Tuesday, January 27, 2009

In case you missed 'em...

Just a bunch of backtracking here.

First, John from Omaha sent in a pic from the Inauguration of one of our Congressman. After that, we decided to track the rest of them down.

There are a couple of high-resolution photo sources from that day -- Gigapan and Photosynth. Each provide shots from the Inauguration, though at a couple of different angles.

So first we give you Nebraska's two Senators (circled in red):

You can see that E. Ben Nelson, being the senior Senator, got the better seats that day. 

Though simply being in "The Club", as is new Senator Mike Johanns, got you a pretty sweet view.

Then there's Nebraska's House delegation (circled in red).


Starting from the back, you can see Adrian Smith, sporting the shades. [From the comments section: Congresman Smith looks like he's got 10,000 marbles stashed in a briefcase, to unleash on the parade route. "Off that mailbox! That's government property!"] 


Jeff Fortenberry with the natty white scarf.  (A funny Onion-esque parody news story featuring Fort here.)

And then, there's Lee Terry. (This was the original shot sent to us.) Lee got the best seats of the bunch. And Lee...well...we're not sure if he was going to be hunting wabbitts later or what.  

(As John from Omaha asked, "Could he even hear?")

But at least if he was going to emulate someone, it was a former President.

***

The Omaha World Herald, oozing once more from the sturdy news steward into the sarcasm and gossip biz, gives us this update

State Treasurer Shane Osborn is not, repeat NOT, going to move to the First Congressional District and take on Jeff Fortenberry in a 2010 primary.

(Sorry, but did ANYONE think this would really be likely? Show of hands?)

***

And KMTV's Joe Jordan reports that "Nellie" is raising cash for his 2012 Senate run. Nelson will be 71 yeas old in 2012, so that would make him a Spring Chicken in the U.S. Senate terms. He's saying maybe he'll run, maybe he won't.

But hey, even we here on Leavenworth Street realize that 2012 is a looooong way off, in political terms. Now that won't stop those who are interested from getting themselves prepped. (And new GOP Chair Mark Fahleson is.)

But do we really want to start talking about 2012 right now?
You do?
OK, well, then have at it.


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87 comments:

Anonymous said...

No one cares about 2012 and Terry Lee looks like a fool with that hat.

Anonymous said...

Terry looks like Elmer Fudd.

Street Sweeper said...

Uh, hence our "wabbit" reference.

Come on, something more original!

(With all apologies to Lee and his haberdasher.)

Anonymous said...

Sweeper I want Ben's hair color noted for the record before the 2012 Ads come out. I think someone is going to borrow a bottle of "Just for Men" from Clyde the Glyde or Emmet Smith here soon...lol

Anonymous said...

When does Terry Lee NOT look like a doofus?

Anonymous said...

Hey anon 4:03 -
what do you look like? post up or shad up.

Anonymous said...

Jim Esch's seats would've been better.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:21 -- Believe me. I'm WAY better looking than Lee Terry!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Jim Esch . . . I heard Mary Barrett was calling former Hill staffers before the election asking about how they should set up the D.C. office.

Anonymous said...

OMG!

Anonymous said...

If Ben votes for the bailout that puts my kids and grandkids in debt from a Stimulas Package that buys $200 million of condoms and gives money to the criminals at ACORN I will campaign against him door to door across the entire state of Nebraska.

Anonymous said...

Jim Esch had exactly the seats he deserved:)

Anonymous said...

Gwen,

Bush already saw to it that your kids and grandkids are in debt up to their eyeballs - and with a lot less to show for it. And wouldn't you rather the welfare folks (which will include more and more of us in the near future) not be popping out more babies that (a) you'll have to feed (b) provide health care for and (c) build more prisons to house them as they grow up?

SA

Anonymous said...

By 2012 I believe that the #1 issue will be whether or not the politician voted for the bailout last October.
Campaining against the bailout was fun, but it was my Amercian Sovereignty duty.

This is the Ron Paul/Vote third party sign guy.

Anonymous said...

