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CNN Saturday Morning News

Wellstone Death Leaves Future of Senate Uncertain

Aired October 26, 2002 - 08:23   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The death of the 58-year-old senator has brought an outpouring of grief. The two term Minnesota Democrat was an outspoken liberal, to say the least, and less than two weeks away from election day, where he had hoped to win a third term.
Congressional correspondent Jonathan Karl joining us this morning from Minneapolis/St. Paul with more on all that.

A lot of pivotal races, but this was as close as they get when you start looking at this election coming up, right -- Jonathan?

JONATHAN KARL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Miles, this was one of the half dozen that really was going to determine who controls the United States Senate, the Republicans or the Democrats. And Wellstone had an army of volunteers and staffers that were working on this, some of them former students of his from when he was a professor at Carlton College, some of them current students.

Here we are outside his campaign headquarters. You can see there's been somewhat of a spontaneous memorial that is propped up out here in this section of St. Paul, where people have left notes, lit candles, brought flowers, remembering somebody who was clearly one of the most beloved figures in Democratic politics, one of the true liberals in the party, somebody who, although he was one of the liberals in the party, one of, perhaps the most liberal member of the Senate, also won respect from conservatives.

One of the first statements that we got after news of Wellstone's death hit the wires was from Jesse Helms, offering his condolences to the remaining family, and remembering Wellstone as somebody who stood for principles, even though those weren't the principles, obviously, that a conservative like Jesse Helms agreed with.

One of Wellstone's best friends in the United States Senate was Tom Harkin from neighboring Iowa, who remembered him fondly and broke down, as you remember, at his friend Paul Wellstone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOM HARKIN (D), IOWA: Paul Wellstone was my closest friend in the Senate. He was the most principled public servant I've ever known. Paul truly had the courage of his convictions and his convictions were based on the principles of hope and compassion, the good Samaritan helping those left on the road side of life. His courage was an example for all. He didn't just talk about political courage or about standing for what you believe in against all odds, he led by example. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KARL: And here in Minnesota, Democrats and Republicans alike are mourning the loss of Paul Wellstone. But they also know that this election is now just 10 days away. And as you said, as we talked about, Miles, this is going to determine largely, one of the key races to determine who will control the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to make a decision. They have till Friday to decide who they will put on the ballot to replace him.

The leading person that most people here in Minnesota, most Democrats in Minnesota and most Democrats nationally are looking towards and have talked to about running is Walter Mondale, the former vice president of the United States, former senator from Minnesota, of course, former presidential candidate, as well.

We know that Mondale has been approached by Democrats both here in and Washington and we also know right now that he has not said no to the idea of coming back into politics at the age of 74. But he also doesn't think it's appropriate to make a decision yet. This is a time to remember Paul Wellstone, not talk about the election.

But Democrats know the clock is ticking and they have to make a decision very soon -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jonathan, the clock is ticking on me. But I do just want to get this across to viewers. It is quite possible there will be a shift in the Senate during the lame duck session, right?

KARL: Well, there certainly is. This would potentially complicate that. And there's also a race in Missouri which is technically a special election, because you remember Mel Carnahan, who was the Democratic candidate two years ago, died in a plane crash right before the election, as well. His wife was appointed to fill in for him at the Senate. So that's a special election.

So right now when the Senate comes back, they're going to be missing Paul Wellstone and they also are going to have a senator, who knows, from Missouri, because the Republican in that special election would get appointed immediately if the Republican, Jim Talent, were to win in that race. So everything is up in the air right now in the Senate.

O'BRIEN: Wouldn't the race there be considered a special election, as well, and whoever wins would go straight to the Senate, appointed by the governor, perhaps?

KARL: This is, that is unclear. And lawyers in both parties are trying to come to terms with the political ramifications. It is possible that whoever wins here would be sworn in immediately. But they're really looking at the ramifications. Remember, you're talking about an out and out election. You're not talking about a situation like in Missouri, where the dead candidate was actually elected and then somebody got appointed for his place.

O'BRIEN: Right. KARL: That's not the case here.

O'BRIEN: OK. Very interesting. Very interesting.

Jonathan Karl, we appreciate it.

KARL: It is confusing. And even as they mourn, these lawyers are still trying to figure out, you know, the implications here, because it's so close to the election.

O'BRIEN: Well, it's tough. You're so torn between the emotions of the moment.

