And in Minneapolis more than 20,000 people gathered Tuesday last to remember Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), who died with seven others in a plane crash on Friday.

The populist Democrat died alongside his high school sweetheart and wife of 39 years, Sheila, their daughter Marcia Markuson, three campaign aides and two pilots. Police say their plane crashed in freezing rain in northeastern Minnesota.

The memorial service for Wellstone came as state Democratic leaders prepared to name former Vice President Walter F. Mondale to replace him as the party’s nominee on Tuesday’s ballot.

Among those in attendance were former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and about half of the Senate. Wellstone’s family asked Vice President Cheney not to attend the service. Wellstone’s close friend and fellow Senator Tom Harkin was the only politician to speak at the memorial.

Tape:

• Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)