Mark That Down

Ben Nelson's "Hoagland Strategy"

2011-08-25T23:34:00.001-05:00

It's August 2011. The next general election will not be held for some 14 months, yet Sen. Ben Nelson is up with ads attempting to reverse his dismal poll numbers, and attacking his Republican opponents through a malicious direct mail fundraising appeal and full-page newspaper ads. What gives?

It's a well-known fact that Nelson's poll numbers suck. A media contact told me that he had recently seen poll numbers that showed Nelson getting beat by Republicans Jon Bruning, Deb Fischer, Pat Flynn and Don Stenberg. Nelson still can't make public appearances that are not strictly controlled; he held not one town hall meeting in the month of August, while his colleague, Sen. Mike Johanns, criss-crossed the state and held nearly 20. Those who've seen him or heard him speak in recent weeks report he looks old (he's threescore and ten years old), tired, broken (arm in a sling), bitter and frankly not ready for running for reelection. He's become the Crazy Great Uncle Ben who everyone avoids at the family picnic.

Whether Nelson runs for reelection remains to be seen. If he doesn't, he can take his federal campaign funds and pour them into his Nelson Institute Fund, and endow the Ben Nelson Chair for Socialized Medicine at the University of Nebraska or buy more statues of himself for McCook.

However, if he runs, what kind of reelection campaign Nelson intends is clear. It's the Hoagland Reelect. The late Peter Hoagland, who represented Nebraska's Second Congressional District from 1989 to 1994, repeatedly ignored the wishes of his constituents and supported liberal legislation on EMPLOYER MANDATES FOR HEALTH CARE (sound familiar?) and other issues. After facing a nail biter reelection in 1992 and being "upside down" as far as his positive and negative poll numbers (sound familiar?), Hoagland and his advisers decided that the only way to be reelected in 1994 was to attack his Republican opponent Jon Christensen incessantly (sound familiar?). Indeed, Hoagland went up with negative campaign ads against Christensen mere hours after the May 1994 primary and never went "dark" until election day. And how many positive ads did Hoagland run about Hoagland and his record? Zero.

Hoagland's tactics, like Nelson's current tactics, were negative, bitter, divisive and often false. Hoagland ran an ad featuring an Omaha school teacher claiming that Christensen came to her door campaigning and advocating book banning. Christensen denied the claim and took a lie detector test to establish his veracity. Hoagland challenged the results, which led the Omaha World-Herald to offer to administer the test, which Christensen willingly agreed to. Christensen passed with flying colors. But that didn't stop Hoagland and his ad visors. The negative, nasty and false ads continued, and the Wall St. Journal labeled the campaign the most negative campaign in America.

Did it work for the Democrats? Depends on what their goal was. Christensen won the election by a slim margin of less than 2,000 votes. However, Hoagland's incessant negative campaign damaged democracy as a whole and forced Christensen to spend over $1 million in 1996 just to reintroduce himself to Nebraskans and overcome the lies perpetuated by Democrats and their Union Boss allies.

Nelson hopes that his Hoagland Strategy will be more successful than the 1994 campaign run by its namesake. It won't be. Nebraskans are fed up with Ben Nelson, politicians who embarrass our state with moves like the Cornhusker Kickback and vote against the interests of our citizens, and who will deceive and denigrate others just to hold onto a public office that rightly belongs to us--the citizens. I look forward to joining my fellow Nebraskans in giving Ben the boot on November 6, 2012.

Wanna Give Ben the Boot?

2011-07-01T12:18:00.000-05:00

If you want to sign this handsome boot and help us Give Ben Nelson the Boot, just e-mail Erin at the NEGOP (erin@negop.org). Make a contribution of $100 or more and we'll give you a great place to sign in John Hancock-like fashion.

Our Culture--Observations on the Passing Scene

2011-06-24T22:35:00.000-05:00

As I sit home tonight with my 3 daughters (with my wife out of town), I've been confronted with America's changing culture and to observe what's good and what's not so good in America.

While flipping through channels tonight, we came across a channel featuring people cheering and protesting in New York. When my daughters asked what the commotion was about, I changed the subject. I'm not sure 13, 10, or 8 years old is an appropriate age to tell my daughters that policy makers decided that the State of New York should give its stamp of approval on homosexual marriage. Opinions obviously vary, but it's a legitimate debate whether government should give its imprimatur. I, as well as the Nebraska Republican Party, support the concept of marriage being one man and one woman.

Instead, we flipped the channel to the College World Series game of South Carolina versus Virgina, which is now well into extra innings. It's about what's good and right in America. Young men competing, out for out, bunt for bunt. It's a classic battle, one of virtue, and one that will go down in CWS history.

Let the Games Begin

2011-06-14T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here's the first video salvo from the Romney campaign:

Thoughts?

Who won last night's Republican Presidential Candidate debate in New Hampshire?

Yawn . . . Obama Announces his Reelection Campaign

2011-04-04T17:45:00.000-05:00

And the reaction?

A Tale of Two Senators

2011-02-02T21:46:00.000-06:00

Nebraska Statesman

Father of the Cornhusker Kickback

Today, the U.S. Senate voted on the McConnell Amendment, which mirrored the bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal ObamaCare. This amendment represented the first step in the Republican plan to "Repeal and Replace" the federal takeover of health care that was enacted thanks to the decisive 60th vote cast by Senator Ben Nelson.

Senator Nelson has had plenty of time to reflect upon his ObamaCare vote and the embarrassment he brought upon our great state as a result of his sleazy Cornhusker Kickback. He's now had plenty of time to actually read the entire legislation (something he had not done at the time he cast the deciding vote). He's had access to the numerous studies that demonstrate that this bill does absolutely nothing to control costs, and represents the greatest expansion of government in our lifetimes.

So how did he vote on the McConnell Amendment?

Party line--in favor of ObamaCare (again). And since the Democrats still control the Senate, the McConnell Amendment failed. Sen. Nelson sold his soul to Harry Reid when he voted in favor of ObamaCare the first time. Apparently he's decided there's no going back, truth be damned.

Nebraska's other senator, Sen. Mike Johanns, listened to Nebraskans and voted in favor of the McConnell Amendment. Sen. Johanns understands that he represents Nebraskans, rather than dictating to us what he thinks is in our best interests.

In addition, Sen. Johanns successfully led the effort to repeal the insane requirement of ObamaCare that businesses of all sizes file Form 1099s with the IRS for purchases large and small. But the Democrats refused to recognize Sen. Johanns leadership. Instead, they made cosmetic changes to the Johanns' proposal and let another endangered Democrat, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, put her name on it, and it passed overwhelmingly.

The Democrat's legislative games were accurately described in Human Events:

Sen. Mike Johanns (R.-Neb.) spent almost a year pushing for repeal of the 1099 tax paperwork mandate. Last week, he announced that he had finally gotten 60 co-sponsors, enough to ensure passage of his bill.

Then this week, the Democrats took Johnanns’ amendment, changed six words, and introduced it as the “Stabenow Amendment.”

“It really is the same amendment,” Johanns said at a press conference after the vote. “I’m actually kinda flattered.”

“It turns out Sen. Johanns did such an outstanding job raising awareness about the 1099 requirement that Democrats took the idea and are now claiming it as their own,” said McConnell, mocking the Democrats’ plagiarism. “It’s not a bad precedent actually. We’ve got a lot of other good ideas that we’d be happy to share.”

For Nebraskans, it truly is a tale of two Senators. On one hand, we have Mike Johanns. He listens. He represents us. He remembers where he comes from. On the other (left) hand, we have Ben Nelson. He's been in office too long. He thinks he knows better than us. And it's time to give Ben the boot.

Saul Anuzis for RNC Chair

2011-01-12T14:48:00.000-06:00

I’m currently in Washington, DC for the Winter meeting of the Republican National Committee (RNC). As Chair of the Nebraska Republican Party, I am one of the 168 voting members of the RNC (along with Nebraska National Committeewoman De Carlson and National Committeeman Pete Ricketts). On Friday, RNC officer elections will occur, including election of the RNC Chair who will lead our national party organization for the 2012 election cycle. Current RNC Chair Michael Steele is seeking re-election to another 2 year term, and he has 4 announced challengers who remain in the race: Saul Anuzis, Maria Cino, Reince Preibus and Ann Wagner.

Late last year I endorsed Saul Anuzis for RNC Chair. Why? The reasons are many, but here are the primary ones:

• Saul fits the job description. The job description for the office of RNC Chair for the 2012 election is different than what was required in 2010. Republicans (and therefore the people) have retaken control of the House of Representatives. Thus, we have Speaker Boehner as our national spokesman. Soon the 2012 presidential campaigns will kick into high gear and a large number of Republicans will step forward and serve as spokespersons, not only for their own respective candidacies but for our party as well. In January 2009 we needed an articulate spokesperson who could take on President Obama and congressional Democrats, and Chairman Steele fit the bill. In January 2011, we need someone who:

o is a workhorse, not a show horse—someone who is willing to work behind the scenes with little or no fanfare;

o will restore the credibility of the RNC with donors, activists and donors;

o knows how to raise money in a cost-effective manner (what counts is net, not gross); and

o understands that the thought of a 72-hour program in today’s early voting era is now obsolete and that we need to move to a 30 or 45 day GOTV program.

