Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) dead in small plane crash

[Theophylact]

From CBS. His wife and a daughter, also on board, died as well.

[maface]

I'm watching on CNN now. I didn't know of him but it seems he was very well liked, sad

[waferdog]

I was never a big fan of Wellstone (even though I voted for him in 1990), but you never like to see this happen.

I'm about an hour away from the crash site (a coworker lives a couple miles from it), so we have local news on this, but they don't seem to have anyone onsite yet.

This is definitely weather related, in my opinion. Here in Duluth, it has been misting all day and hovering just above freezing. This time of year, L. Superior generally keeps our temps in Duluth above those of the surrounding region. More than likely, this plane that was carrying Sen. Wellstone was iced up (they were on an instrument approach to Eveleth Airport).

This is going to make the election season quite interesting. Wellstone was locked up in a tight battle with Norm Coleman, and it actually looked like he would lose. Now, they have to determine if his name will stay on the ballot or if they will get a replacement put on. My feeling is that they leave his name on the ballot, he will win (this has precedent if you remember Missouri two years ago). If he would win, it would be up to Jesse Ventura to name his replacement (and there is already talk that Jesse would step down as Governor and have his replacement appoint him to the Senate).

Waferdog

[maface]

Originally posted by waferdog
If he would win, it would be up to Jesse Ventura to name his replacement (and there is already talk that Jesse would step down as Governor and have his replacement appoint him to the Senate).

Waferdog

That would be slick on one hand and shady on the other

[Theophylact]

talk that Jesse would step down as Governor and have his replacement appoint him to the Senate

I suppose he could; though the last time that was done, it "caused a major scandal":

Since the Minnesota Constitution provides that the Governor has the power to appoint anyone to the U.S. Congress in the event of a vacancy caused by death or resignation, Governor Anderson could appoint anyone he wanted, except himself. That proved to be problematic for the Governor as he was keen on becoming a U.S. Senator. To be eligible for the appointment, Governor Anderson had to abdicate his role as Governor. He did that on December 29th, 1976 when he resigned from the governorship of Minnesota. This allowed Lieutenant Governor Perpich to ascend to be Governor of Minnesota. Then next day, the newly sworn-in Governor Perpich appointed the former Governor Anderson to the U.S. Senate, which caused a major scandal for both men.

[waferdog]

Well, all that talk is for naught apparently, as Jesse just said in a statement that he would not do that.

Still no hard info on the crash itself, other than it appears to have crashed in a relatively inaccessible area. This plane also seems to have had deicing equipment installed.

Here is a site that relates to this.

Waferdog

[glohworm]

I have little respect for most politicians, including both of mine in Illinois. Paul Wellstone, however, was an exception to my rule. Minnesota has had a knack of coming up with some real "fighters" throughout the years, and Wellstone ranks up there with the best of them, ala, Humphrey, Mondale, etc. He will be truly missed.

[RADAR1797]

Well, death is sad, but the Senate is better off without him.

-RADAR

[Redwolf]

It's sad. He and his whole family died.

Seems like a great guy. He had radical views, but I guess that's what keeps the senate from being unfair. As mucgh as I don't like the Democrats, they do create a balance.

Radar, how could youu say such a thing?

[RADAR1797]

Redwolf,

It is easy. While I would have rather had him voted out, he was antithesis of what I fight for. I fight for our freedom and rights, he wished to take them away. Being a little left of Stalin does not endear me to the man. I pity his loss, but it is a gain for the country.

-RADAR