (Rush was invited but declined). Bill Clinton held a similar promotion in '93 to boost his health care plan, but at least did it 14 months before congressional elections. Legitimate or at least debatable Republican complaints about Democratic politicizing of military and energy policy have been undercut by similar G.O.P. behavior - more examples of hypocrisy at its finest which **december** , um, forgot to wax indignant about. I’ll be waiting for your Radio Day thread, **december**. After all, what you’re really about is promoting good government, right? ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/16 "2002-10-30T17:44:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bare \* > \*\*Sadly, I was right. \*\* **bare** , what are you doing in Northern Idaho if you’re not a right-wing nut case? How do you get along with your neighbors? 😃 BTW, how did the news reports present this? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/17 "2002-10-30T17:45:30Z")
And what does that have to do with the Wellstone service, Jackmannii? You wouldn’t be changing the subject, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/18 "2002-10-30T17:47:46Z")
**december** , can I have a link for the article quoted in the OP? Thanks, sweetie. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/19 "2002-10-30T18:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > \*\*And what does that have to do with the Wellstone service, Jackmannii? You wouldn’t be changing the subject, would you? \*\* Not at all. The OP focuses in part on “Democratic hypocrisy”. After earlier touching on the hypocrisy inherent in Democratic lawmakers paying tribute to the memory of Wellstone and the sort of political courage they have largely abdicated, I moved on to hypocrisy in the Republican ranks. That make you uncomfortable? ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526/20 "2002-10-30T18:02:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gadarene \* > \*\ ***december** , can I have a link for the article quoted in the OP? Thanks, sweetie. \*\* Here you are, hon. [http://www.kare11.com/news/news-article.asp?NEWS\_ID=37572](http://www.kare11.com/news/news-article.asp?NEWS_ID=37572) Not surprisingly, Rush Limbaugh was making hay of this on his opening monologue. He brought up the interesting point that Jewish ceremonial aspects seemed to be missing from this “funeral.” Because of Wellstone’s name, many people may not have known that he was Jewish. However, the Jews knew. I wonder if any of them will be insulted enough to vote for Coleman. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wellstone-farewell-becomes-political-will-it-backfire/134526.md?page=2)