Saul Anuzis satisfies each of these essential requirements.

• Saul understands the potential and limitations of technology. Saul has been a leader—perhaps THE leader—in Republican politics when it comes to adapting modern technology and social media and implementing it to the benefit of the Republican Party and its candidates. Chairman Steele tapped Saul to serve as Chair of the RNC’s Technology Committee (on which I serve), and during Saul’s tenure the RNC gained ground. But much remains to be done. According to Saul, we must take “our Internet campaign beyond just our web site, infusing social networking and mobile communications into everything we do. Our goal is to equip Republican and conservative activists with tools that will let them take action anytime of the day or night, no matter where they are. Think of it as having a Victory Center in every home, or on every cell phone.”

• Saul is a friend of Nebraska. My predecessor, State Board of Education Commissioner (and former State Senator) Mark Quandahl told me early on that had he chosen to serve another term as NEGOP Chair back in 2009 he would have strongly endorsed Saul for RNC Chair. Saul travelled to Nebraska in early 2009 to attend a Douglas County Republican Party event and to visit with me and Pete Ricketts about his ideas for the RNC and to ask for our votes. While Saul was not elected back in 2009, he has remained in contact and has continued to express an interest in Nebraska politics and helping us to elect more Republicans in Nebraska. Simply put, Saul is a friend of the Cornhusker State, and Nebraska Republicans should know that we would be well served by having Saul Anuzis as the next RNC Chair.

Thanks and Let's Give Ben the Boot!

2011-01-09T20:34:00.002-06:00

A word of thanks to my fellow Republicans who kindly elected me to a second 2-year term as Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve and look forward to working together to give Ben Nelson the boot in 2012 and electing a Republican who doesn't support ObamaCare, wasteful earmarks and won't embarrass us with sleazy backroom deals like Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback.

At Saturday's Republican State Central Committee longtime Republican leader Tim O'Dell presented the NEGOP with a size 20 custom made boot--a single left boot given Nelson's support for liberal policies like ObamaCare--with the hand stitched lettering "Cornhuskers Kick Back". Those contributing $100 or more to our Give Ben the Boot effort will have the opportunity to sign the boot. It's fitting that the first contributor and signer was former NEGOP Chair and Omaha City Councilman Chuck Sigerson since he spent so much time educating Nebraskans on Nelson's penchant for breaking his promises, including his broken promise not to run for the U.S. Senate that helped lead to his eventual loss to Chuck Hagel.

If you are interested in contributing and signing the boot, call the NEGOP headquarters at 402.475.2122, or e-mail Erin at erin@negop.org to make arrangements.

Ben Nelson: One of the Worst Members of Congress

2010-12-28T19:36:00.001-06:00

On a recent business trip I had the opportunity to peruse a stack of periodicals that piled up during the 2010 election cycle. One of the magazines was the November issue of Esquire, a magazine that I received as a gift. One article sought to identify the 10 Best and Worst Members of Congress.

And guess who appeared among the "Worst Members of Congress" right alongside Rep. Charlie Rangel?

The Father of the Cornhusker Kickback--Senator Ben Nelson.

Here are a few excerpts from the Esquire piece:

Once the coveted "sixtieth vote," Nelson, the most obstreperous Democrat in the Senate, maneuvered for a sweet deal for his home state to have its mandated expansion of Medicaid paid for by the federal government permanently in order to get his vote for health-care reform. This is a deal no other state gets. Republicans mocked this arrangement as the "Cornhusker Kickback," and Nelson was stunned to find that every last person in his home state was horribly embarrassed by his deal; he muttered that it was all a misunderstanding, and it was really all about abortion funding anyway, which is one of his standby excuses for everything. Antiabortion groups, once stalwarts for the senator, decided that they didn't trust him, either. Now no one trusts him, and he has been tarred with a catchy new name for the stupid thing he did, which imperiled the passage of health-care reform. In the end, Harry Reid found a way to pass the House bill without Nelson's vote, and Nelson was compelled, pathetically, to plead that his sweet deal be removed from the final bill. Because that's how Ben Nelson rolls.

And the people cheered: "Twenty-Twelve. Twenty-Twelve. Twenty-Twelve."

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T21:32:00.000-06:00

Earmark Earl

2010-12-18T13:22:00.000-06:00

In recent weeks Sen. E. (Earl? Earmark?) Benjamin Nelson has become quite defensive about his support for federal earmarks. Every other member of Nebraska's congressional delegation--including his fellow Senator Mike Johanns--has announced his support for a ban on earmarks. Sen. Johanns put it best: the current earmark process is "simply not open, transparent or merit-based."

And where does Sen. Nelson--the architect of the Cornhusker Kickback--stand? Firmly on the side of business-as-usual.

Nelson has attempted to portray his support for this antiquated form of political cronyism as fighting for Nebraska's share of the federal pie. What Nelson doesn't tell us is that in order for him to get federal money for the National Wild Turkey Federation, he has to agree to support the pork submitted by other Senators, including bridges to nowhere. And apparently he's more than happy to cut that deal.

Let's decide the issue once and for all. Potential Republican Senate candidate Attorney General Jon Bruning has come out firmly in opposition to earmarks, and I'm quite confident that every Republican candidate for Nebraska's Senate seat will as well. The November 2012 election can be a referendum on the earmarks and backroom deals that have become the hallmark of Nelson's time in public office.

On November 6, 2012, Nebraska voters can decide whether they approve of the current federal earmark process and deals like the Cornhusker Kickback. If they support business-as-usual, they should vote for Sen. Nelson. If they oppose these practices and want more transparency and integrity in Congress, they should vote for the Republican nominee.

The Democrats and their TSA

2010-11-21T15:53:00.001-06:00

The Obama Administration's recent policy change in favor of full-body scans and pat-downs at the airport has appropriately drawn the ire of the vast majority of Americans who are sick and tired of the federal government expanding its reach further and further into our personal lives and pocketbooks. It's symbolic of what today's Democrats stand for.

As noted in a recent piece by award-winning syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer, "Don't Touch My Junk" has become a battle cry for Americans who have grown weary over the increasingly intrusive federal government:

Don't touch my junk is the anthem of the modern man, the Tea Party patriot, the late-life libertarian, the midterm election voter. Don't touch my junk, Obamacare - get out of my doctor's examining room, I'm wearing a paper-thin gown slit down the back. Don't touch my junk, Google - Street View is cool, but get off my street. Don't touch my junk, you airport security goon - my package belongs to no one but me, and do you really think I'm a Nigerian nut job preparing for my 72-virgin orgy by blowing my johnson to kingdom come?

YouTube and other websites are already filling up with footage of these outrageous searches being conducted because the Democrats are too politically correct to admit that we've got a pretty good idea of the profile of a suspected terrorist and it's not a small child or elderly disabled woman.

If the Obama Administration's policy remains in place, I'd suggest TSA give serious consideration to hiring Texas A&M defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddy once he graduates. With the job he did on Nebraska's Ben Cotton during Saturday night's game, he appears to be well trained in the techniques the Obama TSA seeks to employ.

Nebraskans Still Don't Care for Ben Nelson and his Cornhusker Kickback

2010-11-09T21:49:00.001-06:00

After last Tuesday's election, we knew that all attention would turn to Senator Ben Nelson and the 2012 Senate race. Consequently, we felt it was an appropriate time to determine whether Nebraskans had forgiven Senator Nelson for his sleazy Cornhusker Kickback and to see how Senator Nelson would do if challenged by the likes of Attorney General Jon Bruning. So, we commissioned a poll of about 500 Nebraskans last week to gauge their feelings on Ben Nelson and the 2012 Senate race.

Today, we published the results of that statewide survey; it shows a majority of Nebraska voters still wants to give Ben Nelson the boot and choose a new United States Senator. According to the survey, only 36% of respondents said Nelson deserves reelection, while 55% said it was time to give someone else the chance to do better.

The survey found that 43% held an unfavorable opinion of Ben Nelson. Barack Obama proved equally unpopular, with 58% of respondents holding an unfavorable opinion of the President. Meanwhile, the survey also found that Governor Dave Heineman remains one of the most popular governors in the country, with an approval rating of 69%.

Perhaps most importantly, Nelson badly trailed Attorney General Jon Bruning 50% to 35% in a head-to-head match up.
Senator Nelson's spokesman (former Omaha World-Herald reporter Jake Thompson) believes these results are good for Senator Nelson. For that bit of nonsense, I'll give the Nelson office the Tariq Aziz Award of Political Spin.

The 2012 Senate Race and Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback

2010-11-04T22:01:00.001-05:00

From a purely political perspective, today was "Senate 2012" day in Nebraska. Governor Dave Heineman candidly and forthrightly told Nebraskans that he loves being governor, and will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2012. Tomorrow Attorney General Jon Bruning will likely announce his candidacy, and it's quite possible that other Republicans will soon follow.

What's that all mean? Well, Ben Nelson and his sleazy Cornhusker Kickback are back in the spotlight.

Recently, my wife watched a PBS Frontline special on ObamaCare. Although most know that Frontline is editorially left-of-center, the ObamaCare documentary had an accurate segment on Sen. Ben Nelson and how he sold his vote for Obama Care. If you haven't seen it, here's the relevant chapter:

Take a special look at the image at 5:35. Rest assured that will be seen again, and again, and again . . . .