Apparently Gwen drinks the Rush Limpballs kool aid and believes all that crap she just regurgitated. Of course, it doesn't matter that its FALSE. No money is designated for ACORN, but rather rural and urban renewal projects (it's called a bidding process..remember those before the Bushies decided to just give contract to those that kissed their butt??). And the other money (no where NEAR $200 Million) goes for Family planning in the form of Medicaid Waivers already on the books for most states, it just opens up the waivers (which require a federal waiver, ie Congress) to the rest of the states. It's not for "contraceptives". Christ, Gwen, stop listening to that stupid, drug addicted, lying blowhard (which, by the way, means that the minute he lies to make a point, he has lost the argument because he obviously can't use the truth to do it) and grow a brain!!

Anonymous said...

The GOP needs to be setting up a 'Nelson Watch' blog. A Don Walton column earlier in the week floated the obvious Nelson trial balloon that he was going to vote for cloture 'on principle' and then against many of the Dem. proposals, knowing, of course, that cloture will be the only vote that matters. He can then use the meaningless up-or-down votes to posture and pretend he's representing the interests of Nebraskans. He needs to be made pay for those votes. He should also pay for voting to approve a tax cheat for treasury secretary.

Anonymous said...

To Anon 12:10 or SA:

Your response here presupposes the worst about anyone ever needing public assistance. "Welfare folks" as you call them.

Think about what your response suggests - that the poor ought not procreate. And if they do, heaven forbid, have children those children will end up on welfare and/or in prision. The race and class implications of your argument for contraception and abortion here are frightening.

This is still America. Where we are all guaranteed the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Where a child of "Welfare Folks" can achieve any dream he or she sets his sights on.

Please watch the following video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c&eurl=http://www.catholicvote.com/static/flash/cv_yt_player.swf

And you should think a little more critically about the worldview you have that lead to this astounding suggestion.

Street Sweeper said...

I'm leaving that last comment up only to make the point for those in the future.

NO LINKS PLEASE

If you have something to say, say it.

Anonymous said...

My apologies SS. The video is more powerful than my words will be, but here is my attempt to summarize:

Imagine an interracial child, likely an unplanned pregnancy, whose father abandoned him, whose mother struggled to raise him, who had to overcome countless obstacles - who becomes the first African American President of the United States of America.

It cuts to the heart of the impoverished assertion by Anon 12:10 that a poor or tough childhood ends in prison or a continued cycle of dependency.

Anonymous said...

Take that! Nebraska House delegation!
A Democratic President, and a liberal one!
NAH NAH NAH NAH!
Good luck with any possible influence.
And Johanns will be the most unrecognizable Senator in Washington!
Go Obama!

Ricky From Omaha

Anonymous said...

SS, why are you such a 'B' about links?

Street Sweeper said...

By "B", I'll assume you mean "Brother".

We don't like links b/c:

1) They're lazy. "If I could say it, THIS is what I could say." This is a comment section. Make a comment.

2) This isn't a place to pump everyone else's website. Whether it's another blog or a commercial site or whatever. It's easier to make a blanket rejection of links, than to attempt to pick and choose.

There ya go...bee-otch.

Anonymous said...

American Dream,

You obviously missed the implied sarcasm.

SA

Anonymous said...

Congresman Smith looks like he's got 10,000 marbles stashed in a briefcase, to unleash on the parade route.

Street Sweeper said...

Wow. So far that is the observation of the year.
"Hey kid, get off that mailbox! That's government property!"

Anonymous said...

So is Jon Blumenthal endorsing Jim Vokal and vice versa???? This lovely pair sat together at the Republican dinner at the Hilton last friday and hit the bar downstairs together afterwards.

Anonymous said...

Keep going 9:06 - that horse is not quite dead.

On second thought, yeah, it is.

Anonymous said...

Why is that a dead horse 9:20? I think it's important to know if one of our mayoral candidates and one of our city council candidates are buddy buddy. I think that's important information to know. Explains a lot.

Anonymous said...

