It's Primary Week kids, so we will try to concentrate on the few big primaries going on in Nebraska.The main statewide race in contention is for State Treasurer.
(And we'll link to their Facebook pages, since that's what all the cool kids look at...)
State Senator Tony Fulton, former Attorney General Don Stenberg and former State Patrol Superintendent (the top spot) Tom Nesbitt are all vying for that job of jobs.
What's that you say? Well, PLENTY of people would like that gig, that's who!
You know, people like Kay Orr, Dave Heineman and Shane Osborn.
(Are you starting to get the drift?)
Look, it's a statewide office, you have some responsibilities, and you know, maybe...possibly...you can launch to a higher office from there.
Not saying any of these folks plan that, but hey.
It's just sort of funny that these guys talk so little about actual treasurering...
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Anyway, watch some 30 second spots (in alpha order):
Tony Fulton
By the way, the Stenberg camp doesn't like Fulton's spot.
Tom Nesbitt
Don Stenberg
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If this were a two man race, Tony Fulton would have a shot.
But as it's a three man competition...well...we just don't see how Stenberg's statewide name recognition can be beat.
It could happen. We're not saying it can't happen.
But we're saying that if it does, it would probably be the upset of the year.
Dive in peoples.
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Test Tweet here folks...
Dems, this is what happens when the AG is left unopposed http://bit.ly/adQoj7 (and when you claim $500K that hasn't been delivered...)
Street Sweeper
LeavenworthSt
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A much more detailed plot thickens (via the LJS) on the Mark Lakers NADC report: http://bit.ly/94ER7hStreet Sweeper
LeavenworthSt
Posts
75 comments:
I don't have any idea which Republican will come out on top in the primary.
But it is hard to see any group of candidates more farther right than "Cousin", Nesbitt, or Stenberg.
Hopefully, whomever represents the Republican side of the ticket will get his clock cleaned by Mark Stoj.
I continued to be baffled by the fact that candidates for state-wide office are so not in touch with my politics, so much in the right wing, and they get elected.
How was it that I was born in Nebraska?
Ricky From Omaha
Nesbit's 30 seconds looks like a 10 year old did it on my MacBook and please tell me Don Stenberg what the hell the State Treasurer has to do with 'pro-life' and 'support of the 2nd amendment'
Fulton for the win? I guess.
haha yeah. mark stoj is about to cream one of the three biggest names in nebraska state politics. stoj is a stooge, and one of those candidates the dems put out just for the sake of having a candidate.
Who's Mark Stoj? Isn't he the bartender at the Brass Rail?
Is this the same Tom Nesbitt that moved back to Nebraska 7 months ago? He wasn't even in the state last year.
From what I have seen and heard, Fulton's campaign appears to be the one with all of the energy and momentum.
Prediction:
In the November General Election, Mark Stoj will receive fewer votes versus his GOP opponent than those cast for whatever Rosberg family member it was who previously ran for Treasurer under the former "Nebraska Party" label.
Stenberg hasn't had momentum since Tommie Frazier was at 200 lbs. That was a long time ago. I'll take Tony Fulton, seems like he's a lot more energetic than both and just as conservative.
I liked Fulton's ad although if he did all those things (balanced the budget, created jobs, etc.), it sounds like he's the governor running for a Senate seat. The list just seems rather prodigious for a state legislator. The beginning with all the old people was pretty well-done, though, and will probably resonate with people who are unsure about the future of our country, i.e., everyone.
Nesbitt's put me to sleep.
Stenberg's was OK. He's very reassuring, you know he'd do a good job, but you just have to think: isn't state treasurer a step down from AG? Why's he going backwards?
Street Sweeper where did you get the photos of the three stooges? Lol
SS...
So we should "Box" Fulton and Stenburg in todays Daily Double? I think I will put my money on Fulton...pick up my winnings and have a cool refreshing beverage at the end of the day.
Hmm. If I could go to UNO/FirstData and place a bet, I might understand your point. In any case, I highly suggest the cool beverage, and vote for the man of your choice.
Name rec statewide is important, but we also have to look at money raised. Fulton is kind of an animal when it comes to raising money. If he is allocating it correctly, this vote shouldn't be a problem. I'll take Fulton by 8 points.
Stenberg has the name recognition, but the unicam Senators are working behind the scenes to ensure Fulton wins. Fulton received endorsements from 29 of his unicam mates. I think Fulton in a tight race then he will pound Mark Stoj.
