ICBM glows in Debate Minnesota spotlight

Northwestern Financial Review, Dec 1-Dec 14, 2004 by Bengtson, Tom

One of the biggest winners this election was the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota. The association scored a real coup when the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune newspaper lauded the association and its Debate Minnesota series of legislative debates. The praise came in the form of an editorial on election day; with state-wide distribution, it was one of the biggest public relations victories a trade group has been able to deliver to its industry in years.

Back in the spring of 2003, when ICBM's executive committee was interviewing candidates for the president's job, Will Haddeland pitched the idea of hosting a series of debates to build goodwill for the banking industry. The board hired Haddeland and he has now implemented the idea, with favorable initial results.

The association hosted 19 debates between Sept. 29 and Oct. 27. The biggest debate took place in Rushford, Minn., where incumbent Greg Davids debated challenger Peggy Hanson in a 90-minute give and take. More than 130 people watched, in addition to a television channel and reporters from three newspapers. Carl Haddeland, hired by his father to coordinate the logistics of staging multiple debates, said the candidates conducted a respectful dialog in an otherwise tense campaign.

Typical debates attracted about 65 people and newspaper coverage. A debate in Woodbury on Oct. 6 between incumbent Karen Klinzing and challenger Len Price was carried live on the local cable access channel. In addition, the debate series featured three debates between House minority leader Matt Entenza (Democrat) and House majority leader Steve Sviggum (Republican).

Carl Haddeland said many of the candidates expressed appreciation for the opportunity created by Debate Minnesota. In addition, he said, the events gave the association the opportunity to build its relationship with reporters all over the state.

It is too early to assess the long-term impact of ICBM's new approach to government relations. Not until after the 2005 legislative session can anyone begin to judge whether debate sponsorship is an effective substitute for PAC contributions. Based on what we know so far, however, the effort is off to a promising start.

The Star Tribune editorial concluded: "Debate Minnesota established a good name for itself in its first year. It ought to be back, in more places and races, in 2006." Haddeland said the series in 2006 is likely to include debates between candidates for U.S. congressional seats, a U.S. senate seat and the governorship, in addition to the state legislative seats.

By Tom Bengtson