I feel a need to comment on the death of Senator Paul Wellstone again, after reading several comments about him. I've read from many people who are saddened by his death, and a few who won't miss him at all because of his political views. To those all I can say is that I am disappointed that this race may be won by forfeit (but who will win, is this a sure thing for either side?). In sports, it is regrettable when a team loses an event this way. The point: Elections should be held between the best of all involved parties.
Back when I was a Democrat, back in 1996, I was having a conversation with some of my Democrat friends, and we were talking about the upcoming primaries. They were expressing the hope that Bob Dole would lose, because it would make it easier for Clinton to win the Presidency. I disagreed. I said that elections should be between the best Republican and the best Democrat, along with the best Libertarian, or Green, or Socialist (though I think "best of" means less and less the further to the right you go in my last sentence except Libertarian is out of order). They accused me of being a covert Republican. Little did I know back then that they were right, but my point is still valid: For the good of the country, it is important that elections be between the best of all parties involved. No victory should be automatic or assumed, though, as an exception, I disagreed with the NJ ruling on Lautenberg, because it was written law which the SCONJ overturned and it happened well after the primary.
Also see this commentary from Peggy Noonan.
Posted by joelfuhrmann at October 26, 2002 05:31 PM