It is appropriate to ask if you are endorsing or supporting another candidate for office. Vokal and Blumenthal seem to share a lot, dinner, drinks, bowling, bad websites, and Jordan McGrain...lol They can say yes or no, or as Vokal said recently "I will not comment on this any further", but you have the right to ask.

Anonymous said...

I think it's only a dead horse if you're trying to hide something. Or if you're trying to play both sides of something.

Anonymous said...

This morning Hal became the first candidate to turn in over 1,000 signatures and file with the Douglas County Election Commission. The filing isn't due until March 6.

Anonymous said...

I know NADC reports are due any day now. I have a question. How does one properly recieve and report a donation into a city council account and then have the donor request their donation back? Vokal and McGrain may need to have this information handy. I woudn't want them to spend another $28,000.00 on lawyer fees.

Anonymous said...

Yay Hal! My name's on that list for Hal. Guess which one I am? :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Gwen, ignore Anon that thinks she knows too much. AND, it is not $200 mill for condoms, it is $400. AND, Stupid B**ch Pelosi was even stupid enough to go on national tv and try to explain to the unenlightened public that what we need is less children being born each year that her Govt has to take care of. Hmm, I wonder which one of her stupid kids or idiot grandkids she wishes had been flushed down the drain? Let's hope the Pelosi plan quits popping babies out, Granny might cut them out of the will and then me and you will have to pay for their lifestyle!

Anonymous said...

I wonder which Member was warm, and which Members were cold?

I wonder which Member was proud to be there and which Members were just worried about what they would like like on tv?

I wonder where Congressman Terry got the hat? I think I saw several like that at American Eagle this season.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 9:21,

I doubt that your job mopping floors at McDonald's even makes you enough that you have to pay taxes. So don't worry about how much the welfare kids are costing YOU. Too bad your mom only flushed your brain down the crapper.

SA

Anonymous said...

To: 8:49 AM, January 28, 2009

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

I am going to go through this real slow so you can understand.

"Kool Aid" and "regurgitated" look in the mirror. (reasons to follow -- go back to the original blog as reference)

If you think ACORN will not get funds from the Obama as payback for their deceit and fraud, follow the money in the next few months!!!!!! Not that you care, but there are conservative groups that have lost their tax exempt status for lots less than ACORN's campaigning. If you want to see our country torn apart, let lying and cheating continue in elections.


"Stupid" Who said there are 58 states in the United States? Do we need to have a quiz show asking 5th Graders ---- "Are You Smarter than a President?"


"lying blowhard" Who made a campaign promise in front of God and everyone that he would not allow lobbyist to work in his cabinet???? Then go back on his word. You and the liberal newspapers can minimize it --- but one you lie you become a liar. Did want to follow a liar??????

Are you getting it yet??? Will the REAL Kool Aid drinker please admit it --- you know, admission is the first step to recover.


"grow a brain" --- try it, you'll like it!!!! Sorry that wasn't very nice, but really you need to cut down a few trees to see the forest. (without a camera in hand all the time you should have time to work on it!!!)

Anonymous said...

Not a floor mopper at Micky D's. I live in a $100,000 plus combined income household. I have a degree, I pay my bills, I teach my children about life and the real world.

She is wrong on all aspects of this economic mess and when it continues to slide under a no excuse House, Senate, and WhiteHouse, maybe you will finally accept that she and they cannot fix it by buying your votes with outlandish campaign promises.

Anonymous said...

Gwen,

It seems, with your examples, like you were writing about the recently exited-the-scene GWB. There is no need for you to slow down for me; your limited vocabulary (and torturous syntax)isn't so difficult to understand - your twisted logic, however, is.

Anon,

You might try lying on your side so that the Kool Aid doesn't keep pooling in your eye sockets when you "regurgitate."
Good thing you're a stay-at-home parent and your partner can afford to support your fantasies with his/her $100K/year job.
Are you home-schooling those kids? Wouldn't that be a form of child abuse?

SA

Anonymous said...

As far as 2012, what are the chances that the Democrats will field a full slate of statewide candidates or even a credible candidate for Governor? If they can't find qualified candidates, would Kyle M. or Lisa Hannah run?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 1057 -

Probably not, since the statewide elections for governor and other state offices are in 2010.

