OWH endorses Johanns, Terry

The Omaha World Herald endorsed Mike Johanns for Senate and Lee Terry for Congress in their editorial section on Sunday.

Some bites:

The right leader
Electing Mike Johanns senator would continue proud tradition for Nebraska.

Exon, Kerrey, Nelson, Hagel — all are names highly regarded for conscientious public service that reflected well on their state.

If elected as Nebraska's newest U.S. senator, Mike Johanns would fit right in with the Nebraska tradition of impressive service.

Johanns had already demonstrated competence as mayor of Lincoln and governor of Nebraska, compiling a record that was unquestionably conservative. During the tight budgetary times of 2001-03, he made clear his determination that the state government must maintain fiscal discipline. As a World-Herald news story stated in December 2004, "he managed a budget crisis of historic proportions."

At the same time, he showed statewide vision. His administration helped develop strategic policy to address Nebraska's water needs. Johanns pushed for needed community- based reform of Nebraska's behavioral health system.

If elected, Johanns — a Republican — would enter the Senate at a time of what is likely to be an extraordinary electoral surge by congressional Democrats. But that is all the more reason to elect a commonsense conservative like Johanns, whose sound judgment — complemented by his even temperament— could help keep the Senate pendulum from swinging too far to the left in its policy decisions.

And for Terry:

Rep. Lee Terry is a conscientious lawmaker. He deserves re-election.

It is ironic that this congressman is mocked so snidely by some in his district, given the reality that he has pursued a serious-minded, unegotistical approach to his public service.

This year, the congressman is facing an honorable and well-spoken challenger. Voters are rightly sizing up the two contenders in what it appears to be a tight race.

It's hard to get a clear handle on what the challenger actually seeks to do in a lot of cases, though. Nuanced positions can be a reflection of a thoughtful person. But too much nuance can mean too much vagueness. Voters deserve more.

In this contest, the incumbent congressman has demonstrated commendable devotion to his district, state and nation. He deserves the opportunity to continue his work in Washington, where he would build on his seniority.

This congressman is Rep. Lee Terry of Omaha, and he deserves reelection.

So despite all of this good news, we still think that it is most likely the Scott Kleeb and Jim Esch will lose on Election Day. But after the OWH's endorsements, it may give them hope...

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Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman received the the fourth highest rating among governors in the Cato Institute's 2008 Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors.  (h/t Red State Eclectic.).  In part...

Governor Heineman is an outstanding tax cutter. In 2006, he proposed substantial cuts to personal income tax rates, and the legislature agreed to a compromise that raised income tax brackets. In 2007, Heineman signed into law another array of tax cuts including further income tax cuts and a repeal of the estate tax. He has also supported property tax relief.