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CNN Live Event/Special

Norm Coleman Speaks After Victory

Aired November 06, 2002 - 13:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: St. Paul, Minnesota is where we are at. Norm Coleman, the senator-elect, speaking after his victory.
(APPLAUSE)

NORM COLEMAN (R), MINNESOTA SENATOR-ELECT: It is a very -- by the way, I know Dave Durenberger (ph). I'd love Senator Dave Durenberger to come on the stage with me. It's very, very important. It is a very special, special thing to bear the title of senator from Minnesota, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, Walter Mondale, Dave Durenberger.

Walter Mondale, by the way, is one of the greatest Minnesotans of the 20th century, one of the greatest Minnesotans of the 20th century. And we all honor his sense of duty and his skill of statesmanship. He called me this morning in the most gracious of phone calls to congratulate me and Lori (ph) on this victory, and he noted what I understand. He says, as Minnesotans, we fight in the political contest, but when it done, we come together, and we're going to come together.

(APPLAUSE)

He also said that being United States senator is the greatest job that you'll ever have. I thought that was true for being mayor, but I'm willing to take the vice president at his word, I got to tell you.

(APPLAUSE)

And then, of course, Paul David Wellstone. I missed him in that last debate. I missed him in the last debate I had with Ray and Jim. His legacy will be the standard he has set for passion and for energy. And Minnesotans should expect those who hold this office to have that same passion and that same energy, and I will carry on that portion of his legacy.

(APPLAUSE)

I am humbled by the support and the votes that I received yesterday, but I know that I have a lot of growing to do to fill in the shoes that I now stand in. And I hope Fritz and my friends, Wendy Anderson and Dave Durenberger and Rudy Boschwitz (ph) and Rod Graham (ph) will help guide me on the path. However I occupy the seat, I will remember and be inspired by those who came before me, and I won't forget how fragile life is, and that the future is always now.

(APPLAUSE) SAVIDGE: And you were listening to senator-elect Republican Norm Coleman, as he accepts victory over former Vice President Walter Mondale. He was also recalling the tragedy that overshadowed the election, the death of Senator Paul Wellstone.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired November 6, 2002 - 13:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: St. Paul, Minnesota is where we are at. Norm Coleman, the senator-elect, speaking after his victory.
(APPLAUSE)

NORM COLEMAN (R), MINNESOTA SENATOR-ELECT: It is a very -- by the way, I know Dave Durenberger (ph). I'd love Senator Dave Durenberger to come on the stage with me. It's very, very important. It is a very special, special thing to bear the title of senator from Minnesota, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, Walter Mondale, Dave Durenberger.

Walter Mondale, by the way, is one of the greatest Minnesotans of the 20th century, one of the greatest Minnesotans of the 20th century. And we all honor his sense of duty and his skill of statesmanship. He called me this morning in the most gracious of phone calls to congratulate me and Lori (ph) on this victory, and he noted what I understand. He says, as Minnesotans, we fight in the political contest, but when it done, we come together, and we're going to come together.

(APPLAUSE)

He also said that being United States senator is the greatest job that you'll ever have. I thought that was true for being mayor, but I'm willing to take the vice president at his word, I got to tell you.

(APPLAUSE)

And then, of course, Paul David Wellstone. I missed him in that last debate. I missed him in the last debate I had with Ray and Jim. His legacy will be the standard he has set for passion and for energy. And Minnesotans should expect those who hold this office to have that same passion and that same energy, and I will carry on that portion of his legacy.

(APPLAUSE)

I am humbled by the support and the votes that I received yesterday, but I know that I have a lot of growing to do to fill in the shoes that I now stand in. And I hope Fritz and my friends, Wendy Anderson and Dave Durenberger and Rudy Boschwitz (ph) and Rod Graham (ph) will help guide me on the path. However I occupy the seat, I will remember and be inspired by those who came before me, and I won't forget how fragile life is, and that the future is always now.

(APPLAUSE) SAVIDGE: And you were listening to senator-elect Republican Norm Coleman, as he accepts victory over former Vice President Walter Mondale. He was also recalling the tragedy that overshadowed the election, the death of Senator Paul Wellstone.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com