But a possible motive for the Dems would be to change the dynamic of a race in which their guy was trailing and probably would lose. Remember that the Dems could well have been more interested in gaining a Senate majority than in a particular senator's life. So the idea might be to get rid of Wellstone and replace him with the more popular Mondale amid a wave of voter sympathy for the deceased's family and friends, who endorsed Mondale after the death. It wouldn't have to work out precisely as planned for an investigator to consider the possibility of foul play.
BTW, I'm more suspicious of the airplane crash death of Mel Carnahan in Missouri as he was campaigning for the US Senate in 2000. In that instance, the Democrats retained the dead Carnahan on the ballot and he won the Senate race nonetheless. The outgoing Dem governor then appointed the deceased's widow to fill the "vacant" seat to which he was elected. All without a court challenge from the passive GOP!
It can't be ruled out that the Dems' "success" in Missouri in 2000 encouraged them to try something similar with Wellstone in Minnesota in 2002.
Wellstone, had he lived, would have defeated Coleman.
Mondale was/is a doddering old fool.
However, Mondale would have defeated Coleman, handily, if not for "The Funeral".
You reminded me, I need more tin foil for leftovers.
Thanks!
Hmmmmmmm. You are making me think.
Makes a lot of sense. That guy in New Jersey better worry.