by Sally Jo Sorensen
While Tom Emmer's celebrity endorsement infomercial for Renter's Warehouse doesn't include mention of his congressional campaign, the half-hour piece did air after he declared his candidacy for the open seat in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District.
The infomercial was uploaded on January 30, 2013, before Congresswoman Bachmann announced her retirement, but has aired since Emmer declared for office.
Emmer announced on June 5, 2013. According to KSTP's traffic department, the infomercial aired at least several times after Emmer jumped in the race. According to station traffic records, the segment aired twice on June 16 at 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m, on June 18 and June 22 (no time requested), and last aired on June 23 5:00 a.m.
As the disclaimer aired by stations before infomercials notes, Hubbard Broadcasting was not responsible for the content of the ad.
Tom Emmer also appeared as a special guest on June 27, 2013, at Stillwater's for Cocktails and Conversation presented by Renters Warehouse with special guest Tom Emmer:
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Join Twin Cities News Talk at Water Street Inn in Stillwater for an installment of Cocktails and Conversation with Bob Davis. Tom Emmer will be our special guest! See you there! |
Apparently, Emmer became one of a stable of "Celebrity Endorsements" while a host on the Davis and Emmer radio show. Other celebrities in the list of endorsements include Glenn Beck, Ed Schultz, KFAN's Dan Barreiro and various broadcast personalities.
It's likely that time for the infomercial was purchased before the gentlewoman from Minnesota's Sixth decided to retire.
There's little to suggest any potential wrongdoing, but discovery of another renting out of Tom Emmer's name to a home-related industry following the Integrity ad debacle can't be good for perceptions of his independence. Emmer might consider following Bachmann's lead and rent out his old fundraising lists instead (or maybe not).
Perhaps Tom Emmer can use knowledge about the foreclosure crisis gained his stint while a celebrity and infomercial host to tackle the issue in DC. However, conservative media critics at News Busters already challenged Renter's Warehouse Celebrity Endorser Ed Schultz's expertise back in 2009.
Other sources, including Huffington Post's Bachmann's District Leads In Foreclosures As She Votes Against Every Major Relief Initiative, drew from the same article that Schultz used from the now defunct (and offline) Minnesota Independent.
However deep and broad the celebrity endorsers' knowledge of the real estate and rental markets may or may not be, Brenton Hayden, the owner of Renter's Warehouse, is very pleased with Tom Emmer as a congressional candidate, having contributed $5000 to Emmer's campaign back on June 30:
Brenton Hayden 500 Kristin Ln Maple Plain, Minnesota 553599590 |
Renters Warehouse | 06/30/2013 | 2400.00 |
Owner | |
5000.00 | |
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Brenton Hayden 500 Kristin Ln Maple Plain, Minnesota 553599590 |
Renters Warehouse | 06/30/2013 | 2600.00 |
Owner | |
5000.00 | |
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Ashley Hayden, same town but different address on Kristin Lane, also contributed to the Emmer campaign, as did another Hayden from Edina. It's unclear whether these are family members or simply people who share the same last name.
Here's the infomercial:
Renters Warehouse Infomercial from Renters Warehouse on Vimeo.
Tom Emmer is the leader in fundraising for the Sixth, but if his bid for Republican endorsement fails, Bluestem foresees a career for the Delano lawyer, radio personality and former lawmaker in the home improvement and rental industry.
Images: Screenshot of Emmer in infomercial (above); screenshot of the Facebook (below).
Note: the title of this post was changed to the present version from "Celebrity endorsement rent boy Emmer pitched for property management firm, owner is donor."
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