Let's go surfin' now...

It has been a busy week kids, so we are just going to drop a few links, and feel free to discuss amongst yehselves.


State Senator Tom White says the fact that he can't get along with fellow Democrats shows that he's bipartisan.


And his spat with Democrat Mayor Jim Suttle will cost Omahans another $50K! Good to know the Mayor has that kind of cash is just sitting around.


Senator Ben Nelson makes news that he is willing to vote against Democrats -- when they don't really need his vote -- in order to show Nebraskans how he's willing to buck the system if it means he can get re-elected.


You loved Jerry Odom when he ran for Mayor of Omaha. You were with him when he ran for President. Now you can love him as he runs for Congress (NE-2)! (And that's a kickin' website!)


If I were the Omaha Fire Department, I'd look out. The Auditor is a comin'...
Of course, we thought that was the City Finance Director's job, but good thing the Mayor found another $38K lying on the floor to outsource that part of her job as well.

And we'll open it up to chat about whatever else is on your mind...

Lakers for Gov: Who is excited?

Mark Lakers started his Nebraska Gubernatorial campaign last week, and immediately hit the radio airwaves and the coffee shops.

So what have we learned?

Well, first there was his interview with Coby Mach on KLIN's Drive Time Lincoln.
You can hear it here:

Coby talks with Democrat Mark Lakers about filing to run for Nebraska Governor.

Now.

We are hearing that Lakers has a real plan for this campaign and job and has thought about it, etc, etc. (More on that below.)

But, let's just say that's not the impression one gets from his discussion with Mach on KLIN.

Lakers sounded...indecisive.
Uninformed.
Hesitant.
And in need of a few sessions at Toastmasters to get rid of the "umms" in his speech.

We're sure he is a knowledgeable guy about his business. But a hog farm financier does not a political candidate make. At least not automatically.

***

Which gets us to the LJS's Don Walton caffeine sit-down with Lakers.

Here is Walton's assessment:

Smart, confident, organized, soft-spoken.

Hmm. Let's take 'em one by one.

1) Smart: Can the man rip apart an SAT if need be? We wouldn't put it past him.

But diving into a statewide race without a campaign plan or maybe some talking points? Not sure we'd call that "smart".

2) Confident: You listen to that radio interview and let us know if you think Lakers exudes confidence.

 Maybe we're missing something from the one-on-one or face-to-face, but we just didn't hear it. And he is confident of what? That he can take down Heineman? Well, based on what? (We're getting back to #1.)

3) Organized: Now we're just calling B.S. here.

Sure maybe Lakers showed up to the java house with an accordion file folder, alphabetized with color dividers -- like George Costanza handling the Penske file.

But here's what he didn't show up with: A campaign manager. A campaign plan. Talking points on what he hopes to achieve. Breakdown of positions on different issues. Detailed knowledge of various bills before the legislature and Governor.

These are all things that shows that one is "organized" for a political race. We saw none of them on display on Friday. Oh, and by the way, he has until March to file. Why not wait a few days, get one's sh*t together, and THEN announce that you're going to announce?

What was the rush? Did the state party and a certain U.S. Senator convince him that he needed to get out there "right now!" so as not to further embarrass the party? Hmm.

4) Soft-spoken: Well, Don nailed that one anyway. But frankly that brought us back to #2.

***

But a commenter here on Leavenworth Street made a great point:

Unless you're just a sacrificial lamb, why, if you really think you have a good chance to be Governor, would you be running now? Why not cool your heels for a few years, then run when it will be an open seat? You would have a much better chance in four years, and in the mean time could build your political base, get better known, etc. etc. (And don't tell us a loss helps for 2014.)

Again, it seems pretty obvious that Lakers was pushed into this race because no one else would do it.

Of course, maybe someone thinks this challenge will soften up Dave Heineman for a 2012 Senate run.

But who would think such a thing? Who...who...?

The Dem's Gov candidate

**See post updates below**

The latest name for the Democratic Nebraska Governor candidate:

Mark Lakers, President of Ag and Food Associates a middle market merger and acquisition investment bank in Omaha. Previously of McCarthy and Co and First National Bank.

We are hearing that this is the guy Dems want to challenge Dave Heineman.

Laker's list of contributions to various Democrat candidates is lengthy (query his name at the FEC site here). $2000 to Jim Esch for Congress. $5,000ish to Obama for Prez. $500 to Nebraska Democrats. (And a grand each to Mike Johanns and Jon Bruning, just to be on the safe side.)

