WASHINGTON – An angry Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura yesterday said he walked out of the Republican-bashing memorial service for tragic Sen. Paul Wellstone because he felt “violated” by its harsh tone.
“Democrats should hang their heads in shame,” said Ventura, an independent, amid speculation that the memorial could backfire against Democrats.
“I feel violated and duped over the fact that it turned into nothing more than a Democratic rally,” said the pro wrestler-turned-governor as Wellstone’s replacement, former Vice President Walter Mondale, began the new five-day Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman.
Ventura said a thundering speech by Wellstone aide Rick Kahn was “so offensive” to independents and Republicans, “it drove the first lady [Ventura’s wife, Terry] to tears,” and they walked out.
Ventura also said he’s outraged that Republicans like Senate GOP leader Trent Lott were booed after traveling from afar to honor Wellstone.
The late senator’s spokesman, Jim Farrell, said, “We apologize to anybody who may have been offended,” but added that emotions ran high among mourners because Wellstone “endured a year of vicious, false attacks.”
Local TV stations, which aired the 3½-hour memorial live, said that for political balance, they’ll give extensive coverage to President Bush’s visit Sunday to stump for Coleman.
Vice President Dick Cheney had asked to attend the memorial but Wellstone’s sons said no.
Ventura had said he planned to name a Democrat as interim replacement for Wellstone – who died in a Friday plane crash – but was so offended that he may now pick an independent or “regular citizen” to serve until the Nov. 5 election results are certified.
The flap overshadowed the start of the new campaign, with Coleman taking off at dawn for a fly-around across Minnesota, and Mondale formally being tapped to replace Wellstone on the ballot at a Dem huddle last night.