The big news tonight out of Finland

In view of Sault Ste. Marie's large Finnish population, and in view of SooToday.com's commitment to bring you all the really, really, really serious news of critical importance to our readers, we want you to know that concern is being expressed tonight in Finland about American television host Conan O'Brien's unlikely role in an election that starts there this weekend.

Those of you who follow NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien will know that O'Brien has been running spoof campaign endorsements for Finnish President Tarja Halonen (shown, top), who's seeking re-election.

O'Brien claims to support Halonen because he admires her "dynamic personality ... quick mind, and most importantly — my good looks."

It turns out that Halonen's supposed lookalike's TV show is shown five nights a week on the Finnish cable station SUBTV.

The Halonen campaign, recognizing a good thing, has recently been running election ads on SUBTV just before Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

And Harri Jaskari, campaign manager for Halonen's closest competitor, former Finance Minister Sauli Niinistö, is very upset.

"He's just making fun of the whole election," the Associated Press quotes Jaskari as saying. "If this decides the election, then we're in trouble. It gives a very poor picture of Finnish democracy."

To read more about Conan O'Brien's big Finnish flap, please click here.