If they can bring him in, he'd be an interesting candidate: Banker. Ag guy. Cash.

Based on his comments, we thinks that Randy Adkins had a little background knowledge of Senor Lakers when KPTM spoke to him last.

Local political experts like UNO Political Science Professor Randy Adkins say it could actually prove beneficial if Democrats are able to find a candidate in the next couple of weeks that comes from a non–political background. He says that is especially true if the person comes from private industry.


"The benefit they have is their own political network of donors, and maybe even their own money," says Adkins.

If Dems can pull him in, guarantee they will get very excited.


**Update 9:20pm**

You can look at the OWH, LJS and NW stories on this (which all were published MUCH later in the day...cough! cough!), though all say pretty much the exact same things...

**UPDATE 9:00am Friday, 2/19/10**

And "LakersForGovernor.com" has been registered!

Just yesterday, Mark Lakers of 17643 Douglas Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68818, at af-advisors.com, signed it up through GoDaddy.com.

Things may be in motion, kiddies.

**Update 10:00am 2/19/10**

We should also add, that Lakers was a Tom Osborne guy (i.e. not a Dave Heineman guy) back in the 2006 primary -- having given T.O. a $1,000.

**Update at noon 2/19/10**

Lakers has filed.

Is this the bottom for Nebraska Dems?

Busy week folks, so just a few topics to open discussion...

No Democrats for Governor? Really?

So it looks like the Heath Mello for Governor rumor is kaput. And that's the case for any other current office-holder as well.

No current Democrat office holders have filed to run for Governor.  Now any non office holders have just a few weeks left.

So we see the comical response from the Dem higher-ups of, "Well, this will give the chance for someone from BIZ-NUSS to come in and be the Dem candidate and wouldn't that be awesome?"

(And these sarcastic quotes are VERY close to the actual quotes over on KPTM, gang.)

But that's probably not even the saddest part of the Dems in Nebraska, believe it or not...

No Democrats for the FREE Omaha City Council spot? Really?

You say, "Oh, but that's just a silly City Council spot."

No...
It's a relatively high profile position.
In the largest city in the state.
It's where the Dems already have the Mayor's office and a majority of council seats.
And...IT'S A FREE SEAT!
 No campaigning! No raising money! Just take the spot!

And who do they have a glut of? Republicans who want the job, that's what.
And every Dem suggested seems to fall by the wayside (Pat Bourne being the latest).

Now, we realize that they're going to find someone, and probably a Dem, and the Dems will claim some sort of bizarre "victory" over this.
But in the mean time, they look clownish that they don't have a list of names right away.

This is shooting fish in a barrel, and so far they're just leaking water out of the sides.

So is this rock bottom for the Dems?

No one for Gov.
No one for Council.
Checks bouncing.
Organized labor calling out Ben Nelson.
The few elected Dems bickering amongst themselves.
(Are we missing anything else?)

Things can only get better for Nebraska Dems, right?

Right?

Whoops* (updated)

KLIN's Drive Time Lincoln (1400 AM) is reporting that two Democrats filing for statewide office had their filing checks with the Secretary of State...bounce.

KLIN reports that Attorney General candidate Van Argyrakis had his $950 check bounce. *  (Note that this information is incorrect - see update below).

They also say that Secretary of State candidate (d'oh!) Kris Peirce's $850 check bounced. However, apparently Pierce was able to come up with the funds and his name will stay on the ballot.

No word yet whether Argyrakis has cured the problem (which he should have until March 1st to fix).

(Jon Bruning may have dodged the Van the Man bullet!)

**UPDATE 2/22/2010**

An update from Van Argyrakis:

The information the radio station received was incorrect. The reason the check did not clear was because I put a stop payment on it, not for insufficient funds.

The state had 3 weeks to cash my check which it did not do. During this time I changed my mind about running for the AG's office and decided to withdraw my candidacy. Since the check had not cleared, I stopped payment on it and informed the Secretary of State's office that I was withdrawing my name from the race.

At this point I am no longer a Democrat. I switched parties back to Republican, which I had been since 1985.

Thank you,

Van Argyrakis, Esq.

And...
Kris Pierce is also now listed as a candidate for Secretary of State.
We could try to get to the bottom of this story...but we don't really care.
Someone feel free to let us know.

Who's next on the Omaha City Council

The open seat on the Omaha City Council is an opportunity.