Ben Nelson embarrassed Nebraska with his Cornhusker Kickback. He seeded a national cloud of doubt about the honesty and integrity of all Nebraskans. In November 2012, we will elect a new Senator who will listen to Nebraskans, someone who won't engage in sleazy backroom deals like Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback.

See you in 2012

2010-11-02T23:43:00.001-05:00

Decision Day

2010-11-02T08:32:00.000-05:00

It's Election Day. By later tonight, we'll hopefully know whether the ship has been righted and balance has been restored in Washington, DC. We'll know whether Nebraskans have granted our Republican House members and constitutional officers the honor of serving another term in office. And we'll know whether Nebraskans have given Governor Heineman more Republican state senators to help him fight off attempts by the liberal Democrats to raise our taxes and expand the size, scope and cost of our state government.

A lot of work has gone into these elections. Regardless of the outcomes, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our candidates and their families. They have made significant sacrifices, and some have endured reprehensible personal attacks from Democrats and their liberal allies. I want to thank our entire Nebraska Republican Party staff and the hundreds of volunteers (not just including the hundred or so members of the Gage family!) who staffed our phone banks and went door-to-door, all because they are rightly concerned about where the Obama/Pelosi Democrats are taking our great nation.

Now, in the words of Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, "What 'r we waitin' for?!" Get out and WIN this election for Nebraska and America!

SEND A MESSAGE! GET OUT AND VOTE!

BREAKING NEWS: Nebraska Union Bosses Paying "Volunteers" to Support Democrats

2010-11-01T14:31:00.004-05:00

I just received this e-mail forwarded from a citizen who was concerned that his union--the Nebraska State Education Association--was paying people $20/hour to "volunteer" to support of Democrat legislative candidates Danielle Nantkes-Conrad and Amanda McGill in Lincoln and Teresa Whitehead in Papillion.
Here's the message:

-----Original Message-----

From: Kilgarin, Karen [NE]
Sent: Mon 11/1/2010 11:27 AM
To: Nebraska List Staff with LEA-OEA
Subject: ALERT: Walkers needed Tuesday! $20/hr

ATTENTION:

We need your help tomorrow walking targeted districts in both Lincoln & Omaha! All walkers and participants will be paid $20/hour for their time and services.

• In Lincoln, the two targeted walking districts will be LD 26, Senator Amanda McGill's legislative district, and LD 46, Senator Danielle Conrad's district.

The meeting place for Lincoln walkers will be the Lincoln Labor Temple, address below (all activities to begin at 12 noon):

Lincoln Labor Temple
4625 Y Street
Lincoln, NE 68503

• In the Papillion/La Vista/Bellevue area, the targeted walking district will be LD 14, candidate Teresa Whitehead's legislative district.

The meeting place for this district will be at candidate Whitehead's home, address below (all activities to begin at 12 noon):

The home of Teresa & Bruce Whitehead
6201 Kentucky Road
Papillion, NE 68113

Note: We will be hitting up all ID'd support households in these districts.

As you know, these are extremely important legislative races and we need all the ready, willing and able volunteers we can get.

*Please forward this email to all members, supporters and willing participants that you know in the area that are available tomorrow.

Please respond to me by email by 3 pm today and we can get you signed-up!

Thank you.

Aaron Farber

Aaron A. Farber
Senior Research Analyst
American Communications Group, Inc.
1141 H Street, Suite B
Lincoln, NE 68508
farber@acgusa.net

That's what Nebraskans are up against. Union bosses paying "volunteers" to support Democrats.

Can you help us combat these well-funded Union bosses today, tonight and on Election Day? Can you give us 1 hour of your time? If so, call Taylor Gage at 402.475.2122 or e-mail him at taylor@negop.org if you can help!

Nebraska and America need your help NOW!

24 Hours Before We Win America Back

2010-10-31T20:31:00.000-05:00

In just a few hours Election Day will be upon us. Both here in Nebraska as well as throughout the nation, Republicans and Independents remain excited about Tuesday's elections. Our folks are enthusiastically manning phone banks and going door-to-door to make sure every center-right voter in America votes on Tuesday.

The Democrats, on the other hand, are struggling to energize their liberal voters. Reports are that President Obama is speaking to half-filled auditoriums. In Lincoln, Democrats are also struggling with motivating their base, so today they brought out their secret weapon:

Coleen Seng, former mayor of Lincoln!

Yes, former Mayor Seng was the big draw at the Nebraska Democrat's "rally" today in Lincoln in Havelock. And what a rally it was. By our spotter's count there were 28 people in attendance, most of whom were candidates, candidate representatives, or members of the loony left supporting Ivy Harper for Congress. The "rally" waited and waited, first for Mayor Chris Beutler, and then the media, who never showed. But one has to assume that everyone was there to hear old Mayor Seng herself. It truly is a sign of the sad shape of the Democrat party that they have to rely upon the most unenergetic, unenthusiastic, uninspiring former elected official to "fire up" the base.

And why did the Democrats have to schedule this last minute "rally"? Their polling, and likely the polling of their affiliate Nebraska State Education Association (conducting sleazy political attacks under the pseudonym "Nebraskans for Responsible Government"), shows what our polling shows--incumbent Democrat Danielle Nantkes-Conrad is trailing in the polls to Republican small businessman Chad Wright, and incumbent Democrat Amanda McGill is in a dead heat with newcomer Republican Tom Dierks.

In recent days Nantkes-Conrad, McGill and their supporters have engaged in what may turn out to be the most dishonest campaign in Nebraska history.

Mailers and telephone calls are going into these races claiming that Nantkes-Conrad and McGill are actually in line with Governor Heineman (FALSE--both have repeatedly opposed his agenda of lower taxes and less spending and Governor Heineman has endorsed Wright and Dierks). These same dishonest propaganda pieces also distort their record on illegal immigration (both Nantkes-Conrad and McGill SUPPORT giving taxpayer-funded benefits to people who are in the United States illegally; their Republican opponents do not).

Are you fed up with the dishonesty of the Democrats and the union bosses and other special interests that support their failed agenda? If so, join me in:

Phone banking at the Nebraska Republican Party at 16th & N Street on Monday (we'll order in food for lunch and will call until 9 p.m) and Tuesday (same deal--we'll call until the polling places are closed). Can you give us at least 1 hour in the next 2 days to help us fight back the Democrats deceitful campaign????;
Going door-to-door in targeted precincts--stop by and we'll give you a packet and instructions. Again, we can give you a packet that will take just 1 hour; and
Voting Republican on Tuesday--your Republican Voter's Guide can be found here. We need to send a message that Nebraska stands with the rest of the nation in opposing the radical Obama/Pelosi agenda and the dishonesty of today's Democrat Party and the liberal special interests that support their deceitful efforts.

REMEMBER NOVEMBER!

The Time is Now!

2010-10-25T06:22:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite grassroots activities each election cycle is door-to-door. Recently I had the pleasure of going door-to-door with my 3 daughters in support of John Knabe for Nebraska Legislature. We were warmly received by voters (most of whom had no idea that they were supposedly "represented" by Democrat Norm Wallman), as was the Republican message.

We're now in the final stretch. While it is true that most of Republican candidates face little or no opposition here in Nebraska (another reason why Nebraska is "The Good Life"), we need to let America know that we do not like the direction the Democrats are taking our country. If we are going to send a message that will be heard across our country, NOW IS THE TIME. It's imperative in these next few days to get Republicans and right-center Independents out to vote. If you have even 1 hour to give to help make phone calls or go door-to-door in these last few days, please contact Taylor Gage at taylor@negop.org or call him at 402.475.2122.

Remember November and be certain to vote on November 2.

Nebraska Democrats Continue to Run Stealth Candidates

2010-10-15T23:24:00.000-05:00

Today I received in my mail the 2010 Voter's Guide from Family First. This factual, issue-oriented guide provides voters with important information on candidate views on issues such as illegal immigration, gambling, right-to-work, abortion, homosexuality, health care and the Commission of Industrial Relations (responsible for interpreting and enforcing the law that has resulted in significant property tax increases across our state).

Relevant information, right?

Apparently the Democrats don't want you to know what their positions on these issues are. Democrat candidates such as Steve Lathrop (the master liberal stealth candidate), Teresa Whitehead (who, when telling the truth, admits she supports ObamaCare and wants to boycott Arizona for opposing illegal immigration), Kent Rogert (a solid Democrat vote when they need him), Amanda McGill (who doesn't want her district to know she supports infanticide), Norm Wallman (still waiting for some Union boss to fill out the form for him) and Danielle Conrad Nantkes (perhaps the most liberal senator since Ernie Chambers).

Nebraska voters need to hold these Democrats accountable for their failure to answer and be honest with voters as to what their positions are. This is what Nebraska Democrats have been reduced to--deny, lie, hide and hope that you'll get elected.

Mike Flood--A Leader for Nebraska's Future

2010-10-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

A special congratulations goes out to Speaker Mike Flood for being recognized as one of Time Magazine's "40 Under 40." An honor well-deserved for a conservative Republican who has worked hard to represent his district and our great state. Senator Flood has a very bright future ahead, indeed.