Well, let's remember that Stenberg still got 36 percent of the vote in the 2006 Primary with Ricketts, and Ricketts spent millions. Stenberg's name ID is high, and he is well liked. I say Stenberg by 12.
Don Stenberg: The 2010 version of Hal Daub 2009. Thanks Don - Fulton would've cleaned our clocks...
I'm reserving judgment until Rainbow Rowell weighs in on this.
To NE Dem:
Stenberg is not like Daub of 2009. People hate Daub. Stenberg is well respected. Daub's negatives were high, Stenberg's are not.
Nesbitt doesn't even have a college degree? How can that qualify to be State Treasurer?
I'm a registered non-partisan; neither Republican nor Democrat. I know Tony Fulton personally and have great respect for him. I also know Steve Lathrop and have great respect for him as well. I know Tom White and, well ...
Anyway, Tony Fulton is a very, very bright guy. I don't know for sure but I don't think he has aspirations for higher office like Governor or Senator. I think Steve does.
But Tony is a good guy. He's very competent. He's very bright. He'll work hard and do a good job. He's conscientious. He's a decent human being and a good family man.
I don't know Stenberg nor Nesbitt and they might be fine as well. But I don't like seeing these personal potshots and cheapshots taken at people I know and respect.
Where is this era of post-partisanship we were promised? Wasn't it the Democrat Bill Clinton who used to lament the politics of personal destruction? And yet the Democrats who post on this blog are some of the worst when it comes to flinging epithets.
I don't care if you vote for him or not but Tony Fulton is a good man. And it's really discouraging seeing the kind of abuse that gets thrown his way by people like Ricky and Bud (not necessarily in this blog but just in general). Bud, you know, for an educator, that's really unworthy of you.
SS...
Can I have credit for being the first and one of the probably few Nebraskans to show up at the polls in this elecion? Went over this afternoon and to my surprise no one wss there. I could have sworn it was this Tuesday. I think I need to cut back a bit on the cool refreshing beverages. But I do love foo-foo Scorpions.
Steve Lathrop is planning to run fpr Governor in 2014 if he makes it through this years election. No if, ands or buts about it.
Take him out now and be done with it!
Nesbitt has my vote! Great guy there!
Anonymous says I am not worthy. I will always take the credit of not being worthy to be in the GOP. I did not know having a different opinion and expressing it made me such a bad person. Especially since being an educator makes me some type of person who can't say what I believe. I think RWP is an educator. I very rarely believe in what he says or how he says it. But I have no problem with him saying it. So Anonymous I am sorry I am "NOT WORTHY OF YOU". Do you think I care ? PS. if I was a GOP I would vote for Fulton
To Ricky: Brad Ashford seems like a right wing conservative to you. Enough said!!!!
Stenberg probably wouldn't make a claim to having momentum. He starts out way out in front and the other guys have to catch him. So he wants to hang on, and try to keep the others from getting momentum.
Nesbitt is just pretending which is ironic, because he is running as "honest guy". He was fired by Governor Dave, then I remember the media writing about cronyism and nepotism in the treasurer's office in the time Nesbitt worked there (after getting fired by Governor Dave). And he sued the state while working in the treasurers office (found that while Googling for his video). And he worked in Ohio for a couple years until he got mad at the mayor and quit that job (seriously, Google). Then he comes back to Nebraska to run for Treasurer?! Are you kidding me? the Democrats would love to get him as an opponent.
Look at their accountability disclosure reports. Stenberg bought TV and radio but not very much (about 20,000) and now he is out of money. Nesbitt has 15,000 but also has 15,000 in bills. Fulton has 66,000. I don't know if that's enough to buy TV in Nebraska but its more than the other guys. I think its a question of weather Fulton has enough campaign to tell people who he is - because most people are done with Stenberg. If you just judge by their money and tv ads, I think it's pretty clear who wins. But the advantage is Stenberg's because he's well known. Tough call, but I will end up voting for Fulton.
Anon at 9:50, you may be right about Steve wanting to run for Gov. As I said (anon at 5:44 on 5/4), I know both Steve and Tony and I've known them both before either of them ever ran for any office (or was appointed in Tony's case.) That being said, they don't necessarily share with me their plans.
I will say this about Steve -- he's a great guy. He's very bright. And he's a very effective politician. I don't always agree with his politics but he's very savvy and I think he'd be an effective Governor if that's what he wants to do. The right doesn't like him because they know how formidable of an opponent he could be.
