It Was Something When It Began

A few observations about the Wellstone Memorial service on Tuesday night:

First of all, the music played before the speeches started had a lot to do with setting the partisan tone of the crowd reactions throughout the rest of the evening. I cite in particular the 45 minute rendition of "Love Train" performed by Sounds of Blackness, which seemed to get people whipped into a celebratory and "we care more than you" defiant frenzy (This was tempered somewhat by the crowd's growing apprehension that Al Gore might start dancing at any moment. And by contrast, the 50 minute version of "Georgie Girl" by Sounds of Whiteness got a much milder reception). Since people were embracing the spirit of "Love Train," that is, one world united under a groove and the equivalency of all cultures and moral beliefs, it wasn't surprising that those who would stand for (or at least stand in for) individualism or exceptionalism, Trent Lott and Jesse Ventura, got the Bronx cheer.

According to my sources at Williams Arena, before Sounds of Blackness hit the stage, none other than Dan Wilson of Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic/Uptown Starbucks fame performed a rendition of "Made to Last". I saw Dan Wilson in concert at the Women's Club Theater last Saturday night, and he played that same song in honor of Wellstone then too. His prefatory comments were poignant, universal and were well taken by even the most independent-minded and freedom loving fans in attendance (me and John Bream). He spoke of how our lives have an echo after we're gone, whether just in our own families or through a larger set of friends and associates. We change the course of events and we change the people we know, whether we intend to or not, and this affect goes on, in subtle but undeniable ways, for generations, and maybe forever. That struck me as very true and if I were the sensitive sort I might have meaningfully sighed at that point. But instead, I relied on a more conventional form of appreciation-- that would be shouting out "Play Tool Master!!"

Second, I fully grant that the Wellstone memorial was overtly partisan and at times in extremely poor taste. But I don't think anyone who's paid attention to Democratic politics over the last 25 years should have been surprised. And from the perspective of an acknowledged political junkie, I thought it was a highly effective political spectacle and it seemed genuine in ways that more traditional and contrived events, like a party convention, would not. This was largely due to the fact that their rhetoric could address the highest ideals of the party members and not the specific and bottom feeding issues that generally drive elections.

Furthermore, even though I didn't respect most of the politicians in attendance, it was exciting to see that many nationally prominent and historical political figures congregating in one place. The way they marched in one by one, Gore, Daschle, Clinton, Rodham-Clinton, Bird, Mondale, it incrementally swelled the excitement of the crowd and led to heightened and soaring expectations of who would be next. This kind of presentation, combined with the crowd's rock star-like adoration for these individuals, was gripping, particularly to the television audience. It reasonably should spread a positive opinion of the Democratic party to any of the undecided or so-called independent minded voters who watched. This should be true not just in Minnesota, but across the country too. To these swing voters, the dismal records of individuals like Clinton or Mondale can fade away to irrelevance when confronted with the sight of a crowd enthusiastically roaring their approval of them. This impression is cemented by the supposedly nonpartisan nature of the event and of the attendees.

Most certainly, a Republican-leaning crowd would have responded in the same way if they were brought together under similar circumstances. It would have been exciting, maybe thrilling, to be in an auditorium as the stars of the Right were slowly brought out to take their well earned bows. To see the likes of say Newt Gingrich, Condoleeza Rice, George Bush Sr., Trent Lott, Bob Dole, Nancy Reagan, Tom DeLay, Alan Keyes, Dennis Hastert, Jack Kemp, Vin Weber, and Arne Carlson march down the stairs (or to see Gerald Ford fall down the stairs). The crowd would have gone wild and those who "vote the man not the party" would have seen these men and women cast in the light of heroes and winners instead of as ambitious politicians merely trying to get votes.

For this reason, I think this type of event has potential to become an annual pre-election night tradition, for one or both parties. If they could broadcast it nationwide, it's impact could be substantial. The problem is achieving the impression that the crowd is simply made up of citizens rather than of hard core party activists. Short of the untimely, yet regularly scheduled, death of a candidate every year, I'm not sure how that could be accomplished. Maybe the Democrats could have an annual anniversary gala in the spirit of Paul Wellstone? Or maybe they could just promise free cheese or cash benefits for all attendees. But then again, those are the primary reasons why people join the Democratic party in the first place, so maybe it woudn't fool anybody.

Finally, I truly thought the remarks made by the Wellstone sons were inspiring and poignant. For them to have suffered the the sudden and tragic loss of both parents and their sister and then to show no outward signs of grief during their extended presentations was astounding. No doubt many tears were shed by them over the weekend, but when it came time to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, they were able to do so with the joy and humor that this public occasion called for. It's evidence that these men were at peace with themselves and in their relationships with their departed family members. The Wellstones were clearly a strong family that possessed the personal attributes we all aspire to. Despite my jaundiced view of the man's political philosophy and tactics, I'm convinced that Paul Wellstone was a good Dad and husband and probably an asset to whatever community he lived in, in terms of being a neighbor and citizen.

But it also strikes me that these facts alone should inspire a political backlash. Most families don't come anywhere near these standards of interpersonal health and success (at least according to the reports I've read--my own family, of course, is very Wellstonian in its success and their mutual love and support of one another). Usually, one or both parents are tragically flawed in some significant way, which inevitably leads to major disfunction among the entire family unit. (And this leads to much sobbing, hair pulling and gnashing of teeth at funerals and memorial services--how's that for an echo, Dan Wilson?).

From my observations, no one really likes the one perfect family on the block. Instead they're resented for their happiness and for the fun house mirrors their chronic smiles hold up in front of the faces of their common place and quietly desperate neighbors. Therefore, it follows that nobody would really want to vote for people like this. Yes we (I mean they) come to accept the fact these individuals will make more money, will acquire greater influence, will love more deeply and be loved more often, but that's just how the cards were dealt. But when we have a choice in the matter, do we really want to self select these people as our political superiors too? It's like being in high school and voting for the guy who's the starting quarterback and class president for Homecoming King. Sure he's already dating the hottest cheerleaders in school and he's on his way to an Ivy League education and fame and fortune, but yes, by all means, let's choose to also put a crown on his head and metaphorically throw ourselves prostrate before his regal gaze.

Maybe that's the populist campaign strategy Norm Coleman needs to adopt--my family is as screwed up as yours! But since he appears to be married to a high school cheerleader, it may not resonate with the voters as honest. Maybe other candidates can use this appeal instead. Anybody seen what Ray Tricomo's wife looks like?