Friday's (True) Folly

2010-10-08T16:39:00.000-05:00

Couldn't pass up sharing this e-mail I received from a trustworthy friend yesterday:

I was leaving Montgomery, AL airport earlier this week and the TSA agent checking my ID asked-

TSA Guy: Nebraska, huh?

Me: (awaiting a Husker comment, I responded) Yes, sir.

TSA Guy: Isn't that where Ben Nelson is from?

Me: Unfortunately, why?

TSA Guy: Isn't he the one who did the Cornhusker Kickback?

Me: Unfortunately, yes.

TSA Guy: He needs to go.

Me: I couldn't agree more.

The Truth About Democrat Theresa Whitehead

2010-10-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

Democrat legislative candidate Theresa Whitehead has taken a page out of the Nebraska Democrat playbook in her attempt to get elected. Page One: Don't tell anyone you are a Democrat. Page Two: Intentionally mislead voters to think you are actually a conservative Republican.

Well, before the Democrat Party handlers got ahold of her, candidate Whitehead was candid with a few voters about her enthusiasm for the Obama Administration and its plan to nationalize our health care system, her support of amnesty for illegals, and her rather extreme decision to personally boycott the State of Arizona over its decision to address the issue the illegal immigration. We felt it was important that voters knew the truth about Theresa Whitehead, so we sent out an educational piece to Sarpy County voters:

Voters have a choice. Republican Jim Smith is a small businessman who understands the needs of the Papillion community. He'll work hard to balance our budget without raising taxes, and he won't support giving taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants.

Tim Gay admirably represented this district, and Jim Smith is a great replacement. His views mirror those of the district. Theresa Whitehead's views, when she's telling the truth, do not.

Four Weeks Until We Take Our Country Back

2010-10-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

Another Great Week on the Road to Victory

2010-10-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

It's now officially less than one month until Election Day when we send the message that we do not want our nation to continue down the road to socialism that the Obama/Pelosi/White Democrats are taking us. As Election Day draws near, we continue to feel the momentum build here in Nebraska, and this past weekend was no exception.

On Friday night we held our HALapalooza fundraising roast of former Omaha Mayor/U.S. Congressman Hal Daub. It was a great event--we actually oversold the event and had to find additional tables for the 40+ unexpected guests who showed up to honor Hal and help out the NEGOP. The event exceeded all our goals--including the honoring Hal and his achievements and having some fun doing it.

On Saturday we held our State Central Committee meeting at Bellevue University, where we were treated with a great speech by former Congressman Jon Christensen. Congressman Christensen was first elected in 1994, the historic election during which the Republicans overtook control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. Congressman Christensen told attendees that the energy level this year is even higher than in 1994, but that we must make sure that we keep the energy and momentum going thru Election Day.

On Saturday afternoon literally hundreds of volunteers went door-to-door in Sarpy County, Omaha and Lincoln for our candidates. Some of us like me who were physically limited in their ability to go door-to-door chose to help at our phone banks, like the one at the Douglas County Republican Party at 125th & Center. The phone system we are using is very slick and efficient. The response I received was overwhelmingly positive. My favorite was the voter who responded "Obama is taking our country down the toilet" to every question I posed. Candid, succinct, and accurate.

On Sunday I attended the 5-county GOP BBQ in Johnson, Nebraska, where we heard from Senator Johanns. Governor Heineman, Congressman Fortenberry, Attorney General Bruning, Secretary of State Gale, State Treasurer candidate Don Stenberg, and a host of other candidates and elected officials. Southeast Nebraska is bedrock Republican territory--thanks to all who organized this great bi-annual event.

If you can help with our phone banks this week, we'd love to have your help. Contact the NEGOP at 402.475.2122 for more information.

Help Us on Oct. 2! Let's Fire Pelosi!

2010-09-30T15:35:00.000-05:00

A Republican Weekend

2010-09-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

It was a busy weekend for the Nebraska Republican Party and our candidates.

On Friday I had the pleasure of serving as the official greeter at an event sponsored by the York County Republican Party. The event featured Sen. Mike Johanns and his wife Stephanie, as well as Secretary of State John Gale. It was great to see so many longtime Republican supporters and the exciting leadership that York County GOP is showing. A very bright future lies ahead for the York County Republicans.

On Saturday, the NEGOP hosted a fundraiser featuring U.S. Senator John Thune and Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning. Sen. Thune has great ties to Nebraska and is rumored to be considering a presidential bid. He was every bit presidential during our event, which was held at the wonderful downtown Lincoln loft owned by Clay and Beth Smith (thanks Smiths for ONCE AGAIN helping Republicans out--we are indebted to you!).

On Sunday I attended an Old Time Republican Barbecue hosted by the Adams, Clay and Webster County Republican Parties in Hastings. This group is fired up and wanting to become even more active in fighting to return our country to the principles upon which it was founded. Congressman Adrian Smith (above), Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Treasurer candidate Don Stenberg, State Senator Dennis Utter were all warmly received. For me, the most important thing was seeing the strong contingent of Hastings College Republicans.

These young men and women, led by Jocelyn McMurtry, represent the future of our party, our state and our country. The more young people we can get involved in the Republican Party, the better off our country will be. Keep it up Hastings College Republicans!

This week will be equally busy. On Tuesday I'll be debating Democrat National Committeeman Vince Powers at UNO. I personally like Vince--it's just that we don't agree on a single issue--a point highlighted once again during a joint appearance we had last week at Lincoln Lutheran High School.

On Wednesday it looks like I'll have the opportunity to join RNC Chairman Michael Steele on his "Fire Pelosi" bus tour in Iowa and into Omaha; more on that as the details become known. Then Democrat congressional candidate Tom White--despite his claims of "independence," is having Vice President Joe Biden into Nebraska on Thursday. Given Biden's liberalism and long history of opposing those issues most Nebraskans hold near and dear, it should be a fun day. (Side note on White--if you weren't aware of his history of violence and insolent behavior, the Omaha World-Herald reported it today. Even his fellow Democrats in the Legislature think he's an arrogant SOB).

On Friday evening, the NEGOP is having its HALapolooza event--a fundraising roast of former congressmand and Omaha Mayor Hal Daub (if you want to attend contact Rebecca at rebecca@negop.org for more info). On Saturday morning the NEGOP is holding its State Central Committee Meeting at Bellevue University, and beginning at noon we'll have having the largest grassroots political event in Nebraska political history. Literally hundreds of Republicans from Nebraska and Iowa we'll be going door-to-door and phone banking in the 2nd district, with a barbecue at the Douglas County Republican Party headquarters following. If you can join us, e-mail taylor@negop.org for more info.

Why so much activity? Because early voting starts TOMORROW and the Democrats are determined to move our country towards European socialism and away from the principles upon which our nation--the greatest nation in the history of mankind--was founded. Will you stand with us? If so, go to http://www.negop.org/ and find out how you can help.

Friday Folly

2010-09-24T16:04:00.000-05:00

Sadly, ObamaCare is not a joke. Its horrendous effects are starting to be revealed. One example is the new Form 1099 requirement that Senator Mike Johanns fought so hard to repeal.

Any claim by the Democrats that they give a hoot about small businesses or job creation is laughable.

45 Days Until We Take Our Country Back!

2010-09-17T08:18:00.000-05:00

Friday's Folly--Norm Wallman

2010-09-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

A New Tradition

2010-09-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

With the Obama Democrats running our country into the ground, poltics could use a little levity. To help in this regard, as a regular Friday feature I'm going to share with you one of the (many) political jokes I have received in recent days. I you have ones that are clean and worthy of consideration, send them my way.

Today's fable:

I recently asked my friends' little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up... She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? '

She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.'

Her parents beamed with pride.

'Wow...what a worthy goal.' I told her, 'But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50... Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house. '

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, ' Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50? '

I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.'

Her parents still aren't speaking to me.

Recovery Summer? The Party of Tom White, Jim Suttle, Ben Nelson and Nancy Pelosi

2010-09-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

The Countdown has begun--Let's Send a Message!

2010-09-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

Nancy Pelosi & Tom White: BFF

2010-08-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

Democrat congressional candidate State Senator Tom White has produced his first television commercial of the election cycle. Because he doesn't have enough money to put it on the air with any meaningful frequency, I'm not going to do his job for him and link it here. Needless to say it's disingenuous.

Oh, so much to say and so little space. Here are a few points:

White decries the debt we keep piling on our kids as "just plain wrong." We agree. So why did White wholeheartledly support Nancy Pelosi's health care bill that contains the "public option" and would increase taxes and cost taxpayers over $1 trillion? Why did Tom White say he would have voted in favor of Nancy Pelosi's "stimulus" bill that will cost taxpayers nearly $1 trillion? Why does White's party continue to spend with reckless abandon without any concern for the federal deficit or national debt?
The voiceover tells us that White personally "cut millions in state government waste to balance the budget without raising taxes." Tom White did? By himself? Really? This is the same Tom White who voted to override seven of Governor Dave Heineman's vetoes of spending increases in the Nebraska Legislature (LB 321)? The same Tom White who opposed the major budget balancing bill during the 2009 special session (LB 5)?
The ad claims White is "Nebraska Independence for Congress." Why is Tom White embarrassed to say he's a Democrat? If elected, and if Democrats maintain control of the House, White's first vote will be to elect Rep. Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. She supports Tom White--ideologically and financially. They give new meaning to the phrase "BFF--Best Friends Forever."

