Editorial: Publicity isnt Nelson-Pallmeyers strength

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 2, 2008

Some people might wonder why humorist Al Franken has received so much attention during his candidacy for U.S. Senate and his opponent for the DFL nomination, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, has not.

Need an example?

An editorial in the April 30 edition of the Mesabi Daily News of Virginia mentioned this:

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&8220;Franken dispatched Democratic challenger Mike Ciresi quickly, even though the Twin Cities attorney had the name recognition and personal finances to be formidable opposition for the nomination. And the strength of his personality and celebrity appeal has managed to block out another worthy challenger, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, who is hardly even mentioned in wire and larger media stories.&8221;

The Daily News is right, but the problem has more to do with Nelson-Pallmeyer rather than the wire or larger media.

The Albert Lea Tribune is likely classified as smaller media, but we know that every time Nelson-Pallmeyer comes to Albert Lea, his campaign staff fails to contact the newspaper and clue us in. Nelson-Pallmeyer comes, leaves and then we hear through the grapevine that he was in town.

Most campaigns go over the top in reaching out to the media. We know Franken&8217;s and Sen. Norm Coleman&8217;s people by first name at this point.

Does the Nelson-Pallmeyer staff think that since Franken as a child lived in Albert Lea that their candidate doesn&8217;t stand a chance? Why bother calling the press?

Local supporters know the campaign has a publicity problem, too. They&8217;ve told us. The last time he was here it was for the DFL convention for the 1st Congressional District. So locals told our reporter to show up at 10:30 a.m. because there is always usual party business at the start, 10 a.m. But Nelson-Pallmeyer, never predictable, instead spoke right at the start, before the business, and then bolted out of town. Again, he missed his opportunity to get media coverage.

And from watching local TV news, it&8217;s clear they haven&8217;t bumped into the candidate either.

Many people say Nelson-Pallmeyer has interesting comments to say, but getting his message out doesn&8217;t seem to be his campaign&8217;s strong point.

You can&8217;t blame Franken for that.