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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (481342)	10/25/2003 11:43:57 AM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Wellstone's Son Tries to Move Democratic Party Friday, October 24, 2003 WASHINGTON — The green Paul Wellstone (search) bumper stickers can still be seen on Minnesota vehicles, a testament of the late senator's popularity, said his son David Wellstone (search). "He touched a lot people's lives and I feel good about that," the younger Wellstone told Fox News. It's been nearly a year since the plane crash that killed the two-term senator, his wife, daughter and several campaign workers. David Wellstone is now working to get the Democratic Party back on what he considers the right track. David, his brother Mark and other Wellstone fans have put together "Camp Wellstone," a traveling school that teaches Wellstone-style progressive politics. "We really believe there has to be a rebuilding of progressive politics in this country, that people on the progressive side have not been winning elections. Last election was a very big example of that," said Jeff Blodgett, executive director of Wellstone Action! (search) "I think Paul Wellstone represents exactly what the Democratic Party should be," said one camper. David Wellstone said he founded the camp, in part, because he wants to end the string of recent accomplishments by the Republican Party. "I believe Republicans actually got better, yes, and I think they took over grassroots organizing," he said. Wellstone does not blame the memorial service that followed his father's death for the victory of Democrat-turned-Republican and former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman (search), who defeated Wellstone's replacement, Walter Mondale, to take the senate seat. But many observers have said they do believe the Oct. 29, 2003, memorial event may have turned national opinion against the Democrats. The service became controversial because of its occasional rally- and campaign-like tone, and what were considered by some to be disturbing moments like the booing of then-Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, who had joined many Republican senators in paying tribute to their former colleague. "You don't boo individuals, so I was not supportive of that. Still, some people did. What can you say?" Wellstone asked. A number of Democrats offered apologies or shared publicly their misgivings about the memorial, including Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe (search). "I was at the service. I went in hoping for it to be a memorial service; it did turn into a political rally," McAuliffe said the day after the midterm election that handed the Senate majority back to Republicans. A year later, however, McAuliffe has apparently changed his mind. "I was there myself, and to hear the outpouring from all the people who spoke and attended it, I thought it was spectacular," he said. David Wellstone has made it clear that he doesn't care for the party chairman, and thinks McAuliffe doesn't have what it takes to lead the Democratic Party. "Terry McAuliffe had his day a long time ago, as far as I'm concerned. His opinion is his opinion. I don't have a whole lot of respect for him," Wellstone said. Wellstone said he is not interested in running for office, but he may endorse a candidate someday. "I am a Wellstone. I've got the political bone in my body, but um, it would have to be the right candidate," he said. Fox News' Steve Brown contributed to this report.