Thursday, April 02, 2009

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Driving around West O, a few names in our faces.

Hal Daub at 73rd & Pacific.

Jim Vokal at 140th & W. Center Rd.

Near 140th & Industrial Rd.
Jon Blumenthal
And Jean Stothert


Franklin Thompson cornering the bus-bench advertising market (which we like for the lower tier races).

Walt Peffer with a few signs out and about.


***

In the "in case you missed it" file, how about the Nebraska Democrats pissing of a whole slew of candidates by jerking them around on a recent mailing?

The OWH and KMTV reported on how Councilman Frank Brown was told by the party that the no other candidates in his District would be taking part in their organized mailing -- then finding his main opponent, Ben Gray, on the mailer when it went out.

Then in District 3, Dem candidate Crystal Rhoades said she told the party she would like to see the flyer before she blows $2,000 of her campaign money on it. She says they never got back to her, and went ahead and sent of the mailer.

Are we saying that if you're a Democratic candidate that at some point the party will jam a shiv in your back?

Well, we'd just say, watch yourselves independent Dems. Watch yourselves...

***

On yesterday's April Fool's Day jokes, hopefully a few of you noticed the mnemonic from the first letters of the caption to the newspaper photo. We were up late trying our hardest.

And we even received emails about Jim Esch's "announcement" on KFAB that he was running a write-in campaign for Mayor. We did a similar joke last year regarding Tom Osborne, though credit Scott Voorhees for actually getting Esch (and KETV's Rob McCartney) on the air to plug it. Click here for the KFAB podcast of the show.

(Now the real question is who is on Esch's arm in the other half of the pic on KFAB's site...)

***

The OWH attempted an April Fool's "jokes" in the Living section yesterday.

They actually had a couple of funny ones, to wit:
Senators pass “No Death Penalty” bill; Ernie Chambers is incensed.
“Seriously?” said the former senator. “Thirty-eight years I was there — and you wait until— seriously?”
Play ball!
Millard, Ralston, Bellevue and Papillion move forward on baseball stadium plans.
But the rest? Their idea of an "April Fool" was to post "likeness" photos of the three Mayoral candidates.

You know, as if they were, "separated at birth" from those individuals.

Gee, there's a novel idea. Now it's not as if Leavenworth Street invented this idea -- though we've certainly been the major force (as it were) behind doing them in Nebraska politics.

But, two things:

1) It's not an April Fools joke. April Fools jokes are meant to trick you in some way, maybe kind of outrageously. So the "wacky healdines" = joke. Separated at birth photos? Not so much.

2) Hey, if you're going to run with our idea, at least come up with your own suggestions! Hal Daub and Keith Olbmermann? Gee where have we seen that before?

And Jim Vokal and Lex Luthor? What, OWH, you couldn't even use Gene Hackman or Kevin Spacey's Luthor, you had to go with Smallville, just like Leavenworth Street huh?

(It's a form of flattery...it's a form of flattery...it's a form of flattery.)

67 comments:

Jackie Boy said...

Jim Vokal: I refuse to vote for a Republican who uses an Obama logo in his own signs.

Anonymous said...

Why is Jimmy Vokal hiding from KFAB???

Ricky said...

I saw the article about the Nebraska Dems. mailing.
Two thousand bucks just to get in a mailing? How desperate are the Dems?
What a waste. I am a registered Dem. and I did not get one in my mailbox.
As for Councilman Brown; adios.

ricky from district 6

3rd floor watcher said...

Jim Vokal needs to learn that to be the Big Dog you have to be able to take the tough questions. It seems Jordan is taking a page from Obama on keeping his client away from the press.

Anonymous said...

Those Jim Vokal robocalls are very annoying and cost him any consideration for my vote.

Anonymous said...

To make this germane...

If NNN was going to put a sign in front of their (basement) office, it should read "Bureau of Misinformation".

Kyle just did a post attacking Lee Terry for voting "against" public service legislation. Problem is, Terry voted for the bill!

Guess who Kyle then blames for this? The Clerk of the U.S. House! (No one else had a problem reading the vote tally sheet though.)

Good research, Kyle.

Street Cleaner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

So is Jim going on Becka

WorkingMom said...

Who listens to Becka anyway. . . I can't stand to listen to him. He's a SPAZ! I could care less if a candidate was on his show or not. That isn't where I'm gonna make my decision for Mayor.

Thanks Liz said...

Thanks Liz Vokal for the post!!!!

Anonymous said...

Poor Lee Terry...he's so misunderstood! Ha!

So, what's happening with that fab "energy plan" he developed during last year's campaign?? You know, the one that was going to fix all the world's energy problems? Huh? You say that STILL nobody cares what he thinks? Nobody's calling him or beating down his door to help him get it all enacted? WHAT? I thought he was supposed to have it all fixed by now.

Anonymous said...

