Actually, in politics you don't generally gain the "cessation of their activity". You generally increase it in their comrades by creating a martyr. It is highly likely that Wellstone was going to lose his election -- it is easily argued that Mondale came as close as he did on the strength of the sympathy vote. Remember how energized the MN Democratic party was after the death? The huge emotional rally(s)? If it had been provable that Wellstone was offed do you really think Mondale wouldn't now be a Senator? Do you really think that a group as diverse as the Republicans could somehow call a meeting, keep it secret, hire a hit man, all the things that it would require to do what you think was done? Do you really think they wouldn't conclude it not worth the risk and effort? For one senator?

In one of my kookier moments (I can imagine in broad conspiracies too)I actually thought there was a time that the Democratic party might think it in their best interest to assassinate Clinton. Earlier on, if they could have gotten away with it, they could have stopped investigations from going forward -- not have to face Sunday talk show week after week defending silly shit like BJs in the oval office, get back to recapturing the congress. All they had to do was get some guy to pose as a crazed Rush-o-phile, take out Clinton and die in the process. No muss, no fuss, no more embarrassment, and a totally discreditied rising right wing media.

Trouble is there's never a "they".

I dig crazy conspiracies as much as the next guy -- just don't believe 'em. They're novel fodder.