Nebraska doesn't need partisan, arrogant Democrat Tom White. It needs to reelect Congressman Lee Terry to serve as a check-and-balance on Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Party's radical agenda.

November 2: Job Creators v. Job Killers

2010-08-25T22:39:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have found reading and listening to the news to be a depressing exercise. Record high national unemployment. Astronomic federal budget deficits. Unsustainable national debt. National sales of new homes falling to the lowest level in 47 years. Socialized medicine, i.e., ObamaCare. Intolerant radical Muslims pushing forward with plans to build a mosque adjacent to Ground Zero. Citizen referendums barring state-sanctioned homosexual "marriage" erased by unelected, unrepresentative judges. Continued demands by liberals that we must look the other way and not enforce our laws against illegals. The Obamas' perpetual, taxpayer-funded vacation. More and higher taxes in Omaha thanks to the Democrat Mayor and City Council.

America is reaching a boiling point, yet the liberal elites in the Obama Administration and Congress just don't get it.

Soon they will.

The liberal Democrats will soon hear from the majority of Americans who oppose their radical ideology. Here in Nebraska, we'll send that message by re-electing solid, common-sense conservatives like Congressman Lee Terry, and rejecting arrogant partisan Democrats like Tom White.

Nationally, November 2 boils down to a battle between Job Creators and Job Killers. As eloquently explained in a fantastic, must see recent speech by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, America's future depends upon electing a Congress that is a check-and-balance on the Obama/Reid/Pelosi radical agenda.

The time has come for Americans to rise up and draw a line in the sand. No more.

After watching Gingrich's speech, I challenge you to tell me one thing that he's wrong about. He nailed our current condition--and the solution--on the head.

Remember November!

12 Weeks from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.

Omaha--The Difference Between Democrats and Republicans

2010-08-24T22:24:00.000-05:00

In politics as well as in life, one must seize upon "teachable moments" when the present themselves. In recent days we had just such a moment with respect to the push by Omaha Democrats to increase the tax burden in the Omaha area.

Too many people today say there is little difference between the political parties. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the City of Omaha's recent budget debate presented us with that teachable moment.

Democrats like to raise taxes. They apparently can't help themselves--it's instinctive. Republicans, on the other the hand, look first at making the tough decisions that are necessary to cut spending and reduce the size and scope of government.

One need look no further than our state government as proof. Republicans, led by Governor Dave Heineman and 32 Republican state senators, have balanced our state's budget in recent years without resorting to tax increases.

By contrast, the Democrats in Omaha have proposed instituting new taxes, increasing existing taxes, adding additional administrative positions, and giving pay increases to top administration officials. The Omaha Democrats have signed off on costly, ill-advised union contracts as political quid-pro-quo for the political support they received from the Union bosses.

Indeed, there is a difference between the two political parties.

Today we called a press conference in Omaha to illustrate this point. I, along with other Republican party officials and Omaha-area State Senators Bob Krist, Beau McCoy, John Nelson and Rich Pahls, explained the difference between the Democrats' approach of "higher taxes first" and the Republicans' approach of "cut government first."

This coming November, voters in Omaha will have a chance to cast their vote in favor of which ideology they prefer.

Republican Congressman Lee Terry has established a steady track-record of supporting reductions in government spending rather than increasing the tax burden on Nebraska families and job creators.

Democrat Tom White? Well, he's a Democrat who, like Democrat Mayor Jim Suttle, instinctively believes that increasing taxes is the solution. His public support for the Pelosi-version of health care legislation (which included the "public option") speaks volumes of his liberal ideological bent.

So, voters of Nebraska's Second Congressional District--which political philosophy do you choose? Let your voices be heard on November 2nd.

Democrats Are Just Plain Wrong on Immigration

2010-08-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

One of the benefits of attending Republican National Committee meetings is the opportunity to meet with RNC members from other states and to get a flavor for the kinds of issues their states and candidates face. One of the subgroups of the RNC that I (as well as National Committeeman Pete Ricketts and National Committeewoman De Carlson) belong to is the Conservative Caucus. As part of that caucus I've had the pleasure of getting to know the representatives of Arizona, including Arizona State GOP Chair (and RNC Treasurer) Randy Pullen and Arizona National Committeeman Bruce Ash.

From those discussions, as well as recent work-related visits to Arizona, I've concluded that those of us outside of Arizona simply don't understand Arizona's plight when it comes to immigration. Their state is literally being overrun by illegals, and their state and local budgets are being overwhelmed as a result. Arizona citizens are being kidnapped, and Mexican drug lords are entering our country at will.

And what to the Democrats propose to do? The Obama administration decided to post some signs warning American citizens to not travel into the area due to "active drug and human smuggling." Initially, I thought the signs were at or near the U.S./Mexico border. It wasn't until a conversation with Pullen and Ash at the recent RNC meeting that I realized the signs are posted 80 miles north of the border! Essentially the Democrats have ceded 80 miles of U.S. territory to the Mexican government.

And where do Nebraska Democrats stand on this important issue. Their leaders believe that illegal immigration is "much ado about nothing."

Democrats Mike Meister, Tom White, Steve Lathrop, Danielle Nantkes Conrad, Amanda McGill, Kent Rogert and Norm Wallman apparently all agree. I guess we'll see if Nebraskans accept their dangerous position come November.

RNC Meeting and 2012 Presidential Primaries

2010-08-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

I'm reporting live from the summer meeting of the Republican National Committee in Kansas City. The meeting is relatively noncontroversial, especially considering the tremendous successes Republicans have achieved in federal, state and local elections since Americans woke up from the nightmares known as the Obama Administration and Democrat Congress. The RNC is united behind one goal--restoring our federal government to the conservative principles on which it was founded. For that to happen, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid must be dethroned.

The only item generating much discussion is the report of the "Temporary Delegate Selection Committee," on which our National Committeeman Pete Ricketts was an active member. This Committee was created at the 2008 Republican National Convention to address issues that arose as a result of some states accelerating their primary schedules. The report proposes, among other things:

No primary, caucus or convention to elect presidential delegates shall occur before the first Tuesday in March in the year in which a national convention is held.
Primaries, caucuses, or conventions occurring between the first Tuesday in March and April 1 must provide for the allocation of delegates on a proportional basis. "Proportional allocation basis" is to be left to the discretion of each state, but an example would be basing the allocation on the number of statewide votes cast in proportion to the number of statewide votes received by each candidate.
Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada are exempt from the foregoing requirements, but cannot hold their primaries, caucuses or conventions until after February 1 in the year in which a national convention is held.
All of this is contingent upon the Democratic National Committee adopting the same schedule.

The goal of the proposal is to bring some order and uniformity to the presidential primaries without allowing the process to be front loaded by a large state such as California. All in all, a good proposal.

So long as it's not associated with Nancy Pelosi, it stands a good chance of passing . . . .

We just finished a lunch with Republican Senate candidate Rep. Roy Blunt, who gave an outstanding speech about what is at stake this November and President Obama's campaigning for his opponent because he needs her vote in the Senate.

What better reason to support Roy Blunt?

Republicans: Join us this weekend in Fremont!

2010-07-27T21:29:00.000-05:00

A "Fun" Weekend of Tom White, George McGovern, Union Bosses and their Fellow Democrats

2010-07-22T22:36:00.000-05:00

This weekend the Nebraska Democrat Party will hold its state convention in Columbus. According to the Lincoln Journal-Star's Don Walton, their keynote speaker will be former Sen. George McGovern, the 1972 Democrat nominee for President.

1972? Really? That's the best you can do?

I concede there are some things to admire about McGovern. First, he served our country admirably in World War II as a decorated B-24 pilot.

Second, once he left office and became a businessman by purchasing and operating a small Connecticut hotel, McGovern learned firsthand how government regulations can strangle business owners and kill job growth. One example of McGovern's new found reasonableness is his opposition to one of the Democrats' priorities--Union card check. This legislation--which would eviscerate the requirement for secret ballot elections for employees to decide whether they wish to be unionized--is a quid-pro-quo for Union boss campaign support. Another is McGovern's support for tort reform.

Here in Nebraska, partisan Democrat congressional candidate Tom White has taken positions counter to those advocated by McGovern. White has joined Nancy Pelosi in SUPPORTING Union card check legislation and OPPOSING tort reform.

One has to wonder if White will be joining McGovern on stage at this weekend's convention.

Just a name on the ballot

2010-07-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

It appears that Nebraska Democrats have found a living, breathing Democrat to put his name on the ballot as the sacrificial lamb for this fall's gubernatorial election.

It's Scottsbluff attorney Mike Meister.   Nebraska politicos will recall that Meister was soundly trounced in 2002 in his bid for Nebraska Attorney General, and once again defeated in 2006 in his bid for Scotts Bluff County Attorney. Can't win a race for AG or even Scotts Bluff County Attorney? Oh, what the heck, run for Governor against one of the most popular governor's in the nation!