With Chuck Sigerson's resignation earlier this week, the seat, held by a Republican, will give the new member a plum spot, without re-election until 2013.  Considering that campaigning (and fund raising, etc.) is often the most distasteful part of holding office, getting this placement can be a real deal.

And that's why we would be a bit amazed if the local Dems would toss this opportunity to put in one of their own.

Joe Jordan has taken the lead on this issue on his Nebraska Watchdog blog to run a few names up the flagpole.

He tossed out both former Omaha Mayor candidate Dave Friend, as well as his cousin Mike Friend -- both Republicans.  And the name of Chuck Sigerson's son Andy was also tossed out there, though he apparently does not live in the district.

But Jordan followed that story up with the memory of a Republican being placed in the County Attorney spot when Democrat Jim Jansen retired. He quotes David Kramer saying at the time, "It is my job to see that Republicans are elected and (picked) when there are opportunities to get appointed."

And frankly, that's true.

But the situation of Jansen and Sigerson isn't necessarily apples to apples. Jansen left to go into private practice. Like it or not, that's a political calculation when you're in elective office. But not only was Sigerson forced out by illness, he is still around! One would think the rest of the Council might ask who he thinks should replace the recently re-elected office holder.

***

So, who do we got?

Well, you've heard Mike Friend. And there's Dave Friend -- a former cop who just might have some sway with fellow former cop, Council President Gary Gernandt.

Then we've heard...Douglas County Board member, Kyle Hutchings!

Hutchings, 55, is retiring from the Board this year (and former Omaha Mayor -- and Board member -- P.J. Morgan is running for his seat). He told the OWH back in September of last year that he "plans to focus on his family and his lighting business".

But maybe Hutchings just didn't want to deal with campaigning. Having that out of the way would certainly take a load off the fam and the biz.

And word has it that Hutchings's buddy on the board, Democrat Mike Boyle, may just try to grease the skids with the Dems on the Council.

Hmm.

So back to the Dems. We've heard there are a few others, maybe on Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle's staff, that are interested.

We've heard name of former state Democrat party Black Caucus chair, Robin Quarles thrown around. (And you'd have to think that having another woman on the Council would be something Dems would want to consider.)

And just for the heck of it, the name of Denny Esch -- father of Congressional candidate Jim Esch -- was mentioned as someone who could be interested.

(Though we would note that ALL names listed are purely speculative. If any of the above mentioned would like their names unmentioned, as it were, we would be happy to oblige.)

***

So what say you, readers? Is this an opportunity for the Dems? Should they take that opportunity and run with it -- hoping that person can then get re-elected in 2013?

Or do they owe it to Sigerson and his constituents to put in a GOPer?

Or frankly, do they go with someone like Hutchings, on the assumption that he would leave an open seat in 2013 and give them a new chance?

Or does anyone believe that party politics won't be involved in this choice?

And just a final note:

Dave Heineman, Mike Johanns, Lee Terry, Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith all were City Council members.

Something to think about.

Sigerson resignation letter

Omaha City Councilman Chuck Sigerson's resignation letter:

Dear Chief of Staff Weaver and Council President Gernandt:

Liz and I want to thank you for your prayers and consideration over the last several months of my illness. I am well on my way to recovery and I expect to fully recover from all affects of my stroke and heart attack. Liz and I and my family have been overwhelmed by the cards, phone calls and other acts of caring from so many of you and by the assistance of the council staff.

It has been my hope and intention throughout the last several months to return to the Omaha City Council by March such that I could continue to represent my constituents in District 7. While my speech ability continues to improve, it has not come back as quickly as my other motor skills. This sometimes makes it difficult for me to fully discuss and articulate my thoughts which I believe that I must be able to clearly do in order to effectively represent my constituents. Because this process has not progressed as rapidly as I had honestly anticipated, it is now clear to me that it is appropriate that I tender my resignation from the City Council effective March 1, 2010.

I have been honored and privileged to serve Omaha and my constituents since 2001. I love this city and hope to continue to contribute in many ways in the future as I fully recover from my illness.

Again, Liz and I and my family want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you and the citizens of Omaha for your understanding and kindness over these last several months.

Sincerely,
Charles W. Sigerson

Cosmic Bob: still cosmic

A-member former Nebraskan, Cosmic Bob Kerrey?

