Thursday, May 15, 2008

Hal Daub on deck


Word has it that former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub will announce Thursday his intention to re-seek the Omaha Mayor's office in 2009.

**UPDATE at 6:30 AM**
Confirmed by the OWH.

**UPDATE at 8:15 AM**
Confirmed by Hal Daub press release (see below)

Daub has been a major player in Omaha politics over the past year. In his position on the MECA board influencing the new stadium build, Daub has stayed in the news and kept his face in Omaha politics.

Even before his interest in the Chuck Hagel's Senate seat last year, Daub made no secret of his other desire to sit in Suite 300 of the City-County Building.

As Mayor, the uber-energetic Daub was the driving force behind the Qwest Center arena and convention center. One of his continuing proposals was a light-rail system in Omaha -- an idea now being floated by present Mayor Mike Fahey.

And what of Fahey? He has hinted that he may run for another term, but the current CW is that he will step aside. Many believe that the successful new stadium and commitment for the College World Series will be Fahey's swan-song. Some also believe that Fahey will do his best to hand-pick his successor. (State Senator Brad Ashford maybe?)

And Daub is hardly the only one interested. If Fahey should stay in, the field would be much smaller. But if he drops out the names of Ashford, Councilman Jim Vokal, former Mayor P.J. Morgan, and others, will certainly come up.

But Daub will keep things interesting for the next...year. The Wikipedia entry for "Energy" should just have his photo.

**UPDATE at 8:15 AM**

Via a Press Release this morning, Hal Daub has announced the formation of an exploratory committee while he considers a bid to become Omaha’s mayor in 2009.

From the release:
An informational Web site, http://www.daubformayor2009.com/, has been established. In addition, interested persons are invited to telephone their comments and concerns directly to Daub at 402-339-DAUB (3282).

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

TANNED, RESTED, and READY..DAUB 2009. On anonther note. Brad Ashford are you kidding me!!!

Anonymous said...

Daub championed keeping Omaha centered on the River instead of centering itself toward Lincoln. He won that battle and Fahey has trod the same path. But building a river centered Omaha without transport infrastructure is stupid. Daub's light-rail system idea is such a logical and critical need that it will probably drive his candidacy.

Yes, Daub is a polarizing character. He doesn't mind ticking people off. But that's because Daub is intensely goal oriented. Few have done more measurable good for Omaha than cranky Hal.

But what then does Fahey do with his lucky charms?

Anonymous said...

On the Brad Ashford subject remember this. He believes that Walking Willie Otey and John Joubert should not have been executed...for that matter Amber Harris' killer either. He created a new bloated government entity and raised property taxes with the learning community. He would love to get his hands on your guns and ban them...go back to his 3rd place finish in the 1994 Republican Congressional Primary and read up on his stances. Oh and ask him this, does he support McCain or Obama?

Anonymous said...

Let's not forget Ashford's total acceptance of illegal immigration and his fond and teary soliloquy about his mom and Ernie Chambers.

Right now, Brad Ashford could not win re-election to the Legislature let alone win the Mayor's Chair.

Anonymous said...

Yay Hal! Mayor Daub is needed in Omaha again.

Anonymous said...

Brad Ashford would make a great Mayor of Omaha. He has really pushed a progressive agenda in the legislature with Gun control, getting rid of the electric chair, the learning community (making those greedy Elkhorn, Westside and Millard residents pay their fair share) and stem cell research. I guarantee you Brad would get rid of the guns in the community and finally Omaha will have no more gun crimes.

Anonymous said...

To Conservative: What about Brad Ashford's Mom and Ernie Chambers???

I'm sure Fahey is not running, Paul Landow bought property in Florida recently....Both Mayors cannot be out of town at the same time and run the city.

Anonymous said...

If Daub runs against Fahey again it will be another victory for Fahey. Daub did some good, got the ball rolling steadily on the downtown redevelopment, but Omaha decided to go against him once, why would we change our minds? Fahey has been a good caretaker of the city, 25 year CWS contract guarantees his win.

Aaron said...

4.0,

Ok, I like what you're saying about Ashford, but I just can't accept it as truth. No more gun crimes? In a relatively big city? Psh, I'm in college as well, but even I'm not that idealistic. Instead we should look for a mayor willing to continue the commitment Fahey made to the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and continue to make our city an example of energy efficiency and sustainability. Even as a dem, I feel Hal Daub might just be crafty enough to find an climate friendly economic vision for Omaha. We'll see eh?