And, Bud, you must have missed the part where I said I'm a registered non-partisan. Neither Democrat nor Republican. And you also misrepresented what I said. I didn't say that YOU were unworthy. I said that calling my friend Tony a stooge was unworthy of an educator such as yourself.
Booo yakov smirnoff!!!
Anoymous, It is good for you to defend your friend. Have you ever seen the photos that street sweeper puts up on comparing and constrasting people? Did you ever have problem with that? I have been blasted on this blog for my opinions and ideas. Did you ever have a problem with that? I have had my friends blasted in the negative way on this blog do you have problem with that? So I thought the three GOP candidates should be compared to the three stooges. That fits with me. You say you are non partisan. You sound real super right wing to me. You are allowed to say what you want but no one else can. Pretty reactionary. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. I am going to get hit pretty hard on this and other things I say. So be it. I stepped into the arena. You can't have it both ways. Either you believe in freedom of expression or you don't?
Booo charles h. dietrich
I like Senator Brad Ashford; he is committed to helping North O and the rest of our city battle the gun violence.
However, he is a Republican, and I have to temper my enthusiasm for the Senator therefore.
I see he is running unopposed for his Legislative seat.
The only dark spot on Ashfords record lately is his support for the Republicans in Sarpy County building their ballpark to keep people away from Omaha's downtown park.
I predict Fulton will come out on top in the Treasurers race. He knows how to campaign.
Ricky From Omaha
Brad Ashford is one big Dark Spot!!! Big supporter of the learning community and funding his buddy Kermit Brashear with taxpayer funds.
SS, regarding your tweet, there's a section on the NADC reports that says "Unpaid pledges this period". That means they are required to report anyone who has said they will be donating, and how much, even if it hasn't been collected yet. Your tweet makes it clear you're not aware of that fact.
Obviously you are not aware of the fact that SS is merely referring to the story in the OWH and what it says!
Senator Ashford is buddies with Kermit Brashear? No WONDER Ashford was supporting Sarpy Countys' stealing of the Omaha Royals.
Mr Ashford probably wanted Kermit to keep going till he fleeced Sarpy out of a million dollars. Instead, he fell short by about 50 grand
SS tweet says "...and when you claim $500K that hasn't been delivered..." Yeah, that's because NADC requires reporting "Unpaid pledges this period".
Tell you what: CLICK ON THE LINK, then be sure to get back to the AG's office with your complaints...
-SS
Something smells and it's not Mark Lakers Hog Operations!!!
anon 9:55, er Senator Nordquist...
Lathrop is a snake. Broken campaign promises and completely untrustworthy. His committee has been nothing but a fast track for big labor union agendas. He has tortally screwed the city of Omaha's ability to fairly negotiate union contracts, then added to their potential liability with the mental illness after retirement bills.
Nope...won't have him. Just another slick ambulance chaser. Gotta go!
Bruning -- Naked political hit to protect Tineyman. Just trying to intimidate those who have pledged big bucks.
The last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate showed this kind of fundraising prowess was in 1991.
His name was Ben Nelson.
For those of you old enough to recall, Ben was a politcal newcomer coming out after a successful career in the private sector, who went on to beat a Republican incumbent.
Has a familiar ring to it.
Fun fact: The last two Democratic governors (Kerrey/Nelson) both fit that profile (successful businessmen/politcal newcomers).
And they each beat Republican incumbents.
Mark Lakers, never heard of him!!!
anon 2:55, er Rod Edwards.
Nordquist out-managed you in the 2006 Lathrop v. Stothert race.
Get over it!!
Wow! just looked at Mark Lakers NADC report. I didn't realize he leaned accounting the Enron way.
I have heard of Mark Lakers
what exactly's wrong with the ag looking into filed complaints that a candidate might have broken the law?
Wow, NE Voter! Without you I never would've realized the Democrats who came out of the private sector defeated GOP incumbents. [snicker] It's happened a whopping... twice.
On a side note, were the governors those Dems replaced facing an incumbent with a 60+% approval rating and was voted in with 75% of the vote last time? Nobody ever mentions that...
NE Voter
The LJS has a more in-depth article than the OWH; such as quoting the director of the NADC and one of the people who complained.
Its amazing I know, but sometimes Democrats don't actually tell the truth
Thanks Chris:
See the updated post with our latest Tweet embedded.
-Ed.
Determining who is who is getting murky. Perpetual candidate Lonergan calls himself a Republican, but going to the NADC site (to look up the Lakers info) one finds that every single one of his reportable dollars comes from a number of labor unions.
