What elephant?

Dave Nabity, the heretofore unknown dude who’s campaigning for the Republican nomination for Governor, has brought up the issue of abortion. (Nabity proposes new abortion requirement – LJS 01/26/06) He wants more notification. Sort of a minor suggestion, frankly. But no matter your position or feelings on the subject, this is the time to discuss it. Campaigns are supposed to be about discussing and arguing the big issues, but this is Dumbo sitting in the corner that everyone would rather ignore. And maybe this little topic on the big issue is a good way to start. If Roe ever gets overturned – and that chance seems to get better every year – it won’t outlaw abortion. Instead the issue will go back to the state legislatures, and one by one, each will have to make the BIG decisions. You want to see politics gone crazy? That will be the day. And people discussing these issues at election time -- rationally, one would hope – is a step towards much better understanding on the issue. Mr. Who-bity’s proposal is a much better start than just the “pro-life” or “pro-choice” platitudes.

GOP's Election Equation?

If this is the GOP’s main issue, then they’re looking at six more year of Senator Earl Benajmin Nelson. (GOP committee decides what Ben Nelson's weak spots are – OWH – 01/24/06)

Back when Nelson was elected in 1990, this was a big issue. Did it get him elected? I really doubt it. Democrats were swept into office that year, and the 18 people in Boyd Co. who voted against Kay Orr were hardly the linchpin to his victory.

But nonetheless, Nelson went along with the popular sentiment (“No nukes!”) that led to Nebraskans holding a $145 million bill. That’s nothing to sniff at.

All that being said, it ain’t gonna get him thrown outta Washington.
The guy votes like a Republican. And with Nebraksans being all excited about seeming non-partisan (Exhibit A: the Unicameral), they’ll re-elect him in droves -- unless there’s a compelling reason to throw him out.

Pete-Dave-Don, what’s that reason, in 10 words or less?
Because Liddy Dole’s reason won’t put “Senator” in front of your name.

Dave Who-bity?

Have YOU heard of this racecar driver / gubernatorial candidate?

I understand that TO’s election to the Governor’s office is a foregone conclusion, right? Right?

But shouldn’t Harold Anderson, in his OWH editorial, at least recognize that Dave Nabity is running in the primary as well? Maybe the 900 lb gorilla can’t be stopped, but I still remember the 1990 Christ the King sports stag: emcee Dave Blackwell looked at Earl B. Nelson, who was campaigning in the Governor's primary, and said, "Benny, you have no chance." And the room erupted in laughter. ('Course he wasn't exactly running against Bob Devaney at the time, but still...)

HIS Name is Earl

(Sen. Nelson and Justice-to-be Alito)

Nebraska Democrats, where's the outrage? Where's the demand for accountability?
Where's the ALTERNATIVECANDIDATE?

Senator Earl Benjamin Nelson is pro-life, votes for conservative Supreme Court nominees, has backed the President 100% in the war in Iraq, and even has a pet name from the Prez: "Nellie".

Now if the same guy had an (R) after his name, you'd be screaming from the top of the UNO tower about how he's the second-coming of Hal Daub. Instead, he's unchallenged in the primary?

And you wonder why your party has no identity…

("Nelson Only Democrat to Vow Vote for Alito" OWH -1/18/06)

Stretch Marks?

Now I don’t want to go all X-files on you, but I was looking at David Kramer’s web-site. Now the guy has lost a ton of weight. If you look at one of his old pics (that the OWH is still using) and his pics now, it’s very obvious that he’s massively thinner. The guy has a huge melon to start with, but he used to be John Candy-esque. So he’s dropped at least an Olsen twin in weight, but what’s with the pics on his campaign site?
When you click on it, you get a stretched out photo in a pop-up window (1st pic below), but when you save it, you get the actual version (2nd pic below). Is this an attempt by the Kramer Camp to make the Thin Man thinner? I’ll let you be the judge on this…


To give him some credit as well, here's a before and after of the Thin Man:

Separated at Birth?

Pete Ricketts and Lex Luthor

The Former AG

Is Donny Sten serious about running for the Senate, or is he just bored?

His demand that Ricketts and Kramer sign a pledge not to use his name in their ads (OWH 1/17/06) is just ridiculous – especially considering he’s done it himself. And what’s the sin in that anyway?

And btw Donny, no one really knows ANYTHING about you, and really has no idea that you’re running for another office now anyway. Then again, maybe they just assume that you are, and really don’t care.

In any case, Don-o’s decision not to debate his opponents is interesting, just in the sense that 1) Kramer is probably the toughest debater of the bunch, and it may look like DS is afraid of him; 2) It doesn’t really matter how Ricketts performs, b/c he has more money than God (though just a little less than Walter Scott, and much less than Warren) to blow on his campaign ads, and soon you won’t be able to nudge your cable clicker w/o seeing one of his ads and; 3) Who in the world even watches these debates anyway? Let me give you a hint: No one. (Even Shugrue and Kotok sleep through them.)

If Don-boy’s campaign is based on some supposed good-campaigning pledge, he may as well pack it up now, b/c that and $6.25 will get him a grande-mocha at Starbucks.

Nebraska Politics

This is a new blog for insight into Nebraska politics.
The insight is mine.
If you have any insights, you can share.
But mine are the correct ones.
-Street Sweeper