The environment at the “service” held in memory of the late Paul Wellstone has been described as electric, magnetic, even fervent – words that one would not typically associate with a service memorializing a U.S. senator whose life was tragically and abruptly taken from him.
What transpired at the Williams Arena in Minneapolis last week is another nail in the coffin of public skepticism toward politics. This should have been a time to honor all that is good about life in the public arena; a time to hear about the stories not often reported on Fox News or CNN; a time to reflect on what a great man Paul Wellstone was – a man revered by those representing all realms of the political spectrum.
Senator Wellstone deserved nothing less than a service commemorating his life. His role as a caring father to his children, a loving husband to his late wife, Sheila, and, undoubtedly, a life he spent as one of the most fiery and respected liberals in the U.S. Senate. What he did not deserve was a service that by all standards symbolized what was to come at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Former President Clinton with his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, were the first to enter in what has been touted by the press as “the procession.” The audience roared and screamed as the two heads of the Democratic Party entered the arena. This was followed by another rousing ovation for former Vice President Al Gore, who – as always – was one or two steps behind Clinton. Then, the grand finale – the procession of Walter Mondale, who according to polls conducted hours after Wellstone’s death is leading one-time front-runner Norm Coleman in the race for Wellstone’s seat.
It was an absolute disgrace. It seemed obvious that people were there to pay homage to the Democratic Party’s most elite fundraisers equally as much as they were to there to honor Wellstone.
The one distinction from this being an entirely partisan, political event is there were actual Republicans in the audience. It was speculated they were invited. Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott and former GOP Sen. Rod Grams of Minnesota served as the Republican dignitaries paying their final respects to Wellstone. When they appeared on the screens hung throughout the arena, they were – as one would expect at a solemn event such as this – booed by the participants in the arena.
So the man known to upstage his political opponents was unfortunately outdone by his own party. The nation’s chance to mourn the loss of a great man in Paul Wellstone was marred with a political backdrop that nobody saw coming. I guess we’re left to remember Minnesota’s senior senator in our own way.
Geoffrey BasyeOSU alumnusPress Secretary, Capitol Hill