That plastic surgery on Hal is very annoying and cost him any consideration of my vote.

Anonymous said...

Plastic Surgery....lol You Vokalites are so in denial...lol

Anonymous said...

A 2:58 You want a energy plan? Well, have "Research Director" Kyle write one up. lol

WorkingMom said...

Are you trying to say Daub is naturally good looking? Yikes. Now who is really in denial. The least he could have done was bleach his teeth. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not Liz.

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

Try again w/o the offensive term.
-Ed.

Anonymous said...

Are you surprised at the error/mistatement at NNN?

I'm not--that's how they operate.

I heard it is so bad over there even "Hannah Montana" quit.

Anonymous said...

NNN--what a joke. I just looked at their site--guess how many people commented on the last FIVE articles that were posted?

None. Zip.

Anonymous said...

So, the only thing the Vokal camp can criticize Hal Daub about are cosmetic? Make fun of his looks? Nice. You stay classy Vokalites!

Anonymous said...

The Vokal camp shouldn't be even talking about looks. It's not like their candidate is Mr. GQ.

Anonymous said...

Why is the Leavenworth Street blog obessed with Jim Esch and his personal life. It reminds me of George from Seinfeld being in "love" with Tony...man crush...really, focus on the issues please...

Kyle Michaelis said...

Boy, you kids in the Leavenworth crew sure are being cruel to New Nebraska Network. Considering that I'd corrected my original story and apologized to readers almost a full day before anyone around here noted my error, this really isn't much of a got'cha moment.

I am glad my mistake helped rally you all in support of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. I thank Congressman Terry and Senators Johanns and Nelson for their votes, while wondering what the hell's wrong with Fortenberry, Smith, and the vast majority of House Republicans who apparently don't believe we should encourage community service by our nation's youth.

Anonymous said...

Vokal won't go on KFAB because he doesn't want to be asked this question:

"Your entire management experience consists of managing two bank tellers at Norwest. How can you ask Omahans to make you "CEO" of our city, when no respectable company in Omaha would consider asking you even to sit for an interview for their CEO job?"

It's that simple.

Anonymous said...

This guy wants us to put him in charge of 2,800 people, and our city?

Anonymous said...

Hey Kyle--keep up the good work! Any other good 'research' you have for us? lol I know those U.S. House votes tallies are really hard to understand...

Anonymous said...

Sweeper, I hope the OWH is paying you some green for their constant use of your ideas and material.

It is just shameless.

Street Sweeper said...

Well, they sent me something called, "Soylent Green", but I'm not sure what that is...

Anonymous said...

With all the signs in town and the TV coverage, it would seem to me that all Omahans would know that there is an election Tuesday. However it appears that is not the case. Last night on KPTM, there was a story on the election and it appears many are not taking an interest in this election nor in wanting to vote. So who does this help?

Anonymous said...

The election commissioner may have been overly optimistic when he predicted a primary turnout of 22%. I hope it's higher than that but with 3 uninspiring mayoral candidates heading a short ballot, it's hard for most folks to pay attention.

CC said...

Yeah, that's what the sheep of Omaha need: a candidate who is more "inspiring"! Someone who says "Hope!" and "Change!" a lot. Then they can get real excited and vote like crazy.

And then they'll find out that that person is picking their pocket and turning the country to socialism.

At least that's what the last 3 months have told me.

Anonymous said...

Esch said he wants to "buck" the system? I think he meant to use a different adjective that rhymes with BUCK!

As for his ability to pull off an April Fool? I guess he really is as good a liar as all the campaign literature said he was!

Anonymous said...

Check out Tom Becka posting twice in the comments section on Dodge St! He rips Jimmy a new one.

Anonymous said...

To 11:20 anonymous. The uninspiring candidates are enough to motivate everyone to go to the polls to vote for the least offensive.

Anonymous said...

You mean the uninspiring bald man who mumbles vague answers with catchwords, whose lifetime management experience consists of supervising two bank tellers at Norwest?

You can't mean Hal Daub, who turned this city around and brought us the modern Omaha we see today -- the one the World-Herald called probably the best mayor Omaha has seen in 100 years.

There is only one qualified candidate in this year's election: Hal Daub. No one will work harder, or smarter, to steer Omaha through the most difficult economic climate since the great depression.

Anonymous said...

...and he's willing to give live interviews on the radio!

(To be fair, so is Suttle. But not Vokal -- he knows he can look OK as long as he controls the questions being asked. He's not a leader; he's a marketing campaign.)

Anonymous said...

Coldwell Banker is failing in its attempt to sell a distressed property in Jim Vokal. How soon after he loses the primary, will Jim Vokal be "seeking other opportunities"?

Anonymous said...

Something tells me it's not going to be as "CEO" of anything.

Anonymous said...