He finagled a bridge over to an Iowa field from you, and now is an administrator at a college in Greenwich Village, NY.  Used to date Debra Winger when he lived in Lincoln.  Owned that Grandmother's on 90th and Dodge.

Ring a bell?

Anywho, Bob is now all about cleaning up and "fixing" Congress. You got that? Fixing it.

And before we give you his top four proposals he proposed in an article for fixing said Congress, we would just like to point out the following:

Bob is a full adult, is completely (as far as we know) in possession of all his faculties, and was, we swear to Gaia, a you-knighted-states Senatoor.  K?  K.

So, on with his proposals, or "How I'd Fix D.C. Gridlock":

1) Establish an open bipartisan national system of apportioning congressional districts. State legislatures are given this authority now. It is their gerrymandering of districts, which have contributed most to the polarized nature of congressional debates and to the sense that too few incumbents are actually at risk.

Hmm. Interesting. Take the power that Nebraska has, and give it to New York, California and Texas. Brilliant.

While we're at it, why don't we just pull one of Nebraska's Senators and a couple of its Congress-people too. Because, you know, they're so polar.  Besides, the fly-over states are over-represented anyways.

2) Set a limit of the number of terms that can be served. I’d say six in the House and two in the Senate should be enough to establish the continuity needed to maintain institutional memory.

Wow! Super awesome idea, Bob. This is Earth-shattering! You know, George Will should sit down and write an entire book about this sixteen years ago. (Wait, what?)

3) Increase the qualifications for being able to run. Why not, for example, make everyone who wants to be a candidate for Congress take the same examination we give to men and women who want to become citizens? Shouldn’t each member of Congress know at least as much as a recent immigrant?

You see, this is why we needed to point out that this was written, not by one of Kerrey's little college students, or even, as far as we know, one of his kids.

This "idea" was actually proposed by an adult, who used to serve in government.

(That whole "bridge over to the field" thing is starting to make sense, isn't it?)

4) Create national rules for all federal elections. Take the power back from the political parties and give it to citizens concerned about when and how primaries are held, how they are to be financed, and what punishments are to be meted out to those who break the law.

Again, by a guy who used to serve in Congress.

You see, what we need is a Commission. An Election Commission. But instead of by the states, a Federal one. We could call it the Commission of Federal Elections, but the name's not important. See, what they could do is be an independent regulatory agency created to administer and enforce the statute that governs the financing of federal elections.

And you could search for it using your Google machine with those exact words.

A-freaking-mazing, people.

It's no wonder why the students and faculty at Bob's school have so much confidence in him.

OK, that's all.  Back to work, peoples!

Nellie being Nellie

New Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) has now provided cover for Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson to support the Republican filibuster of National Labor Relations Board member nominee, Craig Becker. Becker is a radical SEIU lawyer (uh, that would be Jane Fleming Kleeb's gang), whom Republicans are filibustering for the post.

With Scott Brown in the Senate, the Republicans have the 41 votes to sustain their filibuster of Becker's appointment, without the help of any Democrats.

But look who has joined the "me too!" gang.

Yup, Senator Nellie.

Look, it is fine that Nelson is voting this way. His reasoning for his vote is sound.

We just are highly, highly skeptical that Nelson would have voted this way if he was the deciding vote.

If Nelson's vote mattered, on what many Dems consider a procedural vote, Nelson would have likely supported the President's nominee.  We would have read a statement along the lines of, "While I am not comfortable with his background, it is the President's prerogative to fill this position. However, I will be watching his moves carefully and will review his impact," or some such nonsense.

We know it, you know it, Bob Dole knows it, and the American people know it.

We're not fooled here.

By the way, you think we are harsh on Nelson here? Try taking a look at any national Democrat blog (and probably the few local ones as well) and list the names that Nelson is called.

Now that's some anger kids.

**UPDATE**

We see that Republican Senator Richard Shelby may not join in the filibuster on Becker, so Senator Nelson may be the 41st vote after all (however you want to count them).

If this is the case in the end, we will rescind our previous gross sarcasm above, and replace it with general cynicism that the Senator realizes which voters butter his bread in Nebraska.

Oh, but note that Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid may try the "end run" recess appointment anyway.  In which case Ben is covered, and we would tack back to our gross sarcasm.

The situation is fluid...

**2nd UPDATE**

The Senate failed to invoke cloture against the filibuster - 52-33.  Democrats voting against cloture included Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.

But...