Meister is not a legitimate candidate. Meister is the Democrats' sacrificial lamb and, while he's at it, political smearer. They know he can't win, so his job is to take every opportunity to maliciously attack Governor Heineman and the excellent job he has done for Nebraska.

If Meister felt so strongly about Governor Heineman and the job he's doing, why didn't Meister become a candidate the legitimate way and enter last May's primary?

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T18:49:00.000-05:00

"My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!"

Thomas Jefferson

As goes Mark Lakers, so go Nebraska Democrats

2010-06-29T09:48:00.000-05:00

From today's Omaha World-Herald:

Mark Lakers, the Democratic candidate for Nebraska governor, has amended his campaign finance report to the state, removing $157,000 in pledges from 12 individuals and 10 companies or organizations. In all, he removed about one-third of the individual pledges his campaign had earlier reported to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

As news reporting has shown, there's no question that in some cases Lakers listed people as pledging donations when in fact they had not done so. Some of those individuals have publicly expressed surprise at being listed as contributors.

As we've noted before, gubernatorial contests are important for a state. They give the opposition party the chance to set out an alternate policy vision. And they provide an all-important occasion for voters to weigh the pros and cons of an incumbent administration.

Lakers' handling of his campaign reporting, then, has undermined not only his own candidacy but also his own party's ability to make its case effectively for itself and against Gov. Dave Heineman.

Duane Acklie--An American Story

2010-06-18T23:31:00.000-05:00

One week ago some 400 Nebraskans gathered at the Embassy Suites in LaVista to honor Duane Acklie. Duane is a man of tremendous character, integrity and humility, and for this reason the Nebraska Republican Party saluted him. The event was a tremendous success and may have set a new fundraising record for the NEGOP.

For those who don't know Duane, he was one of Nebraska's finest attorneys when he founded Crete Carrier Corporation and soon thereafter began serving as its President/CEO. Duane and his lovely wife Phyl subsequently built Crete Carrier into one of the nation's largest trucking companies. Duane has served our nation as President of the USO, Chairman of Sallie Mae, U.S. Senior Advisor to the United Nations. and as our National Committeeman to the Republican National Committee.

I want to personally thank Duane and Phyl for all they have done for our state and our nation. Duane has been a personal mentor of mine, and for that I am personally grateful.

Helping us honor Duane was Karl Rove, who did a great job expanding on the themes in his new book "Courage and Consequence." Few Nebraskans realize that Rove ran Mrs. Haven Smith's successful initial bid for Congress (that's Congresswoman Virginia Smith for those not familiar with history). He did an excellent job defining the differences between today's Democrats and Republicans and why the 2010 elections are so important.

A great event for a great man. Thanks Duane for allowing us to honor you and your service!

EPILOGUE: On Saturday after the Salute to Duane Acklie I had the pleasure of taking Karl Rove to the Millard Airport. When we arrived, an airplane crew stepped through the door and we asked, "Are you here for us?" They kindly replied, "No, we're here for Senator Nelson." Rove, being the consummate prankster, decided we need to make signs to hold up for Senator Ben Nelson's arrival. So Rove grabbed a Sharpie and a couple of pieces of paper, writing "WELCOME BENATOR" on one (Sen. Nelson's moniker courtesy of President Bush) and "Have a Great CORNHUSKER day" on the other--a clear and intentional reference to Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback. All good-natured ribbing by Rove. By the time Rove's plane arrived and I left Senator Nelson had not yet arrived, but I'm confident he received these notes. Sadly for him, these are not the only communications he will receive from me and those we work with over the next couple of years as we fight to return this Senate seat to hands of Nebraska voters.

Elections Matter

2010-05-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

President Obama has nominated Elena Kagan to fill the Supreme Court vacancy soon to be created by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens. Little is known about Kagan, except her leftist decision at Harvard to bar military recruiters from using campus facilities--a decision that has caught the attention of Senator Mike Johanns. (Sen. Ben Nelson said he was "unfamiliar" with the details of the incident, just like he is unfamiliar about how an ATM works, unfamiliar as to how the Cornhusker Kickback made its way into the health care legislation, . . . We digress).

Rest assured that Kagan, like countless other Obama nominees, is a judicial activist. One need look no further than nominees Robert Chatigny (2nd Circuit), Goodwin Liu (9th Circuit), Louis Butler (who actually got voted off the Wisconsin Supreme Court) and David Hamilton (7th Circuit). These radical appointments have even led to the creation of a new website--ObamaVConstitution.com

If the Republicans dig deep into these nominees' backgrounds and stall the nominations, Ben Nelson and his fellow Democrats have only themselves to blame. After all, it was the party of Ted Kennedy that shamelessly lied about Judge Robert Bork to kill his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The end justifies the means, right?

More than anything, these judicial nominations serve as a reminder that elections matter. A vote for the Democrats is a vote in favor of elitist, activist judges who will rewrite the Constitution and legislate from the bench. A vote for the Republicans is a vote in favor of judicial restraint and judges like Justice Clarence Thomas--a man of tremendous character who is, as one of my Democrat attorney friends remarked today, "probably the most genuine, representative justice on the entire Court."

Justice Thomas was in Lincoln today to talk about leadership as part of the Leadership 101 seminar at UNL. In addition to talking about character ("Without character, one cannot and should not lead."), Justice Thomas talked Nebraska football.

As for me, I would much rather have a federal judge who won't try to rewrite the Constitution, believes that character matters, drives an RV and follows the Huskers than a liberal elitist activist who, like Liu, hold such radical beliefs as a constitutional "right" to welfare benefits.

Ben Nelson and the Union Bosses

2010-05-16T17:22:00.000-05:00

FedEx and UPS. Two of the most well known delivery companies in America. These two delivery rivals seem like quite similar companies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

FedEx delivers 85% of it parcels by air; UPS delivers 85% of its parcels by truck. This vast difference in delivery methods is creating quite a battle in the United States Senate with FedEx on one side of the battle and UPS and the Washington Union Bosses on the other. UPS is unionized by the Teamsters. FedEx employees have thus far been able to avoid the reach and corruption of the Washington Union Bosses.

For more than a year now Congress has been dealing with the issue of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. The legislation is being delayed thanks to language slipped into the Act that would make it easier for the Teamsters to unionize FedEx.

Each and every time the Teamsters seek a vote of the FedEx employees to bring their jobs under union control the employees vote no. The Teamsters know that they can’t get a majority of FedEx employees as a whole to vote to join the union but they know they have a chance if they can get their proposed language adopted and start picking off FedEx employees one by one. More members means more union dues money. More money from union members means more money the Teamsters can spend to fight the Republican agenda of a smaller, more efficient and responsible federal government, and more money they can spend to force Card Check to passage.

And where does Sen. Ben Nelson stand? The Nebraska Narcissist has been playing coy, pocketing Union Boss money while promising Nebraska businesses he'll do what's best for Nebraska. We've heard that before haven't we? Simply put, he can't be trusted. That is why it is important that Nebraskans make their voices heard by contacting Sen. Nelson’s offices to let him know that he needs to oppose this legislation.

And now we know

2010-04-27T19:19:00.000-05:00

For those who doubt what truly motivates Sen. Ben Nelson, his recent actions relating to his party's attempt at financial regulatory reform should clear things up.

Ben Nelson "surprised" his fellow Democrats this week when he voted against cloture, i.e., Nelson voted against stopping debate and proceeding to a vote on the bill. After all, Nelson had supported that bill in committee. What was different? A provision benefiting Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway had been removed.

Nelson's special affinity for Buffett--currently the world's third richest person--is well known. Nebraska political observers have reported that Nelson identified Buffett to the Obama White House as the one guy who could get his "no" vote on Obamacare to "yes," which would presumably give Nelson some cover in Nebraska. So much for that. (Note: Nelson is not the first Nebraska Democrat to have attempted to use Buffett unsuccessfully. In a 1994 debate, then-Rep. Peter Hoagland tried to deflect criticism of his vote in favor of the Clinton tax increases by saying Buffett told him to do it. Challenger (and Hoagland's vanquisher) Rep. Jon Christensen responded, "Maybe Warren Buffett can afford those tax increases. The rest of us Nebraskans can't.")

Well, with Ben it never quite ends there. Gotta follow the money. Thanks to the New York Times, we now know that our Senator Nelson apparently owns somewhere between $1.5 million and $6 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock. So he cast a vote on legislation that directly affected his personal investment in Buffett's company?

I can see the 2012 television commercial already. The sad thing is the ad is already "in the can" since history is replete with examples of public officials using their official positions to benefit themselves and those around them.

November 6, 2012 cannot arrive soon enough. On that day Nebraskans will Give Ben the Boot!

2012

2010-04-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Washington, D.C. raising money for the NEGOP and visiting with national political press about the 2012 Senate race (FYI--they don't care about the 2010 CD2 House race as they correctly view it as a nonrace--sorry Tom White--wrong year to be a big government Democrat who supports PelosiCare).

