Paul Wellstone’s political opponents would have us believe that our senior senator is Benedict Arnold for breaking

his campaign pledge to seek only two terms in the senate.

Friday, January 19, 2001

Paul Wellstone’s political opponents would have us believe that our senior senator is Benedict Arnold for breaking

his campaign pledge to seek only two terms in the senate. Reaction to the announcement this week was – surprise! – split down party lines, with Democrats praising it and Republicans criticizing it.

For Republicans, this politically motivated criticism is a

shallow way to get a head start on Wellstone bashing for the 2002 campaign. The fact is, most voters who picked Wellstone last time will do so again, regardless of his broken promise, and, conversely, those who voted against him will probably do it again.

Wellstone is a polarizing figure in politics, much like the departing president and first lady – love them or hate them. Those kind of strong feelings aren’t likely to change based on something like Wellstone’s two-term promise, just as strong feelings for or against Bill Clinton didn’t change much despite an impeachment scandal. The only people likely to be offended by Wellstone’s maneuver are those who already don’t like him.

The move itself is a little disappointing to us; Wellstone had established himself as a man of his word, and this could hurt that image in our eyes. On the other hand, he went to Washington in the first place to help create change, and it’s understandable that he doesn’t want to see things he and fellow Democrats have worked for disappear under a three-pronged Republican government.

So, as the GOP tries to undermine Wellstone’s credibility 20 months before the election, they’re probably wasting their breath.