Anonymous said...

When will Suttle go on TV? I bet he has the lowest name ID of the three candidates.

Anonymous said...

The enormous egos of Kyle and Lisa would lose them the support of their party. They're better of where they are, impressing one another with their posts on the little read NNN.

Anonymous said...

It's pretty obvious that Vic Covalt has a lot of work cut out for him. They need to field a credible candidate for Governor if they want to show the 2nd CD win was anything other than a one-time fluke. They also need to field a candidate for Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor and Attorney General. Let's see what happens--I bet they leave 3 of the 4 underticket spots vacant. So much for Howard Dean's 50 state strategy lol.

Anonymous said...

Jim Suttle is gonna surprise you guys. While Daub and Vokal fight each other, Suttle is working hard at getting his name out.

Anonymous said...

Separated at birth: Rick Sheehy and Bill Self

Street Sweeper said...

Done and done.
(That's actually a little scary.)

Anonymous said...

"Jim Suttle is gonna surprise you guys."

As a democrat I know who I am putting my money on and it's not Suttle.

Anonymous said...

TO: SA

Tell me more about my twisted logic.

Is a liar not a liar?

Why is the Dem party not condemning the fraud of ACORN? If they do not condemn --- they are passively condoning such practices. You must be proud!!!

If a President makes numerous errors from the 58 state comment to trying to walk through a window is he any "smarter" than GWB or any regular person that doen't walk on water??? Human beings are fallible. (period) No one is without error no matter how hard groups try to deify.

Be specific when correcting my twisted logic without your Kool Aid bias!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Did you know Hal Daub plays trumpet?

(remember will ferel in "Anchor Man" playing "jazz flute")

Anonymous said...

Wonder when Jim Vokal will be going back on TV. I haven't seen his ads this week.

Anonymous said...

A liar IS a liar. But there are those (GWB) that make a habit, or an art, of it, and those that do so rarely. Why were you never so sensitive to GWB's lie upon lie, upon lie, upon lie?

What is with your phobia about Acorn? Are you a squirrel?

Nobody is without error, yet you Republicans are ready to pounce all over Obama if he so much as sneezes. Why weren't you so critical of that guy that shreded our U.S. Constitution and alienated all the friends we once had?

I'm more into Grey Goose. I don't drink Kool Aid. And, I'll bet that I have been a damned sight more critical of my own party than you ever have been of your own.

Anonymous said...

To: Anon 8:46 PM, January 30, 2009 (AKA Lisa)


List the ten lies of GWB that torque you off so much!!! We will not accept the WMD because Bill Clinton and GWB passed that lie on as "truth" from the normal intelligence sources. So both Presidents and everyone else on the planet lied about WMD because of their incorrect information source.


Go ahead list the ten, please.


Thanks for helping out a non-elitist, average Joe inquiring conservative.


Also could you list ten reasons why you and other Dems think GWB is so stupid. I have asked many Kool Aid drinkers just like you and they really don't have an answer they just say "he's dumb". No reason given!!!! Is this just inherent with being in opposition of a liberal. The Peace Dems during the unCivil War called Lincoln a "dunce" and thought he was the stupidest man on earth.


I know --- you knew Abe and George is no Abe --- right???

Anonymous said...

Gwen,

I'll not waste any more time trying to argue with you simply because it would be an exercise in futility. You are so entrenched in your fantasies that no amount of logic could shake you from them. If the truth isn't already apparent to you, it is because your eyes, ears and mind are all sealed against it.
If you can't accept the WMD argument, then it is more than obvious that you would accept no others. Go be content in the bliss of your ignorance.

SA

Anonymous said...

SA ------------- you are just like all the other Kool Aid drinkers that I question. The security blanket issue you cling so tightly --- WMD just will not hold water.


You cannot come up with any lies of GWB or any good reason to call him stupid ---- you just do.


Thanks for your time --- my expectations of you were too high, I guess. I assure you citing 10 lies and 10 reasons to call GWB stupid would not be an exercise in futility on your part --- but greatly appreciated --- since no one I have asked has even attempted. Feelings seem to trump facts with liberals today just as it was in Lincoln's day.


