David Wellstone: In the name of his father

[dflprincess]

http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1386354.html

By Jake Sherman, Star Tribune
Last update: August 28, 2007 – 4:13 PM

Many candidates have invoked the Wellstone name and legacy in their campaigns. Not so fast, say his son and others close to the late senator.

It was only two years after the death of Minnesota's Democratic U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, and presidential hopeful Howard Dean was telling audiences that he was from the "Democratic wing of the Democratic party."

David Wellstone thought it was "opportunistic." That was his father's line and it made him mad. Now U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich is running for president, branding himself as a "Wellstone Democrat" -- a label David still thinks might be inappropriate.

The Wellstone legacy has become so intertwined with progressive politics, its origin is all but forgotten. The "Democratic wing of the Democratic party" has been kicked around by Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, small-town Iowa state Rep. Ed Fallon and other Democrats nationwide. Paul Wellstone's name and some actions are being used to channel the inner liberal of the country's most prominent Democrats.

When Dean used the adage, David promptly asked the campaign to stop. He has not called on the Kucinich camp to do the same, but he does not feel the Ohio Democrat fully represents what his father stood for.

(much more at link...)