In his press conference today, the President said that if qualified nominees were obstructed by the Senate, he would have to resort to a recess appointment as soon as next week. He now has a chance with Craig Becker, if he chooses.

Gee, how about that...

Tom White's FEC report: behind the REAL numbers

Democrat Tom White filed his NE-2 congressional campaign report with the FEC the other day.

And White announced that his campaign raised $175,000 in 4Q of 2009. (In comparison, Congressman Lee Terry raised $281K.)

Well...except that White didn't raise that.

You see, White raised only $125,000, and then "loaned" his campaign another $50,000 of his own money. Interesting that these numbers are down about $80K from the previous quarter. Not a good trajectory, eh?

Now is this a big deal (in the long run)? Meh.

But here's what it shows: White is willing to sell and spin the most basic stuff as "the TRUTH", when it's patently not.

Is this a theme for the White campaign? You be the judge.

***

We were looking at White's Congressional campaign expenditures from 3Q and 4Q of 2009.

He has only spent about $40,000 to date!

Now that's $40K -- from all of last year -- on fundraising and events and staff and websites and...

(cue record scratch sound effect)

Wait, staff and websites?

Well, we know that he has a site up at TomWhite2010.com. And we know that Ian Russell is his main lieutenent orgnaizing all things Tom White for Congress.

But nary a dollar has been spent -- according to what Tom White filed as a true and accurate statement with the Federal Government -- on salary for Russell (or anyone else) or development or hosting of his Congressional campaign website.

Now, the website says very clearly at the bottom "Paid for by Tom White for Congress".

Uh, so where are the receipts?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Well, let's instead gander over at the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission website.

When we go to the "Tom White for Legislature" committee filing,  we see all sorts of expenditures in 2009.

There is $1,750 to Eric van Horn for web-site design.
There is over $9,900 to Ian Russell's company, Vanguard Strategies (not to be confused with Vandelay Industries), for an assortment of items including website maintenance and political consulting.

And then when we jump over to the TomWhite2010.com website registry page (isn't the interwebs awesome?), we see that TomWhite2010.com was registered by Ian Russell of Campaign for Nebraska's Future.

(White's old website -- JoinTomWhite.com, also registered by Russell -- now forwards to TomWhite2010. And his other site PropertyTaxCalculator.info (mysteriously registered by proxy) isn't even up anymore.)

Yet none of this shows up on any of White's Congressional campaign reports?

Why would that be?

Well, first it could be because White is trying to save money and wants to have his Legislature campaign committee pay for things instead of the Congressional committee. That way his Congressional campaign looks like it is much more successful (COH-wise).

But that would be, um, illegal.

Or White could be trying to get by without paying for things (right now anyway) and having in-kind contributions made.

But, if you don't list those, that's...um...illegal as well.

But hey, if we missed something, or are in error or this was all above board, we are more than happy to look at the records.

It just seems like this is a pretty simple answer for the campaign: You buy products or services, you list them.

***

Make no mistake kids, this is going to be a difficult campaign for White.

He is not in the position of the high-flying days of the 2008 Obamamania. Heck, he doesn't even have the grass-roots enthusiasm of Jim Esch.

And we chuckled when Democrat Rep. Chris Van Hollen pointed to the DCCC spending $800K in Nebraska in 2008 -- as if the same set of circumstances are in NE-2 this year.

Congressman Lee Terry is in a strong political position, is raising money and is doing and saying the right things.

Tom White's campaign strategy is already -- already -- getting that whiff of desperation.

These aren't the moves of a campaign with early momentum.

Keep an eye on how they handles things going forward...

McGrain new GOP ED

Jordan McGrain is the new Executive Director of the Nebraska Republican Party. McGrain takes over for Perre Neilan who is going to work for Tenaska.

A few quotes:

Dave Heineman: “Jordan McGrain is a proven strategist and fundraiser who has what it takes to make the Party sound, strong, and successful in 2010 and beyond.”

Hal Daub: "2010 is an important year for the Republican Party. Jordan McGrain adds the leadership and competitive spirit we need to be successful.“

Mark Fahleson: "I am excited to have Jordan as a part of the team. I believe his energy and experience will be an asset to our candidates across the state."

Street Sweeper: "Tom Sizemore is the new ED of the party?"

(Ha! We've still got the funny...)

We're happy to see McGrain in this new gig.

McGrain is a semi-frequent commenter here on Leavenworth Street, and has had his finger on the pulse of Nebraska politics for a while now.

