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American Morning
Wellstone Tragedy Bringing New Uncertainty to Very Close Senate Race
Aired October 28, 2002 - 08:31 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Minnesota this morning, investigators are still looking for clues to try to figure out what caused the plane crash that took the life of Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others. The tragedy is bringing new uncertainty in what had been a very close Senate race.
Our own Judy Woodruff is standing by in St. Paul this morning with more.
Good morning, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
I'm actually standing outside the headquarters, what has been the headquarters of Paul Wellstone. And as you can see, Paula, flowers, messages, literally thousands of people coming by here over the weekend to remember the senator and pay their respects, but at the same time, as you've been mentioning this morning, there is a political campaign here. The election is one week from tomorrow and, in effect, what you have is two different scenarios playing out. Publicly, the Democrats focusing on mourning for Paul Wellstone, but privately working very energetically to get Walter Mondale, the former vice president lined up to take Wellstone's place on the ballot. Mondale in fact was approached by one of Wellstone's sons over the weekend. He's clearly the choice of the Wellstone family, and the fact that Mondale hasn't said no as far as we know is probably the best indication that his answer is going to be yes.
On the other hand, you have the Coleman campaign, which again, publicly, Norm Coleman saying this is a time to remember Paul Wellstone, but saying when the time comes, we will have an energetic campaign. The state Republican Party chairman is telling reporters he's already talking about how Coleman is the more useful choice contrasted to Walter Mondale who was the past, who had a distinguished career. So you're already seeing this thing playing out, Paula, in both public and private ways, in a way that no one was prepared for.
ZAHN: I guess part of this, it just seems to uncomfortable for any of us to talk about. I know in "USA Today" in a column this morning, it even talks about Democrats hoping they will derive some sympathy to help their candidate ultimately in this very close race.
WOODRUFF: That's right. And it has to be that way in a way, because they've got only seven or eight days left. They will try to transfer some of that passion and sympathy for Paul Wellstone over to Walter Mondale. We're already hearing one of the things they may do is use the little green bus, which was Paul Wellstone's trademark, something he campaigned when he came out of nowhere literally in 1990 to win the Senate seat, and they may put Walter Mondale on that bus.
A little bit in congress, Walter Mondale has been out of elective office for, what, 22 years.
ZAHN: Yes. It will be interesting to see whether at this time in life it's what he really wants to do.
Judy, thank you. Stay warm. Appreciate it.
WOODRUFF: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Senate Race>
Aired October 28, 2002 - 08:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Minnesota this morning, investigators are still looking for clues to try to figure out what caused the plane crash that took the life of Senator Paul Wellstone and seven others. The tragedy is bringing new uncertainty in what had been a very close Senate race.
Our own Judy Woodruff is standing by in St. Paul this morning with more.
Good morning, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
I'm actually standing outside the headquarters, what has been the headquarters of Paul Wellstone. And as you can see, Paula, flowers, messages, literally thousands of people coming by here over the weekend to remember the senator and pay their respects, but at the same time, as you've been mentioning this morning, there is a political campaign here. The election is one week from tomorrow and, in effect, what you have is two different scenarios playing out. Publicly, the Democrats focusing on mourning for Paul Wellstone, but privately working very energetically to get Walter Mondale, the former vice president lined up to take Wellstone's place on the ballot. Mondale in fact was approached by one of Wellstone's sons over the weekend. He's clearly the choice of the Wellstone family, and the fact that Mondale hasn't said no as far as we know is probably the best indication that his answer is going to be yes.
On the other hand, you have the Coleman campaign, which again, publicly, Norm Coleman saying this is a time to remember Paul Wellstone, but saying when the time comes, we will have an energetic campaign. The state Republican Party chairman is telling reporters he's already talking about how Coleman is the more useful choice contrasted to Walter Mondale who was the past, who had a distinguished career. So you're already seeing this thing playing out, Paula, in both public and private ways, in a way that no one was prepared for.
ZAHN: I guess part of this, it just seems to uncomfortable for any of us to talk about. I know in "USA Today" in a column this morning, it even talks about Democrats hoping they will derive some sympathy to help their candidate ultimately in this very close race.
WOODRUFF: That's right. And it has to be that way in a way, because they've got only seven or eight days left. They will try to transfer some of that passion and sympathy for Paul Wellstone over to Walter Mondale. We're already hearing one of the things they may do is use the little green bus, which was Paul Wellstone's trademark, something he campaigned when he came out of nowhere literally in 1990 to win the Senate seat, and they may put Walter Mondale on that bus.
A little bit in congress, Walter Mondale has been out of elective office for, what, 22 years.
ZAHN: Yes. It will be interesting to see whether at this time in life it's what he really wants to do.
Judy, thank you. Stay warm. Appreciate it.
WOODRUFF: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Senate Race>