We already have two blatant lies of BO and two blatant errors showing ignorance way beyond the plural spelling of potato and it has only been a week in office and you cannot recite 10 of GWB's in an 8 years period. Come on humor me. Facts will not confuse me!!!!!


You show me YOUR facts and I will show you MINE:):):):):)

Anonymous said...

what the...? Why don't you two exchange email addresses and stop hijacking this thread? No one cares about your dorky blog-battle or whatever it is.

Anonymous said...

Gwen,

There are so many documented instances of GWB's lies that I needn't repeat them for you. Street Sweeper doesn't allow links on here or I'd provide you some. You can use Google can't you? Man, they got a million of 'em.

You honestly believe there were WMDs in Iraq? I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Why do you Republicans still cling to Lincoln as though your party still stands for anything that he did? He'd be rolling over in his tomb if he knew what you guys have done with his party.

Anonymous 5:31,
Why don't you go turn on Fox News if you don't like what you see here? Who asked for your opinion anyway?

SA

Anonymous said...

TO Anonymous 5:31 Sorry -- this will be the finale.


TO SA


I did go to Google per your advise. It appears the genesis of the Bush "lies" comes from advisor or intelligence reports while the Obama lies comes directly from him with his desire to sway people to vote for him. Case in point, he said he would not allow lobbyist in his administration, and already has two that he made exceptions.


Nice try in cooping Lincoln. You wish the Dems could call him their own. But recall it was the "Peace Dems" called the "Copperheads" that called him every name in the book.


You can try all you want to demonize Republicans but it was Dems like Al Gore's Dad that voted against the Equal Rights Amendment.


As a Republican that was a Dem for the majority of my like I am appalled that the current Dem leadership condones the actions of ACORN. You will pay off Unions for their contributions by taking away the secret ballot. In the stimulus package your party will use my grandchildren's future taxes to pay back Hollywood for their support in 2008.


Is this the country that Mrs. Obama can finally be proud of? Is this the best we can be?


I don't think so!!!


Over and out!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Gwen,

Don't bend your spoon on the Republican propoganda. Ta-ta.

Anonymous said...

I just saw Ben Nelson on CNN and I love him. His hair is better than Blago's and Fortenberry's...eat your heart out Vokal and Suttle...you know you wish you have such a delicious head of hair...yummy

Anonymous said...

Hair does not make a candidate sucessful!!!! Vote Vokal!!!

Anonymous said...

Any predictions on the NADC's for Mayor or council?????

Anonymous said...

What are everyone's thoughts on Nancy McCabe taking over for Brian Buescher as the chairman of the DCRP?

Anonymous said...

Put a fork in Vokal, HE'S DONE!!!! The NADC's are out and guess who is in 3rd place??? Jim Vokal raised a pathetic $162,000 and has $100k on hand as of Dec 31st. Well if you take into consideration he had a $100k TV buy after January 5th then the Vokal piggy bank is broke. (Where are all the commercials now?) The other question is how much of that $162k came out of his council account??? I'm waiting for the spin on the Vokal camp on this one...lol

Anonymous said...

The Sounds of Silence is deafening!!!! No response from the Vokal Camp???? Where is all that money from the chamber??? Where is all that money fron the "young and hip" Omahans??? Where is the heavy hitters McGrain bragged about???? Better fire up the robo caller machine at Maverick Consulting and set it for charity donation calls.

Anonymous said...

DAUB LEADS FUNDRAISING RACE
Omaha World Herald - 2/2/2009:
"With two months to go before the city's primary election, former Mayor Hal Daub's camp said today...[h]e has raised about $320,000 in contributions." Vokal "had raised about $162,000."

Anonymous said...

btw, how come no post, sweeper?

Street Sweeper said...

I'm waiting to get the Vokal #s.
(That, and I work for a living...)
Probably nothing until Tuesday.
-SS

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Jon Blumenthal had an interesting weekend. On Friday night he was distributing campaign materials at a Millard South Basketball game, violating Millard district policies. After some discussion and Blomenthal becoming belligerent, he stopped and left.