- charles
Unfortunately, NE Voter, it wasn't Bruning who contacted the CEOs of Kappa Ethanol and Berexco and discovered they hadn't pledged what Lakers campaign report said they'd pledged. It was the Associated Press.
Quoting from the LJS
Nebraska law says anyone who knowingly files a campaign finance statement or report containing false information commits a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Civil penalties also can be levied.
This looks really bad. Either Lakers committed a felony, or someone in his campaign did, and Lakers didn't know about it. Either would seem to be a bit of a disqualification for a gubernatorial candidate.
If I was guessing the AP contacted the Lakers campaign, at the request of Bruning. He don't want Lakers to win, becasue if buddy Dave gets the boot, he knows he can't beat Lakers, because he's a turncoat!
A Short Play
By NE Voter
[An executive of a regulated industry in Nebraska who has pledged support to Mark Lakers sits at his desk. The telephone rings.]
Executive: Hello?
Heineman Henchman: Hi, I'm calling from Governor Dave's office. We noticed that you pledged a sizable contribution to the Mark Lakers for Governor campaign. You ow, at first, we all kind of laughed about it, until we realized that your company is a regulated industry here in Nebraska, and to let you know that Gov. Dave has a meeting with your board Chairman next week at that big corporate confab at the Sandhills Golf Course next week. So, we thought we'd check with you to verify that -- So, what say you?
Executive: Mark Lakers? Never heard of him. I and my regulated business fully support Governor Dave!
Heineman Henchman: That's what we thought. Whew, what a relief! Someone should call NADC and complain about such outrageous campaign activities! Executive, did you get that last part?
Executive: I should call NADC and complain about such outrageous campaign activities!
Heineman Henchman: Have a great day. Ciao!
Act II
[Repeat Act I about 10 times.]
[Intermission]
Act III
[Repeat Act I and Act II about 10 times]
The End.
Any proof NE Voter? If so, let us all see it; otherwise its just heresay
6:55
This entire episode is hearsay.
I cannot think of an occasion where the AG inserted himself into an NADC matter -- Before a comlaint has even been filed (so far as we know).
The possible exception may be that Republican crook/Regent who was impeached a couple of years ago.
NE Voter
It's hearsay even tho 2 CEOs of companies listed on Laker's NADC reports have said to the LJS that they didn't pledge any money to his campaign?
Besides, you're the type of Dem who'd want his candidates to lie and cheat their way to victory, but whine and moan if Repubs did anything even close to it
To most Nebraskans, Fulton invented the steamboat, Nesbitt was one of the Monkees, but Stenberg is Stenberg. The guy has been running for office forever. SS pegged it right.
7:20
Obviously did not read The Short Play.
NE Voter,
When has there ever been anything in the news about the NADC besides now and Hergert the regent?
NE Voter,
Oh I did read it. It's just plays are works of fiction, like yours. But if you do actually have some proof of impropriety in this universe, I for one would be willing to look at it
i guess i don't get what ne voter was getting at. somebody in the lakers camp had to have filed those contributions, and it would be public record if they withdrew contributions. can someone explain?
how come nobody mentions the most recent democrat to come out of the private sector to challenge a gop gov in the neb was david hahn. sweeper, why does nobody ever bring him up? i'm a relative newcomer to ne. maybe i am getting my facts wrong?
Jamie, I'll give you an "insider's" take on what happened to David Hahn. Now these are my personal observations, and may not be shared by David or the current management of the NDP.
David is one of the smartest people I have ever met and it was Nebraska's loss that we didn't elect him as our Governor. We wouldn't be in the toilet, as we are today, had David Hahn been at the helm of Nebraska's government these past four years.
David was abandoned by the NDP "hierarchy." He received NO help because he chose not to buy into Sen. Ben Nelson's "Coordinated Campaign." If Attorney General Bruning REALLY wanted to look into a mess, that 2006 NDP Coordinated Campaign would have been a good place to start. I was so concerned that what was going on there was illicit that I actually filed a complaint with the AG's office. Bruning decided to ignore it, no doubt because similar garbage is under the lid of the NEGOP.
I personally hold the then Chair of the NDP, Steve Achelpohl, and his henchmen, Barry Rubin and Ian Russell responsible for what happened to David. They sabotaged his campaign, and those of other good Democrats that were running at the time, as well as commanding the constant decline of the Democratic Party in this state. It was due to their management that the Nebraska Democratic Party became the Party of Ben Nelson, to the exclusion of anyone that didn't kiss his ring.
