From The Hotline Latest Edition for Monday, May 5,2008

MINNESOTA

What's Said In Duluth, Stays In Rochester

Mon. May 5, 2008


"With a month to go before the state party convention, DFLers are closely scrutinizing the electability factor" for '06 MN-05 candidate/St. Thomas Univ. prof. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (D), "whose popularity exceeds his resources," and entertainer Al Franken (D), "who has the money and name power but has been nicked by stories about insurance and tax mistakes involving his business interests."

"Franken said he was focusing on the issues of concern to Minnesotans -- health care, the economy, Iraq -- and that he was confident that he will win the endorsement next month, despite the potential problems stemming from the tax flap." Franken: "It's a little hard to assess, especially right now. But I do know that it was probably one of the most inspiring days, after I talked to the press, when my daughter came in and said, 'You've got to see what's going on out there.'" Campaign staffers, he said, were calling delegates and finding out that "they didn't care."

"Neither, it seems, does Nelson-Pallmeyer. He won't comment on Franken's situation, preferring instead to concentrate on the reasons why he's convinced DFL delegates will ultimately turn to him -- his deep knowledge of the issues and his message of hope." Nelson-Pallmeyer: "I really believe we have the best campaign and the best candidate, so anything that distracts from that message, everyone loses."

"Whatever happens next month in Rochester, both candidates pledged in Duluth that they will abide by the endorsement. If he loses, Franken said he would host a fundraiser the very next day for Nelson-Pallmeyer 'with all my Hollywood friends.' Nelson-Pallmeyer said he would do the same for Franken, even though he has only one Hollywood friend." On 5/3, "Nelson-Pallmeyer also dismissed the notion of trying to block Franken's endorsement if it looked like he couldn't win it himself." Nelson-Pallmeyer: "I'm pretty confident we're going to win. But there's not going to be no endorsement -- not going to happen. We need to unite."

"Franken is widely considered the front runner" and has raised far more money. "Nelson-Pallmeyer officials, however, say that he's got more than enough money to pass his first test:" winning 60% of the 1.4K party delegates who will vote at the June 6-8 state DFL convention in Rochester (Duchschere/Oakes, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 5/3).

Will He Reclaim His Old Seat?

Ex-Gov. Ventura manager/ex-Sen. Dean Barkley (I) "is considering" a bid (Crann, MN Public Radio, 5/2).