College prof no walkover for Franken in Minn. Senate run

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (AP) Democratic Senate hopeful Al Franken frequently invokes the name of his friend the late Senator Paul Wellstone as a major inspiration.

But another Democrat is chipping into his support. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer's background and beliefs spark even greater Wellstone nostalgia for some voters.

Like Wellstone, Nelson-Pallmeyer is a college professor with a long history of political activism and fearless liberalism. His green-and-white campaign signs mimic the Wellstone placards that still hang in the front window of many a Democratic household, and that's not an accident.

Party activists will decide next month whether to endorse Franken or Nelson-Pallmeyer.

Franken has far more money and name recognition, and is seen as the Democratic favorite to take on Republican Senator Norm Coleman.

But Nelson-Pallmeyer's underdog effort is getting a new look.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-12-08 0725CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list