I Like to Think That Paul Would Have Wanted Us to Keep on Fighting

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Gloria Lalumia

Where were you when you heard the news that Paul Wellstone and others on his plane died?

I was at the Democratic Coordinated Campaign headquarters here in Las Cruces, NM. State Senator Mary Papen mentioned it as she came in to make phone calls. Several volunteers where affixing address labels to campaign literature. I was preparing maps for precinct workers on the computer. As the details emerged, the news spread among us. A volunteer left to pick up Senate candidate Gloria Tristani on her arrival in town--only later would we find out that her debate with Sen. Domenici would be cancelled. The head campaign coordinator was dealing with potential legal problems surrounding incorrect ballot combinations that had been sent out from the County Clerk's office.

Through it all, the news about Paul Wellstone kept trickling in. It hung over us like a pall. But we kept on working the phones, drawing the maps, and addressing the candidates' mailing

I like to think that Paul would have wanted us to keep on fighting, through this darkest of hours. I'll be back at campaign headquarters on Monday. I'll be trying to win some campaigns, not only for the local candidates, but for the memory of Paul Wellstone and how much his principled beliefs and actions meant to so many Americans

Contribute, volunteer, write a letter, vote...do it for Paul Wellstone. Do it for the country.

Gloria Lalumia

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