The death of Senator Wellstone and his family is a great tragedy. However the speculation that he was "hit" as alleged by Lindy and Bowser is somewhat typical of extremists with paranoid tendencies.

Because of this I will address the issue.

Hit Motive: To shift the seat to Republicans.

This is the first line of thought of those who fill their minds with conspiracy-site profiteer content.

However, let's play the devils advocate and say this was valid. Why hit now? Why not a day or two before the election? If transfer of power is an issue - why not simply discredit him? For the same money invested in a "hit" one could surely engineer some embarassing scandal that would shift the seat without the need for a "hit" Republicans will also be the first suspects of such a hit and the fallout could hurt far more than the gain of one seat if it truly were a hit.

Hit Motive: Disgruntled wanna-be Senator ticked about Wellstone breaking his promise not to run again.

A prominent democrat who waited for several years for Wellstone's promised retirement might have a valid motive for a "hit". He/She might position themselves as the likely replacement and await the DNC embrace and endorsement. Most will be casting evil glances at republicans so that none would suspect them. They also would have easier access to the schedules, etc. to make such a "hit" more feasible.

However if they were ever fingered it would be curtains. So even the most stout-hearted democrat contender would likely refrain from such an approach.

Hit Motive: Mob hit

The mob wants a yes-man in the position Wellstone held. They hit and work within the DNC machinery to put their man forward, hoping sympathy votes will cast him over the top.

Unlikely. The mob has as many democratic senators in its pocket as it needs to avoid prosecution and harassment.

Hit Motive: DNC hit

DNC believes Wellstone is going to lose, and determined to cling to power, realize the success they have had in New Jersey and so schedule a "hit" for their weakest candidates. DNC realizes the sympathy vote will put whatever candidate they plug in over the top.

More likely than some scenarios. They will be the last place most would look for a culprit. However, if discovered, could lead more folks to join the GOP realizing their own party machinery chew up weak individual democrats and are ruthless power-hungry killers.

Yes, the hit motivations are all extremely unlikely. Too many people would have to be involved. The leaking of which would be FAR more damaging than the benefit.

Turboprop planes are notoriously more dangerous than their jet counterparts, especially in inclement weather. Wellstone and his family are almost asssuredly not the victims of a hit.

I find the only disturbing part of the accident - that Wellstone and his family were enroute to a funeral. Such an attunement is not a positive one and may have contributed in some manner to the mindset and fear of the pilot and those on board, creating a fatal harmonic convergance.

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