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Kevin G (view)

Wellstone Farewell Becomes Political
WARNING: Image embedded by poster.

The event that began as a poignant farewell to the late Senator Paul Wellstone Tuesday evening culminated in a furious series of partisan speeches.

Wellstone's family and friends exhorted supporters to help his ballot replacement to victory next week.

The first eulogies were tender remembrances for the seven people killed along with Wellstone in a northern Minnesota plane crash Friday as were the initial remarks for Wellstone.

The late senator had been locked in a difficult re-election battle with Republican Norm Coleman.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin called Wellstone "the soul of the Senate."

But by the end of his remarks, Harkin had shed his jacket and was imploring the crowd of about 15,000 to work on Wellstone's behalf.

Wellstone's friend and former student Rick Kahn whipped up the crowd before Harkin took the stage by adopting the late senator's fiery speaking style.

He chopped the air with his hands, as Wellstone often did, and exhorted the crowd to keep Wellstone's dream alive.

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.

The crowd of over 30,000 filled Williams Arena, the adjacent sports pavilion, and spilled onto the sidewalks around the facilities. People began lining up as early as noon for the 6:30 p.m. homage.

The ceremony included tributes not only to Senator Paul Wellstone, but his wife, daughter, and the three campaign workers who died in the crash: Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic, and Mary McEvoy.

The crowd erupted with cheers as Walter Mondale entered Williams Arena. Only former President Bill Clinton rivaled the applause for Mondale.

Other Democratic luminaries who received large ovations included former Vice President Al Gore, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

"People just came here because it is the place to be, to make a connection to the family," said one Wellstone supporter standing outside.

Officials said they made every effort to make the event accessible to anyone who wanted to come. At the urging of the Wellstone's sons, there were no metal detectors at the arena.

The congressional delegation was led by former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Clintons received a standing ovation. It was expected that one half of the Senate would attend the service.

KARE Channel 11, Mpls, Mn
posted 2002.10.30
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