By PATRICK HOWE
Associated Press Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)--Tears gave way to foot-stomping and cheers at a memorial service for Sen. Paul Wellstone as friends and relatives urged Minnesotans to honor his memory by putting a Democrat in his seat.
[snip]For the first two hours, speakers remembered the eight with poignant anecdotes. But when Wellstone's friend and longtime campaign treasurer Rick Kahn took the stage, he adopted the late senator's fiery speaking style and abruptly demolished the leaky dike that had held back most political speech since the accident.
``If Paul Wellstone's legacy in the Senate comes to an end just days after this unspeakable tragedy, our spirits will be crushed, and we will drown in a river of tears,'' Kahn said. ``We are begging you, do not let this happen.'' [snip]
Even some Wellstone supporters in the crowd said they were a bit uncomfortable. ``I think Kahn probably crossed that line,'' said Tom Moore, a University of Minnesota employee. ``He can be forgiven, though. He was basically preaching to the choir and the choir needed to hear it.''
Added Sharon Rezac, attending with a Democratic women's group from Park Rapids: ``With Paul, you can't separate the personal from the political, and this was his night.'' [snip]