The Political Was Personal

Terry Gydesen

A Legacy of Personal Politics

In the days after the tragic death of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, politicians from all points of the partisan compass offered heartfelt praise for the progressive stalwart. They lauded his unflinching idealism and his unflagging passion, suggesting something of his legacy in Washington.

Few, however, touched on Wellstone's legacy as a politician -- and as a campaigner. Photographer Terry Gydesen covered Wellstone for more than a decade, starting with his unlikely and inspiring victory in 1990. Gydesen also documented the aftermath of Wellstone's death among those who new him best, and valued him most.

The resulting portrait is of a man who made politics a personal experience. He made supporters feel connected. He didn't just work a crowd -- he worked them into a fury. And he taught fellow politicians that a campaign built around personal commitment -- and intense idealism -- can still work in America, provided the commitment is credible.

In the wake of the November election, as Democrats consider what went wrong, that lesson seems particularly timely.