Wednesday, May 23, 2001
Paul Wellstone the conscientious liberal could be your next President
LOOKING AHEAD by Wally Dobelis
Here's good news for the purist New York heirs of FDR and Harry Truman who worry that the principles of their party have been compromised and are getting lost in the the Neo- or Post-Liberal or moderate-Republicanphase of the Democratic party. The lost battalions of McCarthy (Eugene, that is) and the wandering tribes of McGovern will be glad to know that the senior Senator of Minnesota, Paul David Wellstone, has written a compelling book; "Conscience of A Liberal" (Random House, $24), that reaffirms the faith. If the title evokes the late Barry Goldwater's" Conscience of a Conservative," it is deliberate. When Senator Goldwater died, Wellstone, much to his Republican colleagues' surprise, came to the services. He claims that, although the principles of Goldwater were anathema to him, the evocation of a political conscience had influenced him, as a youth, and, in a way, charted his path.
"Never separate the lives you live from the words you say," he used to tell his students at Carlerton College, a prestigious small school in Minnesota, where he taught political science for 21 years, after earning his PhD at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1969.
In 1989 he decided to put his liberal priciples into action and mounted a grassroots campaign for the US Senate, against the well heeled and regarded Republican Senator Rudy Boshwitz, an expert in fund raising and TV campaigning. Most surprisingly, this modest campaign, the candidate crisscrossing Minnesota in a green bus to make stump speeches, generated the only upset of a sitting Senator that year.. A burning liberal with an agenda, Wellstone was the Jimmy Stewart character, come live from the 1930s, eliciting an admiring book, "Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington:The Inside Story of a Grassroots Campaign," by two veteran Minneapolis Trribune reporters, Denis J. McGrath and Dane Smith. Environment as well as child care,health and welfare were his main campaign themes. Two books, "How the Rural Poor Got Power " (1978) and "Powerline" (1981, co-authored with Barry M. Casper) were his political credentials, reflecting a populist credo.
Notwithstanding the impression that Minnesotans are easily impressed by colorful underdog populist candidates with moxy (think of their current wrestler/ XFL commentator/Governor Jesse Ventura - Wellstone too was a champion collegiate wrestler) the senator is a down-to-earth legislator with a record that earned him re-election in 1996 against a really well financed Boshwitz, who accused him of being a bad Jew and soft on jailed criminals.
As to his stature as a legislator, Wellstone, with Republican Pete Dominici, has successfully sponsored mental health bills (both senators have near relatives with disabilities). His co-sponsorship of the campaign reform bill and health and welfare proposals (he was the only Senator of either p[arty to vote against Clinton’s Welfare Reform bill) have earned him the "last Liberal" nickname from his colleagues. Much liked, despite his constant battles with Speaker Trent Lott on the Senate floor, and his opposition to the Welfare Reform bill that irked the Democrats, he is an often mentioned potential Presidential candidate. In fact, the Amazon.com reviewer of his new book characterizes it as a typical Presidential candidate's book.
Wellstone had the top office in mind in 2000, but deferred to Vice President. Al Gore. Thw 2004 contest will be another story. Although he claims that his current political goal is to be re-elected in 2002, the book is aimed at a national audience.The subtitle alone, compassionxxxx . Interestingly it is not attracting the attentionxxxx> I became aware of it through an interview on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC
program. Only one of the three normally well-informed information desk associates at the flagship Barnes and Noble 17th Street store knew the Senator’s name, and the books were buried on some bottom shelf. It may well be that the National Democratic leadership is not putting any money on the Wellstone candidacy at this early date. Meanwhile, the opportunist Rev. Al Sharpton is picking up free publicity and some voter approval by his early declaration to be the only real Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 2004.
Wellstone’s 2002 campaign will be difficult, his seat is considered vulnerable, and Vice President Cheney is using his influence to avoid a Republican primary that would expose and wound his candidates before the main bout. He wants a one-on-one.
In this era of compassionate conservatism turning sour Wellstone’s subtitle - - points to his direction. ld
So, what do we know about the man? Well, the people of Minnesota like him. As a Crofessor at Crlton he split his time between rearing a family of three kids (he has six grandchildren), and going to rallies in support of family farmers and low-income people. In his proposals in the US Senate he has followed the principle that government should be the tool to provide an opportunity for all people, not just defense contractors and Wall Street. Recovering alcoholics and druggees should have access to treatment. China’s civil rights record should be condemned - this in concert with Senator Tim Hutchinson of AR, on the 10th anniversary of Tienamen Square (defeated by China in the UN).That’s some quick gleanings from the Internet.
Do the people like him? Opensecrets, Minnesota, an Internet site gathering political contribution data shows that in 1993-98 he received and mostly spent $6.8 million, $4.8 million in contributions of $200 or less (71 percent), and only $570,000 (8.3 percent) in PAC money. That’s a pretty good indication. Why do they like him? I mean, this is Garrison Keeler country of tacit Scandinavians, homesteaded farms with shrinking incomes, and here comes this Jewish kid from the South offering them the future? The impresison is that he has succeeded because he is a teacher, not a profesisonal politician and therefore squeeky clean, a people person who cares and a man who goes all out to help. And smart.That’s why.
Can this type of politician succeed in bringing us a national government that will take care of the people? George W. Bush was supposed to do that, after the Clinton disappointment. Now we see environment policies that, instead of providing research for energy substitutes, favor Texas oil drillers who want to suck out the last drop of petroleum substance out of the ground before worrying about the future. They know the Planet Earth will run out of oil in 38 years or so, hence the vague hints about atomic energy, but, meanwhile, let’s take care of the boys.
Will America like him? Think about it. Meanwhile, Paul should think about getting rid of the beard.