You also may remember that McGrain was our guest-correspondent for the 2008 National GOP convention, filing reports here, here, here, here and here. (We should note that our relationship is still via email and IM only. Unfortunately, Jordan does not know the identity of those running L. St...)

McGrain has taken a lot of hits on this blog's comment boards since his name came up for the job.

Big surprise.

McGrain is a political op and campaign manager. He vigorously defends his clients and works hard on their behalf. This is the kind of job where if you don't have people disliking you, you're probably not qualified.

McGrain's experience will benefit the party as he recruits candidates, raises money, lobbies, and manages communications and overall political operations.

It's a big job. And the NEGOP is lucky to have him.

Even if he does get confused for Tom Sizemore now and again...

Cornhusker Kickback 2.0

You will remember that back in December when Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson started running his ads on his health care re-form bill vote, we asked, "Who is paying for these spots?"

The crawl at the bottom of the screen said, "Paid for by the Nebraska Democratic Party".

We wondered where the state party was coming up with the scratch for that tab -- especially when there are House and Governor races this year, and Nelson isn't even up for another two years.

Well, we have our answer.

The recent FEC reports show that the Democratic National Committee funneled half and million dollars into the state party on December 28, 2009 to fund the TV spots for The Benator.

And the political intertubes are all a flutter about it.

Here's the deal:

This is what political parties are supposed to do, to a certain extent, right? Defend their own when they need to get out their message?

Well OK, except that...

Nelson already took one promise back in December from Harry Reid -- and it has been almost universally harangued for being a quid pro quo for his vote. Now we discover that there was an additional $500K that went exclusively to EBN?

Guess who else is pissed now? His Dem brethren.

The Massachusetts Senate race was white-hot at that point. You think Martha Coakley and the Dems wouldn't have liked another $500,000 to spend defending "Teddy Kennedy's seat"?

The Democrats clearly now blame Nelson for killing health care re-form. With the F-you of the Cornhusker Kickback, they see that as the tipping point of national public outrage against the bill and THE REASON for the the loss in Massachusetts.

And now they find out that Nelson -- who the libs hate anyway -- took money away from other more important races when he's not even up this year? They're pissed kids. As one Dem staffer was heard saying, "The Cornhusker Kickback kicked our butts". And other Dem staffers think Nelson intentionally sabotaged the bill.

Couple this new development with his "I'm for reconciliation", "I'm against reconciliation", "I'm happy with the abortion language", "I would have renewed my filibuster in conference committee", and you can get an idea how tired people from BOTH parties have become.

A few notes from some local politicos who we asked to weigh in:

"Was this deal done during his hugging session with Senator Boxer?"

Coulda been then. Or, you'll remember that back in the first week of November, Senator Chuck Schumer, of Brooklyn, who had never been hunting in his life, spent the weekend at Nelson's turkey-hunting retreat. Was the deal made there?

Or was it simply when Nelson gave a "list of must-haves" to Schumer and Reid in the health care bargaining session later in December? As another local politico puts it, "One thing you hear over and over about Sen. Nelson is that he'll support your issue if you can supply him ample political coverage."

As another put it, "What's surprising is not that he took the money, but the relatively small price which got him to crawl into bed. Chuck Schumer sneezes $500k...even Landrieu was a pricier date!"

Here's a final thought from another: Does Nelson think the ads are helping? "Every time someone sees that ad, it makes them madder and madder that Ben did not vote the way his constituents wanted him too. Is this constant reminder just salt in the wound?"

***

While we're on it, we've finally come across an online version of Nelson's latest ad touting his vote -- the Warren Buffet spot.

Take a look.



Here's the chuckle-worthy thing about this spot:

Amongst the myriad of hops and flips Nelson has taken, one thing is that he says the President should NOT have gone for Health Care re-form at this time. He should have focused on the economy. Waited.

So Nelson disagrees with Buffett!

Buffett says he would have "made the same vote"? Well, apparently Ben Nelson WOULDN'T have!

He said yesterday that the bill should be scrapped and should be done using an "incremental approach" instead.

(And for now we'll leave aside Buffett's whole very Pro-Choice stances.)

So "brave"? Well, if taking the Cornhusker Kickbacks Part I and II for one's vote, then denying you were ever really going to vote that way makes one "brave", well, there's a definition we never found in Webster's...

***

Thanks to all the Nebraska politicos who contributed their thoughts on this to Leavenworth Street!