IP's Tom Horner wants to "Send Them A Message"

Republican's Tom Emmer is all about "Freedom and Prosperity."

DFL's Margaret Anderson Kelliher is pushing "Rural Economies" and leaving "No Stone Unturned" for jobs.

The candidates for governor are going out on the campaign hustings this summer under branded tours.

The tours, which variously include stops at farms, bars, factories, car dealers and other points that underscore the message, allow the candidates to meet the voters, get a headline (they hope with their message-sending brand at the top) and promote their names. It's typical campaign stuff with a motto.

Democrats Matt Entenza and Mark Dayton have taken similar trips around the state but haven't (yet) added politically messaged names to their tours.

"We would need to to check our lawyers on copyright infringement," before throwing out any branded names Entenza spokesman Jeremy Drucker joked.

Update:

The Dayton folks say their "87 in 87" tour, in which the candidate visited 87 counties in 87 days, is a branded tour. This Hot Disher isn't so sure it fits the theme but, hey, folks have branded numbers before (think Heinz 57, Formula 409 and WD-40) so it could work.