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE ON TUESDAY

MAY OUR LEADERS BE HUMBLE AND TRULY SEEK TO SERVE THE PUBLIC

LEARN TO RESPECT THE OTHER OTHER SIDE

SEEK COMMON GROUND, STOP THE DIVISION

HIGHER GROUND, MOVE OMAHA FORWARD!

SAY A PRAYER ABOUT TUESDAY

Anonymous said...

Yes, we should treat all the candidates with respect.

But we are choosing the next mayor for our city. Just because you file for office doesn't mean your're qualified.

Anonymous said...

I just got a super-negative piece from the daub campaign.

Most elderly people forget things. Keys, children's names, whether they left the stove on.

Daub forgets why he was voted out of office in the first place.

Same old hal.

Thorne (3rd floor watcher) said...

Sweeper, It's made of people. Soylent Green is made of people!!

3rd floor watcher said...

What was the negative piece?

Anonymous said...

I just got a robo-call from the Vokal campaign that says:

"We both know that Hal Daub is a crafty politician who will say anything to win."

That's not just negative, that's nasty, it's a sign of desperation, and it shows us he is not ready to lead.

JIM VOKAL OWES HAL DAUB A PUBLIC APOLOGY

Anonymous said...

It was Liz Vokal's voice. Hiding behind his wife again. Absolutely pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Jim Vokal took a losing lesson from the Ricketts campaign. (No discrespect to Ricketts, would have been a great Senator.) When you attack someone's character, you are only degrading your own credibility.

Jim Vokal has demonstrated his incapacity to lead honestly. He is proving he is unfit to lead.

Anonymous said...

What's that smell?

Desperation.

Street Sweeper said...

Thorne,
Very close. I was looking for:
"Soylent Green IS PEOPLE!!!!"

Anonymous said...

If it snows on Tuesday no one will go out and vote. Turnout will be very low.

Anonymous said...

Heh - sounds to me like the Vokal camp hit a little too close to home. Point Vokal.

It's funny - I remember back when all the comments on this blog were about Daub's insurmountable lead. Now he's pouring thousands of dollars on election eve to fight off Vokal in the PRIMARY.

Nervous much, Daubephiles?

Outraged! Outraged I Say! said...

How DARE someone call Hal Daub a crafty politician! Hal Daub hasn't spent his entire life campaigning for office just to have some young punks like you accuse him him of being a crafty politician!

Anonymous said...

Jim Vokal owes an apology to Pete Ricketts - Ricketts is outraged that he keeps getting mistaken for *that* guy!

ed said...

Hanna Montana quit NNN? Oh the humanity!
I heard she was fired.

Scott Bluff said...

Didn't the NNN used to be an important blog? What happened to it? Leavenworth Street is the undisputed champion of political blogs in Nebraska. But we in the panhandle are getting tired of reading nothing but what is happening in Omaha.

Anonymous said...

If it snows on Tuesday there will be snow on the ground. It will be very white.

Anonymous said...

WHERE IS THE JIM SUTTLE SIGN? I'VE SEEN TWO IN TOWN.

Macdaddy said...

WE'RE NOT DEAF!

Anonymous said...

There are two Jim Suttle signs on my street and I live in mid-Omaha.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!!!

Street Sweeper said...

Yes, there are Suttle signs. And there are lots of City Council candidate signs as well. But this particular post was on WEST Omaha. And not many Suttle signs there. And no billboards that I could see.

But if there are, please send me a photo and the address, and I'd be more than happy to update.

SS

Anonymous said...

"(Now the real question is who is on Esch's arm in the other half of the pic on KFAB's site...)"

I'm pretty sure that's his sister. Nice try, though.

Anonymous said...

your obession with Jim Esch continues....

Anonymous said...

There was just a piece on phone banking on KPTM Fox 42 just now... the person they interviewed for the Daub camp was a 15-yr old boy who was doing phone banking.

All they could get was a 15-yr old kid who can't vote?

Pathetic.

Anonymous said...

um, they interviewed one of Daub's 20 volunteers who were in the same room. What is pathetic is that Jim Vokal's volunteers consist of his wife and the rest of his family, and that's about it.

Nice try.

Anonymous said...

anon 9:37pm
So if it's pathetic for Daub to have a 15 year old voluntee making calls, was it also pathetic last fall when Congressman Terry, Sen. Johanns and the state party did the same thing? High school kids are required to do civic service, and the majority of them choose to help campaigns. I think it is fantastic that cmapiagns allow them to do it, as it instills in them at a young age the value and responspility of voting and being involved.

Anonymous said...

Was it pathetic for my husband and I to include our 5-year-old and our 3-year-old while we were out walking our neighborhood for Hal Daub last week? The people we talked to sure didn't seem to think it was pathetic -- they thought it was adorable. They probably won a few votes for Hal!

Scott Bluff said...

Involving people too young to vote in the political process? What better way to teach them about how that part of our society works? I say it is brilliant.