Talk about obscenities.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002 9:32 a.m. EST
Wellstone 'Mourner' Urges GOP to Forfeit Election
In a bizarre plea to the GOP to forfeit the race for Paul Wellstone's Senate seat, a Wellstone family friend told the memorial service for the late liberal Tuesday night that both local and national Republicans owed it to Wellstone to abandon their support for his GOP opponent, Norm Coleman, as a tribute to the dead senator's memory.
"Can we not set aside for just one week all of the partisan bickering, all of the political strategy and all of the nastiness," Rick Kahn told the crowd gathered at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena. "So that we may come together as a people in deepest mourning to celebrate and truly honor his memory."
Then Kahn made a personal plea to some of the Republicans gathered in the room that he said were Wellstone's friends in the Senate.
"Sen. Domenici, Sen. Brownback, Sen. Lugar, Sen. Hagel and Sen. DeWine who are here tonight are all Republicans for whom Paul had the utmost respect and who he considered to be true friends," Kahn said to rousing applause.
"Can you not hear your friend calling you one last time to step forward on his behalf to keep his legacy alive and help us win this election for Paul Wellstone."
Kahn then turned his attention to the Minnesota GOP.
"Rep. Jim Ramstad, you are the highest-ranking Republican elected official in the state of Minnesota. You know that Paul loved you. He needs you now. I am begging you please let the people of this state hear your voice on his behalf to keep his legacy alive and help us win this election for Paul Wellstone."
Kahn went on to urge both Republican and Democrats to "come together a week from tonight. ... where we can together shout out Paul Wellstone's name in joyful celebration on one last election night." |