It seems something smells to Hog Heaven!! Why would an AG look into a gubernatorial candidate?
I cannot think of an occasion where the AG inserted himself into an NADC matter -- Before a comlaint has even been filed (so far as we know).
Bzzzt! Sorry! Bruning didn't 'insert' himself. Frank Daley, who leads the NADC, asked Bruning to investigate.
In my occasional dealings with Daley, he's been both professional and apolitical. If he did this, he had a serious concern.
we're in the toilet? that's odd. i thought we had a above average-growth and the second lowest unemployment in the country. if anything it's the deficit that's our problem, but it's dems like dubas and mcgill that have opposed the use of rainy day funds. isn't it a rainy day?
the deficit is not heineman's fault- it's the housing crisis', which in turn was congress' fault. revenue is the lowest it's been in 30 years, dropping $165M in 2008 alone. calling heineman "deficit dave" is like blaming rudy giuliani for the wtc attacks.
BTO, I have a bit of a hard time believing that. Nothing I have ever seen suggests that a party would leave their most exclusive duty- electing people- because the candidate for the highest office in the state had a disagreement with another elected official.
Look at Hagel. He was able to fight off major primary opponents despite his opposition to establishment Republicans like McCain, Bush, Johanns, and Heineman. And he was elected with a wider margin than anyone discussed recently on this board.
"Despite (Hagel's) opposition to establishment Republicans like McCain, Bush, Johanns, and Heineman..."
Here is some history.
Hagel was McCain's biggest and best supporter against Bush, with Hagel coming out of the first McCain campaign looking better than McCain. Hagel was on Bush's short list for VP but was screwed out of that by Cheney pulling Bush's leash. Hagel advised Johanns to run for Governor and backed him to the hilt. And Heineman got in with Hagel pushing.
Interesting how things turn out.
Hagel turned his back on people who plunged a knife into it? That is an interesting way of looking at things.
Hagel is a tool. If anyone was a back-stabber, it was him. He consistently undermined Bush on the Iraq war but more importantly, what he did to General Petraeus was unconscionable. Hagel quit because he knew that his future in Nebraska politics was over. If Nelson were smarter, he would have realized at the time that Nebraskans don't like two-faced politicians because that kind of game-playing is not worthy of this great country. The only honorable thing Hagel ever did in politics was to quit.
My favorite Chuck Hagel memory was on election night 1996.
On one of the local 10:00 election night live broadcasts (can't remember which station), Hagel's wife Lilibet was asked for her reaction to Hagel's victory.
Her statement was, "We are absolutely thrilled, and can't wait to get back home to Virginia!"
No lie.
[Clearing throat]
Wake up, people!
NE Voter, have you ever considered that they wanted to go to Virginia to tell their families? They have roots there.
But Hagel is not a backstabber, he's a man of principles and one who doesn't play the game politics the way politicians want.
I dunno. I'm not the most articulate in Hagel's history, but I know he was a staunch opponent of the war in Iraq (not succumbing to the Bush Admin) and refused to endorse McCain because of foreign policy differences and the way the McCain campaign was operated.
I doubt Hagel would have lost the Senate election in 2008. The primary would have been his biggest challenge, with all those super right-of-centers dissatisfied with Hagel's foreign policy, but I believe the layperson would have voted for him in the general. He's conservative and liberal on the right issues, which can satisfy those in rural areas and those in metro areas. I find it hard to believe an incumbent Senator who received 85% of the general last election cycle would lose more than 35% of those voters next time.
Not that I want to make this about Hagel. I was simply making a point- people vote more-so on policies and promises than who satisfies the political establishment.
Jamie,
Yeah, David didn't own the voting machines used to count the ballots in his election; Chuck did.
As for a party leaving "their most exclusive duty- electing people- because the candidate for the highest office in the state had a disagreement with another elected official," I find your naiveté refreshing.
Another famous quote about Hagel (this one from a longtime Nebraska Democratic operative):
"Chuck Hagel: Talks like Jesse Jackson, Votes like Jesse Helms."
I like Nezzie. Common sense, straight forward, and not a whore to a political machine. I don't care if he has a degree or not. You can have more degrees than a thermometer, but if you don't have common sense or experience, you don't have squat.
We don't need another stepping stone politician in Nebraska's hierarchy. Nezzie has the sand to even tell Tinyman he is wrong. That would be a first in this state.
You comment is not germane to the discussion, and may contain false statements. Thus deleted.
-Ed.
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