Here's good news for the purist New York heirs of FDR and Harry Truman who worry that the principles of their party have been compromised and are getting lost in the the Neo- or Post-Liberal or moderate-Republicanphase of the Democratic party. The lost battalions of McCarthy (Eugene, that is) and the wandering tribes of McGovern will be glad to know that the senior Senator of Minnesota, Paul David Wellstone, has written a compelling book; "Conscience of A Liberal" (Random House, $24), that reaffirms the faith. If the title evokes the late Barry Goldwater's" Conscience of a Conservative," it is deliberate. When Senator Goldwater died, Wellstone, much to his Republican colleagues' surprise, came to the services. He claims that, although the principles of Goldwater were anathema to him, the evocation of a political conscience had influenced him, as a youth, and, in a way, charted his path.
"Never separate the lives you live from the words you say," he used to tell his students at Carlerton College, a prestigious small school in Minnesota, where he taught political science for 21 years, after earning his PhD at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1969.
In 1989 he decided to put his liberal priciples into action and mounted a grassroots campaign for the US Senate, against the well heeled and regarded Republican Senator Rudy Boshwitz, an expert in fund raising and TV campaigning. Most surprisingly, this modest campaign, the candidate crisscrossing Minnesota in a green bus to make stump speeches, generated the only upset of a sitting Senator that year.. A burning liberal with an agenda, Wellstone was the Jimmy Stewart character, come live from the 1930s, eliciting an admiring book, "Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington:The Inside Story of a Grassroots Campaign," by two veteran Minneapolis Trribune reporters, Denis J. McGrath and Dane Smith. Environment as well as child care,health and welfare were his main campaign themes. Two books, "How the Rural Poor Got Power " (1978) and "Powerline" (1981, co-authored with Barry M. Casper) were his political credentials, reflecting a populist credo.
Notwithstanding the impression that Minnesotans are easily impressed by colorful underdog populist candidates with moxy (think of their current wrestler/ XFL commentator/Governor Jesse Ventura - Wellstone too was a champion collegiate wrestler) the senator is a down-to-earth legislator with a record that earned him re-election in 1996 against a really well financed Boshwitz, who accused him of being a bad Jew and soft on jailed criminals.
As to his stature as a legislator, Wellstone, with Republican Pete Dominici, has successfully sponsored mental health bills (both senators have near relatives with disabilities). His co-sponsorship of the campaign reform bill and health and welfare proposals (he was the only Senator of either p[arty to vote against Clinton’s Welfare Reform bill) have earned him the "last Liberal" nickname from his colleagues. Much liked, despite his constant battles with Speaker Trent Lott on the Senate floor, and his opposition to the Welfare Reform bill that irked the Democrats, he is an often mentioned potential Presidential candidate. In fact, the Amazon.com reviewer of his new book characterizes it as a typical Presidential candidate's book.
Wellstone had the top office in mind in 2000, but deferred to Vice President. Al Gore. Thw 2004 contest will be another story. Although he claims that his current political goal is to be re-elected in 2002, the book is aimed at a national audience.The subtitle alone, compassionxxxx . Interestingly it is not attracting the attentionxxxx> I became aware of it through an interview on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC
program. Only one of the three normally well-informed information desk associates at the flagship Barnes and Noble 17th Street store knew the Senator’s name, and the books were buried on some bottom shelf. It may well be that the National Democratic leadership is not putting any money on the Wellstone candidacy at this early date. Meanwhile, the opportunist Rev. Al Sharpton is picking up free publicity and some voter approval by his early declaration to be the only real Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 2004.
Wellstone’s 2002 campaign will be difficult, his seat is considered vulnerable, and Vice President Cheney is using his influence to avoid a Republican primary that would expose and wound his candidates before the main bout. He wants a one-on-one.
In this era of compassionate conservatism turning sour Wellstone’s subtitle - - points to his direction. ld
So, what do we know about the man? Well, the people of Minnesota like him. As a Crofessor at Crlton he split his time between rearing a family of three kids (he has six grandchildren), and going to rallies in support of family farmers and low-income people. In his proposals in the US Senate he has followed the principle that government should be the tool to provide an opportunity for all people, not just defense contractors and Wall Street. Recovering alcoholics and druggees should have access to treatment. China’s civil rights record should be condemned - this in concert with Senator Tim Hutchinson of AR, on the 10th anniversary of Tienamen Square (defeated by China in the UN).That’s some quick gleanings from the Internet.
Do the people like him? Opensecrets, Minnesota, an Internet site gathering political contribution data shows that in 1993-98 he received and mostly spent $6.8 million, $4.8 million in contributions of $200 or less (71 percent), and only $570,000 (8.3 percent) in PAC money. That’s a pretty good indication. Why do they like him? I mean, this is Garrison Keeler country of tacit Scandinavians, homesteaded farms with shrinking incomes, and here comes this Jewish kid from the South offering them the future? The impresison is that he has succeeded because he is a teacher, not a profesisonal politician and therefore squeeky clean, a people person who cares and a man who goes all out to help. And smart.That’s why.
Can this type of politician succeed in bringing us a national government that will take care of the people? George W. Bush was supposed to do that, after the Clinton disappointment. Now we see environment policies that, instead of providing research for energy substitutes, favor Texas oil drillers who want to suck out the last drop of petroleum substance out of the ground before worrying about the future. They know the Planet Earth will run out of oil in 38 years or so, hence the vague hints about atomic energy, but, meanwhile, let’s take care of the boys.
Will America like him? Think about it. Meanwhile, Paul should think about getting rid of the beard.
# posted by Wally Dobelis @ 3:22 PM 