Not to be outdone, on Saturday night he came back and was at it again. Turns out this time they needed a police officer to stop him and remove him from the property.

Dozens of witnesses each night. Classy!

Just what we need, another attorney who is above the law or policies. Then again, who expects anyone from Baird Holm to respect Millard policies?

Just what we need. A

Anonymous said...

This is hillarious...Jon Blumenthal was asked to leave Millard School property by the Police this weekend!!!! Your all-knowing campaign manager should have known there is a strict non-campaigning policy at the schools.

You know Jon, the polite thing to do is to call in advance and see whether it is approriate to campaign or not. What would have been hillarious if the parents would have known you worked at Baird Holm.

Anonymous said...

"I'm waiting to get the Vokal #s.
(That, and I work for a living...)
Probably nothing until Tuesday.
-SS"

Of course -- there's nothing newsworthy here since the news is so bad for Vokal. Or you must be waiting for McGrain to edit your entry before you post it. Let me guess the talking points: Vokal is going to have a HUGE January. He got in the race late, so 2008 numbers don't really matter.

And I'm sure Sweeper won't probe on the issue of carrying over City Council donations into the mayor's race. Just how much $ has Vokal raised in this race?

Anonymous said...

I enjoy how one of our illustrious councilmen hasn't filed his NADC as of 4pm today for his council race...

Street Sweeper said...

Well, that's a great Q, which is why I'm waiting to get Vokal's #s and compare them to what I have for Daub (sent out in a presser ) and Suttle (already on the NADC site).

The COH # does nothing for you w/o the rest of the info.

Tell you what, put up all the info you have on your blog and we'll all go look.

Anonymous said...

Annon 4:47

The reports only have to be post marked by today to be on time.

Anonymous said...

SS -

Vokal's numbers are in the World-Herald article. He established his mayoral committee on December 2 but was obviously raising money long before that. What information in the NADC report would make his numbers look better?

Anonymous said...

I could here Blumenthal now...."You can't make me leave!!! I'm a Baird Holm partner!!! We will sue Millard out of existence!!!!...I'm friends with Jim Vokal and Susie Buffet!!!!!"...lol

Anonymous said...

Yeah, he gets an email with an Excel spreadsheet attachment from Jordan McGrain and it's a legitimate poll, but suddenly the World-Herald and KETV aren't legitimate sources?

Both are reporting Daub raised twice as much $ as Vokal.

And I'll bet a good % of Vokal's $ carried over from his city council piggy bank. Which means he hasn't really been able to raise much at all during this race.

Anonymous said...

Where is the are you to answer these charges, Jordan McGrain?


....Jordan?


......hello?

Anonymous said...

...still waiting on permission from McGrain to post?

Street Sweeper said...

Again, it baffles me why you commenters try to piss me off.

In any case, I was not able to review the Vokal report until late this afternoon.

And we are interested in commenting on the whole report, not just the COH numbers in the newspaper. Things like who the money came from, when, where it was spent. All things one can only get from the entire report.

So whydoncha all just unbunch your undies, finish watching Olberman, and come back here Tuesday morn.

Thanks now.
SS

Anonymous said...

Odd that SS would pull the Olbermann card when most of the agitation seems to be coming from Daub supporters.

Street Sweeper said...

Oh I played the Olberman card!
It's on the table, baby!

Anonymous said...

and how long has daub been raising money?

Actually how long has daub been running for an office period? Senate included? I hope he wins for the sake of his sanity....

Senate, Mayor... What's next hal? City Council? School board?

Anonymous said...

glad to hear you're a supporter.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone see the new mayoral candidate who was interviewed on KETV at 6pm Monday? He even packs heat. I was cracking up so much I didn't know what to think. Omaha is going down the shitter.....

Anonymous said...

If Jim Vokal was smart he would get out of the mayors race and run for reelection to his council seat. Where will his political career be after coming in 3rd to Jim Suttle????

Still no comments from Jordan McGrain!!!!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.