Anonymous said...

To Aaron: Just wanted to let you know...Mike Fahey's carbon footprint is huge. He owns a huge yacht in Lake of the Ozarks, drives around in a Limo (what other city employees ride share with him every day), He has owned homes that are 6000 sq ft plus, takes private jet charters for trips and golf outings, and was heavily invested in real esate deals that contrubuted to Omaha's growing sprawl So Aaron you support do as I say but not as I do environmentalists?

Aaron said...

Well, sometimes you don't know everything. He has made steps in the Omaha community for energy efficiency, its unfortunate that his personal life doesn't reflect that belief as well. Bummer!

Anonymous said...

No one at Von Maur had a gun with which to defend themselves because it was illegal in the Mall to have a gun. The criminal shooter, who would have had his weapon regardless, did his bloody work uninterrupted thanks to gun control, which controls only law abiders and turns them into potential victims.

Assford and friends hang targets on innocents and call that safety.

Anonymous said...

I fail to see how the answer to gun violence is more guns for everyone. maybe i aint got no good education but that dont make no sense to me

Anonymous said...

Hal is exploring if he can get firm committments for at least $1 million to fund a campaign. If he can't get that much, he's wasting his time since Mayor Landow will probably have $1.5-$2 million ready for the race if Mikey runs again.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, England and Australia have done an incredible job of eradicating gun violence after they banned all firearms in the late 1990's.

Unfortunately, the criminals failed to turn theirs in and now, England's violent crime rate is 3x that of New York City.

England has gotten so bad that the "bobbies" (British police officers) now carry Glock firearms. For generations the Bobbies were most prominently known for being unarmed officers.

That's what banning firearms gets you.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet Hal doesn't get $100,000 in commitments, let alone $1 million. With Fahey's future unclear, the money in Omaha is frozen.

Hal was "exploring" a Senate bid for 7 months and raised about $12. He doesn't have any go-to-guys anymore.

Anonymous said...

Hey Street Sweeper

How come you are not addressing the most important issue of today?
California Supreme Court allowing Gay Marriage.

Anonymous said...

We need him -- badly. His vision, his endless ideas, his ability to tell a sleeping city to wake up and see its potential. He saw, 10 years ago, that we needed to deal with the police & firefighter pensions, as was called 'abrasive.' Now our city is in financial turmoil because we didn't deal with it.

Anonymous said...

Remember whose brother was the Fire Union's lawyer for their contract? I think the attorney's name was John Fahey. No politician would ever sell out the city's financial future so they could get the Fire Union's endorsement and become mayor. Only one person can fix this mess. Hal were behind you!!!

Anonymous said...

Hal is not without his character flaws, but he is someone with so clear a vision and so goal oriented, I would like to see him run. If he loses, it will be because Omahans gave Fahey the credit for seeds planted during the Daub administration. GO HAL!

Anonymous said...

Hal is too old to be Mayor of Omaha.... He should just enjoy being retired and spend more time with his grandchildren. We need a younger mayor for this city, Hal served well, but it's time for someone new.

Anonymous said...

He's younger at heart than you and me, has more energy, and has a clearer vision.

Anonymous said...

HAL DAUB IS OWNED BY THE BANKS,THE BUISNESS ELITES OF OMAHA,THE LOBBYISTS AND THE LAW FIRMS AND REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE EXECS-IN SHORT, HE IS PART OF THE PARASITE CLASS OF RICH AND THEIR BAGMEN WHO OWN THE CITY'S POLITICIANS. WHAT DID HE DO IN CONGRESS AS A FAITHFUL LITTLE ANT IN THE 'REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION' WHICH HAS ENDED UP IN THE TRILLION DOLLAR BAILOUTOF 2008(AFTER THE BILLION DOLLAR BASH OF WALL STREET 1978-2008, AND WASHINGTON'S FIX AND ENABLING OF IT, INCLUDING CONGRESSMEN-LOBBYISTS DAUB)HE BELONGS ON THE SCRAPHEAP OF HISTORY, NOT IN OFFICE.

Anonymous said...

Has Hal Daub had a face lift? Just saw him, it sure looks like it.....