A few observations:

Senator Nelson was on my flight to DC (quite common given the convenience of Midwest Express/Midwest Airlines/Republic Airlines/Frontier). He looks tired, old and rather pissed off at the world. If I had to read his mail and listen to his voicemail messages I probably would look that way too.
At Ronald Reagan National Airport (best name of an airport EVER) some patrons wanted to get their photo taken with Sen. Nelson and he kindly obliged. What he didn't understand is that it was a joke, as they walked off laughing about it and muttering "Cornhusker Kickback." The photo is now probably on Facebook somewhere under the heading "Kickin' It with the Cornhusker Kickback."
Washington Post, Cook Political Report, Roll Call, National Journal, Stuart Rothenberg and others we visited with clearly understand that Nelson's in deep, deep trouble. Veteran Nebraska Republican politicians say that in all their years in politics they have never seen so much ire and vitriol directed at one public official--EBN. And it's because of his official actions while in office. After all, he cast the deciding vote on ObamaCare. From this he simply cannot recover. Remember, EBN is a guy who got thrashed by Chuck Hagel in 1996 by a margin of 56 to 42, and who narrowly defeated Don Stenberg in 2000 by less than 12,000 votes. There's no way in Hades he recovers from this.
The Washington political press (now, with a little help) understands that Nelson's duplicity on the health care legislation is just the latest in a long-line of incidents demonstrating a serious character flaw. We haven't forgotten that Nebraska taxpayers had to pay over $145 million to settle the lawsuit created by Nelson's political shenanigans over the Boyd County low-level nuclear waste dump. Or his career as an insurance attorney (more on that in the future).
One political reporter said he hasn't seen Nelson in such a funk since he got his hiney kicked by Hagel. His sleazy backroom deal for the Cornhusker Kickback and mistaken belief that he could convince Nebraskans he did them a favor will go down as the greatest miscalculation in Nebraska political history.
Another nail in EBN's coffin is the fact that the NEGOP has an abundance of qualified candidates waiting in the wings to possibly challenge him, including the likes of Governor Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning. Further adding to EBN's misery is the fact that Governor Heineman has only token opposition this year (a "cupcake" is how one elected official describes Dem Mark Lakers) and Attorney General Bruning is running unopposed.

2011 and 2012 will be a blast. I look forward to travelling the state with the likes of former NEGOP Chair/Omaha City Councilman Chuck Sigerson (who is itching to get his ability to speak back and would love nothing more than to reprise his 1996 efforts that led to Nelson's defeat) and maybe even Arnold Schwarzenegger. After all, it was Gov. Schwarzenegger who accused Ben Nelson of illegally selling his vote in exchange for the Cornhusker Kickback.

Who better than The Terminator to help terminate Ben Nelson's political career?

AG Bruning: Standing Up for Nebraska and Future Generations

2010-03-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

Nebraskans can be proud of our attorney general, Jon Bruning, for his swift and decisive action in joining other state attorneys general in filing suit to stop the health care monstrosity signed into law yesterday by President Obama.

The lawsuit, which can be found here, rightly challenges this abuse of the U.S. Constitution and the legislative trashing of freedoms our forefathers fought for.

And we aren't the only ones appreciative of Attorney General Bruning's leadership. As demonstrated by his recent appearances on national news programs, he continues to gain national attention as a recognized leader among the nation's AGs, and a constitutional conservative destined for greater things.

Ben Nelson and Tom White--You Shall be Held Accountable

2010-03-21T22:21:00.000-05:00

Sen. Nelson:

You are complicit in this health care vote. You had a chance to kill it. Instead, you cut a sleazy backroom deal that gave America the Cornhusker Kickback, a moniker that will go down in American political history right alongside Watergate and the Teapot Dome Scandal. Stick a fork in your political career, it's done.

Tom White, your decision to support the initial House version of the health care legislation (including the "public option") and the Senate version dooms your infant candidacy. You would be well advised to refocus on your career as a plaintiff's trial lawyer and revisit your candidacy in 2012. Keep running and you make Jim Esch look like a quality candidate.

Numero Uno Issue for 2010 Elections: Illegal Immigration?

2010-03-20T22:17:00.001-05:00

This week, the Nebraska Democratic Party announced that it enthusiastically supports giving Nebraska taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants. This announcement falls on the heels of an announcement that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will support the Democrat's health care legislation after receiving promises from the Obama Administration that it will pursue "comprehensive" immigration reform this year.

Simply put: Democrats have unilaterally decided to make illegal immigration a focal point in the 2010 elections.

Illegal immigration is a significant issue in Nebraska and represents a significant issue in health care reform. To quote a rural Nebraska physician who contacted me today, "I have personally surveyed many [of my Nebraska physician colleagues who] abhor the $40,000 SUVs that unload and come to our front desks and then sign in as Medicaid patients. They tell us they quit their jobs to get the "cheap insurance" (i.e., Medicaid, paid for by you and me) which has no copays."

So, Nebraska Democrats, it looks like there are some things we CAN agree upon.

1. There is an interrelationship between health care reform and illegal immigration.

2. Illegal immigration is an issue in the 2010 elections.

Since we are in agreement that illegal immigration is a legitimate issue, now is the time for your candidates to stand up and tell Nebraskans where they stand.

Democrat State Sen. Tom White, would you vote in favor or against LB 1110 in the Nebraska Legislature?

Democrat State Sen. Steve Lathrop, yea or nay?

Democrat State Sen. Annette Dubas? Democrat State Sen. Norm Wallman?

Time to stand up and be counted.

The News Gets Worse for Tom White & Ben Nelson

2010-03-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

As this recent national survey demonstrates, an overwhelming percentage of Americans oppose the health care legislation supported by Sen. Ben Nelson and Democratic congressional candidate Tom White. Even worse, those voters who are undecided on what's called the "generic ballot test" (i.e., if the election were held today would you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?") are siding with Republicans in opposing this federal monstrosity.

Some of the highlights of the survey:

Twice as many undecided voters oppose the legislation than support it, with 60%
opposing it and 45% strongly opposing it.

Over 65% of undecided voters say that the current bill should be scrapped, while only 20% say the current bill should be passed as soon as possible.

Only a quarter (25%) of undecided voters said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who voted for President Obama’s health care bill (that's you, Ben Nelson and Tom White), while a majority (51%) said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted for the bill.

When reminded of the bill’s $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, over two thirds 69%) of undecided voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted for the legislation. A majority (52%) are “much less likely.” Less than 10% are more likely to vote for a candidate who voted for the bill (Coming this fall to a television screen near you: Tom White Supported Cutting Medicare).

The “backroom deals” like Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback that have characterized the Democrat deliberations in Congress make the legislation even less palatable to undecided voters. 77% of undecided voters say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who made these sleazy backroom deals, while 67% say that they would be much less likely.

If you won't listen to Nebraskans now, rest assured you will in 2010 and 2012 when we vote.

Tom White and Pelosi's Vote Count

2010-03-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

As Democrats in Washington work furiously twisting arms and handing out taxpayer-funded goodies (e.g., Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback) to get enough votes to advance their health care experiment, we are once again reminded just how important Nebraska's Second District race is this fall.

On one hand you have Congressman Lee Terry, who has supported meaningful, incremental health care reform that doesn't involve a government takeover of 1/6 of our economy. Time and time again Lee Terry has served as a responsible check-and-balance on the radical Pelosi agenda.

On the other hand you have state senator Tom White. White, an arrogant partisan Democrat, supports whatever version the national Democrats tell him to support, even going so far as to say he would have voted for the public option. Like his fellow Democrat Ben Nelson, he has chosen to blindly follow his partisan leaders and ignore the wishes of the vast majority of Nebraskans who oppose this horrendous legislation.

The question many Nebraskans will be asking themselves this fall when it comes time to vote is this: Which candidate consistently opposed a government takeover of our health care system, and which candidate promised to aid and abet Speaker Nancy Pelosi and enthusiastically supported a radical leap towards socialized medicine in America?

Where's Ben?

2010-02-15T19:46:00.000-06:00

The Republican members of our congressional delegation have announced various public meetings and town halls they intend to hold in the coming days.

Senator Ben Nelson--where's your schedule?

Random Musings on a Sunday Night

2010-02-14T21:29:00.000-06:00

Waning Credibility

If Nebraska Democrats wonder why the political media is taking a pass at their press releases, they have only themselves to blame. In recent weeks Democrat Tom White and the Nebraska Democrat Party has misled reporters. First, Tom White arrogantly announced that his congressional campaign had raised $175,000 in the final quarter of 2009, but intentionally failed to reveal to reporters that $50,000 of that was money he personally loaned to his campaign. Then the Nebraska Democrat Party issued a press release attacking Republican State Senator Scott Lautenbaugh for comments he allegedly made regarding legislation to thin Nebraska's burgeoning deer population; the only problem is the quotes they attributed to Sen. Lautenbaugh are actually from the Lincoln Journal-Star columnist Joe Duggan, not Sen. Lautenbaugh. Requests for a retraction have gone ignored.

Nebraska Democrats: Don't let the truth get in the way of your liberal agenda.

Another sign of our rotting culture

After church, a nice family brunch, an afternoon at Barnes & Noble and a round of family basketball at the YMCA, we decided to cozy up in our living room with a fire ablazing to watch the Olympics. A perfect family activity, right? Except WOWT decided to run repeated promos for its upcoming story on a "cheaters" website for adultery. Clearly the station understood that many children would be watching tonight's Olympic events. Was it so important to run promos for this so-called "news story" tonight? Really?

