Nussle Can't Be Trusted

Published: Friday, June 2, 2006 12:09 AM CDT

Candidate Nussle runs afoul of parade officials
By JOHN SKIPPER, Of The Globe Gazette

MASON CITY — Gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle’s staff apparently knowingly violated North Iowa Band Festival rules by having a campaign sign on his car in the annual parade Saturday, a Chamber of Commerce official said Thursday.

The Band Festival allows elected officials to walk or ride in the parade but prohibits campaigning.Nussle had a car in the parade. When Band Festival officials checked the car before the parade started, it was in compliance.

When the parade started, someone had switched it for a sign that said “Jim Nussle/Governor,” according to parade volunteers.Robin Anderson, executive director of the Chamber, said Thursday she is disappointed because she personally informed Nussle’s campaign staff about the “no campaigning” rule prior to the parade.

Maria Comella, communications director for the Nussle campaign, said Thursday, “If there was confusion on our part, we certainly apologize.”

Anderson said, “Originally, ‘Iowans for Nussle’ sent in a parade entry form with a check for $80. I sent them back their check with a letter explaining that Congressman Jim Nussle was welcome to participate in the parade as an elected official but that the festival committee has a firm policy against political campaigning of all kinds.”

She explained in the letter that Nussle would be placed in the parade with other elected officials and that his car sign could only identify him as “U.S. Congressman Jim Nussle” and that there could be no “Nussle for Governor” signs anywhere.“

At the checkpoint, our volunteers verified the Nussle entry was in compliance with our rules,” said Anderson. “When the car turned the corner to begin the parade, a volunteer noticed they had placed a ‘Nussle for Governor’ sign on the car.”

Anderson said she is upset that the Nussle campaign made it appear that that the sign was approved by the Chamber.“This is exactly the reason the festival committee has voted again and again not to allow political statements in our parade. These situations always, always detract from the spirit of the festival,” she said.