If Wellstone were still alive, do you think he could've been elected prez in 2008?

[calmblueocean]

The other night, I was looking out our apartment window at the street the parade goes down on the Fourth of July. I can still remember the sound of Paul Wellstone's voice as it carried all the way up from that street to our bedroom. You could hear the smile in his voice, along with cheers and applause from the onlookers, many of whom weren't even Democrats. He was such an amazing guy. Such a rare mix of joy and conviction. Even from hundreds of feet away, you felt it.

I was thinking about how powerful it would be to hear his voice again, and then I wondered, if Wellstone were still here, what would it be like to hear him in the debates? Could he have run for president? Could he have won?

What I know is that this nation is more depressed and frightened than I can ever recall it being, and Paul Wellstone had a way like no other of lifting people up and giving them hope. I think the country is so hungry for that kind of leadership right now -- I know I am! -- that I just imagine Wellstone sweeping the rest of nation off its feet, the same way he swept Minnesotans off theirs.

What do you think... is it just wishful thinking, or do you think he could've done it?

[Mojambo]

1. I think he'd be running for re-election.

I'm pretty sure he would have run and won in 2004.

[angstlessk]

2. YES

I recall the first time I heard him talk on the house floor...and I was FLOORED...my first question was who the hell is that man? I was impressed as hell! I have heard no one since give as passionate a speach as he gave each time he spoke...if he was not murdered I recon they* just missed their* chance!

*they, their...the fucking neo con war mongers

[TwilightGardener]

3. Honestly, no--too liberal. Feingold too. They were/are great in the Senate, but

somebody more "centrist" is required for election to the Presidency.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. Actually, I preferred Paul, but I've always thought Russ had a better shot at the White House

Wellstone was grassroots through and through. He was even a thorn in the side of the Administration at Carleton College when he was teaching there. People loved him. Because he stood for social justice and for regular folk, vested interests found him threatening. In our corrupt system, that's almost a guarantee that you'll never get anywhere near the White House.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Russ would have had a better shot, I agree. Neither of them could have made it

alive through the sharks of Presidential politics, at least not with their integrity intact.

[aquaman]

9. I agree.....

I miss Paul Wellstone more and more every day. He was a true patriot. However, he would never be elected president. The United States is too ignorant to vote in a "real" person.

[RufusTFirefly]

4. No way.

The Republicans and the DLC would've been vying for the opportunity to destroy him.

Wellstone stood for regular folk. Sorry, but that doesn't provide lucrative sponsorship opportunities.

[earthlover]

7. Wellstone was one of my heroes.

I saw the love for what he was doing when i saw him at a campaign stop. It was really inspiring.

He stood up passionately for the little guy. In today's world, the Dems seem to be just trying to tri-angulate.

Actually, it is the REPs who have been able to campaign now as representing the little guy. I know this sounds absurd, but I just heard a Rep campaign commercial yesterday that did exactly that!

Isn't it about time the Dems had a message that could resonate. Being the party of the little guy says it all, about what our party SHOULD be about. All of our programs....tax relief for the non-rich, health care, education, opposing the war, yadayada....help the little guy. Since Reagan, the Reps have been able to capitalize on the little guy's vote, and we have been painted as a party of elitists.

Wellstone was different. I wish everyone had a chance to see him in person. The guy was so genuine. So much in love with his job. And so passionate about Dem ideals.

I miss him profoundly. But remember one of his biggest messages by his example was the importance of getting involved.

[Perseid]

8. "was" and no

sadly

[alittlelark]

10. 'was' and 'no'....hmmmmm

Wellstone was one of those 'once in a generation' leaders that rallied massive #'s of ppl behind him.

He is dead.

It seems that any left leader that shines has their light shut off.

Funny that coincidence.

[RufusTFirefly]

11. Sorry, but it is "were"

Don't know why people are quibbling with the grammar in the midst of a discussion of Wellstone, but calmblueocean's use of "were" is absolutely correct. It's called the subjunctive mood and is used for a statement contrary to fact.