Lincoln Chafee: “today I offer my condolences to all the friends, family members and admirers of Paul Wellstone. As has been said many…”

“today I offer my condolences to all the friends, family members and admirers of Paul Wellstone. As has been said many times, Paul Wellstone was fiercely proud of the causes with which he associated himself. Certainly, to have Paul Wellstone articulately and strongly arguing on one's behalf was a great asset. His many friends are forever grateful for his wrestler's tenacity as he advocated for those issues in which he so emotionally believed. Several years ago a candidate for Congress in Rhode Island retired from the campaign because of a shortage of funds, declaring that no longer could 'Mr. Smith go to Washington.' Paul Wellstone proved that yes, indeed, Mr. Smith could go to Washington. In 1990 he challenged an incumbent who possessed a huge financial advantage in what many assumed to be a quixotic and hopeless campaign. In November of that year Paul Wellstone was the only challenger to beat an incumbent, providing inspiration forever to long shots. Three cheers for the people of Minnesota who have shown a propensity for embracing people of divergent philosophies. In the last few years Minnesota has elected Rod Grams, Jesse Ventura and Paul Wellstone; public servants with very different approaches to the issues of the day. I join Minnesotans and Americans in mourning the death of the passionate and good-natured Paul Wellstone.”