Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is exploring US Senate bid

We've held back on this, relegating it to speculation. But now, with the launch of the Website mostimportantdecade.com, we can kick into rumor, well intended wishing, or possibly calculated foray into the race.

We were tempted in the past to also mention one rumor from a very reliable source - Ford Bell endorses Nelson-Pallmeyer. We'll leak it out now.

The story goes like this - Having received a contribution call from Al Franken, Bell asked if Franken still supported troops in Iraq. This was a main point of contention between the two Blake School graduates. Just like in mid-2006, Franken said he still supported troops in Bush's Iraq War.

Bell refused to contribute to Franken.

The unconfirmed part is that Bell then sent an email to some of his biggest supporters from his 2006 US Senate run, telling them what happened, and that he was supporting Nelson-Pallmeyer. It is not known if Bell encouraged others to support JNP, if Bell has any role in the Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer Exploratory Committee or if JNP even knows of this support.

Having received an email to look at the Website from the site's email server, we can only assume that a) the new group has JNP's email list from his 2006 Congressional bid, b) the group has a list of DFL caucus attendees from 2006 or c) they have a DFL email list. Any are a good starting point for a candidate who was grossly underestimated in the 2006 endorsing convention for CD 5.

It will be interesting to see what carries over.

Some positives would include; his passionate speaking style (best speech at the CD 5 convention), his fanatical volunteers, his knowledge on the issues beyond the talking points, his faith (attended seminary and received a Master of Divinity degree), and his clean campaigning (only accepted a max of $100 in individual contributions).

The questions and negatives his campaign needs to address; his fanatical volunteers (less arts and projects, more voter contact), creating a resonating message beyond the progressive base, being considered a viable candidate statewide, raising funds for state-wide race (will he stick to $100 limit?).

Update: Posted yesterday on MPR: Polinaut - "DFLer Nelson-Pallmeyer eyes Senate race".

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, the DFLer who originally challenged Rep. Martin Sabo last year before Sabo retired, is now thinking about a run for U.S. Senate.

Nelson-Pallmeyer says he's launching an exploratory campaign with listening sessions around the state.

“It is too early to anoint a candidate,” Nelson-Pallmeyer says in a release. “What we need is a state-wide conversation about pressing problems and practical solutions.”

He joins Peter Agre and Jim Cohen in the DFL-exploratory mode. Al Franken, Mike Ciresi, Bob Olson and Dick Franson are in the race already hoping to face off against Norm Coleman next year.

Wilde can't raise funds

From the Star Tribune

... Wendy (Wilde) Pareene and other supporters said in a news release Wednesday that a lack of funds forced the center's closure ...

Imagine that, but then looking at the 2006 fundraising numbers and should come as no surprise. Now we don't advocate surrendering in any district, but when the opposition in question (Ramstad) is more "moderate" than some individuals in the DFL, maybe contributions are better suited going toward real candidates in the 1st and 6th district against shaking and truly wingnut neoconservatives (assuming such a person runs against Walz).

Should retirement rumors for Rep. Ramstad prove to be true, members of the 3rd CD DFL should abandon Wilde for the pitch perfect Ford Bell. Wilde tried unsuccessfully to incorporate at least 2 members of Bell's Senate campaign staff, but Wilde was and may never be a candidate rather than a micromanager.

On the flip side, Bell proved he could fundraise, even under the most trying of underdog campaigns. While Wilde only had two personal friends contribute the maximum federal amount for the general campaign, Bell had many donors who double maxed (primary and general) in his contested run against party favorite and current Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

While Bell is more progressive than Ramstad, the two apparently know each well enough not to run in elections against each other. This why Bell won't run mano-e-mano against Ramstad. However, a Ramstad to Bell transfer of power will continue to be a pitch perfect representation of the district. And to put to rest any lingering thoughts, Bell raised money, only contributing $10,050 to his Senate ambitions.

At 1/6 of Wilde total 2006 congressional budget, that probably could have even kept the youth center open.