Some of you may remember the words I wrote regarding Paul Wellstone's Memorial. If not, here is the re-cap: (edited for brevity)
That Memorial/Pep Rally was the most discusting spectacle I've EVER seen.
It was not in the spirit of Paul Wellstone, at all.
The Vice-President was told not to come. Every Republican that came to speak about their friend Paul Wellstone was booed, including the junior Minnesota Senator.
Republican challenger Coleman received death threats if he showed up.
Gov. Ventura walked out in the middle of it - he said that "When Rick Kahn got up I left the building halfway through. What he was doing, I feel used, I feel violated and duped over the fact that that turned into nothing more than a political rally."
There were a lot of smiling faces and plenty of back slapping at that memorial.
It was a somber occasion that turned into a political circus.
I took a lot of flack for "whining" and for begrudging 25,000 people their 3-hour cathartic outpouring.
Unfortunately, for Mondale, many voters in Minnesota saw it like I saw it.
A cheap and tasteless stunt. Using a deadman and his family for political gain. It was low even for the DNC.
The voters in that state have spoken. Let's hope the Democrats heard what they've said...and maybe learn something.
The "exit polls" notwithstanding, your analysis is self-serving and simplistic.
The biggest factor in Coleman's victory? Paul Wellstone's death, plain and simple, not his memorial. Period, end of story.
All the rest is just political spin.
You're right Ara. If we ignore the facts, then my analysis is simplistic. Self-serving? How do you figure that? I gain nothing from pointing out what all rational people in the country already know.
The biggest factor in Coleman's victory? Paul Wellstone's death, plain and simple, not his memorial. Period, end of story.
How very self-aggrandizing you are today...
Saying period, end of story doesn't make you the authority.
Well, if we don't go by what voters have to say about why they voted the way they did, then, we are free to conclude whatever we want about their reasoning, aren't we?
Inability to admit when you've made a mistake is the classic sign of a reactionary.
Rosemary:
Go ahead. Believe all the exit polls you want.
They're the ones who told us Gore won Florida.
:^)
Ara,
If Wellstone's death was a THE factor than Coleman would have lost. The same way Ashcroft lost 2 years ago.
The "rally" not only helped Coleman win, it enabled him to start campaigning full tilt the next day.
It energized the republican base not only in Minn. but also other states.
It also turned off voters in Minn. and other states that might have voted for Dems.
Wellstone's death was a major factor only in that without it the Dems would have not had that wonderful night to shoot themselves in the foot.
All exit polls have a margin of error, of course.
Rosemary:
I [am] pointing out what all rational people in the country already know.
Except that in the land of the blind, it's the one-eyed man who becomes king.
starhawk:
tragically, Mrs. Wellstone died in the crash along with her husband, unlike Jean Carnahan.
You guys are missing my point:
All I'm saying is that Wellstone would be Senator from Minnesota today if he had not died.
That, unfortunately, is the relevant fact. The historical account of Election 2002 will have one sentence about the Minnesota race: Wellstone was killed a week before the election and Coleman defeated the replacement candidate.
Why? Only the junkies care. But IMHO, it was simply because Coleman was the next best thing.
It WAS Mondale's race to lose and he, characteristically, lost it.
Disclaimer: I've never liked Mondale. Couldn't abide him in '84. And now, he's yesterday's news, and I think the Minnesota electorate sensed that, too. Especially after the debate.
Coleman was neck-and-neck with Wellstone a week into the election, and may well have benefited from the sudden Republican groundswell in the last 48 hours.
We'll never know. We'll also never know if Toricelli would have won, come to think of it. [shrug]