Merry Christmas

To all, friend and foe alike, Merry Christmas! Give thanks for all the many blessings in your life, especially the birth of Jesus.

Now's a great time to revisit the historical setting in which Christ was born. And there's no better resource than Dr. Paul Maier's In The Fullness of Time: A Historian Looks at Christmas, Easter and the Early Church. It reveals that the miracle of Christ's birth was, well, a miracle. Gratia Dei.

Give Benedict Nelson The Boot!

The more we learn, the worse it gets.

What did Ben Nelson sell his (our?) vote for? Medicaid dollars? Well, Democrat Senators Conrad and Harkin have both said that Nelson's "Cornhusker Kickback" is illusory since the current Congress can't bind future ones. Simply put, he got nuthin'!

Protection for life? Hmmm. National Right Life strongly opposes the language Nelson helped write--language that was so deceptively bad that pro-abortion senator Barbara Boxer gladly received a hug from Washington Ben after he was snookered into agreeing to it. Maybe that's why Governor Mike Huckabee compared him to Judas.

More than 1,800 Nebraskans showed up on a pre-Christmas Sunday afternoon in Omaha with less than a day's notice to protest Benedict Nelson's duplicity. His response? Nebraskans who oppose him are "almost laughable."

Hear that? If you decide to oppose Washington Benedict's vote in favor of the Reid-Pelosi plan you are "almost laughable."

We cannot stand idly by while this arrogant, pompous, out-of-touch politician runs roughshod over our constitutional rights and sells the lives of the unborn to his highest bidder.

Send a message: go to http://www.givebentheboot.com/ and help us put Washington Benedict out to pasture once and for all.

Top 5 Things We Learned About Nebraska Democrats During the Special Session

During this holiday season it is appropriate to give thanks to those whose work has benefited our own lives and the lives of others. One person I want to thank is Governor Dave Heineman. His leadership for our great state has been a tremendous blessing, especially his leadership in calling the recent special session of the Nebraska Legislature to deal with the impending budget problems now before it was too late. Most importantly, he insisted on addressing these looming budget issues without increasing the amount of our money that the government already takes from us.

But most of us already knew that Governor Heineman was a leader and a conservative. Nothing new was learned about our great governor as a result of the special session. But we did learn a few things about the Democrats in the Nebraska Legislature.

Over the new few postings I'll share my Top 5 Things We Learned About Nebraska Democrats During the Special Session. And without further adieu, Number 5:

Democrat Sen. Jeremy Nordquist Thinks Tax Increases Might Be the Answer

After the recent session, Sen. Jeremy Nordquist showed his true Democrat colors when he told the Omaha World-Herald that raising our taxes is something he wants the Legislature to take up.

"Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha said taxes would have to be part of the
discussion if the state faces repeated rounds of budget cutting." (emphasis added).

Congrats to Sen. Nordquist for revealing the Democratic agenda for the Nebraska Legislature!

From this morning's Omaha World-Herald

Enough said.

In the words of Aaron Tippin "You've got to stand for something . . . ."

As the NEGOP Chairman, I also serve as one of Nebraska's three voting members on the Republican National Committee. In the aftermath of the November 2009 special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District, an internal debate has raged among RNC members about whether a candidate should support certain Republican principles as a precondition to receiving funding the national Republican organizations. One RNC member, Jim Bopp, Jr.--the national committeeman from Indiana and the 2009 Republican Lawyer of the Year--has proposed a resolution that sets forth ten principles; candidates are expected to support at least eight of these principles if they want to run and receive funding as Republicans. This debate has now gone public, with the expected gnashing of teeth from liberals and the press. One example from Politico can be found here.

The resolution:


Proposed RNC Resolution on Reagan's Unity Principle for Support of Candidates


WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan believed that the Republican Party should support and espouse conservative principles and public policies; and


WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan also believed the Republican Party should welcome those with diverse views; and


WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan believed, as a result, that someone who agreed with him 8 out of 10 times was his friend, not his opponent; and


WHEREAS, Republican faithfulness to its conservative principles and public policies and Republican solidarity in opposition to Obama's socialist agenda is necessary to preserve the security of our country, our economic and political freedoms, and our way of life; and


WHEREAS, Republican faithfulness to its conservative principles and public policies is necessary to restore the trust of the American people in the Republican Party and to lead to Republican electoral victories; and


WHEREAS, the Republican National Committee shares President Ronald Reagan's belief that the Republican Party should espouse conservative principles and public policies and welcome persons of diverse views; and


WHEREAS, the Republican National Committee desires to implement President Reagan's Unity Principle for Support of Candidates; and


WHEREAS, in addition to supporting candidates, the Republican National Committee provides financial support for Republican state and local parties for party building and federal election activities, which benefits all candidates and is not affected by this resolution; and


THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee identifies ten (10) key public policy positions for the 2010 election cycle, which the Republican National Committee expects its public officials and candidates to support:


(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama's “stimulus” bill;


(2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run healthcare;


(3) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;


(4) We support workers' right to secret ballot by opposing card check;


(5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;


(6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;


(7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;


(8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;


(9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing, denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and


(10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership; and be further


RESOLVED, that a candidate who disagrees with three or more of the above stated public policy positions of the Republican National Committee, as identified by the voting record, public statements and/or signed questionnaire of the candidate, shall not be eligible for financial support and endorsement by the Republican National Committee; and be further


RESOLVED, that upon the approval of this resolution the Republican National Committee shall deliver a copy of this resolution to each of Republican members of Congress, all Republican candidates for Congress, as they become known, and to each Republican state and territorial party office.

Although I will not be able to attend the January RNC meeting in Hawaii (I'll be in McCook playing host to Republicans who want to replace Sen. Ben Nelson), I'll be proxying my vote to National Committeeman Pete Ricketts.

How should I vote? In favor or against the resolution? If against, why?

Northeast Nebraska fired up for the NEGOP!

This evening I attended the inaugural Northeast Nebraska Republican Harvest Celebration. The event, which was organized by the Cuming, Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Stanton, Thurston and Wayne County Republican Parties, drew some 300 people. The Nielsen Center in West Point is quite a facility. Those attending heard from the nation’s most popular governor, Gov. Dave Heineman, who spoke about his efforts to keep our state’s fiscal house in order and attempts by Democrat state senators to spend more of our money. We heard from U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, who spoke passionately about the need to defeat Democrat proposals for government-run health care. We heard from Attorney General Jon Bruning, who told us about his efforts as President of the National Attorneys General Association and the Republican wave that started in Virginia and New Jersey a few Tuesdays ago. We heard from Secretary of State John Gale, who told us about why Democrats and their ACORN allies want to capture the office he holds so that they can water down our state’s protections against voter fraud. We listened to Public Service Commissioner Rod Johnson, who gave us background on the work of the Nebraska Public Service Commissioner. And voters had a chance to meet our 3 Republican candidates for State Treasurer—State Senator Tony Fulton, Tom Nesbitt, and former Attorney General Don Stenberg.

A great night for Republicans, a great night for northeast Nebraska, and a great night for democracy in action.

And the winner is . . .

In early September I announced the Tom White opposition research contest, encouraging people in Nebraska and beyond to review Tom White’s public record and tell us what issues they thought might be relevant to Nebraska voters. My attempt at using crowdsourcing for opposition research resulted in a number of entries, and I have selected a winner. Upon informing the winner of our selection, the winner politely declined the tickets and, in good conservative fashion, asked that we donate the tickets to a worthy charity. So we did. Last Friday, the NEGOP donated two (2) tickets to this Saturday’s Nebraska/K-State football game to Make-a-Wish of Nebraska, a wonderful charity that grants wishes to children with serious medical conditions (including my God daughter Ellie). The tickets were sold on radio station CD105.9 on its Make-a-Wish Radio-Thon.

Thanks to all who participated, and thanks to the winner for the donation to Make-a-Wish of Nebraska!

Tom White: Aye or Nay on Nancy Pelosi's New Health Care Mega-Bureaucracy?

The Joint Economic Committee House Republican staff, which earlier this year created a chart mapping the bureaucratic complexity of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s original health care proposal (H.R. 3200), has prepared a new chart showing the health care bureaucracy created by the new version of the Speaker’s bill (H.R. 3962) approved by the Democrat Congress last Saturday night.

House Republican Leader John Boehner rightly calls it "the blueprint for a taxpayer-funded mega-bureaucracy."

Democrat congressional candidate Tom White still arrogantly refuses to say how he would have voted on H.R. 3962.

Is Tom White scared to let his partisan liberal supporters know that he would have voted the same way Congressman Lee Terry did? Or is Tom White scared to let Nebraskans know that he would have been just another vote for Nancy Pelosi's taxpayer-funded mega-bureaucracy?

If Tom White can't or won't answer this very timely and relevant question, why should Nebraskans consider him to be a serious candidate?

Tom White--How Would You Have Voted?

Late Saturday night Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats barely passed a 2,032-page, $1.3 trillion government takeover of health care over the objections of Republicans and moderate Democrats. The roll call vote can be found here.

Democrat Tom White is running for Congress, but has arrogantly refused to take a public position on this health care legislation.

Nebraskans have a right to know.

Tom White: Would you have voted with Nancy Pelosi in support of H.R. 3962? Or would you have sided with Congressman Lee Terry in opposing this government monstrosity?

We anxiously await your response.

The Meaning of Today's Elections for Democrat Tom White

Virginia. New Jersey. District 19, Michigan State Senate. Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Wow. A huge night for Republicans.

Take Virginia for example. President Obama carried Virginia by 7 points in 2008. Republicans have lost the last 2 gubernatorial races and last 2 Senate races in Virginia. President Obama and the Democrats campaigned hard and spent millions for Democrat candidate Creigh Deeds. The result? Republicans won the elections for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Prior to tonight, Republicans have only won all 3 statewide offices on one occasion--1997.

New Jersey? One of the most heavily Democrat states in the nation, where the Republican was outspent by the Democrat incumbent by 3-to-1.

Exit polls in both Virginia and New Jersey showed the greatest concern on voters' minds was the economy. Not health care. Not forced unionization. Not cap-and-trade.

So, Nebraskans, what's this mean for partisan Democrat Tom White?

It's All About Government

The Democrats' proposals on health care have little to do with helping Americans and much to do with the federal government possessing more power and exercising more control over our lives.

Lest there be any doubt, take a look at this list of the new boards, bureaucracies, commissions, and programs created in H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care (thank you to the House Republican Conference for putting this together):

1. Retiree Reserve Trust Fund (Section 111(d), p. 61)
2. Grant program for wellness programs to small employers (Section 112, p. 62)
3. Grant program for State health access programs (Section 114, p. 72)
4. Program of administrative simplification (Section 115, p. 76)
5. Health Benefits Advisory Committee (Section 223, p. 111)
6. Health Choices Administration (Section 241, p. 131)
7. Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman (Section 244, p. 138)
8. Health Insurance Exchange (Section 201, p. 155)
9. Program for technical assistance to employees of small businesses buying Exchange coverage (Section 305(h), p. 191)
10. Mechanism for insurance risk pooling to be established by Health Choices Commissioner (Section 306(b), p. 194)
11. Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund (Section 307, p. 195)
12. State-based Health Insurance Exchanges (Section 308, p. 197)
13. Grant program for health insurance cooperatives (Section 310, p. 206)
14. “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 321, p. 211)
15. Ombudsman for “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 321(d), p. 213)
16. Account for receipts and disbursements for “Public Health Insurance Option” (Section 322(b), p. 215)
17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)
18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for “culturally and linguistically appropriate services” (Section 1222, p. 617)
19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)
20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)
21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)
22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)
23. Independence at home demonstration program (Section 1312, p. 718)
24. Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Section 1401(a), p. 734)
25. Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission (Section 1401(a), p. 738)
26. Patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research (Section 1401(a), p. 753)
27. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1412(b)(1), p. 784)
28. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for nursing facilities (Section 1412 (b)(2), p. 786)
29. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1413(a)(3), p. 796)
30. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 1413(b)(3), p. 804)
31. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 1422, p. 859)
32. Demonstration program for approved teaching health centers with respect to Medicare GME (Section 1502(d), p. 933)
33. Pilot program to develop anti-fraud compliance systems for Medicare providers (Section 1635, p. 978)
34. Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange (Section 1647, p. 1000)
35. Medical home pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1722, p. 1058)
36. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1730A, p. 1073)
37. Nursing facility supplemental payment program (Section 1745, p. 1106)
38. Demonstration program for Medicaid coverage to stabilize emergency medical conditions in institutions for mental diseases (Section 1787, p. 1149)
39. Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund (Section 1802, p. 1162)
40. “Identifiable office or program” within CMS to “provide for improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid in the case of dual eligibles” (Section 1905, p. 1191)
41. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 1907, p. 1198)
42. Public Health Investment Fund (Section 2002, p. 1214)
43. Scholarships for service in health professional needs areas (Section 2211, p. 1224)
44. Program for training medical residents in community-based settings (Section 2214, p. 1236)
45. Grant program for training in dentistry programs (Section 2215, p. 1240)
46. Public Health Workforce Corps (Section 2231, p. 1253)
47. Public health workforce scholarship program (Section 2231, p. 1254)
48. Public health workforce loan forgiveness program (Section 2231, p. 1258)
49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)
50. Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment (Section 2261, p. 1275)
51. Prevention and Wellness Trust (Section 2301, p. 1286)
52. Clinical Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1295)
53. Community Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1301)
54. Grant program for community prevention and wellness research (Section 2301, p. 1305)
55. Grant program for research and demonstration projects related to wellness incentives (Section 2301, p. 1305)
56. Grant program for community prevention and wellness services (Section 2301, p. 1308)
57. Grant program for public health infrastructure (Section 2301, p. 1313)
58. Center for Quality Improvement (Section 2401, p. 1322)
59. Assistant Secretary for Health Information (Section 2402, p. 1330)
60. Grant program to support the operation of school-based health clinics (Section 2511, p. 1352)
61. Grant program for nurse-managed health centers (Section 2512, p. 1361)
62. Grants for labor-management programs for nursing training (Section 2521, p. 1372)
63. Grant program for interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training (Section 2522, p. 1382)
64. “No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza” demonstration grant program (Section 2524, p. 1391)
65. Healthy Teen Initiative grant program regarding teen pregnancy (Section 2526, p. 1398)
66. Grant program for interdisciplinary training, education, and services for individuals with autism (Section 2527(a), p. 1402)
67. University centers for excellence in developmental disabilities education (Section 2527(b), p. 1410)
68. Grant program to implement medication therapy management services (Section 2528, p. 1412)
69. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors in underserved communities (Section 2530, p. 1422)
70. Grant program for State alternative medical liability laws (Section 2531, p. 1431)
71. Grant program to develop infant mortality programs (Section 2532, p. 1433)
72. Grant program to prepare secondary school students for careers in health professions (Section 2533, p. 1437)
73. Grant program for community-based collaborative care (Section 2534, p. 1440)
74. Grant program for community-based overweight and obesity prevention (Section 2535, p. 1457)
75. Grant program for reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in primary and secondary schools (Section 2536, p. 1462)
76. Demonstration project of grants to medical-legal partnerships (Section 2537, p. 1464)
77. Center for Emergency Care under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (Section 2552, p. 1478)
78. Council for Emergency Care (Section 2552, p 1479)
79. Grant program to support demonstration programs that design and implement regionalized emergency care systems (Section 2553, p. 1480)
80. Grant program to assist veterans who wish to become emergency medical technicians upon discharge (Section 2554, p. 1487)
81. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 2562, p. 1494)
82. National Medical Device Registry (Section 2571, p. 1501)
83. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 2581, p. 1597)
84. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 2581, p. 1598)
85. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 2581, p. 1602)
86. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1610)
87. National Women’s Health Information Center (Section 2588, p. 1611)
88. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1614)
89. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women’s Health and Gender-Based Research (Section 2588, p. 1617)
90. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1618)
91. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1621)
92. Personal Care Attendant Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 2589(a)(2), p. 1624)
93. Grant program for national health workforce online training (Section 2591, p. 1629)
94. Grant program to disseminate best practices on implementing health workforce investment programs (Section 2591, p. 1632)
95. Demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (Section 3101, p. 1717)
96. Demonstration program for substance abuse counselor educational curricula (Section 3101, p. 1719)
97. Program of Indian community education on mental illness (Section 3101, p. 1722)
98. Intergovernmental Task Force on Indian environmental and nuclear hazards (Section 3101, p. 1754)
99. Office of Indian Men’s Health (Section 3101, p. 1765)
100. Indian Health facilities appropriation advisory board (Section 3101, p. 1774)
101. Indian Health facilities needs assessment workgroup (Section 3101, p. 1775)
102. Indian Health Service tribal facilities joint venture demonstration projects (Section 3101, p. 1809)
103. Urban youth treatment center demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1873)
104. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for diabetes prevention (Section 3101, p. 1874)
105. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for health IT adoption (Section 3101, p. 1877)
106. Mental health technician training program (Section 3101, p. 1898)
107. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1909)
108. Program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators (Section 3101, p. 1925)
109. Program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (Section 3101, p. 1927)
110. Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1966)
111. Committee for the Establishment of the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1968)

BOO!

After weeks of secretly creating their partisan government-run health care plan behind closed doors, on Thursday Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats unveiled H.R. 3962, their latest version of the health care legislation (Read it here.)

It is still a government takeover of our health care system that will increase families’ health care costs, increase the deficit, increase taxes on small businesses and the middle class, and hasten Medicare's impending bankruptcy.

The House Democrats’ government-run health care experiment costs over $1 trillion and is 1,990 pages long – over 30 percent longer than Harry Reid’s bill and longer than Hillary Clinton’s bill for universal health care.

That’s not the reform Nebraskans want or need, and it is proof that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats have no interest in finding a bipartisan solution that will make health care more affordable and accessible.

Scary, huh? So scary that when it came time for my wife and I to decide what to wear to a Halloween party last night, dressing up as the "public option" seemed like the scariest thing we could think of.



Have a happy and safe Halloween.

The Real Question: Where's Ben?

Today had to be an interesting day for Senator Ben Nelson.

On one side (that would be the left one), the Nebraska Democrat Party recently passed a resolution urging Nelson and his fellow members of Congress "to vote for such health care reform proposals that contain a robust public option at all stages of the legislative process including conference and reconciliation, and encourage legislators to pass such reform." Let's face it--this was meant for an audience of one--Ben Nelson. This is getting tremendous play on the liberal blogs, including Huffington Post.

On the other side (the rationale middle and reasonable right) Nelson was forced to answer to stories running on KRVN, KFAB and KLIN radio regarding his refusal to take a definitive stand on health care and to say once and for all how he will vote on cloture; a vote in favor will be the clearest sign to date that he has no intentions of running for reelection in 2012. Despite being in the heat of the health care battle, today Nelson was still telling people he hadn't made up his mind, refusing to follow the bold and courageous lead of Sen. Joe Lieberman, who announced his opposition to the latest version of the Senate's government takeover legislation. After all, Nelson himself has said that any health care legislation is not "legitimate" unless it garners at least 65 votes in the Senate.

What's a guy--someone who has taken so many (and so few) positions on this issue depending upon whether he was in Nebraska or Washington--to do?

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Democrat Party, perhaps feeling bad about their resolution and the effect it was having on Nelson, sent out a press release asking where Governor Dave Heineman is on health care reform.

Really? Are you serious?

Here's a brief civics lesson for my friend Vic Covalt and his fellow Democrats: Ben Nelson is in the U.S. Senate. Dave Heineman is Governor of Nebraska. The U.S. Senate is currently debating a proposed government takeover of health care. The Unicameral is not. Senator Nelson will soon have to vote on the Democrat's proposal. Governor Heineman will not.

The more appropriate heading for the Democrat's press release should be:

Where's Ben Nelson on health care reform?

District 16 Deserves Better

Congrats to the Nebraska Watchdog for breaking the story on Democrat Sen. Kent Rogert's deceptive and potentially illegal tax moves and his expensive party boat. One of the most interesting things is that Joe Jordan's website scooped the traditional media on this story.

The residents of District 16 deserve a serious, respected representative. Clearly they aren't getting it from Democrat Kent Rogert.

Time for a change.

Meeting with "Shields for Liberty" in District 30

Today the NEGOP held another of its Legislative District meetings, this time in Beatrice for Legislative District 30. This District, which encompasses all of Gage County and the southern portion of Lancaster County, is currently "represented" by

Democrat Sen. Norm Wallman.

This was one of our best meetings yet. Those in attendance spoke passionately about the need to fight for our country and the principles upon which it was founded. One attendee said we need to be "Shields for Liberty"--I couldn't agree more. With each passing day I grow more and more convinced that one of the overriding themes of the 2010 and 2012 elections will be FREEDOM and which party stands ready to fight for liberty.

The incumbent Democrat is a nice guy, but it's clear he's wrong on the issues and cannot competently represent the people of District 30. Sen. Norm Wallman has difficulty articulating his or any position, and admits his staff sometimes doesn't want him to publicly debate issues on the legislative floor (a good example is here). The NEGOP will soon be announcing at least one Republican candidate to replace Norm Wallman. Given the intensity of the interest of those attending today's meeting, I'm confident that District 30 will return to being represented by a Republican in 2010. Being represented by a principled Republican--someone who stands firm for a smaller, less intrusive and less expensive government, someone who will fight for our individual liberties, someone who respects the sanctity of life and understands the importance of faith, family and freedom--will be of tremendous benefit to the residents of District 30 and the State of Nebraska.

Thank you Senator Johanns!

UPDATE: When asked about the issue by Nebraska Public Radio, Sen. Nelson refused to respond. The story may be found here. Instead, through a spokesperson, Washington Ben described the cloture vote as only a "procedural" vote. Nebraskans can expect the same duplicitous answer when it comes to his votes on card check, cap-and-trade, and government takeover of health care.



Every Nebraskan--especially our children and grandchildren--should thank U.S. Senator Mike Johanns for voting against cloture today on S. 1776--the so called "Doc Fix" bill. The legislation is nothing more than a gimmick that would permit the Democrats to move forward on their government takeover of health care while adding $247 billion to the federal budget deficit without any plan to pay for it.



Recall that President Obama promised that his health care legislation would be fully paid for, but would also protect doctors from annual cuts to their Medicare reimbursement rates. To accomplish this, the Democrats came up with a sleight-of-hand, i.e., leave it out of the health care bill and ramrod it through as a budget bill and merely add it to the national debt that our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay. The Wall St. Journal summed up the Democrats legerdemain quite nicely in a recent editorial found here.

That's how Democrats solve problems in Washington, DC.

Thankfully, the good guys won this vote. The cloture motion failed by a vote of 47-53. All Republicans voted in opposition along with 13 reasonable Democrats.

Senator Johanns' post-vote comments were right on point:

“A vote for this legislation was an end-run around fiscal responsibility since it would add another quarter trillion dollars to our record $11.9-trillion debt in order to pretend health care reform costs less. A concerned bipartisan opposition prevented this from passing. I support finding a solution to physician reimbursement rates to ensure patients have access to quality care. However, it has to be paid for in a responsible manner, not passed on to our children and grandchildren.”

And where was Senator Ben Nelson on this critical vote?

Washington Ben Nelson voted IN FAVOR OF THE CLOTURE MOTION. Clearly he supports the use of Harry Reid's legislative gimmicks and adding $247 billion to our already obscene federal budget deficit.

Given the chance to stand with Nebraskans, Ben Nelson chose instead to stand with Washington Democrats. Sadly, the 2012 election is still 3 years away.

Tom White Research Contest--Update!

We previously announced the Tom White Crowdsourcing Research Contest, which seeks to use crowdsourcing to analyze publicly-available information regarding Democrat Tom White and his campaign for Congress. As you may recall, the entry that the NEGOP believes provides Nebraska voters with the most useful information will win two (2) tickets to the November 21, 2009, Nebraska football game versus K-State. The deadline is November 1, 2009, and entries should be mailed to me at mfahleson@gmail.com

Given that Democrat White has filed his first report with the Federal Election Commission, there's even more public information to be scrutinized.

Here's White's FEC report. Be sure to click on the individual tabs for receipts and expenditures.

And, as we've previously disclosed, Democrat Tom White's U.S. House of Representatives financial disclosure can be found here.

Tell us what you find that should be of interest to Nebraska voters, and keep the entries coming!

The Bright Side

Anyone who has ever served in a position with a political party understands that such positions are hardly glamorous. Purely volunteer. At any given time your friends and enemies criticize you. Everything that goes wrong is your fault, and anything that goes right was the result of someone else's efforts. But I knew all that when I ran for the position of Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party in January of this year.



That's why I know it's important to cherish those truly special moments that make it all worthwhile. I experienced just such a moment last Friday at our Founders' Day event in Omaha. At that event we had the opportunity to recognize many outstanding volunteers and leaders in the Nebraska Republican Party. While Gov. Mitt Romney's speech was fantastic, the highlight of the evening for me was awarding the Nebraska GOP Hall of Fame awards to two individuals who have had a significant impact on me, on the Nebraska Republican Party, and on the State of Nebraska.



The first Hall of Fame award went to former Gov. Kay Orr. Gov. Orr served our state as State Treasurer and Governor--becoming the first Republican woman elected governor in the United States. She is a tremendously talented woman who served our great state with class and a bedrock understanding of the principles upon which this country was founded. In recent years she has spent her time on things more important than politics--her family. Her speech at Founders' Day literally brought a tear to my eye as she spoke from her heart about our country and her faith. She still cares very deeply about our state and our country. I've been blessed with the opportunity to know Gov. Orr and her wonderful husband Bill, both of whom have shared their wisdom with me from time to time.

The other recipient was Omaha City Councilman Chuck Sigerson. Chuck gave me the opportunity to serve as legal counsel to the NEGOP when he was state chair, and for that I'm forever grateful. Chuck was a great state NEGOP chair, perhaps the best in modern times. He singlehandedly pinned then-Gov. Ben Nelson down to sign the pledge to not run for the Senate. When Nelson tried to reneg on his commitment, Sigerson nailed him, Chuck Hagel was elected, and the rest is history. Chuck recently suffered a heart attack and stroke and, thanks be to God, was released from the rehabilitation hospital on the night of Founders' Day, but he was unable to attend. Instead, he sent his son Andrew to accept the award on his behalf. Andrew and I go way back, and it was great seeing him and watching him in action before the packed crowd at the Doubletree Hotel in Omaha. Like Governor Orr, Andrew spoke from the heart and candidly shared his faith with those present.

Kay Orr and Chuck Sigerson--two great Nebraskans.

R.I.P. NDP

Recent developments have confirmed something liberal activists and many in the Nebraska political press feared.

The Nebraska Democratic Party is on life support and nearing death.

Evidence?

1. Democrats have been unable to recruit any candidate to run for a Nebraska constitutional office. No candidate for Governor. Lieutenant Governor. Secretary of State. Attorney General. Auditor. Not even for the open State Treasurer's office being vacated by Shane Osborn.

How about for federal office? No challenger to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, and the only announced challenger to Congressman Adrian Smith is a young Yale theologian who moved back to Nebraska to run. Sound familiar?

Democrats claim they have a strategy. Over the weekend the Associated Press uncovered the top-secret plan being employed by the Nebraska Democratic Party to challenge Governor Dave Heineman in 2010:

But so far the Democrats don't have a candidate to propose change, and it could be months before one is announced. Covalt said it is even possible the party may wait until the state party's convention in July to announce a gubernatorial candidate.

Huh? Wait until July 2010 to see who gets the shortest straw at a meeting and becomes the next Stormy Dean? That's a strategy?


2. As the Nebraska Republican Party was holding its Founders' Day event featuring Gov. Mitt Romney (with 600 in attendance and raising around $100,000 for the NEGOP), Nebraska Democrats distributed a class-warfare fundraising e-mail. Here are some of the lowlights:

Times are tough in America today. Foreclosures, lay-offs and mounting debt are pressing down upon the shoulders of the average American. Most of us are struggling with basic necessities like health care and the ever increasing cost of living. The jobs the middle class have long depended on are disappearing before their eyes almost as fast as their pensions are shrinking.

Amidst all of these hardships the Republican Party hacks and GOP cronies are donning their penguin suits, peeling out their checkbooks and scrawling out $5,000 dollar contributions in exchange for photos with Mitt Romney presidential wannabes. Tonight the NEGOP hosts its annual Founder's Day dinner with flash-in-the-pan, primary contender Mitt Romney as their special guest. For five grand you too can have an awkward thirty seconds with the Republican ideologue.

That's how they come up with the coinage time and time again to run their races, by relying on the same handful of corporate execs and neo-con tycoons to cut checks of that size.

Now it's no surprise that the Nebraska Democratic Party doesn't have pockets that deep. We've never been the party of silk lined brief cases and golden parachutes. We are here for you, for the average American who feels it when the economy dips. America is hurting right now and we understand that, we're not going to ask for $5,000 dollar contributions from each of you. But we are asking for your support. We need to demonstrate to the GOP moguls that they may have the money but we have the hearts and minds of the people. We are here working for America, while all they can do is attempt to obstruct the progress we have all made.

Oh, there's so much to say in response, but I'll limit it to three points:

• "Hacks" and "cronies"? "Penguin suits" (sorry folks--Founders' Day wasn't a black tie)? "Silk lined brief cases"? Obviously NDP is short of funds and cannot hire a communications director.
• Members of Nebraska's political press have shared that there appears to be a growing split between Omaha Democrats and the current leadership of the Nebraska Democratic Party, in part due to this class-warfare rhetoric being deployed. You can't bash job creators and then go to them with hat in hand asking for financial support for your party and its candidate (singular). The business community will take a pass on the next Democrat fundraising event and should turn a blind eye to the next Tom White fundraiser.
• Tom White--the Democrats' purported savior--is worth as much as $7 million according to his financial disclosures. Wealthiest member of our congressional delegation? Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson. The party of "silk lined brief cases"?

3. Tom White danced, twisted and strained to avoid any mention of the word "Democrat" during his announcement for Congress. Why is Tom White embarrassed of being called a Democrat--which is what he is? Is it because of the moribund condition of the NDP? Or because he wants mislead voters about his support for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her radical agenda?

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Republican Party continues to build for 2010 and develop a strong bench for 2012 and beyond.

Nebraska Welcomes Governor Mitt Romney

Another update: Thurs., Oct. 8: The Romney event is now officially SOLD OUT! With RSVPs approaching 600, the NEGOP can no longer accommodate new requests for tickets. THANK YOU to all who are planning to attend--should be a great event for the State of Nebraska and your Nebraska Republican Party!

Update: Wed., Oct. 7: Over 525 seats have been sold already to this great event with Gov. Romney--exceeding our goals and expectations! Thanks to everyone who is attending! We're making room for a few additional tables--if you are still interested, please e-mail Rebecca Weber at rebecca@negop.org ASAP to snatch one of these few remaining tickets. Hope to see all of my fellow Republicans this Friday!

On October 9, the Nebraska Republican Party will hold the biennial Founders’ Day celebration to recognize those volunteers who made the 2008 elections so successful. Our featured guest is former Governor and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He will be joined by our own Governor Dave Heineman, Nebraska’s three outstanding Congressman, and many other GOP elected leaders at the downtown DoubleTree Hotel in Omaha.

Many times, it takes hundreds upon thousands of hours of dedication and hard work to win an election. In 1931, the Nebraska Republican Party instituted the first Founders’ Day to honor those individuals who generously gave of their time and helped move candidates from the campaign office to elected office. It is the NEGOP’s honor to hold this event.

Giving levels range from $65 per dinner seat to $5,000 dinner table for ten including admittance to a cocktail reception with Governor Romney along with a photo opportunity. To make your reservations or for more information, contact the NEGOP at 402-475-2122 or rebecca@negop.org.

We hope to see you there!

Thank you Senator Johanns!

Nebraskans can be very proud of Senator Mike Johanns.

This past Monday he took to the Senate floor and thoughtfully articulated the reasons why the Senate should support his amendment to prevent taxpayer dollars in the transportation and housing appropriations bill from going to fund ACORN (Assoc. of Community Organizations for Reform Now).

Thankfully, the Johanns Amendment passed. Now, as a result of Sen. Johanns' leadership, a national movement to completely wean ACORN from taxpayer dollars has started.

Employees of ACORN have been convicted of various acts of voter fraud and other illegal actions.

ACORN activists have been present and active in Nebraska as well, reportedly taking an active role in helping Democrats in Omaha.

Now, without the benefit of our taxpayer dollars, perhaps they'll pack their bags and go home.

Tom White Opposition Research Contest!

Surprise! It's official! Tom White--that divisive Democrat denizen of the Nebraska Legislature-is officially a candidate for Nebraska's Second Congressional District.

As part of making the obvious known, White was required to file a financial disclosure with the Clerk of the House.

His financial disclosure can be found here.

On its face, the financial report is very, very, very intriguing in oh so many ways. We would love to assign this to an opposition researcher, but we don't have one. The Nebraska Republican Party operates on a pretty lean budget--we have limited staff and don't have the Washington Union Bosses or President Obama to loan us staff to use at our disposal. So we thought we would be innovative and try crowdsourcing this project, i.e., "the process by which the power of the many can be leveraged to accomplish feats that were once the province of the specialized few."

Are you game?

Take a look at Democrat (yes, contrary to his announcement speech, he's a Democrat) White's financial disclosure and tell us what you find. See if there's anything interesting in it that needs to be further examined or pointed out to 2nd District voters. Example: certainly Senator White filed the appropriate ethics disclosures in the event he voted on a measure before the Nebraska Legislature that somehow impacted the multitude of investments he has. Has he pulled a "Charlie Rangel" and failed to list anything?

So have at it--the entire civilized world with internet access has now been deputized by the NEGOP. Review and analyze the report, or any other publicly-available information that's available on Senator White. Tell us what you find by November 1, 2009, and e-mail it to me at mfahleson@gmail.com

The entry that the NEGOP believes provides Nebraska voters with the most useful information will win two (2) tickets to the November 21, 2009, Nebraska football game against K-State.

Good luck!

Nebraska Democrats: If Ben Nelson Calls . . . .

It's September 1, and the Nebraska Democrats still do not have a candidate for Governor.

Or Secretary of State. Or Attorney General. Or Treasurer. Or Auditor. The list of offices goes on and on.

And it's not for a lack of trying. Based upon reports from Nebraska Democrats and the political press, Sen. Ben Nelson has been beating the bushes looking for a candidate who is crazy enough to challenge Governor Dave Heineman. Yes, that same Dave Heineman who has a 63 percent approval rating among Nebraska voters according to a recent poll by the liberal Daily Kos.

The NEGOP will give Sen. Nelson credit when credit is due. He can be a very persuasive man when he has to be. Some have even called him a sycophant.

Just ask Stormy Dean, Tony Raimondo or any of the other failed Democrat candidates Ben Nelson has worked hard to convince to run for public office.

So, if you are a Nebraska Democrat and Ben Nelson calls, you might want to think twice before taking his call.

Democrats: Spend Like Drunken Sailors Today, Give the Bill to the Kids!

The White House Budget Office has announced that it anticipates a $9 TRILLION cumulative deficit from 2010-2019--$2 TRILLION more than it estimated this past May. Also anticipated is a doubling of our national debt by 2019.

Simply taking a look at the national debt clock demonstrates why we need to be concerned. The Democrats are now in charge of Washington. They have the keys, they are in the driver's seat, and their agenda of nationalizing industries and expanding the size, scope and cost of government is driving our country into bankruptcy.

With each passing day I grow more and more concerned about the future of our country under the rule of the Democrat Party. My daughters--now ages 11, 8 and 6--will have to work harder and longer, just to try to pay off the debts we are creating for them.

Simply put: It's irresponsible, and it must stop. And sending more Democrats to Washington at this pivotal point in our nation's history is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

More Evidence that 2010 Will Be A GREAT Year for the NEGOP

We conducted another listening session this evening, this time in West Point with Republicans in Legislative District 16. The facility (Nielsen Center) was fantastic and the turnout even better. We started at 6:30 p.m. and people were still showing up at 8:00 p.m. Farmers. Business owners. Veterans. Retirees. Families. All were gravely concerned about the direction the Democrats are taking our country, and committed to working their tails off for Republican candidates in the 2010 elections.

It's clear that the Democrat policies of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have energized Republican voters in ways I could not have thought possible. Many thanks to Pelosi and her liberal ilk for getting hard-working taxpayers and families interested once again.

This is also the second meeting in a row where voters expressed disdain for the 2 Ben Nelsons: The Nebraska Ben Nelson, who tries to tell us he's working for us, and the Washington Ben Nelson who goes to Washington and votes against our interests. He's got a couple of more years to keep playing up this facade until he retires or is shown the door by Nebraska voters.

Those attending committed to organizing a 4 county Republican event this November featuring Senator Johanns, Governor Heineman, Attorney General Bruning, and the rest of the Republican ticket. Should be a great event!

Thanks to all who attended. Now let's roll up our sleeves and get to work in District 16 in replacing anti-death penalty Democrat Sen. Kent Rogert!

Hello Democrats: Fix Medicare First

The Wall St. Journal had a thought-provoking editorial in its Thursday edition on President Obama's contradictions on health care reform, including his duplicity on Medicare.

An excerpt:

Maybe you're starting to fret about all those bureaucrats and bean-counters again. You shouldn't, according to Mr. Obama. "The only thing I would point is, is that Medicare is a government program that works really well for our seniors," he noted in Colorado. After all, as he said in New Hampshire, "If we're able to get something right like Medicare, then there should be a little more confidence that maybe the government can have a role—not the dominant role, but a role—in making sure the people are treated fairly when it comes to insurance."

The government didn't get Medicare right, though: Just ask the President. The entitlement is "going broke" (Colorado) and "unsustainable" and "running out of money" (New Hampshire). And it's "in deep trouble if we don't do something, because as you said, money doesn't grow on trees" (Montana).

So the health-care status quo needs top-to-bottom reform, except for the parts that "you" happen to like. Government won't interfere with patients and their physicians, considering that the new panel of experts who will make decisions intended to reduce tests and treatments doesn't count as government. But Medicare shows that government involvement isn't so bad, aside from the fact that spending is out of control—and that program needs top-to-bottom reform too.

Voters aren't stupid. The true reason ObamaCare is in trouble isn't because "folks aren't listening," but because they are.

Attention Democrats: Medicare will soon be bankrupt--Fix Medicare first. If you get that right, then let's move on to fixing what ails America's health care system beyond Medicare.

2010: Shaping Up to be a Great Year for Nebraska Republicans

Last night we held a listening session in Aurora. We sent out a few invites, made a few calls, and we had a GREAT turnout. People were even showing up after the meeting was adjourned.

One of the items on our agenda was to discuss current Democrat State Senator Annette Dubas, who currently "represents" District 34 (which includes Aurora). Senator Dubas is a likable person, but the reality is she votes against her district and sides with the liberal special interests in Lincoln. There are a lot of nice people that I wouldn't want representing me in the Nebraska Legislature. Attendees were shocked to learn that she OPPOSES the death penalty even for the most heinous of murderers, voted in FAVOR (at the behest of the trial lawyers) of measures that would have increased the cost of workers' compensation insurance on small businesses and increased government spending, and has a voting record with the Chamber of Commerce that rivals Ernie Chambers.

Most showed up out of concern for the direction our country is headed after the November 2008 elections. Government takeovers of private industries, a risky proposed health care experiment, and the Democrats' steady march towards socialism. That's not what Nebraskans are about.

The enthusiasm of those attending the Aurora meeting is refreshing, and I'm confident that a Republican will be elected to represent District 34 in November 2010. The group also expressed unanimous and enthusiastic support for Senator Johanns, Congressman Smith, Governor Heineman, Attorney General Bruning, and the rest of the Republican constitutional officers.

It's no wonder the Democrats can't find anyone to run for statewide office. Not even Stormy Dean.

Our listening sessions continue later this week and will continue through the remainder of the year. I'll keep you posted on how they go, and why 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for the NEGOP.

Ben Nelson Has Been Found!!!

In Alaska . . . .

Where Are You Washington Ben?

Calls to Sen. Ben Nelson's office have revealed that our Senator is not releasing a public schedule. Private meetings . . . .

Why won't Washington Ben answer to Nebraskans on his position on health care, card check, tax increases, skyrocketing budget deficits, and his vote for a pro-choice Supreme Court nominee?

2012 cannot arrive soon enough.

Health Care Reform

Yesterday's Wall St. Journal featured a well-reasoned opinion piece from John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods, on specific reforms that can be implemented to begin the process of fixing what's wrong with our health care system. Let's hope the ideas he has outlined become the framework for discussion rather than the government takeover being proposed by the Democrats in Washington.

It simply cannot be disputed that we have the finest, highest-quality health care system ever created. It also cannot be disputed that the vast majority of Americans like the health insurance coverage they currently have. Finally, it cannot be disputed that our health care delivery system and the federal/state safety net Medicaid provide access to health care for all Americans.

So what's the issue--what are we trying to "fix"? Is it the cost of health INSURANCE? As someone who currently pays over $15,000/year for health insurance premiums for family coverage, I believe that the cost of health insurance is a primary concern. However, any health care historian will confirm that past government action (e.g., wage controls, ERISA, mandated benefits) is the primary cause of this problem.

Do we really want more government and more bureaucracy to further compound the problem of increasing health insurance costs? Democrats apparently answer "YES." Republicans, on the other hand, answer "NO," instead choosing to pursue the alternatives highlighted by Mackey. Let's hope that after they have had a chance to hear from their constitutents that the Democrat members of Congress have a change of heart.

Seniors Know ObamaCare Means Rationing

It has been interesting to watch the members of Congress as they attempt to deal with citizen discontent over the Democrats' plan to nationalize our health care system. Americans are rightfully scared over what 535 members of Congress--yes, the same Congress that gave us "cash for clunkers" --will do as they attempt to centrally plan 16 percent of our economy. The citizen discontent is real--and the Democrats ignore it at their own peril.



As Peggy Noonan wrote in her Saturday column,

[T]he Democratic response has been stunningly crude and aggressive. It has been to attack. Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, accused the people at the meetings of “carrying swastikas and symbols like that.” (Apparently one protester held a hand-lettered sign with a “no” slash over a swastika.) But they are not Nazis, they’re Americans. Some of them looked like they’d actually spent some time fighting Nazis.

As I have watched the videos of these town hall meetings, it has been interesting to see that a significant number of those opposing nationalized health care are senior citizens. That's true nationally, and true here in Nebraska as well. The outrage of our nation's seniors has not gone unnoticed and was confirmed by a recent Washington Post article.


Senior citizens understand what the Democrats' proposed government takeover of health care means.


It means rationing.

And it means a loss of additional freedoms as government will decide who gets care, what kind of care they get, and when they get it.



That's not the America that so many of our seniors fought to protect and preserve. They understand that--a lot better than the Ben Nelsons, Harry Reids and Nancy Pelosis.

Nebraska Democrats' Arrogance Abounds

Nebraska newspapers are reporting that a statue of a young Ben Nelson is being erected in McCook. The statue, which apparently costs $70,000, is being funded through a donation from the McCook Foundation via the Nebraska Community Foundation.

Turns out that Ben Nelson donated the land on which the statue will be erected.

Hmmm. Wonder who donated the money to the McCook Foundation (or the Nebraska Community Foundation, previously run by Nelson's former Lt. Governor Maxine Moul)?

You have to hand it to Washington Ben Nelson and his fellow Democrats like Tom White. They take the cake when it comes to hubris and narcissism.

Tom White: Admit or Deny

Most Nebraskans probably don't know that Tom White makes his living as a trial lawyer. As an attorney, he's very familiar with federal and state court rules, including those rules that apply to what attorneys call "discovery," which is the process of requesting and gathering information in preparation for trial. One discovery device is called a "request for admissions" whereby a party is asked to admit or deny a specific statement; if the party doesn't respond appropriately within 30 days the statement is deemed admitted. It's a great way to pin down a party who is being evasive and won't give precise answers to precise questions.

In recent years, those rare instances where Nebraskans have supported Democrats have come as a result of Democrat candidates hiding the truth as to what they plan to do if elected. It's only after these stealth candidates have misled Nebraska voters that we learn of their real intentions.

Case in point: Democrat Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle was elected by remaining completely silent on the critical issues facing Omaha; now that he has been elected and his positions are coming to light, Omahans are having "buyer's remorse" and Suttle is already the target of recall efforts.

Tom White claims to be "exploring" a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives--he wants Nebraskans to throw out Congressman Lee Terry, someone whose positions mirror those of the Second District and who currently serves as the dean of our state's congressional delegation.

Let's not let Tom White be a stealth candidate and pull the same Nebraska Democrat trick that Jim Suttle did.

Tom White: where do you stand on the issues?

So as to not let Tom White avoid answering the questions, I'm publishing 5 Requests for Admissions that the Nebraska Republican Party is asking him to definitely answer on or before Friday, September 4, 2009. In the event White chooses to continue to hide his positions and not respond, the Nebraska Republican Party will conclude that each of the 5 Requests set forth below are ADMITTED by Tom White and we will proceed to educate the voters of the Second Congressional District of what exactly he plans to do if elected.

Request No. 1: Admit or deny that if you were a member of the current Congress you would have voted IN FAVOR of H.R. 2454, the House version of the "cap-and-trade" legislation.

Request No. 2: Admit or deny that if you were a member of the last (110th) Congress you would have voted IN FAVOR of H.R. 800, the House's version of the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act," otherwise known as "card check."

Request No. 3: Admit or deny that if you were a member of the current Congress you would have voted IN FAVOR of the $787 billion so-called "stimulus" legislation passed by the House and Senate on February 13, 2009.

Request No. 4: Admit or deny that if you were a member of the current Congress you would have voted along with the other Democrats and voted AGAINST an amendment offered by Congressman Lee Terry on the version of health care legislation that was marked-up and advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 31, 2009; that amendment would have provided all Americans with access to the same health insurance plan that members of Congress have.

Request No. 5: Admit or deny that, if elected, you will vote to re-elect Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The clock is running. We look forward to learning of your responses on or before September 4, 2009.

Freedom: The Defining Issue in 2010?

I have long believed that the foundation of the Republican Party is built upon three basic principles: responsibility, security and freedom. As the issues and public opinion continue to crystalize it will become clear that the fundamental issue that currently separates Republicans and Democrats is freedom.

Since January the Democrats have made it clear they want Americans to have less freedom. Nationalization of industries. Increased regulation of our lives. Higher taxes so we have less money to spend personally. And now, socialized medicine where the federal government will decide what kind of health care you will receive, if any at all.

Others are noticing this as well. As Peggy Noonan points out in her Wall St. Journal opinion piece, Americans are beginning to understand that the Democrats' agenda means less freedom:

So this might be an unarticulated public fear: When everyone pays for the same
health-care system, the overseers will feel more and more a right to tell you
how to live, which simple joys are allowed and which are not.

Americans in the most personal, daily ways feel they are less free than they used to be. And they are right, they are less free.

Who wants more of that?

The Republicans are clearly on the side of the American people on this defining issue. Nancy Pelosi, Tom White and their fellow liberal Democrats are clearly on the wrong side.

After all: Freedom beats Hope.

The Democrats' "Stimulus": A Job Killer

Unfortunately for Sen. Ben Nelson, Tom White and the other liberal Democrats in Nebraska, the so-called "stimulus" bill is turning out to be an abysmal failure. Here's a very accurate demonstration of what the Democrats' "stimulus" plan has done for job creation in America.

And the worst is yet to come since the bill for the ill-conceived government spending spree is being handed to our children and grandchildren.

Simply put: irresponsible.

Government Takeover of Health Care

If they get their way, here's what the Democrat-created nationalized health care system might look like.

Washington Ben Nelson: "Thanks to me the sun will come up tomorrow!"

Now that he no longer has to cower in the shadow of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, Sen. Ben Nelson has developed the rather odious habit of taking credit for virtually everything that happens in Washington and beyond, regardless of whether he had anything to do with it or not and without giving proper credit to those who actually did the work.

Latest example: Last Thursday Washington Ben decided to blast out a press release claiming credit for something that had already been announced by the Pentagon about a month ago. Nelson, who is a member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee, was apparently told by the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday that StratCom at Offutt AFB will have a “very significant” role in overseeing cyber-security efforts. Despite the fact that it is old news (if news at all), the release, and the subsequent Omaha World-Herald story, give the impression that Nelson just brokered some great deal for Nebraska.

Hardly.

Perhaps the press release is penitential for Nelson's failure to protect Offutt AFB and Sarpy County. At a minimum it demonstrates a character flaw in Nelson, i.e., the need to overstate one's importance, the need to take credit for the work of others and the failure to acknowledge the hard work of others (e.g., Congressman Lee Terry and Senator Mike Johanns).

Nelson has been a politician for a long, long time, and I don't expect him to correct this character flaw overnight. So, in the meantime, expect headlines like the following to flow from Nelson and his Senate office:

NELSON: THANKS TO ME THE SUN WILL COME UP TOMORROW

HUSKERS TO WIN HOME FOOTBALL OPENER--SEN. BEN NELSON FIGHTS FOR NEBRASKA

NELSON WORKING HARD TO ENSURE NEW YORK YANKEES HAVE HIGHEST MLB PAYROLL

Tommy Obama?

To no one's surprise Democrat State Senator Tom White is taking the traditional next step towards announcing that he plans to run for the House of Representatives in 2010. According to an article in this morning's Omaha World-Herald, White is forming an exploratory committee that will permit him to raise and spend campaign funds without officially announcing his candidacy.

Based upon the article, it appears that White is hitching his star to President Barack Obama:

"[White] said the party needs to capitalize on President Barack Obama winning an electoral vote in the 2nd Congressional District.

“The Obama people are still here. The people who were energized by his campaign, the people who filled the convention center (for an Obama visit) are still here, the people who came to the caucuses are still here,” said White.



So White plans to run as Tommy Obama?

A few thoughts:

• President Obama won't be on the ballot in the 2nd District in 2010. Instead, the 2010 election will be about a landslide re-election for Governor Dave Heineman, Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Treasurer Shane Osborn, State Auditor Mike Foley and Secretary of State John Gale. And who is it that is driving turnout for the Democrats?
• The 2010 election will be a referendum on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Congress. Don't believe me? Ask Omaha Democrat Paul Landow, who was formerly the top aide to 2nd District Democrat Congressman Peter Hoagland--the last Democrat to represent the 2nd District. 2010 will be 1994 all over again. We're just 6 months into the current congressional session and the House Democrats have managed to pass legislation increasing our tax burden, expanding the federal government, indebting our children and grandchildren, and eliminating the freedoms we hold dear. That's the agenda Tom White wants to get to Washington to support. Nebraska voters understand that Congressman Lee Terry represents a check-and-balance on this looniness coming out of Washington.
• White will be forced to deal with: (a) an ineffective Omaha Mayor--Jim Suttle--who is the primary representative of the Democratic Party in the 2nd District; or (b) a Republican Omaha Mayor who will have replaced Suttle after he is recalled later this year.
• Regardless of the national political environment or state of Omaha City Hall in November 2010, White will be forced to face his own record in the state legislature as one of the most partisan, divisive and arrogant legislators in Nebraska history. That will be contrasted with Congressman Lee Terry, an affable Omahan who is widely recognized by his bipartisan efforts in the House of Representatives.