Wellstone aide says blaming DFL after his speech was unfair (Rick Kahn)

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | 5/9/03

[LdSentinal]

Rick Kahn doesn't regret what he said during his famous speech at the memorial service for his friend Sen. Paul Wellstone, and he considers the electorate's reaction to it "extremely unfair," he told a television reporter during an interview broadcast Thursday night.

[LdSentinal]

Rick Kahn doesn't regret what he said during his famous speech at the memorial service for his friend Sen. Paul Wellstone . . .

What a strange coincidence. I don't regret it either.

[nutmeg]

bttt

[going hot]

That man needs to go back to backpeddling school. He is somewhat rusty.

[Arkinsaw]

Rick Kahn doesn't regret what he said during his famous speech

Terrific, perhaps he would be proud to do it again at election time just to remind the populace of Minnesota.

[martin_fierro]

[southernnorthcarolina]

Unbelievable.

Absolutely unbelievable.

This is very reminiscent of a hapless Senator from the 1970s. William Scott, Republican of Virginia, was elected in 1972, riding the Nixon rout of McGovern to an upset over a Democratic incumbent. Early in his term, the obscure New Times named him the dumbest member of Congress. Few had heard of the New Times, and fewer still cared what it thought -- until Senator Scott called a presss conference. A contemporary edition of the Almanac of American Politics noted rather archly that the Senator's "efforts at refutation were generally considered unsuccessful." Things went downhill from there, and he didn't seek re-election.

Can Kahn, even now, not realize the political damage he did to his party? I seriously doubt that's the case. Surely he knows. Perhaps he thinks such a public admission of metaphysical density will generate sympathy.

[xm177e2]

Rick Kahn doesn't regret what he said during his famous speech at the memorial service for his friend Sen. Paul Wellstone, and he considers the electorate's reaction to it "extremely unfair," he told a television reporter during an interview broadcast Thursday night.

Translation: "I hate those stupid voters!"

[Bonaparte]

His liberal credentials are certainly in order. First, he offers an excuse: he was "exhausted" and in "grief." Then he seeks to legitimate it with "feelings." Then he whines about how "unfair" it all is. Then he says he's proud of what he did, not seeming to notice that he already offered excuses for it. Liberal to his ashes.

[ontos-on]

Au contraire, mon amis. Kahn and the Dem handlers have been working up this angle for months. This is called spin. They still think people are basically stupid. Of course, he [they ] lie about the main point.p Rabid Democrats care only about winning--because to them "politics is personal". There is no private personal sphere. Therefore, it only seemed right to make that stupid pitch at the "memorial service." The whole idea of the memorial service--planned and attended by Bill Clinton himself-- was about political winning. They got what they deserved. It will always be thus IF their opponents have nerve. Republicans, especially senators, often lack nerve. vide: impeachment, tax cuts, judicial appointments.

[gop_gene]

KARE reporter Kerri Miller said Kahn told her that he had not shown his speech to anyone before delivering it.

And a dang good thing too!--Who knows, although not likely, there might have been the teensy-bit chance that someone might have stopped him from blowing it.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...he wrote the speech when he was exhausted from attending funerals and numb with grief...

"I feel your pain" Mr. Kahn:

[fieldmarshaldj]

Re: Sen. William Scott. As "dumb" as the media termed him to be, consider the gem we got with his successor, Mr. Warner. Dick, why did you have to get on that blasted plane ? :-(