February 16 is Upon Us--Where are the Democrats?

Tuesday, February 16 is the deadline for incumbent officeholders to file for public office. Still no sign of any credible Democrat to take on Governor Dave Heineman. If Tuesday comes and goes with no filing by the Democrats, it's clear they agree with us that Governor Heineman has done an excellent job and deserves reelection. We would welcome such a show of bipartisanship.

2010: Not Tom White's Year

2010-02-04T21:26:00.000-06:00

State Senator Tom White is a grown man. He's made a really nice living as a plaintiff's attorney, socked away a lot of cash in domestic and international investments, raised a nice family, and was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in a heavily-Democrat district. But one has to question his judgment or, perhaps, arrogance, when he decided to listen to his young political sycophants and announce that he would challenge Congressman Lee Terry in 2010, of all years.

Historically, the party in the White House, and especially where they control the executive and legislative branches, loses seats. I should know. In 1994 my wife and I spent every spare moment we had campaigning to elect a Republican to replace the late Rep. Peter Hoagland. Then, like now, the Democrats controlled the White House, the Senate and the House, and arrogantly decided their job was to rule rather than govern. The voters spoke, the Republicans gained 54 seats in the House and the Democrats lost control of the House for the first time in 50 years.

The recent elections in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts are evidence of the storm that is approaching for Democrats. The national political press continues to downgrade Tom White's chances against Congressman Lee Terry, a guy who has served as a check-and-balance on the Pelosi Congress. That is especially true now that we are learning that White deceptively inflated his fundraising and failed to acknowledge that he's at a point now that he has to loan his campaign money (story can be found here).

It is important to note that, according to the Nebraska Secretary of State records, Congressman Lee Terry remains unopposed and Tom White has not filed to run against him.

Hmmm.

Could it be that the reason why uber-liberal Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)--Speaker Nancy Pelosi's right-hand man--came to Omaha recently was to convince White to stay in the race?

Regardless of whether White officially files or not, the reality is clear: any contribution to Tom White's campaign is wasted money. He will not and cannot win in 2010, and every day he has to regret letting his hubris get the better of him rather than following the logic he learned in law school.

A Message for Ben Nelson

2010-01-19T21:24:00.000-06:00

The results are now in. The Democratic agenda and arrogance have been resoundingly rejected in the bluest of states.

For our nation, the election of Scott Brown represents a complete repudiation of the Reid/Pelosi health care plan and lack of integrity. One of Brown's election themes was that voters should send him to Washington to be the "41st vote." Stated another way, vote for me and we put the kibosh on the Democrat arrogance in Washington.

But what does Senator-elect Brown's victory mean specifically for Nebraska?

First, the national political press is reporting that Democratic insiders are blaming Sen. Ben Nelson and his Cornhusker Kickback for candidate Martha Coakley's loss. Could it be that Washington Ben Nelson's sleazy backroom deal will go down in history as the proverbial straw that broke the donkey's back?

There's still time for Nebraska Ben Nelson to do the right thing. I call upon Ben Nelson to join his fellow Democrat Senator Jim Webb (D-Va) and demand that Congress suspend all votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Scott Brown is seated. Moreover, Senator Nelson must demand that Congress START OVER on health care reform and work in a bipartisan fashion to develop common-sense, incremental reforms that do not involve a government takeover of 1/6 of our economy. Fail to do both of these and rest assured Nebraskans will give Ben the boot.

Second, Sen. Brown's election is further evidence of the futility of Tom White's candidacy for Congress. Tom White has said he "stands with Ben Nelson" on health care reform. Want to retract that? It's now clear that Nebraska and the entire nation think Ben Nelson's position and tactics on health care reform stink to high heaven. What happened in Massachusetts doesn't stay in Massachusetts.

Nebraskans know that Congressman Lee Terry represents a check-and-balance on the arrogant Pelosi agenda. Tom White? By committing to vote for Nancy Pelosi's health care bill and standing with Ben Nelson and his sleazy tactics, Tom White told Nebraskans all they need to know.

The Difference Between Republicans and Democrats

2010-01-12T17:12:00.001-06:00

The headlines for today's on-line edition of the Omaha World-Herald are quite telling and help explain in very easy-to-understand terms one of the differences between Republicans and Democrats.

Governor freezes manager pay

Suttle cabinet picks get raises

Yes, while Republican Governor Dave Heineman is exercising fiscal responsibility in times of an uncertain economy, Democrat Mayor Jim Suttle is going on a spending spree, hiring new bureaucrats and paying them literally hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T00:29:00.001-06:00

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!

2009-12-20T22:25:00.001-06:00

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

2009-12-10T21:28:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-30T08:20:00.000-06:00

Enough said.

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

2009-11-28T11:42:00.000-06:00

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!

2009-11-15T21:53:00.001-06:00

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 . . .

2009-11-15T21:42:00.000-06:00

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?

2009-11-10T15:31:00.000-06:00

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?

2009-11-09T10:14:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-03T21:27:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

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!

2009-10-31T11:41:00.001-05:00

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?

2009-10-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-26T20:17:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-25T16:58:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-10-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-10-18T18:54:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-11T22:55:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-09-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-09-08T17:31:00.000-05:00

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 . . . .

2009-09-01T21:11:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-08-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-23T22:21:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-19T21:51:00.001-05:00

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!!!

2009-08-14T16:43:00.000-05:00

In Alaska . . . .

Where Are You Washington Ben?

2009-08-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-13T00:09:00.001-05:00

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

2009-08-09T18:32:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-06T22:14:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

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?

2009-07-25T13:41:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

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!"

2009-07-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

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?

2009-07-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

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.

Report Tom White!

2009-07-02T21:41:00.000-05:00

I previously called on Democrat State Senator Tom White to denounce the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s attack ads against Congressman Lee Terry. Instead, White has only proven to be a rubber stamp for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Washington Democrats.

White’s intentions are clear; he intends to run for Congressman Terry’s seat in 2010 and he’s letting the DCCC act on his behalf. Voters need to know now that Tom White plans a divisive and negative campaign against Congressman Terry. We intend to give voters an opportunity to voice their concerns.

For this reason we have established a hotline for people to call with specific information on the negative campaign tactics of Tom White.

Call 402-441-0799.

Just yesterday, the Omaha World Herald levied heavy criticism on the DCCC for their tactics. They called the attack ads “unfair”, a “sophomoric game of gotcha”, and an attempt to “throw mud at incumbent lawmakers”. White’s silence equates to an agreement that these types of negative ads are not only acceptable, but they are merely the beginning. The hotline will give Nebraskans a way to report the instances of White’s mudslinging.

With this Hotline Voters can call in and report White’s negative campaign tactics, their various experiences with the State Senator and their concerns about his liberal positions and votes in the Nebraska Legislature.

Again:

Report Tom White

1-402-441-0799

Observations on a Clear Night

2009-06-30T22:35:00.000-05:00

So I was cruising the Internet tonight to see what my Democrat friends are up to. A couple of interesting observations from the Nebraska Democratic Party website:

1. If you are going to have awards honoring former Governor/former Senator Bob Kerrey, I would suggest you spell his name correctly. If you want to name an award after Sen. John Kerry, then by all means do so, although I'm not sure what connection he has with Nebraska.

2. My friend and Neb. Democratic Chair Vic Covalt decided to issue a press release attacking Governor Heineman's selection of "Kerrey" Winterer as the new Director of Health and Human Services. First, it's "Kerry" (there we go again). Second, Kerry, as an attorney and expert on benefit issues, is imminently well-qualified for position. Better yet, the press release appears just one slot ahead of another Democrat post applauding Sen. Nelson's work to get his former Lt. Gov. Maxine Moul another government job.

Holding Democrats Accountable

2009-06-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately for Omahans, the Democrats are now in charge of city government. Historically, what that has meant is higher taxes, bloated bureaucracies, and economic stagnation. Every move thus far from newly-elected Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle demonstrates that the Democrats intend to follow history.

Thankfully, Republicans are not standing by waiting for the Democrats to run Omaha into the ground. Today we learned that Republican Jim Vokal has created an organization called OMAPAC that will hold Suttle and his Democratic administration accountable.

Once again--where's Tom White on Omaha's future? Partisan White was elected ("serves" is a stretch given his lackluster attendance last session) to represent an Omaha district, and he has told Democratic activists that he's mulling a bid for Congress, i.e., to represent Omaha's interests in Washington DC. Does he support Suttle's plans for tax increases for Omahans?

Leadership is more than having your staff create a web site and sponsoring politically-motivated legislation that was going no where from the start.

Ben Nelson and the Moonwalk

2009-06-27T00:50:00.000-05:00

Have to admit that, as a child of the 80s, I've paid attention to the media coverage surrounding the death of Michael Jackson. Despite all of his weirdness in recent years, I've tried to remember the Michael Jackson of my youth--the one honored by President Reagan. And it doesn't get any better than the first time he moonwalked in public.

The moonwalk is an amazing dance step. Once has to deftly slide across the ground without taking a position. In some ways it's like Senator Ben Nelson and his politics. He's constantly moving around, deftly at times, without taking a position, but attempting to please everyone in Washington and Nebraska and beyond . . . .