Politicians Scramble to Deal with Wellstone Succession

KARE TV-11 ^ | 10-25-02 | Kare11News

[HapaxLegamenon]

In addition to mourning the death of Paul Wellstone Friday, political leaders in Minnesota and Washington are forced to deal with more practical issues — who will replace Wellstone in the Senate and on November's ballot.

His death marks the Democrat's loss of control of the U.S. Senate, where they held control by just one vote. And with elections just 11 days away, there is a scramble to figure out how to handle the death before the election day.

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch held a press conference to explain the procedure involved. Hatch, who at times choked back tears, said Wellstone's name would be removed from ballots before the election. There will be no re-issue of absentee ballots that carry the Senator's name.

Hatch said that Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura can, but does not have to, appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Wellstone's term. Ventura has a press conference scheduled for later today. The Secretary of State's office has issued a statement saying it is studying the issue and will brief reporters later in the day.

A spokesman for Minnesota Democrats says he's confident the party will be allowed to offer a replacement candidate.

[HapaxLegamenon]

I saw the press conference. Absentee ballots cast for Wellstone will be counted as invalid votes. A supplement will be added to the general election ballot with the replecemnet's name. Any ballot that is still cast for Wellstone would be invalid, thus a repeat of Missouri 2000 can not happen in Minnesota. The issue still has to be decided by the Minnesota Supreme Court, but there is a consensus among the parties involved (DFL, GOP, IP, Ventura Administration).

This also means that the Democrats no longer hold a majority in the Senate.

[Digger]

Two thoughts, 1-He was going to lose, ergo does anyone believe hanky-panky? 2- dems know that pubbies can't beat dead people, right Ashcroft?

[alancarp]

Watch out for this: people who are being told that their absentee ballots are invalid may now try to (a) re-request NEW absentee ballots; or (b) vote on November 5th at a precinct. Both actions would be illegal double-voting.

[Asclepius]

... This also means that the Democrats no longer hold a majority in the Senate ...

Ventura could appoint a Democrat to replace Wellstone, right?

And what is it about Democrats and rockstars and aircraft? I mean, what are your thoughts about how Democrats seem to fall from the sky like rocks?

[sampai]

The Minnesota laws on this subject are at http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/204B/13.html and http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/204B/41.html

As you can see, the RATs can't "pull a Carnahan." They'll have to replace Wellstone on the ballot and the replacement will have about a week to campaign against Coleman.

[sampai]

The Minnesota laws on this subject are at http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/204B/13.html and http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/204B/41.html

As you can see, the RATs can't "pull a Carnahan." They'll have to replace Wellstone on the ballot and the replacement will have about a week to campaign against Coleman.

[Paleo Conservative]

This also means that the Democrats no longer hold a majority in the Senate.

They have not technically been in a majority since the end of the 103rd Congress. They had a plurality of 50 votes plus 1 independent since Jeffords switched parties just five months after starting a new term to which he was elected as a Republican.

[pbranham]

Any ballot that is still cast for Wellstone would be invalid

Now who here actually believes that this is going to hold water???

[ThePythonicCow]

Democrats seem to fall from the sky

Ah - the first clear evidence I've seen that Gods heaven is located above us.

[alwaysconservative]

Over on DU, they think it's an assassination conspiracy, and that the BUSH people are behind it! (Pathetic). Maybe they can recall that Wellstone was the only one to consider challenging Klintoon in 96. . .

Now we maybe know a little more about the threat made to Toricelli. . .

[11th_VA]

Over on DU, they think it's an assassination conspiracy

I turned on NPR today to hear the reaction. One caller said it was the Pubbies fault. If they hadn't spent so much money to challenge him, he wouldn't have to make so many plane trips in the snow (I'm not making this up !!!)

[Torie]

There is always one in the crowd. Your comment was uncalled for. Wellstone was the odds on favorite to pull it out.

[Torie]

Only 6% voted absentee in the 2000 election. Minnesota is not one of those states that lets anybody for any reason vote absentee. I suspect only about 1% of the Dem vote will be lost due to the absentee ballot issue (folks who have already mailed their ballots in). Those who haven't sent their absentee ballot in, can always vote in person, or write in the name of whomever is chosen as the replacement provided it is done quickly.

[Torie]

Whether a vote for Wellstone is invalid or not, it can't be counted for the replacement Dem. And if Wellstone wins, Ventura gets to pick the replacement, so that isn't going to happen.

[holyscroller]

"I turned on NPR today to hear the reaction. One caller said it was the Pubbies fault. If they hadn't spent so much money to challenge him, he wouldn't have to make so many plane trips in the snow (I'm not making this up !!!)"

Not true. He was going to a funeral for a union bigshot. It was a non-political trip unless you consider attendance at a funeral as a way to make points with the union goons.

[holyscroller]

"I turned on NPR today to hear the reaction. One caller said it was the Pubbies fault. If they hadn't spent so much money to challenge him, he wouldn't have to make so many plane trips in the snow (I'm not making this up !!!)"

Not true. He was going to a funeral for a union bigshot. It was a non-political trip unless you consider attendance at a funeral as a way to make brownie points with the union goons.

[Notwithstanding]

The Wellstone legacy: