2007 Politician of the Year

Last Year it was Dave Heineman, followed closely by Ernie Chambers.
This year? An even tougher decision. But in the end, the Leavenworth Street 2007 Politician of the Year is...

Jon Bruning

It was a difficult choice for 2007's PotY. There were few specific "successes" in the off political year. There was a great deal of posturing, speechifying and jumping in and out. But after we looked at it, we decided that, though he ended up clim

bing out of the candidate pool, no one made a bigger splash than Jon Bruning.

In March of 2007, Bruning stood in the UNO Alumni Center with a scowl on his face. Chuck Hagel had just made his infamous Non-Announcement-Announcement, and Bruning was somewhat floored. He had expected, like many others, that Hagel was running for President (why else would the national press make the trip?). This threw a monkey-wrench into the situation.

After an initial trial candidacy, Bruning listened to the many new Hagel-dislikers around the state and decided try to knock the king off his throne. And he put a real scare into the Hagel camp. How do we know? Well, almost immediately, Bruning's old Daily Nebraskan articles from his Democrat days hit the email in-boxes. And with every punch came a counter-punch. Easily the most quotable pol of 2007, Bruning seemed to constantly be tossing haymakers.

Bruning didn't just take on the establishment though. He was a formidable candidate, raising nearly a million bucks in a contested primary against a powerful incumbent.

But then came Hagel's final decision, and a quandary for Bruning. The word from the state and national GOP was, "The king is dead. Long live the king!" And before Bruning could turn around, Mike Johanns was up on the throne, yet no one was screaming for his head.

So after some initial bluster, Bruning decided to cool his heels and watch the Johanns coronation from the sidelines. He quickly became a statesman, willing to do the best for the party.

Bruning is 2007's Leavenworth Street PotY because of the shockwave he made across the Nebraska political establishment. That's not to say he did everything right. His firebrand candidacy, taking on the incumbent, may have even harmed his career (and the party) in the long term. But in 2007, no one made more hay than Jon Bruning. We'll miss him in 2008.

Can Bruning rest quietly until 2010? 2012? We have a feeling we'll hear from him.
And we look forward to it.


Chuck Hagel

If Bruning was #1, then Chuck Hagel has to be #1A. Hagel put himself on the national map early in 2007 by being the most vocal Republican against the war, and a thorn in the side of the Bush administration. A darling of the Sunday morning talk shows, Hagel began 2007 with discussions in the National Journal and GQ about a possible independent Presidential candidacy. Hagel scoffed at the notion. "Ludicrous", he said. So everyone waited with baited breath at his March presser at UNO.

After the collective "WTF?", many figured that Hagel was either done for, or possibly in trouble, should he run for re-election. But then came the strange footsy game with New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Hagel kept his name in the news. Even after finally deciding to retire from the Senate, Hagel's name has constantly been in the Presidential discussion.

As the Democrat's favorite Republican (on the war and immigration, anyway) and the presumed running mate for a Bloomberg independent run, Hagel has defied the GOP powers-that-be, and has gone his own way (or at least Bloomberg's way). After the January 7, 2008 meeting in Norman, we may have an even better idea what the "independents" are up to. If Hagel is the #1A in 2007, look for him to be a contender for #1 in 2008.


Mike Johanns

Again, Johanns has to be no lower than #1B. When first considering the 2007 PotY, we figured it was Johanns in a lock. He showed up and was immediately crowned the head of the Nebraska GOP. But then we got to thinking that, wait a minute, he didn't really do anything (this year). And while we give him the credit (and thus this still-high position), he was really only on the Nebraska political scene for about two months. His major accomplishment was pushing Bruning, Daub and Raimondo out of the primary.

Kudos, but we're waiting for more in 2008.


Comeback of the Year
Tom Osborne

This one comes from the nomination of a Leavenworth Street commenter. Remember Congressman Tom Osborne? The quietly statesmanlike, populist man of the Third District? Well, the Congressman didn't cotton just right to the GOP voters who decided to keep Dave Heineman in the McMansion in 2006. Then in 2007 T.O. even took a swipe, on Jon Bruning's behalf, at Mike Johanns for quitting the Ag Department. And no one was really comfortable with politician T.O.

But when the real heart of Nebraska was mortally wounded, who swooped in to save the day?
Football Coach Tom Osborne.
Athletic Director Tom Osborne.
Roving Assistant Coach Tom Osborne.
Head Coach recruiter Tom Osborne.
Permanent Athletic Director Tom Osborne.

And then we all felt good again. Safe. Comforted. T.O. is in charge.
And his "office" is only about five million times nicer than Dave Heineman's.
Isn't living well the best revenge?


Dishonorable Mention
Nebraska Democrats

After all the chest beating from 2006's Year of the Democrat, the Nebraska Democrat party laid a giant egg in 2007.
No candidates for any major 2008 race.
Dissension in the party.
And their top guy for next year? A Republican.
Better luck next year.


And 2008...

Who will finally step up for the Dems? Will Kleeb keep his name in the news? Will Raimondo give Johanns a real race? Will Fahey do the right thing with the CWS? Or will Daub grab the wheel once again? And who else's name will hit the lights?

You know it's only going to get better in 2008.
See you next year!

Quotes of 2007

We've had another great year on Leavenworth Street talking Nebraska politics.

Here are a few of our favorite quotes from the past twelve months.

(Add your favorites, in the comments section.)

January

I think (Chuck Hagel is) a fantastic senator. If he does want to seek re-election, I want to be among the first to endorse and support him.

- Jon Bruning

February

I'm from Nebraska. I believe that says it all.

- Ginger ten Bensel

March

Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, NE

- # 3 in the Nebraska Young Democrats' "Top 10 things to do in Omaha"

I will announce a decision on my political future later this year.

- Chuck Hagel's non-announcement announcement

I'm a Chuck Hagel guy.

- Jon Bruning, the day after Hagel's non-announcement announcement

There is no place for blind hate, no matter how disguised, in any legislative body.

- John McCollister on Hagel

April

Nebraskans will not vote for a chameleon.

- Hagel op Kevin Chapman on Bruning.

May

Nebraskans are fed up with Senator Hagel’s trying to micromanage the war.

- Bruning

It's a great country to think about a New York boy and a Nebraska boy to be teamed up leading this nation.

- Hagel

June

The Hot Rancher!

- Democrat fundraising ad, featuring the appearance of Scott Kleeb

July

Wash this cream through your hair.

- Ben Nelson's barber

I'm not a flake.

- Hagel

He had some encounters with the law regarding alcohol and marijuana.

- Pat Flynn for Senate website

August

Shut up!

- Lee Terry to Jesse Jackson Jr.

Do you want to step outside?

- Jesse Jackson Jr. to Lee Terry.

Hell, I don't know what party I belong to any more.

- Hagel

My presumption is that he's rich.

- Bob Kerrey on Norman Hsu

September

Johanns is not the heavyweight among Republicans some expect him to be.

- Bruning campaign manager, Jordan McGrain

Well, that doesn't mean quitting, dear.

- Hagel to The Today Show's Meredith Vierra

What matters, Robbie the intern's opinion or mine?

- Bruning

The outsiders should keep their noses out of Nebraska Republicans' business

- Hal Daub.

If I cured cancer tomorrow people would call it political.

- Bruning

I'm sure that affected his decision to get back to Nebraska now to start scrubbing the smell of Washington from his Senate candidacy.

- McGrain on Johanns

I'm kind of gratified and humbled by the comments.

- Mike Johanns on criticisms from all sides after he left the Ag Dept.

I don't want to make another concession speech.

- Hal Daub

That NRSC poll was bogus.

- Daub, on the Phantom poll

October

If people are sick of Washington why would they want to choose a man who was the president’s lap dog while he was in Washington?
- Bruning

One friend had to turn his combine off in order to hear…

- Kerrey on talking to an actual Nebraskan

Only Leavenworth Street is talking about that.

- Tony Raimondo on if he would run as a Dem.

I don't want to come across as being critical of Mike Johanns leaving , but...

- Tom Osborne

I would seriously consider an offer.

- Scott Kleeb on whether he will run for Senate

Chuck Hagel is the first Republican… almost 100 years now from George Norris to the present.

- Kleeb

I'll keep all options open, but it's unlikely.

- Raimondo on running as a Dem.

November

In 2010 you really could have a meaningful race.

- Jim Esch, conceding the 2008 race to Lee Terry

You're not my psychologist.

- Bruning to a reporter

I'm not God.

- Steve Achelpohl on trying to find Democrats to run for Congress.

December

No.

- Brad Ashford, on whether he was thinking about switching to the Democrats.

***

(Don't forget to submit your nomination for the Leavenworth Street - Nebraska Politician of the Year!)

Merry Christmas!

Nominations for Politician of the Year

With the announcement of Vladamir Putin as the TIME Magazine Man of the Year, that award has officially jumped the shark.

So what's the buzz at the all the coffee shops about instead? Well, of course, that would be..

The 2007 Leavenworth Street Nebraska Politician of the Year!

(See the 2006 Pol of the Year here.)

As we stated last year...

A Politician may be described as “Anyone involved in Nebraska politics”.

Therefore it could be an office holder, a candidate, a campaign worker, a political party worker, a consultant, a member of the media – just about anyone you can think of involved in Nebraska politics.

That person should be judged on their influence making, news making, difference making, interesting-ness or any other thing that you would like to take into account.

Leavenworth Street will then laboriously sift through these suggestions, and any others we may come up with, to announce our Nebraska Politician of the Year.

You can list your nominee, and the reasons behind that nomination, in the comments section, or you can email them directly to us at leavenworthst@gmail.com.

We will announce the L. St. Pol of the Year, on December 27th or 28th.

Get to work!

What's Tony waiting for?

A lifelong Republican plans on running for the United States Senate as a Republican.
Frustrated with his poor odds on getting the GOP nomination, he makes a career changing, major decision:
Switch parties! Become a Democrat!
That way he can...he can...sit around for a month and think about it?

Tony Raimondo said over the weekend that he would announce his decision for the Senate sometime after the holidays.
Well, if he's NOT going to run, then why switch parties?

Raimondo, who was announced as the Manufacturing Czar for the President of the United States, who is friends with Senators (well, Senator, anyway) and employs hundreds of people, traveling the world in his position, is waiting for former ranch-hand Scott Kleeb to make up his mind.

And apparently if Kleeb decides to run, Raimondo will drop out.
(And would he then switch back parties?)

In any case, the embarrassment to the Nebraska Democrats of even suggesting that they'd embrace Raimondo, has now turned into an embarrassment for the 67 year old Raimondo. TR gets to hold his hat while a kid less than half his age, with no experience doing anything, twiddles his thumbs making impassioned videos about nothing.

Way to get out and lead there, Tony.

***

Cosmic Bob Kerrey made some news over the weekend by endorsing Hillary Clinton.
Kerrey said:

"I think his capacity to influence in a positive way without spending a penny the behavior of a lot of underperforming black youth today is very important, and he's the only one who can reach them."

Oh, wait. He was talking about Obama there.
Oh well. But really, he thinks Hillary is awesome.

***

Word is that Nebraska Democrat Party Executive Director Matt Conneally is trying to get Jeff Fortenberry to run against Jeff Fortenberry for the 1st District Congressional seat. No word yet from Fortenberry.

Democrats need not apply

First, an excuse to run a long ago suggested Separated At Birth:
State Senator Brad Ashford and Jerry Springer.

Just a quick post to point you to KMTV reporter Joe Jordan's blog, where he says that the Nebraska Dems have asked ANOTHER Republican to run as a Democrat for Congress.

Republican State Senator Brad Ashford turned down Dem E.D. Matt Conneally's suggestion that he run against Rep Lee Terry.

Jordan says:

The Executive Director of the Nebraska Democrat Party, Matt Conneally, called former United States Senator Bob Kerrey (D-,1989-2001) to see if Kerrey would
call Ashford. Kerrrey tells me he did call Ashford, but didn't ask Ashford to switch. According to Kerrey he just asked Ashford if Ashford was considering the move. Ashford tells me he told Kerrey, "No."

We get the feeling that Conneally is just standing outside the GOP HQ in Lincoln, seeing who walks out, and asking if they'll run for Congress.

Next on Jordan's blog: "Dave Heineman has turned down an offer to run as a Democrat against Jeff Fortenberry..."

(Click on the right to see Ashford's old SABs, and others!)

Heineman for Mitt

The Mitt Romney for President campaign announced today that Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman is endorsing Mitt for President.
(No word on whether DH asked Mitt if Jesus and Satan are brothers...)

That makes only the second major Nebraska pol to endorse a Presidential candidate. Rep. Lee Terry is the other, supporting Fred Thompson's candidacy quite a while back. Of course, with Fred's fade of late, we'll see at what point Lee decides to ride another horse -- like many other early supporters seem to be doing.

The other members of the House, Reps Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith, seem to be sitting back for now. Both were supported heavily by the White House during their initial Congressional runs, for what that's worth.

On the other side of the Capitol, Senator Chuck Hagel hasn't endorsed anyone formally. But of course when he's been asked, he usually touts his buddy Democrat Senator Joe Biden as someone who he thinks would be good (and even sported the "Biden for Prez" t-shirt ). And then, of course, there's the New York Boy - Nebraska Boy connection with Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

Senate candidate Mike Johanns hasn't committed to anyone that we know of. The Jon Bruning for Senate camp got calls from John McCain, but at the time told McCain he was waiting to see if Chuck Hagel would run (back when he was a "Hagel guy"). Don't know if Jon has called McCain back.

And then there's the Benator. There was some goofy talk a while back that he would be a good Veep for Hillary, but that got shot down like a turkey at his Platte River compound. But let's see...Nelson is pro-war, pro-life, pro-conservative judges, anti-illegal immigrant, and, we think, pro-"Nebraska values". That puts him in either the Romney or Giuliani camps, right?

Tell ya what. We'll open this one up as well. Who's YOUR Presidential candidate, and why?

(And we politely ask the Ron Paul folks to not take over this board.)

Will the Democrats have a Senate primary?

Nebraska’s newest Democrat is former lifelong Republican and former almost- Republican Senate candidate, Tony Raimondo of Columbus.

Nebraska’s favorite Democrat is the loser of the 2006 3rd Congressional District election, Scott Kleeb.

Now the conventional wisdom is that Kleeb is not really interested in running for the U.S. Senate at this point, since it would more than likely be a losing battle to the Mike Johanns Juggernaut ©. Why bother, right?

Well, enter Tony! Toni! Toné Raimondo! The 67 year old BFF to Ben Nelson just figures this is his lone chance for a grab at the brass ring. He polled and realized that he had no chance against Johanns in the GOP primary (heck it’s questionable whether he could have come within twenty points of Jon Bruning or Hal Daub).

But he figures that while he couldn’t get Republicans to give him a chance against Johanns, he could get Democrats, Republicans and Independents to give him that chance. Why? Well…we have no idea really.

He’s not that well known. While some figure he could or would self-finance a campaign, a’la Pete Ricketts, all indications are that he would only put in around $200,000 to $500,000 max. He’s not exactly well-liked among many Democrats – seeing as he’s been one for a week. He has no idea what the rigors of a statewide campaign are. And he’s not exactly a spring-chicken.

Now here’s an interesting question, going against the above-referenced conventional wisdom on Kleeb: What if Kleeb DOES want to run, but he’s being leaned on to let Raimondo take the reins? Would that mean Ben Nelson is trying to keep a REAL Democrat out of the race? Has Ben Nelson already picked sides in a Democrat primary?

And would state and national Democrats allow a competitive primary to happen?

Dems (and new Dem Raimondo) keep crowing about how Republicans were “forced” out against Johanns. But they really just saw the writing on the wall. They weren’t going to beat Johanns and knew there was no point in losing in the primary.

But what of the Dems? Raimondo vs. Kleeb would be an interesting match, no? It would give Kleeb some recognition, and allow him to actually win something. And would he win? We think he would. But Raimondo would give him a serious fight. It would be an interesting battle. The winner would come out with better name ID against Johanns, no?

But, alas, we’ll probably not see it. This has already been decided in the smoke-filled turkey-hunting cabin along the Platte, right? Right?

***

Mike Johanns has an improved web-site up, and it has all the standard stuff. You may note that the video with the poor lighting and the lousy sound is gone. And for photos, you get these shots of MJ in a parade sporting this bitchin’ USA leather jacket!

(And no, Seinfeld fans, it doesn’t remind us of David Puddy’s leather 8-ball jacket. Why would you ask that?)

***

Just to keep you abreast of things, Chuck Hagel is once again calling out the Bush Administration on national TV, and New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is continuing to write op-ed articles on national issues. There are some that think if it’s a Huckabee-Obama general election, Bloomberg would get in. And with him, maybe, the “Nebraska boy”…

A little break, courtesy of CNN

Even during Wednesday's tragedy, CNN can't help but make a political statement.
Check out the name of the city in Wolf Blitzer's "Situation Room":


And a closer shot of CNN's spellchecker:


(Thanks to Vince Keenan for providing this.)

Have a restful weekend.

Tragedy at Westroads

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their friends and families of the senseless murders at Westroads today.

Gel-Head Cheese

You're not going to find a cheesier clip on the internets than what you can see below.

Scott Kleeb, the guy who got walloped by Congressman Adrian Smith last year, smirks, winks, swallows, frowns, and purses for two solid minutes. We're not sure, but he may have cried a little too. That's just how strongly he feels about maybe possibly running for something again. We're not sure what that may be but...(pause...)...he'll let us know (probably).


That's right, he may just grit his teeth again...wait...he just did.

So enjoy this gel-headed, "hunk" of cheese Nebraska and...(really dramatic pause)... have a Merry Cowboy-Ride into the Sunset.

(40 qt h.t. to the NNN)