We appreciate it.

KARL: Yes.

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 October 26, 2002 - 08:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The death of the 58-year-old senator has brought an outpouring of grief. The two term Minnesota Democrat was an outspoken liberal, to say the least, and less than two weeks away from election day, where he had hoped to win a third term.
Congressional correspondent Jonathan Karl joining us this morning from Minneapolis/St. Paul with more on all that.

A lot of pivotal races, but this was as close as they get when you start looking at this election coming up, right -- Jonathan?

JONATHAN KARL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Miles, this was one of the half dozen that really was going to determine who controls the United States Senate, the Republicans or the Democrats. And Wellstone had an army of volunteers and staffers that were working on this, some of them former students of his from when he was a professor at Carlton College, some of them current students.

Here we are outside his campaign headquarters. You can see there's been somewhat of a spontaneous memorial that is propped up out here in this section of St. Paul, where people have left notes, lit candles, brought flowers, remembering somebody who was clearly one of the most beloved figures in Democratic politics, one of the true liberals in the party, somebody who, although he was one of the liberals in the party, one of, perhaps the most liberal member of the Senate, also won respect from conservatives.

One of the first statements that we got after news of Wellstone's death hit the wires was from Jesse Helms, offering his condolences to the remaining family, and remembering Wellstone as somebody who stood for principles, even though those weren't the principles, obviously, that a conservative like Jesse Helms agreed with.

One of Wellstone's best friends in the United States Senate was Tom Harkin from neighboring Iowa, who remembered him fondly and broke down, as you remember, at his friend Paul Wellstone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOM HARKIN (D), IOWA: Paul Wellstone was my closest friend in the Senate. He was the most principled public servant I've ever known. Paul truly had the courage of his convictions and his convictions were based on the principles of hope and compassion, the good Samaritan helping those left on the road side of life. His courage was an example for all. He didn't just talk about political courage or about standing for what you believe in against all odds, he led by example. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KARL: And here in Minnesota, Democrats and Republicans alike are mourning the loss of Paul Wellstone. But they also know that this election is now just 10 days away. And as you said, as we talked about, Miles, this is going to determine largely, one of the key races to determine who will control the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to make a decision. They have till Friday to decide who they will put on the ballot to replace him.

The leading person that most people here in Minnesota, most Democrats in Minnesota and most Democrats nationally are looking towards and have talked to about running is Walter Mondale, the former vice president of the United States, former senator from Minnesota, of course, former presidential candidate, as well.

We know that Mondale has been approached by Democrats both here in and Washington and we also know right now that he has not said no to the idea of coming back into politics at the age of 74. But he also doesn't think it's appropriate to make a decision yet. This is a time to remember Paul Wellstone, not talk about the election.

But Democrats know the clock is ticking and they have to make a decision very soon -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jonathan, the clock is ticking on me. But I do just want to get this across to viewers. It is quite possible there will be a shift in the Senate during the lame duck session, right?

KARL: Well, there certainly is. This would potentially complicate that. And there's also a race in Missouri which is technically a special election, because you remember Mel Carnahan, who was the Democratic candidate two years ago, died in a plane crash right before the election, as well. His wife was appointed to fill in for him at the Senate. So that's a special election.

So right now when the Senate comes back, they're going to be missing Paul Wellstone and they also are going to have a senator, who knows, from Missouri, because the Republican in that special election would get appointed immediately if the Republican, Jim Talent, were to win in that race. So everything is up in the air right now in the Senate.

O'BRIEN: Wouldn't the race there be considered a special election, as well, and whoever wins would go straight to the Senate, appointed by the governor, perhaps?

KARL: This is, that is unclear. And lawyers in both parties are trying to come to terms with the political ramifications. It is possible that whoever wins here would be sworn in immediately. But they're really looking at the ramifications. Remember, you're talking about an out and out election. You're not talking about a situation like in Missouri, where the dead candidate was actually elected and then somebody got appointed for his place.

O'BRIEN: Right. KARL: That's not the case here.

O'BRIEN: OK. Very interesting. Very interesting.

Jonathan Karl, we appreciate it.

KARL: It is confusing. And even as they mourn, these lawyers are still trying to figure out, you know, the implications here, because it's so close to the election.

O'BRIEN: Well, it's tough. You're so torn between the emotions of the moment.

We appreciate it.

KARL: Yes.

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