Caledonia Argus

Wellstone remembered in Houston County for progressive views, affable personality

Posted: 10/30/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

When U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash on October 25, the reaction of state and nation was an admixture of grief and laudationñ grief for his untimely passing, laudation for the legacy of progressive politics and grassroots activism that he left behind.

In Houston County, Wellstoneís death sent shockwaves throughout. Because of his unrelenting dedication to farmers and agricultural issues, Wellstone was particularly beloved by Democrats in this part of the state.

ìWhat can one say?î asked Caledonia resident and longtime Wellstone supporter Mary Jane Hendel. ìWeíve lost a great leader, a man able to stick to his convictions, really cognizant of the issues facing farmers. He worked so hard in regard to the issues and he was willing to stand alone.î

This quality of Wellstoneís, his willingness ìto stand alone,î was never more prevalent than in the past month, when he opposed a resolution in Congress authorizing President Bush to take unilateral action against Iraq. Only 22 other senators opposed the resolution. Wellstone was also renownedñ or notorious, depending on your viewpointñ for often being the sole opposition to a bill in the Senate; it was not uncommon to see a 99-1 vote, with Wellstone the sole dissenter.

Several years ago, Wellstone paid a visit to the farm owned by Hendel and her husband George. Open to area residents, the event was an effort by Wellstone to acquire a better understanding of problems beleaguering farmers.

ìPaul Wellstone was on our farm to gather information about agricultural problems,î Hendel said. ìThe purpose of his visit was to find out what was happening in the farming community, find out economic difficulties facing agriculture, and find out what he could do to make changes.î

Since Wellstoneís death, many have voiced praise for Wellstoneís political modus operandi. A combination of hard-nosed liberalism and soft-hearted affability, he instilled in his supporters a trust in the general efficacy of the American political system.

Ken Tschumper, a Wellstone supporter from La Crescent, recalls how Wellstoneís idealism and enthusiasm for government was simply an extension of his personality.

ìIt was always fun to talk to Paulñ he was gregarious, talkative, a humorous person; heís quite different than most politicians in that he really loved to interact with people,î Tschumper said. ìHe had a clear set of beliefs and he believed that government could really do positive things in peopleís lives. He advocated that government wasnít the problem, it was the solution and it could do good things for people.î

Tschumper can attest to Wellstoneís character as a politician, as the two had worked together in various political capacities in the past two decades. They met in 1982 when Tschumper was the DFL Chairman for Houston County and Wellstone was running for state auditor. As Tschumper became familiar with Wellstoneís politics, he saw the effect that persistent activism can have.

ìBecause of him, weíve really seen the importance of grassroots activism, that you need to push the political agenda in a real liberal direction,î Tschumper said. ìMinnesota will continue to be a a progressive state because of the legacy of Paul Wellstone.î

In the wake of his death, there is speculation about what kind of role Wellstone would have played in U.S. government in the coming years.

ìI think he would have continued to oppose many of the extreme positions of the Bush administration,î Tschumper said. ìHe would have continued to work very hard for farmers, and he would have been very active in dealing with corporate scandals.î

Wellstoneís lasting influence, Tschumper thinks, will be as a prototypical progressive who remained true to his core beliefs. In Tschumperís words, ìMost people will remember Paul as a great role model.î

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