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cnn.com
Sources: Cheney was asked not to attend Wellstone service
Bush hails Wellstone as 'deep-hearted man'
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) --Citing security considerations and some anger over the politics surrounding the Senate race in Minnesota, the family of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone has asked that Vice President Dick Cheney not attend Tuesday night's memorial service, sources told CNN.
Meanwhile, Democratic party sources said former Vice President Walter Mondale will be named Wednesday as Wellstone's replacement on the November 5 ballot and that Mondale will appear before party leaders to launch his abbreviated campaign.
But the focus Tuesday was on remembering Wellstone and those who died with him in a plane crash.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, the former governor of neighboring Wisconsin, will represent the White House at the memorial service, which is expected to draw up to 20,000 people.
Wellstone, D-Minnesota, was locked in a neck-and-neck race with former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman when he was killed in Friday's crash. Wellstone's wife, daughter, three campaign aides and two pilots also died in the crash.
Cheney's wife, Lynne, had been scheduled to go to Minnesota to campaign for Wellstone's Republican opponent Monday. The event was cancelled after Wellstone's death, and Mrs. Cheney did not go to Minnesota.
Cheney offered to attend Wellstone's memorial service and the White House made that known to the Wellstone family, according to Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman. Stanzel said the family was "very appreciative of the offer," but that Cheney "deferred to the family's wishes."
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer declined to offer details of what he called a private conversation with the Wellstone family.
"This should not be politicized," said Scott McClellan, another White House spokesman.
The White House declined to comment further on the matter.
Democratic sources in Minnesota said Wellstone family members were concerned that Cheney's attendance -- and the tighter security that would certainly accompany it -- would alter what they hope will be a populist service. Also, according to these sources, Wellstone's two adult sons, Mark and David, are upset with what they believe are Republican efforts to focus on the politics of the race before the family and friends have had time to grieve.
These source cited former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's comments over the weekend assessing Mondale as a candidate. They also pointed to calls by Republicans in Minnesota over the weekend for a debate between Coleman and Mondale.
At the White House, President Bush paid tribute to Wellstone during a signing ceremony for a bill revamping the nation's voting laws.
"Paul Wellstone was a deeply principled and deep-hearted man," Bush said. "He will be missed by all who knew him and by all who had the privilege of serving with him."
On Saturday, Bush called Wellstone's son, Mark, from Air Force One to express his condolences. The phone call was not related to who would attend the service.
The service, at Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota, is expected to last at least two hours and will feature eulogies for each person killed in the crash, according to organizers.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, will pay tribute to Wellstone. The late senator's sons will also speak.
At least 50 senators -- along with former President Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore -- are expected to attend the service.
So... A security for Cheney would be too tight and alter the tone, yet Clinton's Secret Service detail would not?
Huh? |
