The Wellstone Crash

Two years ago in Missouri, the former Democrat Governor, Mel Carnahan, was killed in a plane crash shortly before the 2000 elections.  Since they were unable to get a new official candidate on the ticket in time, Carnahan's widow, Jean, agreed to accept the Governor's appointment to the Senate to serve her husband's term should he win the election.  Which he did - beating John Ashcroft (and I've never ceased wondering why on Earth Bush would want to appoint a man to his cabinet who not only could not win as an incumbent in a state that often leans Repubican, but couldn't even beat a dead man).

Even though I'm a Kansan, I live close to the Kansas/Missouri borderline, and much of the news coverage here is focused on the Missouri side of that line.  I recall it being a difficult time - not just for people close to the Carnahans, but also for the citizens of Missouri in general.  Mel Carnahan was a very well-liked man and his death was a shock to a great many people.

Today, we learn, that Senator Paul Wellstone, Democrat in Minnesota, has been killed in a plane crash, shortly before the 2002 elections. Even more tragic, it sounds as though his wife and possibly children, were killed as well.

Wellstone has been a big target of the Republicans this year, largely because he has a reputation as one of the most liberal Senators currently in office.  While I know that this year's race has been tight and that - given the slim margin of control in the Senate - each race is cruical to each party, I hope that we won't be hearing of any tasteless jokes or expressions of relief that Wellstone is now "out of the way".  While it may sound somewhat outrageous that I would express any concern about that at all, what's worse is that I'd feel the need to express the same concern, even if has been a popular Republican that had died.  I have that little faith in the humanity of all our politicians.

I do want to extend my condolences to any who knew and loved Senator Wellstone and his family.  No loss is ever an easy one.  I also wish to extend them to the citizens of Minnesota.  Having seen how a death like this - right before an election - can cause a great dea of confusion. I hope that you will all be granted the comfort you need, and deserve, by Whatever or Whomever you hold sacred.