Wellstone: Was he a Saint?

10/31/02 | philosofy123

[philosofy123]

I need a little bit of help understanding the Wellstone confusion.

I know very well that Sen. Wellstone was a far left liberal Democrat. I have never respected or voted for any Democrat. However, I remember, just as it was yesterday, his speech against the Gulf war in 1990. Here is what puzzles me : if 90% of the American public, according to the media were in support of that war, and if he was the only Senator that voted against that war? Does that mean that he was out of touch with the American people? Or, he was the only honest man in the Senate, and the rest of the country knows it in their hearts?

When you see the media talk about him, and our Senators, including the Republicans talk about him , saying that he was the sole of the Senate? Was he?

As I observe the politicization of a dead man, and how the liberal media formulated the story, convincing our population that a saint has passed away, and we must carry the torch and follow his vision? Politicians around the country are repeating that same theme: “PAUL WOULD HAVE DONE THAT, OR WOULD HAVE SAID THAT”! My only comment is either the public or our republican politicians are stupid, or he was an honorable man of great conscience that our Senate is going to miss?

[Diddle E. Squat]

No, a Viking.

But Barney Frank is a Packer.

[lainie]

I have no idea why there are so many people here fawning over a socialist. I'm sure not.

[billybudd]

Wellstone was a man of principle, meaning he didn't vote the other way just because of the polls or peer pressure. A political enemy of conservatives, but still a man of principle. What's disturbing is this new "waving the bloody flag" by Democrats, trying to somehow ignite a political jihad with Wellstone as a martyr. It was evident in that "funeral service" (i.e., liberal pep rally) they had in Minnesota.

[Galtoid]

Shades of "What Would Jesus Do?"

Wellstone was probably not liked by many Dems, if the truth were known.

Another thing: the conventional wisdom in the press (if I can use wisdom and the press in one sentence), is that Mondale will get the "sympathy" vote, and thus will win.

One question: How does sympathy for the Wellstones' fate transfer to Walter Mondale. This logic won't fly. Now, if they ran one of Wellstone's sons, then maybe we can talk about sympathy. As it stands, though, I do not believe the emotion/sympathy will carry itself beyond the weekend with voters.

Look for a Coleman upset on Tuesday night.

[sockmonkey]

Wellstone: Was he a Saint?

Why is it I can't picture such a rabid supporter of Partial Birth Abortion (which is not supported by the American Medical Association, btw) sitting next to mother Teresa right now?

[Destructor]

Hardly.

[scooby321]

Paul was Good Spending Other people's Money

[wideawake]

Voting against the Iraq resolution was neither "honesty" nor was it stupidity.

Wellstone was the token "hippy 60s radical" in the Senate. Voting against the resolution was part of his shtick.

He was no saint - he was among the staunchest supporters of partial birth infanticide in the Senate.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Denzell was a Titan, O'Connor was a Cardinal, and Benny was a Jet.

[Enterprise]

Probably not a saint. But hey, his death was a great opportunity for the RATS to get together and PARTY!

[johniegrad]

Paul Wellstone, Sole of the Senate

[Phantom Lord]

If Wellstone was truly a man of principle and honor he would have kept his promise to the people of Minnesota and not ran for a 3rd term in the Senate when he promised to only serve 2 terms.

If he had kept his promise he would be alive today.

[yoe]

“I know very well that Sen. Wellstone was a far left liberal Democrat.
No , he was a socialist.
...the sole of the Senate?
Your spelling is on target, so I won’t touch that.
And yes, it was the politicization of a dead man, there you are 100% correct.

[roses of sharon]

Exactly. Being "principled" with other people's money is easy.

I'm sure I could get elected too, if I ran around playing Robin Hood, and telling women that it is OK to get pregnant, because you can always have an abortion to hide your shame and responsibility.

[lainie]

Yeah, but the hijackers on 9/11/01 were also convinced of their beliefs and unwavering. Why are so many people convinced that just beause he wasn't poll-driven that the socialistic, elitist, big government crap was "okay in his case?"

[grobdriver]

Or, he was the only honest man in the Senate, and the rest of the country knows it in their hearts?

It is impossible for a Democrat to be an honest man, and an intelligent one, at the same time. They are either stupid and Democrat, or dishonest and Democrat.

The core of the Democrat is lies, deceit and a willingness to take avantage of ignorance to gain power. No intelligent person can look at the Democrat agenda and want to go there.
Wellstone was a rock in the way of the wheels of America, as is every Liberal Democrat.

[ravingnutter]

However, I remember, just as it was yesterday, his speech against the Gulf war in 1990.

Ahhhh...but do you remember his speech in 1998?...

"I support the President's decision to launch military strikes against targets in Iraq, and I support the men and women in uniform who are carrying out that mission. I pray for the safety of the brave men and women of our armed forces who stand in harm's way tonight and in the days ahead, and for their families. I also hope that our forces can accomplish their mission without loss of civilian lives."

"Saddam Hussein's continuing refusal to cooperate with the UNSCOM, which has sought to enforce compliance with United Nations' Security Council resolutions, is simply unacceptable. "

"As our nation proceeds with military action, I believe the President should have the support of the Congress and the American people. I encourage him to continue to consult with the Congress as he moves forward with military action against Iraq."

Wellstone's Senate Website

I hope the website is still up, I found this tidbit before he died, when I found he was the only one that voted against the resolution.

[billybudd]

It wasn't "okay in his case." I was simply pointing out that, indeed, he stood by his principles. As Stalin and Hitler did also. It is simply an unusual curiosity, because most of Congress is made up of spineless cowards.

[Tuco-bad]

Does that mean that he was out of touch with the American people?

Wellstone was out of touch with the American people!

Wellstone voted to expand the H-1B program which put many U.S. IT employees out of work, and caused wages to stagnate and decline.