When reporters want to speak with the person in charge, they can rarely dial direct.
Just like corporations do, politicians and government agencies have vast taxpayer-provided communications staffs that control the message.
In newsroom speak, they're called "flaks," a term originated because they block any brickbats aimed at their bosses.
The best are knowledgeable and responsive. The worst don't return calls or e-mails.
Reporters become friendly with some flaks and stay in touch as they move from job to job.
In a direct attempt at sucking up, here is a list of favorites who handle a cranky reporter with invariable aplomb:
Jeff Anderson, an Iowa native who started as an intern for the Minnesota Vikings, now the team's director of communications. He brings out the best in everyone around him, while still being able to take a wicked joke at his expense.
MNsure's Joe Campbell, who started in U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's boot camp and moved to St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's before moving to the state gig. Campbell can digest complex topics quickly. One colleague considers him the best in town. He's always quick to forward irreverent Internet memes.
